Patents by Inventor Nicholas Ian Buchan
Nicholas Ian Buchan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230177863Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, apparatuses, and systems for an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. A display device may include a platen, a display underlying the platen, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor underlying the display, where the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves via an acoustic path through the platen and the display. A light-blocking layer and/or an electrical shielding layer may be provided between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the display, where the light-blocking layer and/or the electrical shielding layer are in the acoustic path. A mechanical stress isolation layer may be provided between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the display, where the mechanical stress isolation layer is in the acoustic path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, IIa Ravindra Badge, Yipeng LU, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Suryaprakash Ganti, Chin-Jen Tseng, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Tsongming Kao, Leonard Eugene Fennell, Firas Sammoura, Jessica Liu Strohmann, David William Burns
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Patent number: 11393239Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor system may include an ultrasonic transceiver layer, a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer proximate a first side of the ultrasonic transceiver layer, a frequency-splitting layer proximate a second side of the ultrasonic transceiver layer and a high-impedance layer proximate the frequency-splitting layer. The frequency-splitting layer may reside between the ultrasonic transceiver layer and the high-impedance layer. The high-impedance layer may have a higher acoustic impedance than the frequency-splitting layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jessica Liu Strohmann, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Yipeng Lu, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev
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Publication number: 20220175258Abstract: Some disclosed methods involve controlling, via a control system, a light source system to emit a plurality of light pulses into biological tissue at a pulse repetition frequency, the biological tissue including blood and blood vessels at depths within the biological tissue. Such methods may involve receiving, by the control system, signals from the piezoelectric receiver corresponding to acoustic waves emitted from portions of the biological tissue, the acoustic waves corresponding to photoacoustic emissions from the blood and the blood vessels caused by the plurality of light pulses. Such methods may involve detecting, by the control system, heart rate waveforms in the signals, determining, by the control system, a first subset of detected heart rate waveforms corresponding to vein heart rate waveforms and determining, by the control system, a second subset of detected heart rate waveforms corresponding to artery heart rate waveforms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Jack Conway KITCHENS, John Keith SCHNEIDER, Evan Michael BRELOFF, Emily Kathryn BROOKS, Stephen Michael GOJEVIC, Fitzgerald JOHN ARCHIBALD, Alexei STOIANOV, Shounak Uday GORE, Nicholas Ian BUCHAN
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Patent number: 11281881Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a Coulomb force apparatus and a control system. The control system may be configured for controlling the Coulomb force apparatus for application of a Coulomb force to a digit in contact with an outer surface of the apparatus in a fingerprint sensor area and for controlling the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for transmission of first ultrasonic waves towards the digit. The control system may be configured for synchronizing the application of the Coulomb force and the transmission of the first ultrasonic waves. The control system may be configured for receiving ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and for performing an authentication process based, at least in part, on the ultrasonic receiver signals. The ultrasonic receiver signals may, in some instances, include signals corresponding to reflections of the first ultrasonic waves from the digit.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Harish Ananthakrishnan
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Patent number: 11275923Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a low-frequency vibration source and a control system. The ultrasonic sensor system may include an ultrasonic receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter configured for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a first frequency range (e.g., 1 MHz to 30 MHz). The low-frequency vibration source may be configured for generating low-frequency vibrations in a second frequency range (e.g., the range of 5 Hz to 2000 Hz). The control system may be configured for synchronizing the generation of the first low-frequency vibrations and the transmission of the first ultrasonic waves.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Sandeep Louis D'Souza, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh
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Publication number: 20220004728Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor system may include an ultrasonic transceiver layer, a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer proximate a first side of the ultrasonic transceiver layer, a frequency-splitting layer proximate a second side of the ultrasonic transceiver layer and a high-impedance layer proximate the frequency-splitting layer. The frequency-splitting layer may reside between the ultrasonic transceiver layer and the high-impedance layer. The high-impedance layer may have a higher acoustic impedance than the frequency-splitting layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Jessica Liu Strohmann, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Yipeng Lu, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev
