Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger are provided. In some embodiments, a method may include applying a first electrical signal, applying a second signal, receiving a third electrical signal using a first electrode, receiving a fourth electrical signal using the first electrode, extracting the third and fourth electrical signals using a quadrature demodulator, and compensating for a phase delay between at least the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal.

Abstract: A biometric module implemented on a single integrated circuit chip is configured to perform processing as part of a function associated with a device that performs contactless communication with a terminal. The module comprises a power-harvesting unit to induce a voltage from a wireless signal received at an antenna of the device; one or more components configured to process functions in the digital domain; one or more components configured to process functions in the analogue domain; and first and second voltage regulators each having inputs for receiving an input voltage induced by the power-harvesting unit. The first voltage regulator outputs a first voltage to the components processing functions in the analogue domain and the second voltage regulator outputs a second voltage lower than the first voltage to the components processing functions in the digital domain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger or other elements may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may include a plurality of electrode groups, and each electrode group may include a respective reference electrode for which a true signal value is a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the system may process signals received by the electrode groups by: (a) modulating the signals received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a modulation pattern; (b) demodulating the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a demodulation pattern, thereby determining a set of demodulated values for the respective electrode group; and/or (c) using the predetermined value for the reference electrode of the respective electrode group, restoring a mean value to the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger or other elements may be provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a memory, a sensor area, and a processor. The sensor area may include a set of receiving electrodes which may be partitioned among a plurality of electrode groups. The system may be configured to process signals received by the electrode groups by modulating the signals received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a modulation pattern, and demodulating the signals, or values derived therefrom, received from each electrode of the respective electrode group according to a demodulation pattern. The electrode groups may be at least partially interleaved.

Abstract: A sensor has drive lines and transverse pickup lines to define an electrode pair where each pickup line crosses a drive line. A reference pickup line is arranged parallel to the pickup lines and a compensation drive line is arranged parallel to the drive lines. A signal source provides a first signal to the drive lines and a second signal that is the inverse of the first signal to the compensation drive line. An amplifier has a first input connected to a pickup line, a second input connected to a reference pickup line, and a output indicative of an object in contact with the electrode pair(s). Each impedance between the compensation drive line and a pickup line, between the reference pickup line and a reference drive line, and between the compensation drive line and the reference pickup line is equal to the impedance at the electrode pair when no object is contact with the electrode pair.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitate enrollment of authenticating biometric data for authenticating an authorized user via a biometric sensor. A data input device and a power source are operatively coupled to a smart card including a fingerprint sensor. An activation code input by the user interacting with the data input device is compared with a predefined activation code, and if the detected activation code matches the predefined activation code, a fingerprint template is enrolled from fingerprint data received from the fingerprint sensor, all without transmitting data from either the power source or the data input device to any device other than the smart card.

Abstract: A sensor assembly comprises a rigid substrate with a circuit subassembly wrapped therearound. The circuit subassembly includes a flexible substrate with conductive traces and interconnects formed thereon, and when wrapped around the rigid substrate, the conductive traces may overlap one another so as to form capacitive sensor elements. The interconnects connect the conductive traces to one or more components, such as a printed circuit board attached to a portion of the flexible substrate. The sensor assembly maybe installed in an opening formed in a host device panel of a host device, such as a smart phone, with the sensor assembly optionally peripherally surrounded by a spacer frame, and covered by a cover element. The circuit subassembly may include a host connector tab for electrically connecting the sensor assembly to electrical components of a host device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitate enrollment of authenticating biometric data for authenticating an authorized user via a biometric sensor. In one aspect, power is transmitted to a smart card from a power source removably coupled to the smart card, the power source including a power element that provides power to the fingerprint sensor and a finger guide comprising two or more finger guide channels positioned adjacent to the fingerprint sensor of the smart card when the power source is coupled to the smart card. Each finger guide channel is configured to position a finger placed thereon to contact the fingerprint sensor at a different orientation. During the transmission of power to the smart card, the user is instructed with respect to the placement and removal of the user's finger with respect to each finger guide channel with a status indicator associated with the finger guide channel.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitate enrollment of authenticating biometric data for authenticating an authorized user via a biometric sensor. Included devices transmit power to a sensor-enabled device that does not have an independent power source without transmitting data to or from the device. Data input devices coupled to the biometric sensor enable user input of non-biometric data, such as an activation code, via the biometric sensor. For biometric sensors comprising fingerprint sensors, finger guides position a finger to contact the sensor at a desired orientation. Systems and methods allow for enrollment of one or more authenticating biometric data templates with or without requiring input of non-biometric authentication data, such as an activation code.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor for incorporation into a smart card includes sensor electrodes for detecting fingerprint features of a finger placed on a contact surface, the sensor electrodes being disposed above a substrate layer that comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a ledge where an edge of the first portion extends beyond an edge of the second portion. Contact points disposed on the ledge connect the fingerprint sensor to electrical conductors of an intermediate layer of a multi-layer smartcard. The fingerprint sensor is disposed within a cavity formed in a body of the smartcard, and the contact points disposed on the ledge are set at a depth corresponding to the thickness of an outer layer covering the electrical conductors of the intermediate layer of the smartcard.

