公开(公告)号：US09589171B1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-07

申请号：US15176891

申请日：2016-06-08

Applicant: Fingerprint Cards AB

Inventor： Andreas Larsson ,  Hans Thörnblom ,  Fredrik Ramberg ,  Frank Robert Riedijk ,  Robert Hägglund

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0012 ,  G06K9/0002

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger using a fingerprint sensing device comprising an array of sensing elements; an electrically conductive finger detecting structure; and finger detecting circuitry connected to the finger detecting structure for providing a finger detection signal indicative of a capacitive coupling between the finger detecting structure and the finger. The method comprises the steps of: comparing the finger detection signal with a first threshold value indicating a first capacitive coupling, and a second threshold value indicating a second capacitive coupling stronger than the first capacitive coupling; and activating at least a subset of the sensing elements when the finger detection signal changes from a first value indicating a capacitive coupling weaker than the first capacitive coupling to a second value indicating a capacitive coupling stronger than the second capacitive coupling.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及使用包括感测元件阵列的指纹感测装置感测手指的指纹图案的方法; 导电手指检测结构; 以及连接到手指检测结构的手指检测电路，用于提供指示手指检测结构和手指之间的电容耦合的手指检测信号。 该方法包括以下步骤：将手指检测信号与指示第一电容耦合的第一阈值和指示比第一电容耦合更强的第二电容耦合的第二阈值进行比较; 以及当手指检测信号从表示比第一电容耦合弱的电容耦合的第一值改变到指示比第二电容耦合更强的电容耦合的第二值时激活感测元件的至少一个子集。

公开(公告)号：US09489559B2

公开(公告)日：2016-11-08

申请号：US14718776

申请日：2015-05-21

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Sebastian Weber ,  Markus Andersson ,  Hans Thörnblom ,  Frank Robert Riedijk

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  G06K9/0008 ,  G06K9/001

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a fingerprint sensing system including a plurality of sensing elements, each being configured to capacitively couple to a finger arranged adjacent to the sensing element and to provide a sensing signal indicative of a response to a time-varying finger excitation signal provided to the finger; and an electrically conducting housing at least partly enclosing an interior of the electronic device. The electronic device further comprises housing connection circuitry connected to the electrically conducting housing, and arranged and configured to at least intermittently allow a potential of the electrically conducting housing to follow the finger excitation signal. Hereby the housing can be used to enhance the functionality of the fingerprint sensing system.

Abstract translation: 电子设备技术领域本发明涉及一种电子设备，其包括指纹感测系统，其包括多个感测元件，每个感测元件被配置为电容耦合到与感测元件相邻布置的手指，并提供指示对时变的响应的感测信号 手指激励信号提供给手指; 以及至少部分地包围所述电子设备的内部的导电外壳。 电子设备还包括连接到导电壳体的壳体连接电路，并且被布置和配置为至少间歇地允许导电壳体的电位跟随手指激励信号。 因此，壳体可用于增强指纹感测系统的功能。

公开(公告)号：US20150169932A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-18

申请号：US14566175

申请日：2014-12-10

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk ,  Hans Thornblom

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/001 ,  G06K9/00013 ,  G06K9/0002

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a reference signal indicative of an electric coupling between a hand surface having friction ridges and a reference sensing structure extending across a plurality of the friction ridges; and determining the representation of the fingerprint pattern based on the reference signal and a capacitive coupling between the finger and each of a plurality of sensing elements. The acquired reference signal can, for example, be used for controlling the sensing elements so that the sensing performed by the sensing elements is carried out using favorable timing, when the signal quality is good. Alternatively, or in combination, the acquired reference signal may be used for post-processing, whereby the signals/signal values obtained by the sensing elements are modified depending on the corresponding values of the reference signal.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种确定指纹图案表示的方法。 该方法包括以下步骤：获取指示具有摩擦脊的手表面与延伸穿过多个摩擦脊的参考感测结构之间的电耦合的参考信号; 以及基于所述参考信号和所述手指与多个感测元件中的每一个之间的电容耦合来确定所述指纹图案的表示。 所获取的参考信号例如可以用于控制感测元件，使得当信号质量良好时，利用感测元件执行的感测是通过有利的定时进行的。 或者或组合地，所获取的参考信号可以用于后处理，由此根据参考信号的对应值修改由感测元件获得的信号/信号值。

公开(公告)号：US09600705B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-21

申请号：US14872510

申请日：2015-10-01

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  G06F3/044

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprising a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element includes a protective dielectric top layer to be touched by a finger; an electrically conductive sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer; a charge amplifier connected to the sensing structure for providing a sensing voltage signal indicative of a change of a charge carried by the sensing structure resulting from a change in a potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure; and a voltage-to-current converter for converting the sensing voltage signal to a sensing current signal indicative of the change of charge carried by the sensing structure. Hereby, accurate sensing as well as faster operation of the sensing elements can be achieved without a corresponding increase in power consumption.

