United States Patent (19)
`McCalley et al.
`
`USOO5956415A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,956,415
`*Sep. 21, 1999
`
`54) ENHANCED SECURITY FINGERPRINT
`SENSOR PACKAGE AND RELATED
`METHODS
`
`75 Inventors: Karl W. McCalley, Indian Harbor
`Beach. Fla.; Steven D. Wilson
`Chicago, Ill. Dale R. Setiak,
`Melbourne, Fla.; Nicolaas W. van
`Vonno, Melbourne, Fla.; Charles L.
`Hewitt, Melbourne, Fla.
`
`73 Assignee: Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Fla.
`*
`Notice:
`This patent issued on a continued pros
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`21 Appl. No.: 08/592,472
`22 Filed:
`Jan. 26, 1996
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... G06K 9/00
`52 U.S. Cl. ..................
`... 382/124; 340/825.34
`58 Field of Search ..................................... 382/124-127;
`340/825.34; 356/71; 283/68-70, 74, 78;
`380/9, 21, 23
`
`56)
`
`0 041693 12/1981 European Pat. Off..
`0044 489 A1 1/1982 European Pat. Off..
`O 459 808 12/1991 European Pat. Off..
`O 513 612 A2 11/1992 European Pat. Off..
`WO 94/25938 10/1994 European Pat. Off..
`2674051-A1 9/1992 France.
`te: 1: any
`404190470 7/1992 EN
`2 219 870 12/1989 United Kingdom.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`R.P. James, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 14, No.
`11, (Apr. 1972), “Finger-Print Sensor”, p. 3361.
`Masahiro Takeda, Satoshi Uchida, Kenichi Hiramatsu &
`Tokumi Matsunami, “Finger Image Identification Method
`for Personal Verification," IEEE, pp. 761–766 (1990).
`Primary Examiner-Christopher S. Kelley
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath &
`Gilchrist, PA.
`ABSTRACT
`57
`A fingerprint Sensor package includes a tamper-resistant
`housing, a fingerprint sensor mounted in the housing, and an
`encryption output circuit mounted within the housing and
`operatively connected to the fingerprint Sensor for generat
`ing an encrypted output Signal related to a Sensed fingerprint.
`The fingerprint Sensor package may include a processor
`References Cited
`operatively connected between the fingerprint Sensor and the
`encryption circuit. In addition, the package may also include
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`a reference fingerprint memory for storing reference finger
`3,781,855 12/1973 Killen ............................... 340/1463 E
`print information. Accordingly, the processor may have the
`3,859,633
`1/1975 Ho et al. .......
`340/146.3 E
`capability to determine if a Sensed fingerprint matches a
`3,959,884 6/1976 Jordan et al. .......................... 33/1 BB
`Stored reference fingerprint. To further enhance Security of
`4,140,272 2/1979 Atalla ...................................... 235/380
`the Stored reference fingerprint information, the Sensor pack
`4,151,512 4/1979 Riganati et al. .
`... 340/146.3 E
`age also preferably includes a removing circuit or device for
`4,156.230 5/1979 Riganati et al. ................. 340/146.3 E
`removing reference fingerprint information from the refer
`E. E. E.O. E. ence fingerprint storage means responsive to tampering. In
`one embodiment of the invention, the fingerprint Sensor
`4,336,998 6/1982 Ruell ......................................... 356/71
`preferably includes an electric field integrated circuit fin
`(List continued on next page.)
`gerprint Sensor. Method aspects of the invention are also
`disclosed.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 040838 12/1981 European Pat. Off..
`
`36 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`30
`
`194
`41-1
`192
`193
`198
`196
`r Siala SaaSan N
`N FINGERPRINT
`orslaught
`PROCESSOR
`encrypto N
`SENSOR
`MEMORY
`OUTPUT IN
`SUBSTRATE
`N
`{&SSSSSSSSSSSN
`195
`191
`
`
`
`
`
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`

`

`5,956,415
`Page 2
`
`2- - -2
`
`4,429,413
`4,525,859
`4,526,043
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3.
