Fingerprint scanning device and electronic device with fingerprint scanning function

• US 20060140458A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyna Image Corp. (Diodes Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lite-On Semiconductor Corporation (Diodes Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cheng, Chia-Chu, Wang, Ming-Ho, Yang, Wen-Chen
• Granted Patent: US 7,391,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1335 Combining adjacent partial images (e.g. slices) to create a composite input or reference pattern; Tracking a sweeping finger movement

Abstract

A fingerprint scanning device and an electronic device with a fingerprint scanning function are proposed. The fingerprint scanning device has a contact image sensing module, a signal conversion controller, a module controller and an interface controller. The contact image sensing module captures a fingerprint image. The signal conversion controller converts this analog fingerprint image to a digital signal. The module controller controls the contact image sensing module and the signal conversion module. The interface controller transmits the digital signal to a controller in an electronic device. The contact image sensing module is used to lower the cost and lengthen the lifetime of use of the fingerprint scanning device, and to make the captured fingerprint image clearer. The interface controller is connected to the signal conversion module and the module controller to make the digital signal transmitted by the signal conversion controller more easily accessible.

Claims

1. A fingerprint scanning device comprising:

a contact image sensing module for capturing a fingerprint image;

a signal conversion controller electrically connected to said contact image sensing module and used to convert said analog fingerprint image to a digital signal;

a module controller electrically connected to said contact image sensing module and said signal conversion controller and used to control said contact image sensing module and said signal conversion controller; and

an interface controller electrically connected to said signal conversion controller and said module controller and used to control the transmission of said digital signal to a controller in an electronic device.

2. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module controller and said interface controller are integrated into a single controller.

3. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interface controller is further electrically connected with a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface.

4. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact image sensing module comprises:

a main circuit board;

a linear sensor array disposed on said main circuit board;

at least a motion sensor disposed on said main circuit board and parallel-arranged at one side of said linear sensor array;

a light source; and

a detection surface defined at one side of said linear sensor array and said motion sensor;

whereby a fingerprint is placed on said detection surface, and light of said light source is transmitted to said detection surface and reflected by said fingerprint to said linear sensor array and said motion sensor.

5. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said main circuit board is a composite circuit board, said composite circuit board comprising a first rigid printed circuit board, a second rigid printed circuit board, a third rigid printed circuit board and at least a flexible printed circuit board, said first, second and third rigid printed circuit boards being electrically connected to said flexible printed circuit board to form a first composite substrate, a second composite substrate and a third composite substrate, respectively, a predetermined upward tilt angle being formed on each of said second and third flexible substrates facing said first flexible substrate, said linear sensor array and said motion sensor being disposed on said second flexible substrate, and said light source being disposed on said third flexible substrate.

6. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said linear sensor array and said motion sensor are electrically connected to said second rigid printed circuit board by means of chip-on-board.

7. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said light source is electrically connected to said third rigid printed circuit board by means of chip-on-board.

8. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said main circuit board is a composite circuit board, said composite circuit board comprising a first rigid printed circuit board, a second rigid printed circuit board and a flexible printed circuit board, said first and second rigid printed circuit boards being electrically connected to said flexible printed circuit board to form a first composite substrate and a second composite substrate, respectively, a predetermined upward tilt angle being formed on said second flexible substrate facing said first flexible substrate, said linear sensor array and said motion sensor being disposed on said second flexible substrate, and said light source being disposed on said first flexible substrate.

9. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said linear sensor array and said motion sensor are electrically connected to said second rigid printed circuit board by means of chip-on-board.

10. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said light source is electrically connected to said first rigid printed circuit board by means of dual-in-line package.

11. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said linear sensor array has a plurality of image sensors, and at least one of said image sensors corresponds to said motion sensor and is defined as a comparison sensor.

12. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said contact image sensing module has a light guide device, wherein an axis said light guide device is parallel to said linear sensor array, and one end of said light guide device is adjacent to said light source.

13. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said contact image sensing module has a, wherein an axis of said focusing device is parallel to said linear sensor array, and said focusing device is located between said light guide device and said linear sensor array.

14. The fingerprint scanning device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a reflecting surface and a light-emanating surface are formed along an axis of said light guide device, a detection surface is defined on said reflecting surface, and said light-emanating surface corresponds to said focusing device.

15. An electronic device with a fingerprint scanning function, comprising:

a fingerprint scanning device; and

a microprocessor;

wherein said fingerprint scanning device comprises;

a contact image sensing module for capturing a fingerprint image;

a signal conversion controller electrically connected to said contact image sensing module and used to convert said analog fingerprint image to a digital signal;

a module controller electrically connected to said contact image sensing module and said signal conversion controller and used to control said contact image sensing module and said signal conversion controller; and

an interface controller electrically connected to said signal conversion controller, said module controller, and said microprocessor, and used to control the transmission of said digital signal to said microprocessor.

16. An electronic device with a fingerprint scanning function, comprising:

a fingerprint scanning device; and

a communication interface;

wherein said fingerprint scanning device comprises;

a contact image sensing module for capturing a fingerprint image;

a signal conversion controller electrically connected to said contact image sensing module and used to convert said analog fingerprint image to a digital signal;

a module controller electrically connected to said contact image sensing module and said signal conversion controller and used to control said contact image sensing module and said signal conversion controller; and

an interface controller electrically connected to said signal conversion controller, said module controller and said communication interface and used to control the transmission of said digital signal to said communication interface.

17. The electronic device with a fingerprint scanning function as claimed in claim 16, wherein said communication interface is a wired communication interface.

18. The electronic device with a fingerprint scanning function as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a USB hub, wherein said communication interface is a USB communication interface and is connected to said USB hub.

19. The electronic device with a fingerprint scanning function as claimed in claim 16, wherein said communication interface is a wireless communication interface.