Abstract: A biometric module implemented on a single integrated circuit chip is configured to perform processing as part of a function associated with a device that performs contactless communication with a terminal. The module comprises a power-harvesting unit to induce a voltage from a wireless signal received at an antenna of the device; one or more components configured to process functions in the digital domain; one or more components configured to process functions in the analogue domain; and first and second voltage regulators each having inputs for receiving an input voltage induced by the power-harvesting unit. The first voltage regulator outputs a first voltage to the components processing functions in the analogue domain and the second voltage regulator outputs a second voltage lower than the first voltage to the components processing functions in the digital domain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing noise in sensors are described. In some embodiments, measurement values for selected pixels may be processed to remove signals that are common to groups of pixels. In some embodiments, offset values between pixel groups may be determined. In some embodiments, the determined offset values may be used to remove or suppress artificial discontinuities.

Abstract: A novel sensor is provided having a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal into a surface of a proximally located object and also a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented proximate the drive lines and electrically separated from the drive lines to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each of the drive and pickup proximal locations. A switch is integrated with the sensor.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor module includes a fingerprint sensor assembly with a circuit element attached. The fingerprint sensor assembly is electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate with a cutout to accommodate the circuit element. The entire fingerprint sensor assembly and at least part of the PCB are encapsulated in a encapsulating material to produce a structurally robust fingerprint sensor module suitable for integration into an electronics device such as a smartphone or other “Internet of Things” (IOT) electronic device.

Abstract: A plurality of molded cover members are manufactured by first singulating a single sheet of cover material, such as glass, into a plurality of separate, discrete cover members, placing the cover members in spaced-apart positions on a releaseable carrier, and applying a molded material to the perimeter of each cover member. The molded material can be applied by a blanket molding technique whereby gaps between adjacent cover members are filled, and then the cover members are singulated, leaving a portion of the cover material on the perimeter of each cover member, and then the singulated, molded cover members are released from the releasable carrier. Alternatively, the molded material is applied by a patterned molding technique whereby molding material is applied to the perimeter of each cover member without fully filling the gaps between adjacent cover members, and then the molded cover members are released from the releasable carrier.

Abstract: A sensor has drive lines and transverse pickup lines to define an electrode pair where each pickup line crosses a drive line. A reference pickup line is arranged parallel to the pickup lines and a compensation drive line is arranged parallel to the drive lines. A signal source provides a first signal to the drive lines and a second signal that is the inverse of the first signal to the compensation drive line. An amplifier has a first input connected to a pickup line, a second input connected to a reference pickup line, and a output indicative of an object in contact with the electrode pair(s). Each impedance between the compensation drive line and a pickup line, between the reference pickup line and a reference drive line, and between the compensation drive line and the reference pickup line is equal to the impedance at the electrode pair when no object is contact with the electrode pair.

Abstract: A biometric module implemented on a single integrated circuit chip is configured to perform processing as part of a function associated with a device that performs contactless communication with a terminal. The module comprises a power-harvesting unit to induce a voltage from a wireless signal received at an antenna of the device; one or more components configured to process functions in the digital domain; one or more components configured to process functions in the analogue domain; and first and second voltage regulators each having inputs for receiving an input voltage induced by the power-harvesting unit. The first voltage regulator outputs a first voltage to the components processing functions in the analogue domain and the second voltage regulator outputs a second voltage lower than the first voltage to the components processing functions in the digital domain.

Abstract: A sensor has parallel upper pickup lines in an upper conductive layer, parallel lower pickup lines in a lower conductive layer, parallel drive lines oriented transversely to the upper and lower pickup lines in a middle conductive layer, a first insulating layer separating the upper pickup lines from the drive lines, and a second insulating layer opposite the first insulating layer and separating the lower pickup lines from the drive lines. Upper electrode pairs are defined at locations where an upper pickup electrode crosses a drive line, and each upper electrode pair has an impedance that is sensitive to a first object contacting or in close proximity to the upper electrode pair. Lower electrode pairs are defined at locations where a lower pickup line crosses a drive line, and each lower electrode pair has an impedance that is sensitive to a second object contacting or in close proximity to the lower electrode pair.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A novel sensor is provided having a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal into a surface of a proximally located object and also a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented proximate the drive lines and electrically separated from the drive lines to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each of the drive and pickup proximal locations. A switch is integrated with the sensor.