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`... 38.2/4
`1/1984 Edwards .....
`7/1985 Bowles et al. .............................. 382/5
`7/1985 Boie et al. .....
`... 73/862.04
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`E. 19.
`
`4,577,345 3/1986 Abramov .................................... 382/4
`4,581,760 4/1986 Schiller et al.
`... 38.2/4
`4,582,985 4/1986 Löfberg......
`... 235/380
`
`4,747,147 5/1988 Sparrow - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 382/4
`
`... 382/127
`4,805,223 2/1989 Denyer ...
`... 364/200
`4,845,610 7/1989 Parvin ...........
`357/71
`4,932,776 6/1990 Dowling, Jr. et al.
`... 382/5
`4,947,443 8/1990 Costello ............
`... 380/23
`4,993,068 2/1991 Piosenka et al. .
`73/862.04
`5,010,772 4/1991 Bourland et al. .
`5,040,223 8/1991 Kamiya et al. ............................. 382/4
`5,040,224 8/1991 Hara ...........
`... 38.2/4
`5,050,220 9/1991 Marsh et al. ................................ 382/4
`
`5,134,773 8/1992 LeMaire et al. .......................... 29/827
`5,140,642 8/1992 Hsu et al. ................................... 382/5
`
`3. AC Yaoto - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - is::
`2-1-2
`aPP . . . . . . . . .
`
`E. I. SR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - is:
`2- - - - - -
`- 1
`- - - I
`will will w w w - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`5,363,453 11/1994 Gagne et al. ............................... 382/5
`5,373,181 12/1994 Scheiter et al. ......................... 257/415
`5,400,662 3/1995 Tamori ...........
`73/862.046
`
`5,420,936 5/1995 Fitzpatrick et al.
`
`... 382/124
`
`73/862.046
`5,429,006 7/1995 Tamori ........
`5,436,972 7/1995 Fischer ...................................... 380/25
`5,465,303 11/1995 Levison et al. ......................... 382/124
`5,488,719
`1/1996 Kaplan et al.
`395/600
`5,497.429 3/1996 Shibuya .
`... 38.2/125
`5,503,029 4/1996 Tamori.
`... 73/862.046
`5,526,701
`6/1996 Tamori .....
`... 73/862.046
`5,559,504 9/1996. Itsumi et al.....
`340/825.3
`5,613,012 3/1997 Hoffman et al. ........................ 382/115
`
`
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 2
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 3
`ASSA ABLOY AB v. CPC Patent Technologies Pty Ltd.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`7
`
`68
`
`
`
`-
`YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYZ
`R
`NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`
`
`76 Ä Art A) \, MY
`
`
`
`
`
`SENSOR
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 4
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`54
`
`E-FIELD
`78
`
`E-FIELD
`1
`
`FIG. 8
`
`d
`71
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`30
`
`/
`OUTPUT TO SIGNAL
`PROCESSING
`
`73
`
`EXCITATION 74
`DRIVE
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 5
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`5,956,415
`
`
`
`80SN3S
`
`01
`
`TWOOT
`
`80SS300&d
`
`00
`
`NWOS
`
`0SS300&d
`TOHINOO
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 6
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`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`
`
`SENSOR
`UNIT
`
`SENSOR
`UNIT
`
`UNIT
`
`-
`
`spel
`
`UN
`
`130
`
`13
`
`135
`
`CCD ANALOG SHIFT REGISTER
`
`too or
`
`REFERENC
`E
`WOLTAGE
`
`GUARD SHIELD
`
`REFERENCE
`WOLTAGE
`
`FIG 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SHIFT
`
`30
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 8
`ASSA ABLOY AB v. CPC Patent Technologies Pty Ltd.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`SHIFT
`
`
`
`140
`
`135 CCD ANALOG SHIFT REGISTER
`
`}}}}}}rooo-H
`
`SENSOR CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`154
`
`
`
`
`
`BLOCK
`PROCESSOR
`
`141 SIGNAL
`OUT
`SELECT
`REFERENCE
`WOLTAGE
`SIGNAL
`OUT
`SELECT
`REFERENCE
`WOLTAGE
`
`?
