公开(公告)号：EP0942259B1

公开(公告)日：2004-11-10

申请号：EP99301681.5

申请日：1999-03-05

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Tartagni, Marco ,  Gupta, Bhusan ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G01B7/287 ,  G01B7/004 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G01B7/023 ,  G01B7/004 ,  G01B7/287 ,  G01B7/34 ,  G06K9/0002

公开(公告)号：EP0942259A1

公开(公告)日：1999-09-15

申请号：EP99301681.5

申请日：1999-03-05

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Tartagni, Marco ,  Gupta, Bhusan ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G01B7/287 ,  G01B7/004 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G01B7/023 ,  G01B7/004 ,  G01B7/287 ,  G01B7/34 ,  G06K9/0002

Abstract: A distance sensor has a capacitive element in turn having a first capacitor plate which is positioned facing a second capacitor plate whose distance is to be measured. In the case of fingerprinting, the second capacitor plate is defined directly by the skin surface of the finger being printed. The sensor comprises an inverting amplifier, between the input and output of which the capacitive element is connected to form a negative feedback branch. By supplying an electric charge step to the input of the inverting amplifier, a voltage step directly proportional to the distance being measured is obtained at the output.

Abstract translation: 距离传感器具有电容元件，其依次具有第一电容器板，该第一电容器板面对要测量距离的第二电容器板。 在指纹识别的情况下，第二电容器板由被打印的手指的皮肤表面直接限定。 传感器包括反相放大器，其输入和输出之间电容元件连接以形成负反馈支路。 通过向反相放大器的输入端提供电荷步骤，在输出端获得与测量距离成正比的电压阶跃。

公开(公告)号：EP0928959A2

公开(公告)日：1999-07-14

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.

Abstract translation: 描述了半导体器件中的可变电容器，其中电容由于外部刺激而在电容器的板之间的空间中的电介质材料的移动而变化。 还描述了制造这种可变电容器的方法，其中电容器内置在分层结构中，顶层包括延伸到电容器板之间的空间中的介电材料的一部分。 在形成顶层之后，蚀刻掉中间层以使顶层柔性以促进电介质材料在电容器板之间的空间中的移动。

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：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：EP0924492B1

公开(公告)日：2004-06-09

申请号：EP98309116.6

申请日：1998-11-06

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Tartagni, Marco ,  Gupta, Bhusan

IPC: G01B7/004 ,  G01B101/50 ,  G01N27/22

CPC classification number: G01B7/004

公开(公告)号：EP0924492A1

公开(公告)日：1999-06-23

申请号：EP98309116.6

申请日：1998-11-06

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Tartagni, Marco ,  Gupta, Bhusan

IPC: G01B7/004 ,  G01B101/50 ,  G01N27/22

CPC classification number: G01B7/004

Abstract: A capacitance sensor detects the absence/presence of physical matter on a sensing surface of the sensor. The capacitive sensor is a multi-cell sensor wherein each cell has one or more buried, protected, and physically inaccessible capacitor plates. The sensor is physically placed in an environment that is to be monitored for deposition of a particle, vapor, and/or drop of a foreign material on the sensing surface. All cells are initially placed in a startup condition or state. Thereafter, the cells are interrogated or readout, looking for a change in the equivalent feedback capacitance that results from an electrical field shape modification that is caused by the presence of physical matter on the sensing surface. When no such change is detected, the method is repeated for another cell. When a change is detected for a cell, a particle/vapor/drop output is provided. As an optional step, the sensor is provided with a layer of a material that is selectively reactive to or reactive with, a particle/vapor/drop of a known type of foreign material.

Abstract translation: 电容传感器检测传感器感测表面上物理物质的存在/不存在。 电容传感器是多单元传感器，其中每个单元具有一个或多个埋入，保护和物理上不可接近的电容器板。 该传感器被物理放置在要被监测以在感测表面上沉积异物的颗粒，蒸气和/或液滴的环境中。 所有单元最初都处于启动状态或状态。 此后，单元被询问或读出，寻找由感测表面上的物理物质的存在引起的电场形状修改产生的等效反馈电容的变化。 当没有检测到这种变化时，对另一个单元重复该方法。 当检测到电池的变化时，提供颗粒/蒸气/液滴输出。 作为可选步骤，传感器设置有与已知类型的异物的颗粒/蒸汽/液滴选择性反应或与其反应的材料层。

公开(公告)号：EP0911973A2

公开(公告)日：1999-04-28

申请号：EP98308589.5

申请日：1998-10-20

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Gupta, Bhusan ,  Kramer, Alan Henry

IPC: H03K17/96

CPC classification number: H03K17/962 ,  Y10T307/766 ,  Y10T307/826

Abstract: A fingertip-operated solid state capacitance switch detects a capacity change that is induced by the physical contact of an ungrounded fingertip to an external dielectric surface of the solid state switch. The input (16) and output (17) of a solid state signal-inverting amplifier (13) are respectively connected to two relatively large and ungrounded capacitor plates (24,23) that are associated with, but electrically isolated from, the switch's external dielectric surface. An ungrounded fingertip forms a third capacitor plate on the switch's external surface. The solid state amplifier detects the presence of a fingertip on the switch's external surface by way of a change in capacitance within a compound, three plate, capacitor that includes the two ungrounded capacitor plates and the ungrounded fingertip that is resident on the switch's external surface. An automatic gain control circuit is provided to adjust the value of an amplifier reference voltage when the solid state switch is not operating, thereby allowing the solid state switch to adapt to changeable ambient conditions. A momentary switch and a toggle flip-flop latched switch are provided. A linear switch array having a movable control knob and a linear LED indicator array is provided. The momentary solid state switch is constructed to operate as a temporal code detector that detects a coded sequence of switch-taps and a coded time interval between adjacent switch-taps.

Abstract translation: 指尖操作的固态电容开关检测由未接地的指尖与固态开关的外部电介质表面的物理接触引起的容量变化。 固态信号反相放大器（13）的输入端（16）和输出端（17）分别连接到两个相对较大且未接地的电容器板（24,23），该电容器板与开关的外部 电介质表面。 未接地的指尖在开关的外表面上形成第三电容器板。 固态放大器通过化合物内的电容变化来检测开关外部表面是否存在指尖，三板电容器包括两个未接地的电容器板和驻留在开关外表面上的未接地的指尖。 提供自动增益控制电路以在固态开关不工作时调整放大器参考电压的值，从而允许固态开关适应可变的环境条件。 提供瞬时开关和开关触发器锁存开关。 提供具有可移动控制旋钮和线性LED指示器阵列的线性开关阵列。 瞬时固态开关被构造为作为检测开关抽头的编码序列和相邻开关抽头之间的编码时间间隔的时间码检测器。

公开(公告)号：EP1113405A3

公开(公告)日：2005-01-05

申请号：EP00311522.7

申请日：2000-12-21

Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.

Inventor： Gupta, Bhusan ,  Kramer, Alan

IPC: G07C9/00 ,  B60R25/00 ,  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.

公开(公告)号：EP0928959B1

公开(公告)日：2004-08-11

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