公开(公告)号：EP0902387B1

公开(公告)日：2003-12-17

申请号：EP98307340.4

申请日：1998-09-10

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kalnitsky, Alexander ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G06K9/20 ,  G06K11/16 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04107 ,  G06K9/00053 ,  H01L27/0248

公开(公告)号：EP0889521A3

公开(公告)日：1999-12-29

申请号：EP98305195.4

申请日：1998-06-30

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kalnitsky, Alexander ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: H01L23/00 ,  G06K9/20

CPC classification number: G06K9/00053

Abstract: A planar, capacitive-type, rectangular, and multi-pixel fingerprint sensing array is mounted on the horizontal and generally rectangular top-surface of a dome that extends upward generally from the center of a horizontally disposed and generally rectangular silicon substrate member. The dome is formed by four upward extending and inclined, or tapered, side wall surfaces, at least one wall surface of which carries electrical circuit paths that electrically connected to the various circuit elements of the sensing array. A generally rectangular, encircling and wall-like card carrier assembly includes a generally horizontal upper-surface having a generally centered opening through which only the dome and sensing array project upward. The bottom-surface of the card carrier assembly is mounted to edge portions of the silicon substrate member in a manner to surround and protect all but the upward extending dome. A flexible membrane or laminate is sealed to the top-surface of the card carrier assembly to form a flexible surface over the sensing array. The card carrier assembly includes circuit path having an external portion and having an internal portion that connects to the wall-mounted internal electrical circuit paths, the external portion providing external connection to the internal sensing array.

公开(公告)号：EP0929050A2

公开(公告)日：1999-07-14

申请号：EP99300181.7

申请日：1999-01-12

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kramer, Alan ,  Brady, James

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002

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.

Abstract translation: 扫描指纹检测系统，包括一个电容式传感元件阵列。 阵列的第一个维度大于指纹的宽度，第二个维度小于指纹的长度。 每个电容传感元件的尺寸都小于指纹脊的宽度。 提供电路用于扫描阵列以捕获指纹的一部分的图像并且当指纹在阵列上移动时将捕获的图像组装成指纹图像。

公开(公告)号：EP0902387A2

公开(公告)日：1999-03-17

申请号：EP98307340.4

申请日：1998-09-10

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kalnitsky, Alexander ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G06K9/20 ,  G06K11/16

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04107 ,  G06K9/00053 ,  H01L27/0248

Abstract: A planar fingerprint pattern detecting array includes a large number of individual skin-distance sensing cells that are arranged in a row/column configuration. Each sensing cell includes an amplifier having an ungrounded input mode and an ungrounded output node. Output-to-input negative feedback that is sensitive to the fingerprint pattern is provided for each amplifier by way of (1) a first capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of a dielectric layer and is connected to the ungrounded amplifier input node, (2) a second capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close horizontal spatial relation to the first capacitor plate and is connected to the ungrounded output node, and (3) an ungrounded fingertip whose fingerprint pattern is to be detected, which ungrounded fingertip is placed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close vertical spatial relation with the first and second capacitor plates. Electrostatic discharge protection relative to electrostatic potential that may be carried by the ungrounded fingertip is provided by placing a number of grounded metal paths within the dielectric layer to spatially surround each of the first and second capacitor plates, this being done in a manner that does not disturb the ungrounded state of the fingertip.

Abstract translation: 平面指纹图案检测阵列包括以行/列配置布置的大量单独的皮肤距离感测单元。 每个感测单元包括具有不接地输入模式的放大器和未接地输出节点。 通过（1）垂直放置在电介质层的上表面并连接到未接地的放大器输入节点的第一电容器板为每个放大器提供对指纹图案敏感的输出到输入的负反馈 ，（2）第二电容器板，其垂直于电介质层的上表面放置在与第一电容器板紧密的水平空间关系上，并连接到未接地的输出节点，以及（3）指纹图案为未接地的指尖 要被检测到，哪个未接地的指尖被放置在与第一和第二电容器板紧密垂直空间关系的电介质层的上表面上。 通过在电介质层内放置多个接地的金属路径以空间地围绕第一和第二电容器板中的每一个来提供相对于静电电位的静电放电保护，这是通过不接地的指尖来实现的， 打扰指尖的未接地状态。