`IMAGE CEL ARRAY
`16x16 ARRAY OF IMAGE CELLS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`O
`
`150
`
`4x4 PARALLEL
`PROCESSOR
`ARRAY
`AND
`32 KB iMAGE
`
`s MEMORY
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`PROCESSOR
`
`SA St.
`MUX
`
`COMPARATOR
`REFERENCE
`WOLTAGE
`DRIVERS
`
`COLUMN
`SELECT
`BUS
`DRIVERS
`
`
`
`
`
`NON-WOLATILE
`MEMORY FOR
`PROGRAMS
`AND LOCAL
`FINGERPRINT
`DATABASE
`
`H-SPEED
`SERIAL
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 9
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`: WRAPTOOTHESIDE OF ARRAY.
`
`
`
`MULTI-PROCESSOR ARRAY
`
`181
`FIG. 19
`
`
`
`160
`
`FROM DEMOD
`
`
`
`162
`
`162
`
`
`
`
`
`NON-WOLATLE
`MEMORY
`I/O
`
`182
`
`SELECT
`TO
`OUTPUT
`BUS
`
`GLOBAL
`165-BLOCK
`REFERENCE
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`TO
`READOUT
`MUX
`FROM
`BLOCK
`REFERENCE
`SIGNAL
`
`17.
`
`FROM
`SENSE
`AMP
`
`SYNCHRONOUS
`DEMODULATOR
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`SAS ISSN
`SENSOR
`I MEMORY
`OUTPUT IN
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
`50
`
`195
`
`191
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`228
`
`Z
`
`N /
`
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`N 7 N6E RE1 &N
`NKKSN
`223 22
`222
`
`Q
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 11
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,956,415
`
`------------------
`
`//
`
`S.
`FINGERPRINT
`SENSOR
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACCESS
`CONTROLLER
`212
`
`Y MOVE FINGER UP & TO
`THE LEFT, INCREASE
`FINGER PRESSURE
`
`(
`39
`
`213
`
`PRES
`
`210
`4-1-1
`
`52
`2-30
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 12
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`

`

`1
`ENHANCED SECURITY FINGERPRINT
`SENSOR PACKAGE AND RELATED
`METHODS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to the field of personal
`identification and Verification, and, more particularly, to the
`field of fingerprint Sensing and processing.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Fingerprint Sensing and matching is a reliable and widely
`used technique for personal identification or Verification. In
`particular, a common approach to fingerprint identification
`involves Scanning a Sample fingerprint or an image thereof
`and Storing the image and/or unique characteristics of the
`fingerprint image. The characteristics of a Sample fingerprint
`may be compared to information for reference fingerprints
`already in Storage to determine proper identification of a
`perSon, Such as for verification purposes.
`A typical electronic fingerprint Sensor is based upon
`illuminating the finger Surface using visible light, infrared
`light, or ultraSonic radiation. The reflected energy is cap
`tured with Some form of camera, for example, and the
`resulting image is framed, digitized and Stored as a Static
`digital image. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,899 to
`Swonger et al. discloses an optical Scanning fingerprint
`reader cooperating with a central processing Station for a
`Secure acceSS application, Such as admitting a person to a
`location or providing access to a computer terminal. U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,525,859 to Bowles similarly discloses a video
`camera for capturing a fingerprint image and uses the
`minutiae of the fingerprints, that is, the branches and endings
`of the fingerprint ridges, to determine a match with a
`database of reference fingerprints.
