Method and device for detecting moving objects such as fingerprints and corresponding computer program product

1. A method of detecting an image of an object, such as part of a hand, the method including:

providing a detection surface,

providing an optical sensor that is able to perform a detection function on areas defined on said detection surface,

setting said object in contact with said detection surface,

carrying out a preview step where the detection surface is scanned by said optical sensor,

detecting from the image an initial position (P) of said object positioned on said detection surface, wherein said initial position (P) corresponds to an outermost end of an area of a print of said object set in contact with said detection surface, where said outermost end is a peripheral portion of the image more distant from the centre of the detection surface,

defining a fixed rolling area having dimensions, both horizontal ones and vertical ones, chosen so as to contain completely said object,

positioning an initial edge of said rolling area in said detection surface in said initial position (P) where said object has been detected,

carrying out a rolling movement of said object over said detection surface, and

maintaining the rolling area established in the previous step in a fixed position with respect to said detection surface during the rolling movement of said object over said detection surface, and

generating, starting from individual images collected during the rolling movement of said object, an overall image of said object.

2. The method of claim 1 , including identifying an expected sense (R) of said rolling in a manner selected:

as a function of said initial position (P) of said object as positioned on said detection surface;

as rolling directed to the center of said detection surface;

as a pre-defined rolling sense; or

as a function of a rolling sense detected upon detecting said initial position (P) of said object as positioned on said detection surface.

3. The method of claim 1 , including positioning said rolling area in said detection surface in a direction crosswise said rolling movement as an alignment selected out of:

alignment with an upper edge of said object;

alignment with a lower edge of said object;

alignment with the center of said object.

4. The method of claim 1 , including detecting said initial position (P) of said object as positioned on said detection surface within a preview area smaller than the detection surface.

5. A detection device including:

a detection surface for detecting an image of an object subject to rolling over a detection surface,

a sensor for detecting said image on a rolling area for said object located in said detection surface, and

processing means connected to said sensor for detecting an initial position (P) of said object positioned on said detection surface, said processing means being configured for implementing the method according to claim 1 .

6. A computer program product on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which is loadable in a memory of a computer and which includes software code portions for implementing the method of claim 1 when run on the computer.