公开(公告)号：US20160232394A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-11

申请号：US14872510

申请日：2015-10-01

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprising a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element includes a protective dielectric top layer to be touched by a finger; an electrically conductive sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer; a charge amplifier connected to the sensing structure for providing a sensing voltage signal indicative of a change of a charge carried by the sensing structure resulting from a change in a potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure; and a voltage-to-current converter for converting the sensing voltage signal to a sensing current signal indicative of the change of charge carried by the sensing structure. Hereby, accurate sensing as well as faster operation of the sensing elements can be achieved without a corresponding increase in power consumption.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及包括多个感测元件的电容式指纹感测装置。 每个感测元件包括被手指触摸的保护电介质顶层; 布置在顶层下方的导电感测结构; 连接到所述感测结构的电荷放大器，用于提供指示由所述手指和所述感测结构之间的电位差的变化导致的由所述感测结构承载的电荷变化的感测电压信号; 以及电压 - 电流转换器，用于将感测电压信号转换成指示感测结构承载的电荷变化的感测电流信号。 因此，可以实现精确的感测以及感测元件的更快的操作，而不会相应地增加功率消耗。

公开(公告)号：US20150310248A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-29

申请号：US14548834

申请日：2014-11-20

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/03 ,  G07C9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  A61B5/117 ,  A61B5/1172 ,  A61B2562/0214 ,  A61B2562/046 ,  G01R27/26 ,  G06K9/00053 ,  G06K9/0008 ,  G06K9/036 ,  G07C9/00158

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprising a semiconductor substrate; and an array of sensing elements formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the sensing elements comprises a protective dielectric top layer; a sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer; and a charge amplifier connected to the sensing structure. The charge amplifier comprises a negative input connected to the sensing structure; a positive input; an output providing a sensing signal; a feedback capacitor; and a sense transistor having a gate constituting the negative input. The sense transistor is formed in an insulated well in the semiconductor substrate. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises excitation signal providing circuitry connected to the positive input of the charge amplifier and the well for changing electric potentials of the sensing structure and the well, to thereby reduce the influence of parasitic capacitances in the sensing element.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及包括半导体衬底的电容式指纹感测装置; 以及形成在半导体衬底上的感测元件阵列。 每个感测元件包括保护电介质顶层; 布置在顶层下方的感测结构; 以及连接到感测结构的电荷放大器。 电荷放大器包括连接到感测结构的负输入; 积极的投入; 输出提供感测信号; 反馈电容器; 以及具有构成负输入的栅极的检测晶体管。 感测晶体管形成在半导体衬底中的绝缘阱中。 指纹感测装置还包括连接到电荷放大器和阱的正输入的激励信号提供电路，用于改变感测结构和阱的电位，从而减小感测元件中寄生电容的影响。

公开(公告)号：US09600707B1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-21

申请号：US15196617

申请日：2016-06-29

Applicant: Fingerprint Cards AB

Inventor： Fredrik Ramberg ,  Hans Thörnblom ,  David Carling ,  Frank Robert Riedijk

IPC: G06F3/045 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06K9/00053

Abstract: There is provided a capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprising a plurality of sensing elements, sensing circuitry for providing an analog sensing signal, drive signal circuitry providing a drive signal comprising a drive pulse having a maximum level and a minimum level, providing a change in potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure, analog sampling circuitry comprising at least three analog sample and hold circuits arranged to sample the sensing signal, and a sampling control unit for individually controlling the sample and hold circuits to capture a sample at a specified time, wherein the samples comprises one sample captured when the drive signal is at a first voltage level V1 and one sample captured when the drive signal is at a second voltage level V2, different from V1; and an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, configured to convert a combination of the samples into a digital signal, wherein the three samples are captured times such that a noise component is suppressed from the sensing signal when the combination is formed.

