Synaptics Corporation

Egis Technology Inc.

Validity Sensors, Inc.

National Semiconductor Corporation

Medtronic, Inc.

Vivid Semiconductor, Inc.

Synaptics Incorpoated

Richard Brian Nelson

Richard Alexander Erhart

Richard Alex Erhart

Paul Wickboldt

Armando Leon Perezselsky

Jaswinder S Jandu

Lawrence Getzin

Erik Jonathon Thompson

James Richard Kozicek

Edward Carl Fullman

A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.

Apparatus and method for TFT fingerprint sensor

A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.

Fingerprint sensor and integratable electronic display

Fingerprint sensing circuit packages and methods of making such packages may comprise a first substrate having a top side and a bottom side; the top side comprising a fingerprint image sensing side over which a user's fingerprint is swiped; the bottom side comprising a metal layer forming a fingerprint sensing circuit image sensor structure; and a sensor control circuit housed in a sensor control circuit package mounted on the metal layer. The sensor control circuit may comprise an integrated circuit die contained within the sensor control circuit package. The fingerprint sensing circuit package may also have a second substrate attached to the bottom side of the first substrate having a second substrate bottom side on which is placed connector members connecting the fingerprint sensing circuit package to a device using a fingerprint image generated from the fingerprint sensing circuitry contained in the fingerprint sensing circuitry package.

Fingerprint sensing circuit

A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Packaging for fingerprint sensors and methods of manufacture

A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within a housing adaptable for use in an electronic device.

Fingerprint sensor packagings and methods

A biometric sensor apparatus and method are disclosed, which may comprise a flexible substrate comprising a first side surface and a second side surface opposing the first side surface; a biometric sensor portion comprising biometric image sensing elements formed on the second side surface forming at least part of a biometric sensor array sensing capacitively induced changes induced by a biometric in the vicinity of the biometric image sensing elements; a biometric sensor controller integrated circuit mounted to the flexible substrate on one of the first side surface and the second side surface of the flexible substrate; an edge surface of the flexible substrate including at least one conductively plated perforation in the flexible substrate; and an electro-static discharge element formed on or as part of the flexible substrate and electrically connected to the at least one conductively plated perforation.

Apparatus and method for fingerprinting sensing

Embodiments of the invention provide a substrate and a method for constructing a substrate with electrostatic discharge protection. The substrate includes an edge surface with at least one plated castellation capable of conducting electrostatic discharge. The at least one plated castellation is connected to a circuit trace on at least one of the bottom surface and the top surface of the substrate. The method includes punching holes along at least a portion of a perimeter of each of a plurality of substrates in a substrate array, plating the holes with a conductive material, and cutting each of the plurality of substrates along cut lines that bisect at least some of the holes.

Apparatus and method for electrostatic discharge protection

A system and method is disclosed for minimizing power consumption of a sensor unit that is capable of detecting an object. Main circuitry operates the sensor unit in a high power mode of operation when the sensor unit detects an object. Low power control circuitry operates the sensor unit in a low power mode of operation when the sensor unit does not detect an object within a pre-determined period of time. The low power control circuitry also comprises a counter to periodically determine when to restore the sensor unit to a high power mode of operation. One advantageous embodiment of the sensor unit is a fingerprint sensor unit for detecting a finger to obtain fingerprint information.

System and method for minimizing power consumption for an object sensor

A fingerprint sensor in accordance with the invention includes a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint to be sensed. A sensor circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface to sense a fingerprint when juxtaposed proximally thereto. An electrostatic discharge conductor is applied to the non-conductive surface and is located between an area where a fingerprint is swiped and the sensor circuit. The electrostatic discharge conductor discharges electrostatic charge resulting from a user swiping a fingerprint across the first surface.

Growing community of inventors

Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Richard Brian Nelson