The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 05, 2010
Filed:
Dec. 01, 2005
Lawrence Getzin, Columbia Heights, MN (US);
Richard B. Nelson, Chandler, AZ (US);
Jaswinder S. Jandu, Chandler, AZ (US);
Richard Alexander Erhart, Tempe, AZ (US);
Lawrence Getzin, Columbia Heights, MN (US);
Richard B. Nelson, Chandler, AZ (US);
Jaswinder S. Jandu, Chandler, AZ (US);
Richard Alexander Erhart, Tempe, AZ (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Validity Sensors, Inc., Phoenix, AZ (US);
Abstract
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.