`Unfortunately, optical Sensing may be affected by Stained
`fingers or an optical Sensor may be deceived by presentation
`of a photograph or printed image of a fingerprint rather than
`a true live fingerprint. In addition, optical Schemes may
`require relatively large spacings between the finger contact
`Surface and associated imaging components. Moreover, Such
`Sensors typically require precise alignment and complex
`Scanning of optical beams. Accordingly, optical Sensors may
`thus be bulky and be susceptible to shock, vibration and
`Surface contamination. Accordingly, an optical fingerprint
`Sensor may be unreliable in Service in addition to being
`bulky and relatively expensive due to optics and moving
`parts.
`In the event of a failure to form an acceptable image of a
`fingerprint, U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,443 to Costello, for
`example, discloses a Series of indicator lights which give the
`user a simple go or no-go indication of the acceptability of
`the fingerprint Scanning among other potential System iden
`tification failures. In other words, another shortcoming of
`conventional fingerprint Sensors is that inaccurate position
`ing of the finger relative to the Sensor may reduce the ability
`of the processor to accurately and quickly determine a match
`between a Sample fingerprint and a plurality of reference
`fingerprints.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,056 to Tsikos discloses another
`approach to Sensing a live fingerprint. In particular, the
`patent discloses an array of extremely Small capacitors
`located in a plane parallel to the Sensing Surface of the
`device. When a finger touches the Sensing Surface and
`deforms the Surface, a Voltage distribution in a Series con
`nection of the capacitors may change. The Voltages on each
`of the capacitorS is determined by multiplexor techniques.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5,956,415
`
`2
`Unfortunately, the resilient materials required for the Sensor
`may suffer from long term reliability problems. In addition,
`multiplexing techniques for driving and Scanning each of the
`individual capacitors may be relatively slow and cumber
`Some. Moreover, noise and Stray capacitances may
`adversely affect the plurality of relatively small and closely
`Spaced capacitors.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,442 to Knapp discloses a fingerprint
`Sensor including a plurality of Sensing electrodes. Active
`addressing of the Sensing electrodes is made possible by the
`provision of a Switching device associated with each Sensing
`electrode. A capacitor is effectively formed by each Sensing
`electrode in combination with the respective overlying por
`tion of the finger Surface which, in turn, is at ground
`potential. The Sensor may be fabricated using Semiconductor
`wafer and integrated circuit technology. The dielectric mate
`rial upon which the finger is placed may be provided by
`Silicon nitride or a polyimide which may be provided as a
`continuous layer over an array of Sensing electrodes. Further
`conductors may be provided on the Surface of the dielectric
`material remote from the Sensing electrodes and extending
`over regions between the Sensing electrodes, for example, as
`lines or in grid form, which conductors are grounded in
`order to improve the electrical contact to the finger Surface.
`Unfortunately, driving the array of closely spaced Sensing
`electrodes as disclosed in the Knapp et al. patent may be
`difficult Since adjacent electrodes may affect one another.
`Another difficulty with Such a sensor may be its ability to
`distinguish ridges and Valleys of a fingerprint when the
`conductivity of the skin and any contaminants may vary
`widely from perSon-to-person and even over a single fin
`gerprint. Yet another difficulty with Such a Sensor, as with
`many optical sensors, is that different portions of the fin
`gerprint may require relatively complicated post image
`collection processing to provide for usable signal levels and
`contrast to thereby permit accurate determination of the
`ridges and Valleys of the fingerprint.
`Yet another shortcoming of conventional fingerprint Sen
`SorS is that the leads and internal components of a conven
`tional fingerprint Sensor, either optical, ultraSonic or
`capacitive, may be tampered with, Such as to Send a false
`acceptance Signal to an associated portion of equipment.
`Accordingly, even if the Sensor is accurate and reliable, it
`may be readily bypassed to gain access or entry to the
`equipment or area intended to be protected by the fingerprint
`SCSO.
`Greater advances in fingerprint Sensing and matching for
`identification and verification are desirable and may prevent
`unauthorized use of computer WorkStations, appliances,
`vehicles, and confidential data. Inexpensive and effective
`fingerprint identification may also be used at point-of-Sale
`terminals, and ensure further Security of credit and debit
`cards, firearms, and provide a personal electronic Signature.
