Abstract: A method for finger biometric processing may include selecting at least one enrollment spot from finger biometric enrollment data comprising a plurality of pixels, and selecting at least one verification spot from finger biometric verification data comprising a plurality of pixels. One or more spot properties is determined for one (or both) of the at least one enrollment spot and the at least one verification spot. The method may further include comparing the at least one enrollment spot with the at least one verification spot based upon a function of corresponding pixel values of the at least one enrollment spot and the at least one verification spot, and also based upon the at least one spot property.

Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor may sense different biometric characteristics that have different matching selectivities and that have at least a known spatial relationship. The sensor may include an integrated circuit substrate for receiving a user's finger adjacent thereto, and a first set of biometric sensing pixels on the substrate for sensing a first finger biometric characteristic to generate first finger biometric characteristic data having a first matching selectivity. The sensor may also include a second set of biometric sensing pixels on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a second finger biometric characteristic different than the first finger biometric characteristic to generate second finger biometric characteristic data with a known spatial relationship to the first fingerprint characteristic data. The second finger biometric characteristic data may have a second matching selectivity less than the first matching selectivity.

Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor includes a plurality of electric field fingerprint sensing pixels on an integrated circuit substrate for sensing an image of the user's finger, and at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a finger biometric characteristic different than the image of the user's finger. Each of the electric field fingerprint sensing pixels may include an electric field sensing electrode, a guard shield surrounding the electric field sensing electrode, and an amplifier connected between the electric field sensing electrode and the guard shield. The sensor may also include a finger drive electrode adjacent the plurality of electric field sensing pixels, and a processor connected to the electric field fingerprint sensing pixels and the at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a display carried by the housing, and a fingerprint sensor also carried by the housing. The electronic device may also include a processor for generating a plurality of menu items on the display, and for scrolling an indicator along the menu items based upon static placement of a finger adjacent a selected portion of the fingerprint sensor. The sensor may have a polygonal shape, and the scrolling may be in a direction of a corner portion of the polygonal shape. The menu items may be arranged in a single column, or in a plurality of columns.

Abstract: A finger sensor apparatus may include an integrated circuit substrate for receiving a user's finger adjacent thereto, and a plurality of infrared sensing pixels on the integrated circuit substrate. The infrared sensing pixels are for sensing infrared radiation naturally emitted from subdermal features when the user's finger is positioned adjacent the integrated circuit substrate. The finger sensor apparatus may also include a processor connected to the infrared sensing pixels for generating infrared biometric data based upon infrared radiation naturally emitted from the subdermal features of the user's finger.

Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor may include infrared sensing pixels on an integrated circuit substrate for sensing infrared radiation emitted from the user's finger, and at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a finger biometric characteristic different than the infrared radiation emitted from the user's finger. The sensor may also include a processor connected to the plurality of infrared sensing pixels and the at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor. Each of the infrared sensing pixels may include at least one infrared antenna and at least one temperature sensor connected thereto.

Abstract: An optical dispersion finger sensor includes an integrated circuit substrate, and an optical source for directing light into a user's finger when positioned adjacent the integrated circuit substrate. The light may propagate into and be dispersed by the user's finger so that at least a portion of the dispersed light exits the user's finger in a direction toward the integrated circuit substrate. The sensor may also include at least one optical dispersion sensing pixel on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing dispersed light from the user's finger. A processor may be connected to the optical dispersion sensing pixels for generating optical dispersion biometric data based upon dispersed light from the user's finger.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a portable housing, an optical source carried by the portable housing, and an optical dispersion finger sensor carried by the portable housing. The sensor may include an integrated circuit substrate adjacent the optical source so that light propagates into and is dispersed by the user's finger with at least a portion of the dispersed light exiting the user's finger in a direction toward the integrated circuit substrate. The sensor may also include at least one optical dispersion sensing pixel on the substrate for sensing dispersed light from the user's finger to be used to generate optical dispersion biometric data from the user's finger. A processor may be connected to the one or more sensing pixels to enable at least one device function based upon the optical dispersion biometric data.

Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor may include at least one optical dispersion sensing pixel on an integrated circuit substrate for sensing dispersed light from the user's finger, and at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a finger biometric characteristic different than the dispersed light from the user's finger. The sensor may also include a processor connected to the at least one optical dispersion sensing pixel and the at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus generates fingerprint data for a fingerprint area larger than a sensing area of a fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint of a user is enrolled by generating fingerprint data sets responsive to placing a finger of a user on a sensing area of the fingerprint sensor a plurality of times with the finger being slightly repositioned on successive placements. The method also includes processing the fingerprint data sets to generate a composite fingerprint data set over an area of the fingerprint larger than the sensing area of the fingerprint sensor. The method may also be extended to the matching of a new fingerprint to an enrolled fingerprint based upon at least one sensing of the new fingerprint and the composite fingerprint data sets.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a housing, a fingerprint sensing integrated circuit in the housing, and a leadframe comprising at least one first conductive pin extending upwardly to the upper surface and at least one second conductive pin extending outwardly from the housing. The sensor also includes at least one conductive layer on the upper surface of the housing and this is connected to the at least one first conductive pin. The at least one first conductive pin preferably terminates flush with the upper surface of the housing. In other words, one or more upwardly bent leadframe pins readily establish connection to the respective one or more external electrodes. The integrated circuit may include a finger drive circuit, a wake-up circuit, and/or an ESD circuit and the at least one conductive layer may connected thereto.