公开(公告)号：EP1113383A3

公开(公告)日：2003-12-17

申请号：EP00311521.9

申请日：2000-12-21

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kramer, Alan

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06K9/0002 ,  A61B5/1172

Abstract: An enhanced fingerprint sensing circuit in which a voltage change is applied to the body during sensing.

公开(公告)号：EP1220139A2

公开(公告)日：2002-07-03

申请号：EP01310104.3

申请日：2001-12-03

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kramer, Alan

IPC: G06K9/20 ,  G01B7/287 ,  G01B7/34

CPC classification number: A61B5/1172 ,  G01B7/287 ,  G06K9/0002

Abstract: An enhanced fingerprint sensing circuit in which a voltage change is applied to the body during sensing. When the person's fingerprint is being sensed, the person's body is in contact with an electrical terminal. When the sensing occurs, the voltage on the electrical terminal changes, which changes the voltage on the person's body. The pattern of the fingerprint performs two functions in the sensing circuit. In addition to being a plate of a capacitor whose distance is being sensed, it is now a source of input charge as well. The electrical effect on the cell of a voltage change on a person's finger is different at a ridge than at a valley in the fingerprint sensing circuit. Thus, the input capacitance to the sensing circuit is variable, depending upon whether a ridge or a valley is present. The sensing circuit also detects a change in its own capacitance based on the presence of a ridge or a valley. In summary, the person's body acts as the input capacitor to provide a variable charge transfer for the input capacitance and at the same time performs the function of being a variable sensing capacitor value for the capacitive sensor. The fingerprint sensor is thus very sensitive and can detect a person's fingerprint even if a protective layer, such as plastic, wax paper or the like is over the sensor. In addition, if the person is wearing a thin glove, such as a latex glove, the fingerprint patterns can still be sensed.

Abstract translation: 一种增强的指纹感测电路，其中在感测期间对身体施加电压变化。 当该人的指纹被感测时，该人的身体与电气终端接触。 当感应发生时，电气端子上的电压发生变化，这会改变人体的电压。 指纹图案在感测电路中执行两个功能。 除了正在感测距离的电容器之外，它现在也是输入电荷的来源。 在手指上的电压变化对电池的电效应在指纹感测电路中的山脊处不同。 因此，取决于是否存在脊或谷，到感测电路的输入电容是可变的。 感测电路还基于脊或谷的存在来检测其自身电容的变化。 总之，人的身体充当输入电容器，为输入电容提供可变电荷转移，同时执行电容式传感器的可变感测电容值的功能。 因此，指纹传感器非常敏感，并且即使在诸如塑料，蜡纸等的保护层在传感器之上，也可以检测到人的指纹。 此外，如果该人穿着诸如胶乳手套的薄手套，仍然可以感测到指纹图案。

公开(公告)号：EP1113405A2

公开(公告)日：2001-07-04

申请号：EP00311522.7

申请日：2000-12-21

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Gupta, Bhusan ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G07C9/00 ,  B60R25/00 ,  E05B49/00 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: B60R25/25 ,  B60R25/252 ,  G06K9/00006 ,  G07C9/00158 ,  G07C9/00563

Abstract: In a fingerprint sensing system usable as a command interface a user's fingerprint pattern is recognized and compared to previously stored reference patterns. If the fingerprint pattern matches a previously stored pattern, the user is permitted to enter commands via the same interface system. In the case of an automobile, a user may identify themselves with their fingerprint, and then perform such functions as unlocking the doors, setting the seat to a selected location, or even pre-starting the car prior to their entering the automobile. The same devices which perform the fingerprint identification are also used for input sensing and command recognition to perform various commands. A user is thus able to control desired functions while being assured that an unauthorized user will not have access even if they were able to obtain the command interface device.