`Unfortunately, current Sensors and their associated circuitry
`may be too bulky, expensive and unreliable for a great many
`applications which would otherwise benefit from fingerprint
`identification and Verification technology.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a fingerprint Sensor and related methods for accurately
`Sensing a fingerprint, and which Sensor is rugged, compact,
`reliable and relatively inexpensive.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`Secure fingerprint Sensing package or module and related
`methods for being resistant to attempts at bypassing or
`tampering.
`
`ASSA ABLOY Ex. 1011 - Page 13
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`5,956,415
`
`3
`These and other objects, features and advantages of the
`present invention are provided in one embodiment by a
`fingerprint Sensor package comprising a tamper-resistant
`housing, a fingerprint Sensor mounted in the housing, and
`encrypting output means mounted within the housing and
`operatively connected to the fingerprint Sensor for generat
`ing an encrypted output Signal related to a Sensed fingerprint.
`Accordingly, access to the interior of the package is deterred
`by the tamper resistant housing. Moreover, the encrypted
`output signal may not be readily intercepted or otherwise
`bypassed.
`The fingerprint Sensor package may include a processor
`operatively connected between the fingerprint Sensor and the
`encrypting output means. In addition, the package may also
`include reference fingerprint Storage means for Storing ref
`erence fingerprint information. Accordingly, the processor
`preferably compriseS reference fingerprint matching means
`for determining if a Sensed fingerprint matches a Stored
`reference fingerprint. To further enhance Security of the
`Stored reference fingerprint information, the Sensor package
`also preferably includes removing means for removing
`reference fingerprint information from the reference finger
`print Storage means responsive to tampering.
`In one embodiment of the invention, the fingerprint Sensor
`preferably comprises an integrated circuit having an outer
`Surface portion for receiving a finger adjacent thereto. The
`housing, in turn, preferably includes an opening there
`through in registry with the outer Surface portion of the
`integrated circuit. Sealing means is preferably provided for
`Sealing an interface between the outer Surface portion of the
`integrated circuit and adjacent housing portions. The Sealing
`means may be provided by a bead of Sealing material
`covering the interface. The Sealing means may also be
`provided by a hermetic Seal formed between a Surrounding
`layer of molded plastic material and adjacent portions of the
`integrated circuit.
`The integrated circuit may comprise an Outermost Silicon
`nitride layer for resistance to contamination, as from finger
`contact. In addition, the integrated circuit may have an
`outermost layer including one of Silicon carbide and dia
`mond for enhanced abrasion resistance.
`For a high reliability, compact, relatively inexpensive, and
`rugged Sensor package, an electric field fingerprint Sensor
`may be used. More particularly, the electric field Sensor
`preferably includes an array of electric field Sensing
`electrodes, a dielectric layer adjacent the electric field
`Sensors, the dielectric layer for receiving a finger adjacent
`thereto, and drive means for applying an electric field drive
`Signal to the electric field Sensing electrodes and adjacent
`portions of the finger So that the electric field Sensing
`electrodes produce a fingerprint image Signal.
`One method aspect in accordance with the invention is for
`making and Securely operating a fingerprint Sensor package
`of a type including a fingerprint Sensor. The method pref
`erably comprises the Steps of mounting the fingerprint
`Sensor within a tamper-resistant housing, and generating
`within the tamper-resistant housing an encrypted output
`Signal related to a Sensed fingerprint from the fingerprint
`Sensor. The method may also include the Steps of Storing
`reference fingerprint information within the housing, and
`determining within the tamper-resistant housing if a Sensed
`fingerprint matches a Stored reference fingerprint.
`Accordingly, for further enhancement of Security, the
`method may also include the Step of removing reference
`fingerprint information from within the tamper-resistant
`housing responsive to tampering.
