Fingerprint sensor
US4577345A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07C9/26
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrical method and apparatus for sensing the pattern of ridges and valleys on an individual's finger to provide binary electrical signals representative of the sensed pattern. The fingerprint sensor is constructed and defined with an integrated circuit chip having an array of sensing circuits arranged thereon in rows and columns for defining X, Y coordinates. One of the electrodes for each sensing circuit is connected to a contact pad that is electrically exposed on the surface of the integrated circuit chip at a location corresponding to the X, Y coordinate for the individual sensing circuit. A pressure sensitive membrane having a conductive surface facing the array of contact pads is utilized for translating the fingerprint pattern into a conductive pattern of ridges and valleys. The conductive pattern is pressed into electrical engagement with each contact pad opposite a fingerprint ridge. While the conductive pads are in electrical engagement with the membrane, the sensing circuits are sequentially scanned in a preselected timed relationship to produce a binary electrical signal from each sensing circuit having its individual contact pad in circuit relationship with the m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.