Capacitive sensing array device including electrostatic damage prevention means
US6357302B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C11/40
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A capacitive sensing array device, particularly a fingerprint sensing array device, includes an array of sense electrodes covered by a dielectric layer defining a sensing surface over which, for example, a person's finger is placed in use. Each sense electrode is associated with an overlying, electrically isolated, second electrode on the sensing surface. One or more adjacent conductor lines at a predetermined potential are also carried on the sensing surface, e.g. in the form of a grid surrounding and spaced from the second electrodes and the second electrode and/or its adjacent conductor line is shaped at a part thereof so as to encourage electrical flash-over at a reduced potential level at that part and prevent damage being caused by electrostatic charges carried by a person's finger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.