`
`4
`Another method aspect in accordance with the invention
`is for making a fingerprint Sensor package including an
`integrated circuit fingerprint Sensor. More particularly, the
`method preferably comprises the Steps of forming an inte
`grated circuit fingerprint Sensor having an upper Surface for
`receiving a finger adjacent thereto, mounting the integrated
`circuit fingerprint Sensor within a housing having an opening
`therethrough So that the opening is in registry with the upper
`Surface portion of the integrated circuit, and Sealing an
`interface between the upper Surface portion of the integrated
`circuit and adjacent housing portions. The Step of forming an
`integrated circuit fingerprint Sensor preferably comprises the
`Step of forming an electric field fingerprint Sensor.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic diagram of the fingerprint Sensor in
`combination with a notebook computer in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram of the fingerprint Sensor in
`combination with a computer WorkStation and associated
`information processing computer and local area network
`(LAN) in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment
`of a fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the sensor
`and an overlying fingerprint pattern in accordance with the
`present invention with a portion thereof greatly enlarged for
`clarity of illustration.
`FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged plan view of a portion of the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the invention with the
`upper dielectric layer removed therefrom for clarity of
`illustration.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary view of a portion of the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a Schematic Side view, partially in Section,
`illustrating the electric fields in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of a portion of the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic side view, partially in
`Section, further illustrating the electric fields in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of the fingerprint
`Sensor and associated circuitry in one embodiment in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a Schematic block diagram of the fingerprint
`Sensor and associated circuitry in another embodiment in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment
`of a Sensor circuit in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodi
`ment of a Sensor circuit in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
`plurality of Sensor units in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment
`of a portion of the Signal processing for the fingerprint
`Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of another embodi
`ment of a portion of the Signal processing for the fingerprint
`Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
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`IPR2022-01093 - U.S. Patent No. 8,620,039
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`S
`FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of yet another
`embodiment of Signal processing circuitry for the fingerprint
`Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 19 is a schematic circuit diagram of yet another
`embodiment of a portion of the Signal processing for the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 20 is a schematic circuit diagram of yet another
`embodiment of a portion of the Signal processing for the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the present invention
`illustrating a resistor matrix for dynamic contrast enhance
`ment.
`FIG. 21 is a Schematic circuit diagram of yet another
`embodiment of a portion of the Signal processing for the
`fingerprint Sensor in accordance with the present invention
`illustrating a capacitor matrix implementation for dynamic
`contrast enhancement.
`FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment
`of the fingerprint Sensor package in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of
`the fingerprint Sensor package in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 24 is a Schematic block diagram of another aspect of
`the Sensor for illustrating near real-time positioning feed
`back of finger placement in accordance with the invention.
`FIG.25 is a Schematic perspective diagram of a computer
`illustrating near real-time positioning feedback of finger
`placement in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 26 is a Schematic perspective diagram of a finger
`print Sensor including indicators for illustrating near real
`time positioning feedback of finger placement in accordance
`with the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The present invention will now be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodi
`ments Set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are pro
`Vided So that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,
`and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements
`throughout. The Scaling of various features, particularly
`fingers and layers in the drawing figures, have been exag
`gerated for clarity of explanation.
`Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the fingerprint sensor 30 in
`accordance with the invention is initially described. The
`illustrated Sensor 30 includes a housing or package 51, a
`dielectric layer 52 exposed on an upper Surface of the
`package which provides a placement Surface for the finger,
`and a plurality of Signal conductors 53. A conductive Strip or
`electrode 54 around the periphery of the dielectric layer 52
`also provides a contact electrode for the finger as described
`in greater detail below. The sensor 30 may provide output
`Signals in a range of Sophistication levels depending on the
`level of processing incorporated in the package as also
`described in greater detail below.
`The fingerprint sensor 30 may be used in many different
`applications as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in
`the art, Such as for personal identification or verification
`purposes. For example, the Sensor 30 may be used to permit
`access to a computer WorkStation, Such as a notebook
`computer 35 including a keyboard 36 and associated folding
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`display screen 37 (FIG. 1). In other words, user access to the
`information and programs of the notebook computer 35 may
`only be granted if the desired fingerprint is first Sensed as
`also described in greater detail herein.
