Smart switching using multispectral imaging

Abstract

A multispectral sensor is provided with an illumination source and a digital imaging system. The illumination source is disposed to provide light at multiple wavelengths to an object. The digital imaging system is disposed to receive light scattered from the object and has a digital array of light detectors and a color filter array. The color filter array has a multiple distributed filter elements, each of which is adapted to transmit light of one of a limited number of specified narrowband wavelength ranges. The color filter array is disposed to filter the light scattered from the object prior to encountering the digital array of light detectors.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A multispectral smart switch comprising:
 a switch in electrical communication with an associated device and having a platen; and   an imaging system disposed to image an object in proximity to the platen, and to determine, according to the image, whether the object is a finger,   the switch disposed to enable a function of the associated device only when the object is determined to be a finger.   
     
     
         19 . The smart switch of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an illumination source disposed to provide light at a plurality of wavelengths to an object in proximity to the platen,   wherein the imaging system is disposed to image the object by receiving light scattered from the object.   
     
     
         20 . The smart switch of  claim 19 , wherein the imaging system is further disposed to determine whether the object is a finger by analyzing or one or more multispectral qualities of the object from the image. 
     
     
         21 . The smart switch of  claim 18 , wherein the imaging system is further disposed to:
 collect a sequence of image frames; and   analyze the sequence of image frames to detect a motion,   wherein the imaging system is disposed to determine whether the object is a finger according to the motion.   
     
     
         22 . The smart switch of  claim 21 , wherein the imaging system is further disposed to determine whether the object is a finger according to the motion by analyzing the motion relative to that of a living finger. 
     
     
         23 . The smart switch of  claim 21 , wherein the imaging system is further disposed to determine whether the object is a finger according to the motion by analyzing an overall shape of the object from the sequence of image frames. 
     
     
         24 . The smart switch of  claim 21 , wherein the imaging system is further disposed to determine whether the object is a finger according to the motion by analyzing a texture of the object from the sequence of image frames. 
     
     
         25 . The smart switch of  claim 21 , wherein the imaging system is further disposed to determine whether the object is a finger according to the motion by analyzing or one or more spectral qualities of the object from the sequence of image frames. 
     
     
         26 . A method for enabling a function of an associated device using a multispectral smart switch, the method comprising:
 imaging an object in proximity to a platen of a switch in electrical communication with the associated device   determining, according to the imaging, whether the object is a finger; and   enabling the function of the associated device only when the object is determined to be a finger.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 illuminating the object with light at a plurality of wavelengths when the object is in proximity to the platen,   wherein the imaging comprises receiving light scattered from the object.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein determining whether the object is a finger comprises analyzing or one or more multispectral qualities of the object derived from the received scattered light. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 collecting a sequence of image frames; and   analyzing the sequence of image frames to detect a motion,   wherein the determining whether the object is a finger is according to the motion.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the determining whether the object is a finger according to the motion comprises analyzing the motion relative to that of a living finger. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the determining whether the object is a finger according to the motion comprises analyzing an overall shape of the object from the sequence of image frames. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the determining whether the object is a finger according to the motion comprises analyzing a texture of the object from the sequence of image frames. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the determining whether the object is a finger according to the motion comprises analyzing or one or more spectral qualities of the object from the sequence of image frames.