Scanning capacitive semiconductor fingerprint detector
First Claim
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1. A scanning fingerprint detection system, which comprises:
- a sensing array having a first dimension and a second dimension;
said first dimension extending at least the width of a fingerprint;
said second dimension extending less than the length of a fingerprint;
said sensing array formed of a plurality of elements;
wherein each of said elements is a capacitive sensing cell and having a size less than the width of a ridge of a fingerprint;
means for scanning said sensing array to capture successive images of successive portions of the fingerprint formed as the fingerprint is moved across the sensing array in a direction parallel to the second dimension; and
means for assembling the captured successive images into a complete fingerprint image.
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Abstract
A scanning fingerprint detection system that includes an array of capacitive sensing elements. The array has a first dimension greater than the width of a fingerprint and a second dimension less than the length of a fingerprint. Each of the capacitive sensing elements has a size less than the width of a fingerprint ridge. Circuitry is provided for scanning the array to capture an image of a portion of fingerprint and for assembling the captured images into a fingerprint image as a fingerprint is moved over the array.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A scanning fingerprint detection system, which comprises:
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a sensing array having a first dimension and a second dimension;
said first dimension extending at least the width of a fingerprint;
said second dimension extending less than the length of a fingerprint;
said sensing array formed of a plurality of elements;
wherein each of said elements is a capacitive sensing cell and having a size less than the width of a ridge of a fingerprint;
means for scanning said sensing array to capture successive images of successive portions of the fingerprint formed as the fingerprint is moved across the sensing array in a direction parallel to the second dimension; and
means for assembling the captured successive images into a complete fingerprint image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a first conductor positioned on a substrate and defining a first plate of said capacitive sensing cell;
a second conductor positioned on said substrate and defining a second plate of said capacitive sensing cell, said first and second conductors being spaced apart from each other;
a reference voltage source providing an input voltage; and
,an amplifier having an input and output, said input being coupled to said reference voltage and said first conductor, and said output being coupled to said second conductor.
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3. The scanning fingerprint detection system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said amplifier includes an inverting amplifier.
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4. The scanning fingerprint detection system as claimed in claim 2, including a protective coating deposited over said first and second conductor.
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5. The scanning fingerprint detection system as claimed in claim 2, including an input capacitor coupled between said reference voltage source and said input of said amplifier.
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6. The scanning fingerprint detection system as claimed in claim 2, including a switch connected between said input and said output of said amplifier.
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7. The scanning fingerprint detection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a capacitive sensing cell comprises:
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a first conductor supported by a semiconductor substrate and defining a first plate of said capacitive sensing cell;
a second conductor supported by said semiconductor substrate and defining a second plate of said capacitive sensing cell, said first and second conductors being spaced apart from each other;
a reference voltage source providing an input voltage;
an inverting amplifier having an input and output, said input being coupled to said reference voltage and said first conductor plate, and said output being coupled to said second conductor plate;
an input capacitor connected between said reference voltage source and said input of said inverting amplifier; and
a switch connected between said input and said output of said inverting amplifier.
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8. The scanning fingerprint detection system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first dimension is about one-half inch and said second dimension is about one-tenth inch.
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9. A scanning fingerprint detection system, which comprises:
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a sensing array having a first dimension and a second dimension;
said first dimension extending at least the width of a fingerprint, wherein said first dimension is about one-half inch;
said second dimension extending less than the length of a fingerprint, wherein said second dimension is about one-tenth inch;
said sensing array formed of a plurality of elements;
wherein each of said elements is a capacitive sensing cell and having a size less than the width of a ridge of a fingerprint, wherein each capacitive sensing cell comprises;
a first conductor positioned on a substrate and defining a first plate of said capacitive sensing element;
a second conductor positioned on said substrate and defining a second plate of said capacitive sensing element, said first and second conductors being spaced apart from each other;
a reference voltage source providing an input voltage; and
,an amplifier having an input and output, said input being coupled to said reference voltage and said first conductor, and said output being coupled to said second conductor.
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10. A fingerprint detection system comprising:
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an insulating layer supported by a semiconductor substrate, said insulating layer having an upper surface;
a capacitive sensor disposed on said upper surface, said sensor extending in a plane parallel to and above said upper surface of said insulating layer, said sensor generating electrical signals based on a fingerprint sensed as the fingerprint is moved along and parallel to said plane;
image generating circuitry electrically connected to said capacitive sensor for receiving the electrical signals and assembling an image corresponding to a complete fingerprint that is successively sensed by said capacitive sensor during movement of the fingerprint thereover; and
wherein said sensor has a first dimension parallel to said plane and a second dimension parallel to said plane, said first dimension being substantially longer than said second dimension, and wherein the fingerprint is moved in a direction generally parallel to said second dimension. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification