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Surface sensor

  • US 9,396,379 B2
  • Filed: 01/29/2015
  • Issued: 07/19/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A smart card comprising:

  • a card body having a recess formed therein; and

    a sensor unit mounted in the recess and configured to detect features of a surface of an object contacting the sensor unit, the sensor unit comprising;

    a contact surface exposed at an external surface of the card body;

    a substrate comprising a dielectric material and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;

    a dielectric layer covering the first surface of the substrate;

    a plurality of electrodes mounted on or embedded in the first surface of the substrate;

    a plurality of conductive paths;

    wherein each conductive path of the plurality of conductive paths extends from a different one of the electrodes and at least partially through the substrate;

    a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the substrate and the dielectric layer are mounted directly or indirectly on the first surface of the circuit board, wherein the circuit board comprises conductor leads extending through the circuit board, and each of the conductive paths is electrically connected with a corresponding one of the conductor leads via direct electrical contact, indirect electrical contact through another conductor, or capacitive coupling; and

    at least one processor mounted on the second surface of the circuit board, wherein the circuit board is configured to provide an electrical connection between the conductive paths and the at least one processor via the conductor leads extending through the circuit board, wherein the at least one processor is configured to detect a voltage or current at the electrodes via the conductive paths and conductor leads.

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