Abstract translation: 在可用作命令界面的指纹感测系统中，识别用户的指纹图案并将其与先前存储的参考图案进行比较。 如果指纹图案与先前存储的图案匹配，则允许用户通过相同的接口系统输入命令。 在汽车的情况下，用户可以用自己的指纹识别自己，然后执行解锁门，将座椅设置到所选位置，甚至在汽车进入汽车之前预先启动的功能。 执行指纹识别的相同设备也用于输入感测和命令识别以执行各种命令。 因此，用户能够控制期望的功能，同时确保未授权用户即使能够获得命令接口设备也不会访问。

公开(公告)号：EP0902387A3

公开(公告)日：2001-01-17

申请号：EP98307340.4

申请日：1998-09-10

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kalnitsky, Alexander ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G06K9/20 ,  G06K11/16 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04107 ,  G06K9/00053 ,  H01L27/0248

Abstract: A planar fingerprint pattern detecting array includes a large number of individual skin-distance sensing cells that are arranged in a row/column configuration. Each sensing cell includes an amplifier having an ungrounded input mode and an ungrounded output node. Output-to-input negative feedback that is sensitive to the fingerprint pattern is provided for each amplifier by way of (1) a first capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of a dielectric layer and is connected to the ungrounded amplifier input node, (2) a second capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close horizontal spatial relation to the first capacitor plate and is connected to the ungrounded output node, and (3) an ungrounded fingertip whose fingerprint pattern is to be detected, which ungrounded fingertip is placed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close vertical spatial relation with the first and second capacitor plates. Electrostatic discharge protection relative to electrostatic potential that may be carried by the ungrounded fingertip is provided by placing a number of grounded metal paths within the dielectric layer to spatially surround each of the first and second capacitor plates, this being done in a manner that does not disturb the ungrounded state of the fingertip.

公开(公告)号：EP0928959A3

公开(公告)日：1999-12-08

申请号：EP99300189.0

申请日：1999-01-12

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kalnitsky, Alexander ,  Kramer, Alan ,  Fabbrizio, Vito ,  Gozzini, Giovanni ,  Gupta, Bhusan ,  Sabarini, Marco

IPC: G01L9/12 ,  G01P15/125

CPC classification number: G01L9/0072 ,  G01P15/0802 ,  G01P15/125 ,  H01G5/16

Abstract: A variable capacitor in a semiconductor device is described in which the capacitance is varied by the movement of a dielectric material in the space between the plates of the capacitor in response to an external stimulus. A method of making such a variable capacitor is also described in which the capacitor is built in a layered structure with the top layer including a portion of dielectric material extending into the space between the capacitor plates. After formation of the top layer, an intermediate layer is etched away to render the top layer flexible to facilitate movement of the dielectric material in the space between the capacitor plates.

公开(公告)号：EP0929028A2

公开(公告)日：1999-07-14

申请号：EP99300188.2

申请日：1999-01-12

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Kramer, Alan

IPC: G06F3/00 ,  G06K11/16

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/0416 ,  G06F2203/0338

Abstract: A method of and system for providing user input to a computer, or the like, having a display by detecting a change in fingerprint pattern of a user. The system controls the position of a pointer on a display by detecting motion of ridges and pores of a fingerprint of a user and moving the pointer on the display according to detected motion of the ridges and pores of the fingerprint. The system captures successive images of the fingerprint ridges and pores and detects motion of the ridges and pores based upon the captured successive images.

Abstract translation: 一种用于通过检测用户的指纹图案的改变而向具有显示器的计算机等提供用户输入的方法和系统。 系统通过检测用户的指纹的脊和孔的运动并根据检测到的指纹的脊和孔的运动将指示器移动到显示器上来控制指示器在显示器上的位置。 系统捕获指纹脊和孔的连续图像，并基于捕获的连续图像检测脊和孔的运动。