Illuminated Fingerprint Sensor and Method

• US 20100208953A1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Validity Sensors Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blazer, Robert, Gardner, Lawrence C.
• Application Number:
  US12/705,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20100208953A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints

Abstract

A fingerprint sensing device includes a fingerprint sensor and a light source proximate the fingerprint sensor. The light source is capable of providing multiple illumination formats. Each of the multiple illumination formats is associated with an operating status of the fingerprint sensor. The light source is positioned to emit light through the fingerprint sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a fingerprint sensor; and

a light source proximate the fingerprint sensor, wherein the light source is configured to provide a plurality of illumination formats, each of the plurality of illumination formats being associated with an operating status of the fingerprint sensor, and wherein the light source is positioned to emit light through the fingerprint sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a multi-color light emitting diode.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of illumination formats include a first format associated with a first illumination color and a second format associated with a second illumination color.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of illumination formats include a first format associated with a flashing frequency for activating and deactivating the light source, and a second format associated with a constant activation of the light source.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor has a first surface that is configured to be contacted by a finger and a second surface opposite the first surface, and wherein the light source is positioned to project light against the second surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is substantially transparent to light emitted from the light source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating status of the fingerprint detector includes awaiting application of a finger to the fingerprint sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating status of the fingerprint detector includes indicating an authenticated fingerprint.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating status of the fingerprint detector includes indicating an invalid fingerprint.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating status of the fingerprint detector includes indicating an improper fingerprint swipe speed.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating status of the fingerprint detector includes indicating a navigation mode of operation.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating status of the fingerprint detector includes indicating a scrolling mode of operation.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes conductive lines that are semi-transparent to light.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes a substrate that is at least partially transparent to light.

16. A fingerprint sensing apparatus comprising:

a rigid substrate including a light source disposed thereon, wherein the light source is configured to emit light outwardly from the rigid substrate and configured to provide a plurality of illumination formats associated with a plurality of operating statuses associated with the fingerprint sensing apparatus; and

a flexible substrate including an image sensor disposed thereon, the flexible substrate being substantially transparent to light emitted from the light source, wherein the flexible substrate is positioned proximate the rigid substrate such that light emitted from the light source projects through the flexible substrate.

17. The fingerprint sensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the flexible substrate is bonded to the rigid substrate.

18. The fingerprint sensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the flexible substrate further includes an image sensing module disposed thereon, wherein the image sensing module is coupled to the image sensor.

19. The fingerprint sensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

20. The fingerprint sensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of illumination formats include a first format associated with a first illumination color and a second format associated with a second illumination color.

21. The fingerprint sensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of illumination formats include a first format associated with a flashing frequency for activating and deactivating the light source, and a second format associated with a constant activation of the light source.

22. A method of illuminating a fingerprint sensor, the method comprising:

identifying a current status associated with the fingerprint sensor;

determining an illumination format associated with the current status; and

illuminating the fingerprint sensor based on the illumination format.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the illumination format identifies a particular illumination color.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the illumination format identifies a particular frequency with which a light source is activated and deactivated.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes a plurality of light sources and the illumination format identifies at least one of the plurality of light sources to illuminate.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes a plurality of light sources and the illumination format identifies a pattern for activating and deactivating the plurality of light sources.

27. An apparatus comprising:

a fingerprint sensor;

a first light source proximate the fingerprint sensor and configured to provide a plurality of illumination formats; and

a second light source positioned to emit light through the fingerprint sensor.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first light source is a light emitting diode.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of illumination formats is associated with an operating status of the fingerprint sensor.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second light source is configured to provide the plurality of illumination formats associated with the first light source.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second light source is configured to provide a second plurality of illumination formats.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the fingerprint sensor is substantially transparent to light.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes conductive lines that are at least partially transparent to light.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the fingerprint sensor includes a substrate that is at least partially transparent to light.