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Publication number: 20210377670Abstract: A mobile device includes one or more piezoelectric polymer layers underlying a display. The one or more piezoelectric polymer layers may be electrically driven to operate in either a d33 stretching mode or a d31 bending mode. The mobile device functions as an ultrasonic sensor in the d33 stretching mode and as an audio speaker/microphone or a proximity sensor in the d31 bending mode. The piezoelectric polymer layer operating in the d31 bending mode may be directly mechanically coupled to a display, indirectly mechanically coupled to the display and underlying an ultrasonic sensor stack, or integrated in the ultrasonic sensor stack. Signal performance of the piezoelectric polymer layer operating in the d31 bending mode may be enhanced or modulated by having a larger area, multiple layers, bi-pole or uni-pole driving with multiple layers, one or more stiff adhesives, a spacer layer, one or more mass features, a thin TFT layer, a thick piezoelectric polymer layer, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Jessica Liu STROHMANN, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar PANCHAWAGH, Nicholas Ian BUCHAN, Yipeng LU, Kostadin Dimitrov DJORDJEV
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Patent number: 11182587Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a low-frequency vibration source and a control system. The ultrasonic sensor system may include an ultrasonic receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter configured for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a first frequency range (e.g., 1 MHz to 30 MHz). The low-frequency vibration source may be configured for generating low-frequency vibrations in a second frequency range (e.g., the range of 5 Hz to 2000 Hz). The control system may be configured for synchronizing the generation of the first low-frequency vibrations and the transmission of the first ultrasonic waves.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Sandeep Louis D'Souza
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Publication number: 20210350099Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a Coulomb force apparatus and a control system. The control system may be configured for controlling the Coulomb force apparatus for application of a Coulomb force to a digit in contact with an outer surface of the apparatus in a fingerprint sensor area and for controlling the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for transmission of first ultrasonic waves towards the digit. The control system may be configured for synchronizing the application of the Coulomb force and the transmission of the first ultrasonic waves. The control system may be configured for receiving ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and for performing an authentication process based, at least in part, on the ultrasonic receiver signals. The ultrasonic receiver signals may, in some instances, include signals corresponding to reflections of the first ultrasonic waves from the digit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Harish Ananthakrishnan
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Patent number: 11126814Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with a flexible substrate. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may include a film stack disposed on the flexible substrate that provides acceptable acoustic coupling for fingerprint sensing. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system includes a high acoustic impedance layer in an acoustic path of ultrasonic waves through a display. The high acoustic impedance layer can be electrically conductive or electrically nonconductive. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system includes an ultrasonic transceiver or an ultrasonic transmitter separate from an ultrasonic receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Yipeng Lu, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Jae Hyeong Seo, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Chin-Jen Tseng, Tsongming Kao
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Patent number: 11087108Abstract: An apparatus may include a cover layer, a layer of first metamaterial proximate (or in) the cover layer, a light source system configured for providing light to the layer of first metamaterial and a receiver system. The first metamaterial may include nanoparticles configured to create ultrasonic waves when illuminated by light. The receiver system may include an ultrasonic receiver system configured to receive ultrasonic waves reflected from a target object in contact with, or proximate, a surface of the cover layer. The control system may be configured to receive ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to the ultrasonic waves reflected from the target object and to perform an authentication process and/or an imaging process that is based, at least in part, on the ultrasonic receiver signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jack Conway Kitchens, John Keith Schneider, Stephen Michael Gojevic, Evan Michael Breloff, James Anthony Miranto, Emily Kathryn Brooks, Fitzgerald John Archibald, Alexei Stoianov, Raj Kumar, Sai Praneeth Sreeram, Nirma Lnu, Sandeep Louis D'Souza, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Yipeng Lu, Chin-Jen Tseng, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh
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Patent number: 11063203Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, apparatuses, and systems for poling a piezoelectric film. A poling system can be a corona poling system including a corona source with one or more corona wires configured to transfer a corona discharge onto a major surface of the piezoelectric film. The poling system can further include a grid electrode interposed between the corona source and the piezoelectric film. A substrate including the piezoelectric film may be supported on a substrate support, where the substrate and the corona source are configured to move relative to each other during poling.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Fan Zhong, Jack Conway Kitchens, II, Leonard Eugene Fennell, Nicholas Ian Buchan
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Publication number: 20210158002Abstract: An apparatus may include a cover layer, a layer of first metamaterial proximate (or in) the cover layer, a light source system configured for providing light to the layer of first metamaterial and a receiver system. The first metamaterial may include nanoparticles configured to create ultrasonic waves when illuminated by light. The receiver system may include an ultrasonic receiver system configured to receive ultrasonic waves reflected from a target object in contact with, or proximate, a surface of the cover layer. The control system may be configured to receive ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to the ultrasonic waves reflected from the target object and to perform an authentication process and/or an imaging process that is based, at least in part, on the ultrasonic receiver signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Jack Conway Kitchens, John Keith Schneider, Stephen Michael Gojevic, Evan Michael Breloff, James Anthony Miranto, Emily Kathryn Brooks, Fitzgerald John Archibald, Alexei Stoianov, Raj Kumar, Sai Praneeth Sreeram, Nirma Lnu, Sandeep Louis D'Souza, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Yipeng Lu, Chin-Jen Tseng, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh
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Patent number: 11003884Abstract: A fingerprint sensor device includes a sensor substrate, a plurality of sensor circuits over a first surface of the sensor substrate, and a transceiver layer located over the plurality of sensor circuits and the first surface of the sensor substrate. The transceiver layer includes a piezoelectric layer and a transceiver electrode positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer and the transceiver electrode are configured to generate one or more ultrasonic waves or to receive one or more ultrasonic waves. The fingerprint sensor device may include a cap coupled to the sensor substrate and a cavity formed between the cap and the sensor substrate. The cavity and the sensor substrate may form an acoustic barrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Mario Francisco Velez, Chin-Jen Tseng, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Firas Sammoura, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, David William Burns, Leonard Eugene Fennell, Jon Gregory Aday
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Publication number: 20210073502Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a low-frequency vibration source and a control system. The ultrasonic sensor system may include an ultrasonic receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter configured for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a first frequency range (e.g., 1 MHz to 30 MHz). The low-frequency vibration source may be configured for generating low-frequency vibrations in a second frequency range (e.g., the range of 5 Hz to 2000 Hz). The control system may be configured for synchronizing the generation of the first low-frequency vibrations and the transmission of the first ultrasonic waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Sandeep Louis D'Souza
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Publication number: 20210073511Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a low-frequency vibration source and a control system. The ultrasonic sensor system may include an ultrasonic receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter configured for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a first frequency range (e.g., 1 MHz to 30 MHz). The low-frequency vibration source may be configured for generating low-frequency vibrations in a second frequency range (e.g., the range of 5 Hz to 2000 Hz). The control system may be configured for synchronizing the generation of the first low-frequency vibrations and the transmission of the first ultrasonic waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Sandeep Louis D'Souza, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh
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Patent number: 10943084Abstract: Techniques described herein address these and other issues by providing an under-display sensor capable of providing fingerprint scanning over an entire display using optical and/or ultrasonic means. To do so, the sensor comprises an array of pixels, where each can pixel comprises a piezoelectric sensor element and a diode capable of being used as a photodetector during a light-sensing mode, and as a peak detector during a pressure-sensing mode. The sensor may further comprise a piezoelectric layer and one or more electrodes, which can generate a pressure wave during the pressure sensing mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev
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Patent number: 10929636Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with a thick electrically nonconductive acoustic layer and thin electrode layer coupled to a piezoelectric layer of an ultrasonic transmitter or transceiver. The thick electrically nonconductive acoustic layer may have a high density or high acoustic impedance value, and may be adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The thin electrode layer may be divided into electrode segments. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may use flexible or rigid substrates, and may use an ultrasonic transceiver or an ultrasonic transmitter separate from an ultrasonic receiver.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Yipeng Lu, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Chin-Jen Tseng, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Tsongming Kao, Jae Hyeong Seo
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Patent number: 10891458Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with an ultrasonic transmitter or ultrasonic transceiver having an electrode layer divided into a plurality of electrode segments. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may detect an object over one or more electrode segments and provide a voltage burst to one or more selected electrode segments for localized generation of ultrasonic waves. The localized generation of ultrasonic waves may facilitate localized readout for imaging. In some implementations, the voltage burst may be provided in a single-ended drive scheme or differential drive scheme.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jae Hyeong Seo, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Sameer Wadhwa, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Yipeng Lu
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Publication number: 20210004555Abstract: Techniques described herein address these and other issues by providing an under-display sensor capable of providing fingerprint scanning over an entire display using optical and/or ultrasonic means. To do so, the sensor comprises an array of pixels, where each can pixel comprises a piezoelectric sensor element and a diode capable of being used as a photodetector during a light-sensing mode, and as a peak detector during a pressure-sensing mode. The sensor may further comprise a piezoelectric layer and one or more electrodes, which can generate a pressure wave during the pressure sensing mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Hrishikesh Vijaykumar PANCHAWAGH, Nicholas Ian BUCHAN, Kostadin Dimitrov DJORDJEV