Abstract: A touch screen monitor having a display monitor and an ultrasonic device. The ultrasonic device may include a sensor array using piezoelectric sensors to detect the surface topology of a biological or other object that is in contact with a surface of the display monitor. The display monitor may be a LCD or LED monitor.

Abstract: A smart phone protective cover with an integrated waveguide array is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the cover includes a portion adapted to contain a waveguide array designed to allow communications between the smart phone and a user. The invention may be implemented to facilitate cursor, display and/or navigation control relative to the smart phone.

Abstract: A biometric scanner having an electric field device and a method of using that scanner are disclosed. The electric field device (a) has no electric field generator or an electric field generator that is prevented from providing an electric field to a biometric object, such as a finger, and (b) has an electric field sensor array comprised of a plurality of electric field sensors. Capacitance readings from the sensor array are used to generate values that are attributed to locations corresponding to the sensors.

Abstract: A biometric scanner having a sensor and an array of conductive strands is disclosed. The sensor has at least one sensor electrode, and that sensor electrode may be a capacitance sensor, an electric field sensor, or an electroluminescent sensor. The array may have an electrical insulating material between adjacent ones of the conductive strands. The array serves to protect the sensor, and conduct through the array information about the electrical characteristics of a biometric object.

Abstract: A computer control system and method is disclosed. Such a system may include a processor and an ultrasonic area-array sensor configured to receive a ridged surface, such as one or more digits of a hand. The processor may be configured to: (a) acquire a first information set from the sensor, the first information set representing at least a portion of the ridged surface, (b) acquire a second information set from the sensor, the second information set representing at least a portion of the ridged surface, (c) compare the first information set with the second information set to identify a common feature of the ridged surface that is present in both the first information set and the second information set, (d) determine a first position of the common feature using the first information set, (e) determine a second position of the common feature using the second information set, and (f) calculate a control measurement by comparing the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Devices and methods of creating an image of a biological object are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention there is a plane wave ultrasonic pulse generator, an ultrasonic wave manipulation device, an ultrasonic detector and an image generator. In a method according to the invention, a biological object is imaged by emitting an unfocussed ultrasonic energy wave front, reflecting at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy wave front from the object, altering a direction of the ultrasonic energy, detecting that energy, and using the detected energy to create an image of the object.

Abstract: A biometric scanner is described and claimed. The scanner has a platen, an ultrasonic plane wave generator, an ultrasonic detector, and a delay layer residing between the generator and the detector.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of deciding whether a data set is acceptable for making a decision. A first probability partition array and a second probability partition array may be provided. One or both of the probability partition arrays may be a Copula model. A no-match zone may be established and used to calculate a false-acceptance-rate (“FAR”) and/or a false-rejection-rate (“FRR”) for the data set. The FAR and/or the FAR may be compared to desired rates. Based on the comparison, the data set may be either accepted or rejected. The invention may also be embodied as a computer readable memory device for executing the methods.

Abstract: A hand scanner according to the invention may obtain an image of the hand and fingers including the bracelet crease/carpel delta area and palm surface regions up to the tips of the fingers using ultrasound measurement techniques. A hand scanner according to the invention may include a movable arcuate platen and an energy transducer. In a method according to the invention, the transducer may be moved back and forth while moving a platen surface in order to advance the hand and thereby produce a raster type scan image. In this manner, the image of the hand print may be collected as a raster image representative of the scanned surface of the friction ridge skin.

Abstract: Devices and methods of creating an image of a biological object are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention there is a plane wave ultrasonic pulse generator, an ultrasonic wave manipulation device, an ultrasonic detector and an image generator. In a method according to the invention, a biological object is imaged by emitting an unfocussed ultrasonic energy wave front, reflecting at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy wave front from the object, altering a direction of the ultrasonic energy, detecting that energy, and using the detected energy to create an image of the object.

Abstract: An acoustic (sound or ultrasound) wave transmitter having a plurality of waveguides is described, and a method of making such a transmitter is described. Each waveguide can have a cladded core. The cladded core is capable of transmitting acoustic wave energy from a first end surface to a second end surface of the cladded core. The waveguides can be substantially fixed relative to each other by a binder. The binder can be formed by fusing the claddings together, potting a material between the waveguides and/or mechanically holding the waveguides.

