Patents by Inventor Richard Alexander Erhart

Richard Alexander Erhart 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).

  • Patent number: 10048787
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 10043053
    Abstract: A novel system, device and method of validation is provided for sensing a biometric such as a fingerprint, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric entity such as a fingerprint is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication processes to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated. Alternatively, a portion of the biometric data may be retained, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication steps to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Frank Schwab
  • Publication number: 20170351903
    Abstract: A novel system, device and method of validation is provided for sensing a biometric such as a fingerprint, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric entity such as a fingerprint is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication processes to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated. Alternatively, a portion of the biometric data may be retained, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication steps to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Frank Schwab
  • Patent number: 9760757
    Abstract: A novel system, device and method of validation is provided for sensing a biometric such as a fingerprint, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric entity such as a fingerprint is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication processes to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated. Alternatively, a portion of the biometric data may be retained, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication steps to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Frank Schwab
  • Patent number: 9665762
    Abstract: A biometric authentication apparatus and method is disclosed which may comprise a biometric authentication unit which may comprise: a biometric object sensor comprising sensor elements and a sensor computing device; a wake-on-event logic controller maintaining the sensor computing device in one of a powered-off or powered down mode, and including a bulk biometric object detector configured to detect a biometric object on or in the vicinity of the sensor elements and to power-on or power-up the sensor computing device responsive to the detection of the biometric object on or in the vicinity of the sensor elements; the sensor computing device configured to analyze one or more lines of biometric object image comprising a partial biometric object image and determine if the partial biometric image belongs to a biometric object desired to be imaged to obtain a complete biometric object image, and to provide a power-on or power-up signal to a host electronic device computing device when the partial biometric image i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik Jonathon Thompson, Charles Walter Bellman, Anthony P. Russo, Philip Yiu Kwong Chan, Bjoren Kurt Davis, Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Ty Bao Lien, Frank Schwab
  • Patent number: 9594498
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention as including a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. A fingerprint sensing circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface. The fingerprint sensing circuit is capable of sensing a fingerprint through the non-conductive substrate. A navigation device is positioned adjacent to (e.g., below) the non-conductive substrate and is capable of being manipulated by the user through the non-conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Anthony Russo, Erik Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170024605
    Abstract: A novel system, device and method of validation is provided for sensing a biometric such as a fingerprint, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric entity such as a fingerprint is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication processes to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated. Alternatively, a portion of the biometric data may be retained, where biometric data corresponding to the biometric is then transmitted to a host configured to perform a plurality of authentication steps to authenticate the biometric data. At least one of the plurality of authentication steps is then validated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Frank Schwab
  • Publication number: 20160343634
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson
  • Patent number: 9406580
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson
  • Patent number: 9400911
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
  • Publication number: 20160179263
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 9274553
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 9195877
    Abstract: A sensing circuit and method is disclosed, which may comprise a plurality of transmitting or receiving elements each defining a pixel location defined by a gap between the respective one of the plurality of transmitting or receiving elements and a single element of the opposing type to the respective transmitting or receiving element, and a controller configured to provide or receive a probing signal to or from a group of at least two of the plurality of transmitting or receiving elements, at the same time, thereby increasing the effective area providing the transmitting of or the receiving of the probing signal for each pixel location imaged. The group of transmitting or receiving elements may form a symmetric pattern, which may be centered on the pixel location. The plurality of transmitting or receiving elements may form at least one linear pixel array with the respective single receiving or transmitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 9152838
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within a housing adaptable for use in an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Wickboldt, Richard Brian Nelson, Richard Alexander Erhart
  • Patent number: 9137438
    Abstract: A biometric image sensor system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first light source having a first wavelength ?1, a second light source having a second wavelength ?2, a photodetector configured and positioned to receive light of the first wavelength ?1 and light of the second wavelength ?2 reflecting from a biometric object being imaged and to produce a first output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the first wavelength ?1 and a second output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the second wavelength ?2, and a computing device configured to compare the difference between the first output and the second output with an authenticity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Erik Jonathon Thompson, Jaswinder Jandu, Pamela Percy
  • Publication number: 20150153923
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention as including a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. A fingerprint sensing circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface. The fingerprint sensing circuit is capable of sensing a fingerprint through the non-conductive substrate. A navigation device is positioned adjacent to (e.g., below) the non-conductive substrate and is capable of being manipulated by the user through the non-conductive substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Anthony Russo, Erik Thompson
  • Patent number: 9001040
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention as including a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. A fingerprint sensing circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface. The fingerprint sensing circuit is capable of sensing a fingerprint through the non-conductive substrate. A navigation device is positioned adjacent to (e.g., below) the non-conductive substrate and is capable of being manipulated by the user through the non-conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Anthony Russo, Erik Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140328522
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Lewis DEAN, Richard Alexander ERHART, Jaswinder S. JANDU, Erik Jonathon THOMPSON
  • Patent number: RE45601
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor with programmable sensing patterns is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing circuit having multiple I/O interconnects. The I/O interconnects are configured to sequentially drive a plurality of fingerprint sensing elements. A memory device may be operably coupled to the fingerprint sensing circuit. A programmable data structure, such as a table, file, character string, numeric value, array, or the like may be stored in the memory device to designate a pattern for driving the fingerprint sensing elements. The fingerprint sensing circuit is configured to drive the fingerprint sensing elements according to the designated pattern. In selected embodiments, the fingerprint sensing elements may include transmitting elements, receiving elements, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathon Thompson
  • Patent number: RE45650
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing circuit for reducing noise and parasitic capacitive coupling is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a plurality of transmitting elements to sequentially emit a probing signal. A digital ground is provided to ground digital components in the fingerprint sensing circuit. A quiet ground, separate from and quieter than the digital ground, is provided to ground transmitting elements that are not transmitting the probing signal. Similarly, control logic is provided to connect, to the quiet ground, transmitting elements that are not transmitting the probing signal, while disconnecting, from the quiet ground, transmitting elements that are emitting the probing signal. The quiet ground helps to reduce the adverse effects of parasitic capacitive coupling and noise on the inactive transmitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathon Thompson