公开(公告)号：US20160283771A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-29

申请号：US15172930

申请日：2016-06-03

Applicant: Fingerprint Cards AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk ,  Hans Thörnblom

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/376 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: G06K9/00013 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0338 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  G06K9/0002 ,  H04N5/23241 ,  H04N5/3765 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A fingerprint sensing system comprises a sensor array with a plurality of sensing structures and read-out circuitry connectable to each of the sensing structures, and power supply circuitry arranged to provide to the read-out circuitry a substantially constant supply voltage being a difference between a high potential and a low potential. The fingerprint sensing system is configured in such a way that the low potential and the high potential are variable while substantially maintaining the supply voltage, and the read-out circuitry is connectable to each of the sensing structures in such a way that a variation in the low potential and the high potential while substantially maintaining the supply voltage results in a change of the charge carried by a sensing structure connected to the read-out circuitry. The change in charge is indicative of a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and the finger.

Abstract translation: 指纹感测系统包括具有可连接到每个感测结构的多个感测结构和读出电路的传感器阵列，和布置成向读出电路提供基本上恒定的电源电压的电源电路，该电源电压是 高潜力和低潜力。 指纹感测系统被配置为使得低电位和高电位是可变的，同时基本上保持电源电压，并且读出电路可以以这样的方式连接到每个感测结构，即， 低电位和高电位，同时基本上保持电源电压导致连接到读出电路的感测结构承载的电荷的变化。 电荷的变化表示感测结构和手指之间的电容耦合。

公开(公告)号：US09449212B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-20

申请号：US14812578

申请日：2015-07-29

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  G01R27/26 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  G07C9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  A61B2562/0214 ,  G01R27/2605 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G07C9/00

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitive fingerprint sensing device for sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger, the capacitive fingerprint sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements, each including: a protective dielectric top layer to be touched by the finger; an electrically conductive sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer; charge measuring circuitry connected to the sensing structure for sequentially transitioning between at least a first measurement state and a second measurement state to perform a measurement sequence resulting in an output signal from the charge measuring circuitry being indicative of a change of a charge carried by the sensing structure resulting from a change in a potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure; and timing circuitry connected to the charge measuring circuitry for controlling a timing of at least one of the measurement states.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及用于感测手指指纹图案的电容式指纹感测装置，该电容式指纹传感器包括多个感测元件，每个感测元件包括：被手指触摸的保护电介质顶层; 布置在顶层下方的导电感测结构; 电荷测量电路，其连接到所述感测结构，用于在至少第一测量状态和第二测量状态之间顺序转换，以执行测量序列，从而产生来自所述电荷测量电路的输出信号，其指示由所述感测携带的电荷的变化 由手指和感测结构之间的电位差的变化引起的结构; 以及连接到所述电荷测量电路的定时电路，用于控制所述测量状态中的至少一个的定时。

公开(公告)号：US09323975B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-26

申请号：US14566175

申请日：2014-12-10

Applicant: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB

Inventor： Frank Robert Riedijk ,  Hans Thornblom

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/001 ,  G06K9/00013 ,  G06K9/0002

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a reference signal indicative of an electric coupling between a hand surface having friction ridges and a reference sensing structure extending across a plurality of the friction ridges; and determining the representation of the fingerprint pattern based on the reference signal and a capacitive coupling between the finger and each of a plurality of sensing elements. The acquired reference signal can, for example, be used for controlling the sensing elements so that the sensing performed by the sensing elements is carried out using favorable timing, when the signal quality is good. Alternatively, or in combination, the acquired reference signal may be used for post-processing, whereby the signals/signal values obtained by the sensing elements are modified depending on the corresponding values of the reference signal.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种确定指纹图案表示的方法。 该方法包括以下步骤：获取指示具有摩擦脊的手表面与延伸穿过多个摩擦脊的参考感测结构之间的电耦合的参考信号; 以及基于所述参考信号和所述手指与多个感测元件中的每一个之间的电容耦合来确定所述指纹图案的表示。 所获取的参考信号例如可以用于控制感测元件，使得当信号质量良好时，利用感测元件执行的感测是通过有利的定时进行的。 或者或组合地，所获取的参考信号可以用于后处理，由此根据参考信号的对应值修改由感测元件获得的信号/信号值。