Abstract: A computer control system and a method of controlling a computer are disclosed. One such system includes an area-array sensor and a processor. The processor may have a navigation mode, and when set to this mode, the processor is configured to execute certain tasks. Those tasks may include acquiring a first information set and acquiring a second information set from the sensor. The first information set may represent reflected energy received by the sensor at the first time and the second information set may represent reflected energy received by the sensor at the second time. The first information set indicates a first contact area corresponding to that portion of an indicator object (such as a finger or stylus) which contacts the platen at the first time, and the second information set indicates a second contact area corresponding to that portion of the indicator object which contacts the platen at the second time.

Abstract: An acoustic pulse array is described. The pulse array can include a plane wave pulse generator having a first side from which a first wave emanates, and a second side from which a second wave emanates. A first waveguide array can be attached to the generator on the first side of the generator, and a second waveguide array can be attached to a second side of the generator. One or more of the waveguides can be attached to the generator so as to orient the waveguide to transmit wave pulses in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the generator.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as an identity assurance system or method. A system according to the invention may have a biometric sensor capable of providing static biometric indications, a strap capable of positioning the sensor on an organism, and a computer in communication with the sensor. The computer may have software running on the computer in order to (a) cause the computer to determine whether there is a match between a subsequent static biometric indication and an initial static biometric indication, and (b) cause the computer to send a signal indicating whether a match was determined in order to assure the identity of the organism.

Abstract: A method of forming a piezoelectric device is disclosed. In one such method, a coating material is formed. The coating material has a piezoelectric precursor. The coating material is applied to a first electrode. The precursor is heated to a temperature that is above the Curie temperature of the precursor, but below the melting temperature of the precursor. While the precursor is above its Curie temperature, a voltage is applied across the precursor. While the voltage is applied across the precursor, the temperature of the precursor is reduced to below the Curie temperature.

Abstract: Information management systems for clinical research, and related methods, are disclosed. The management system may have a database of biometric sample information. At least some of the pieces of sample information in the database may have been received from a test-subject in a first clinical research effort, and each piece of sample information may have a related pointer stored in the database. Each pointer may identify the location of clinical research information obtained during the first clinical research effort.

Abstract: Systems and methods of authorizing an activity, such as a financial transaction, are disclosed. Authorizing the activity may be accomplished by comparing a biometric sample to a biometric specimen. The sample is stored in a database and includes biometric information corresponding to two physiologically distinct portions of an individual. When that individual later is a person desiring to authorize an activity, he provides a specimen that includes biometric information corresponding to two physiologically distinct portions of his person. A comparison between the sample and the specimen is performed, and if a match is determined then the activity is authorized. If the comparison is performed and a match is not determined, then the activity is not authorized.

Abstract: An acoustic (sound or ultrasound) wave transmitter having a plurality of waveguides is described, and a method of making such a transmitter is described. Each waveguide may have a cladded core. The core may be a liquid such as water, alcohol or mineral oil. Alternatively, the core may be a colloidal gel, such as gelatin dissolved in at least one of water, vinyl plastisol or silicone gel. The cladded core is capable of transmitting acoustic wave energy from a first end surface to a second end surface of the cladded core. The waveguides may be substantially fixed relative to each other by a binder. The binder may be formed by fusing the claddings together, potting a material between the waveguides and/or mechanically holding the waveguides.

Abstract: An acoustic (sound or ultrasound) wave transmitter having a plurality of waveguides is described, and a method of making such a transmitter is described. Each waveguide may have a cladded core. The cladded core is capable of transmitting acoustic wave energy from a first end surface to a second end surface of the cladded core. The waveguides may be substantially fixed relative to each other by a binder. The binder may be formed by fusing the claddings together, potting a material between the waveguides and/or mechanically holding the waveguides.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as a fingerprint scanner having an ultrasonic wave detector, a platen, an ultrasonic wave generator located between the detector and the platen. The invention may be embodied as a method of scanning a finger. One such method includes providing a platen, a detector and a generator, the generator being placed between the platen and the detector. A finger may be provided on the platen, and an ultrasound wave pulse may be sent from the generator toward the finger. The wave pulse may be reflected from the finger, and received at the detector. The received wave pulse may be used to produce an image of the finger.