Abstract: An IC package preferably includes an IC and encapsulating material surrounding the IC, with the encapsulating material having an opening therein to define an exposed portion of the IC. Vestigial portions of encapsulating material may be left on the exposed portion of the IC and spaced inwardly from a periphery of the opening based upon molding using a mold protrusion which includes a bleed-through retention channel positioned inwardly from peripheral edges. The channel collects and retains any bleed-through of the encapsulating material. The IC package may further include a leadframe carrying the IC. The leadframe may include a die pad, finger portions, and a plurality of die pad support bars. The die pad may be downset below a level of the finger portions. Each of the die pad support bars may be resiliently deformed to accommodate the downset of the die pad. Low stress encapsulating material and adhesive may also be included in the IC package.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor may include a plurality of electrostatic discharge (ESD) electrodes carried by a dielectric layer of a fingerprint sensing portion. The fingerprint sensing portion is for sensing a fingerprint of a user. The fingerprint sensing portion may include the dielectric layer, and, in some embodiments, may also include an array of sensing electrodes also carried by the dielectric layer. Accordingly, each ESD electrode may be interposed between adjacent sensing electrodes. The ESD electrodes attract ESD events and dissipate the energy therein to avoid damaging adjacent sensing electrodes and/or portions of the dielectric layer. The fingerprint sensor may also include an electrically conductive layer connected to the ESD electrodes, which may provide a convenient ground plane, for example, for removing ESD energy from the fingerprint sensor. The electrically conductive layer may extend beneath the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package includes a fingerprint sensing integrated circuit within a housing and comprising a plurality of electric field sensing electrodes and processing circuitry connected thereto. At least one external electrode is carried by the housing for finger contact. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit is provided within the housing and is connected to the at least one external electrode. An isolation circuit is connected to the at least one line of the processing circuitry for external connection. The external electrode and ESD circuit, as well as the line isolation circuit protect the integrated circuit against damage by voltage transients, such as ESD. The at least one external electrode may include first and second external electrodes. The first electrode may be connected to the electrostatic discharge circuit.

Abstract: A computer includes at least one memory, basic input/output system (BIOS) instructions and operating system (OS) instructions stored in the at least one memory, and a processor connected to the at least one memory and which upon starting first operates based upon the BIOS instructions and thereafter operates based upon the OS instructions. A timer is provided for shutting down the processor a predetermined time after being started unless a deactivation code is received. A biometric security sensor cooperates with the processor for causing the deactivation code to be received by the timer based upon at least one sensed user biometric indicating an authorized user. The BIOS instructions may cause the processor to calculate the deactivation code and start the timer.

Abstract: A method for indexing and searching a plurality of reference fingerprints to determine if a sample fingerprint matches one of the reference fingerprints includes the steps of: determining respective index values for the reference fingerprints and the sample fingerprint based upon characteristics of the fingerprints and with the index values being generally evenly distributed and continuous over a relatively large population of individuals; selecting a first subset of the reference fingerprints having index values in a first range relative to the index value of the sample fingerprint; and comparing the sample fingerprint to each fingerprint of the first subset of reference fingerprints to thereby determine if there is a match between the sample fingerprint and one of the reference fingerprints and without comparing the sample fingerprint to all of the reference fingerprints.

Abstract: A machine includes a mechanical linkage and or drive coupled to a housing and generating at least one of shock and vibration when functioning. The machine further includes an integrated circuit fingerprint sensor carried by the housing and being resistant to at least one of shock and vibration, and an enabling circuit for selectively enabling functioning of the linkage/drive based upon sensing a fingerprint of an authorized machine operator by the integrated circuit fingerprint sensor. Accordingly, only authorized operators may use the machine. Moreover, the integrated fingerprint sensor is shock and vibration resistant so that it can be coupled to the machine housing and still function accurately and reliably. The enabling circuit may also include a memory for storing data related to at least one fingerprint for at least one authorized operator, and may determine matching of a sensed fingerprint with the stored data. The machine may also be a firearm which generates a substantial shock upon firing.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes an integrated circuit die and a protective covering of a z-axis anisotropic dielectric material. The die includes a conductive layer defining an array of electric field sensing electrodes. The z-axis anisotropic dielectric layer focusses an electric field at each of the electric field sensing electrodes. In other words, the dielectric covering may be relatively thick, but not result in defocussing of the electric fields propagating through the dielectric covering because of the z-axis anisotropy of the material. The z-axis anisotropic dielectric layer may be provided by a plurality of oriented dielectric particles in a cured matrix. For example, the z-axis anisotropic dielectric layer may comprise barium titanate in a polyimide matrix. The conductive layer preferably comprises a plurality of capacitive coupling pads for permitting capacitive coupling with the integrated circuit die.

Abstract: A portable telecommunication device includes a radio transceiver within a portable housing, a fingerprint sensor carried by the housing, and an authorizing feature for permitting use of the radio transceiver based upon the fingerprint sensor sensing a fingerprint of an authorized user. The authorizing may be performed locally or based upon a remote authorization signal. The portable telecommunication device may be cellular telephone. Accordingly, unauthorized users may not be permitted to use the cellular telephone and accumulate charges without the owner's consent. The invention may also be used with law enforcement or other telecommunications devices, for example, where it is desired to prevent reception or transmission on designated bands by unauthorized users. The device may also include a user identification feature for transmitting a user identification signal to a remote device based upon a sensed fingerprint. The portable telecommunication device may operate with one or both of audio and data signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expandable biometric searching are provided. A method preferably includes forming a plurality of biometric records. Each of the plurality of biometric records preferably includes at least one biometric index and biometric data associated with the at least one biometric index. The method also includes forming a multi-dimensional virtual space having a data structure with the plurality of biometric records stored therein and generally defined by a configuration of a tree. Each of the nodal regions at each level of the tree preferably has a generally spherical shape. The apparatus preferably includes a database having a plurality of biometric data groups. Each of the plurality of biometric data groups includes a plurality of records stored therein. The apparatus also includes a plurality of biometric searching engines.