`Another application of the fingerprint Sensor 30 is illus
`trated with particular reference to FIG. 2. The sensor 30 may
`be used to grant or deny access to a fixed WorkStation 41 for
`a computer information System 40. The System may include
`a plurality of Such WorkStations 41 linked by a local area
`network (LAN) 43, which in turn, is linked to a fingerprint
`identification Server 43, and an overall central computer 44.
`Many other applications for the low cost and reliable electric
`field sensor 30 in accordance with the invention are con
`templated by the invention and will be readily appreciated
`by those skilled in the art.
`Referring now additionally to FIGS. 4-10, the sensor 30
`is described in greater detail. The Sensor includes a plurality
`of individual pixels or Sensing elements 30a arranged in
`array pattern as shown perhaps best in FIGS. 4 and 5. As
`would be readily understood by those skilled in the art, these
`Sensing elements are relatively Small So as to be capable of
`sensing the ridges 59 and intervening valleys 60 of a typical
`fingerprint (FIG. 4). As will also be readily appreciated by
`those skilled in the art, live fingerprint readings as from the
`electric field Sensor in accordance with the present invention
`may be more reliable than optical Sensing, because the
`conduction of the skin of a finger in a pattern of ridges and
`Valleys is extremely difficult to Simulate. In contrast, an
`optical Sensor may be deceived by a readily prepared
`photograph or other Similar image of a fingerprint, for
`example.
`The sensor 30 includes a Substrate 65, and one or more
`active Semiconductive layerS 66 thereon. A ground plane
`electrode layer 68 is above the active layer 66 and separated
`therefrom by an insulating layer 67. A drive electrode layer
`71 is positioned over another dielectric layer 70 and is
`connected to an excitation drive amplifier 74. The excitation
`drive Signal may be typically in the range of about 1 Khz to
`1 Mhz and is coherently delivered across all of the array.
`Accordingly, the drive or excitation electronics are thus
`relatively uncomplicated and the overall cost of the Sensor
`30 may be reduced, while the reliability is increased.
`Another insulating layer 76 is on the drive electrode layer
`71, and an illustratively circularly shaped Sensing electrode
`78 is on the insulating layer 76. The sensing electrode 78
`may be connected to Sensing electronicS 73 formed in the
`active layer 66 as Schematically illustrated, and as would be
`readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
`An annularly shaped shield electrode 80 surrounds the
`sensing electrode 78 in spaced relation therefrom. As would
`be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art the Sensing
`electrode 78 and its surrounding shield electrode 80 may
`have other shapes, Such as hexagonal, for example, to
`facilitate a close packed arrangement or array of pixels or
`sensing elements 30a. The shield electrode 80 is an active
`shield which is driven by a portion of the output of the
`amplifier circuit 73 to help focus the electric field energy
`and, moreover, to thereby reduce the need to drive adjacent
`electrodes. Accordingly, the sensor 30 permits all of the
`Sensing elements to be driven by a coherent drive signal in
`Sharp contrast to prior art Sensors which required that each
`Sensing electrode be individually driven.
`AS understood with additional reference to FIGS. 8-10,
`the excitation electrode 71 generates a first electric field to
`the sensing electrode 78 and a second electric field between
`the sensing electrode 78 and the surface of the finger 79,
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`IPR2022-01093 - U.S. Patent No. 8,620,039
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`7
`over the distances d1 and d2, respectively. In other terms, a
`first capacitor 83 (FIG. 9) is defined between the excitation
`electrode 71 and the sensing electrode 78, and a second
`capacitor 85 is defined between the finger skin 79 and
`ground. The capacitance of the Second capacitor 85 varies
`depending on whether the Sensing electrode 78 is adjacent a
`ridge or Valley. Accordingly, the Sensor 30 can be modeled
`as a capacitive Voltage divider. The Voltage Sensed by the
`unity gain Voltage follower or amplifier 73 will change as the
`distance d2 changes.
`In general, the Sensi