Electronic Imager Using an Impedance Sensor Grid Array Mounted on or about a Switch and Method of Making

• US 20110175703A1
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IDEX Biometrics ASA
• Original Assignee: Picofield Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Benkley, Fred G. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,791,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.82
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1329 Protecting the fingerprint sensor against damage caused by the finger

Abstract

An novel impedance sensor for use together with a switch is provided having a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal into a surface of a proximally located object, and also a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the drive lines and separated from the pickup lines by a dielectric to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each of the drive and pickup crossover locations.

Claims

1. A fingerprint sensing system, comprising:

a fingerprint sensor array; and

a switch configured adjacent to the fingerprint sensor array in a manner that allows a user to contact switch simultaneously with contacting the sensor.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is further configured to allow a user to actuate the switch simultaneously while contacting the sensor.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is further configured to allow a user to depress the switch simultaneously while contacting the sensor.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is further configured to allow a user to press the switch simultaneously while contacting the sensor.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the switch and fingerprint sensor array are configured to allow a user to contact the switch to provide power to the sensor and to initiate a user validation sequence that authenticates the user fingerprint against one or more previously stored in memory before granting user access to the device.

6. A sensor mounting system, comprising:

a mounting module configured to hold a sensor; and

a switch configured to perform a function simultaneously a sensor function when actuated.

7. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the mounting module includes a bezel configured with an indenture and that is mounted over a substantially planar sensor.

8. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the mounting module includes a bezel configured with an indenture and that is mounted over a sensor.

9. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is a silicon placement sensor.

10. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is a capacitive silicon placement sensor.

11. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is fingerprint swipe sensor.

12. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is a COF swipe sensor.

13. A sensor mounting system according to claim 6, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal to a proximally located object;

and

a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the drive lines and separated from the pickup lines by a dielectric to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each drive and pickup crossover location.