Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for conserving power during navigation, e.g., user device pointer/cursor navigation, using a fingerprint image sensor, that may comprise processing, via a computing device, fingerprint image sensor data indicative of finger position and movement with respect to a fingerprint image sensor surface in a finger navigation mode to determine if the finger is in a first finger navigation mode; processing, via the computing device, fingerprint image sensor data indicative of finger position and movement with respect to a fingerprint image sensor surface in a finger navigation mode to determine if the finger is in a second finger navigation mode; and transitioning, via the computing device, the fingerprint image sensor from a first power consumption mode to a second power consumption mode, based on detecting a transition from the first finger navigation mode to the second finger navigation mode.

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.

Abstract: A user input method and apparatus may comprise a two line object imaging sensor having a primary line scan-sensor providing a primary line scan-sensor output and a secondary line scan-sensor providing a secondary line scan-sensor output, representing pixels in a current primary scan row and a current secondary scan row, and adapted to scan an object; storing for each scan time each current primary line scan-sensor output and each current secondary line scan-sensor output and a correlation unit correlating at least one of the current representations of pixels in a primary line sensor output with stored representations and the current representations of pixels in a secondary line sensor output with stored representations and, the correlation unit providing as an output a motion indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for culling substantially redundant data in a fingerprint sensing circuit is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an input module, a storage module, a comparator module, and a determination module. The input module may receive sets of data samples from an array of fingerprint sensing elements. The sets of data samples may be stored by the storage module. The comparator module may calculate a difference between each data sample from a first-received set, and a corresponding data sample from a second-received set. The determination module may count the number of difference values that exceed a predetermined difference limit, and identify the second set of data samples as redundant if the number of difference values counted is less than a pre-set count limit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within a housing adaptable for use in an electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for comparing biometric image data to a stored enrollment template that may comprise collecting a set of biometric image data for a biometric object image from a biometric object imaging sensor; storing the biometric object image data in a memory as an enrollment template for further comparison to find a match with subsequently imaged biometric object image data; collecting a subsequent set of biometric image data for a biometric object image from the biometric object imaging sensor; updating the enrollment template; determining if a limited enrollment window remains open; and repeating the collecting of a subsequent set of biometric data step if the enrollment window remains open. Determining if the enrollment window remains open may be by determining the existence of one of a stability indicator and an instability indicator.

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.

Abstract: A user input method and apparatus may comprise a two line object imaging sensor having a primary line scan-sensor providing a primary line scan-sensor output and a secondary line scan-sensor providing a secondary line scan-sensor output, representing pixels in a current primary scan row and a current secondary scan row, and adapted to scan an object; storing for each scan time each current primary line scan-sensor output and each current secondary line scan-sensor output and a correlation unit correlating at least one of the current representations of pixels in a primary line sensor output with stored representations and the current representations of pixels in a secondary line sensor output with stored representations and, the correlation unit providing as an output a motion indicator.

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.

Abstract: A fingerprint motion tracking method and system is provided for sensing features of a fingerprint along an axis of finger motion, where a linear sensor array has a plurality of substantially contiguous sensing elements configured to capture substantially contiguous overlapping segments of image data. A processing element is configured to receive segments of image data captured by the linear sensor array and to generate fingerprint motion data. Multiple sensor arrays may be included for generating directional data. The motion tracking data may be used in conjunction with a fingerprint image sensor to reconstruct a fingerprint image using the motion data either alone or together with the directional data.

Abstract: A fingerprint motion tracking method and system is provided for sensing features of a fingerprint along an axis of finger motion, where a linear sensor array has a plurality of substantially contiguous sensing elements configured to capture substantially contiguous overlapping segments of image data. A processing element is configured to receive segments of image data captured by the linear sensor array and to generate fingerprint motion data. Multiple sensor arrays may be included for generating directional data. The motion tracking data may be used in conjunction with a fingerprint image sensor to reconstruct a fingerprint image using the motion data either alone or together with the directional data.

Abstract: A fingerprint analysis method for partial fingerprint scanners that has an improved ability to resolve fingerprints from the tips of fingers, as well as an improved ability to cope with suboptimal finger swipes. The method uses various extrapolation methods to more accurately determine the position of a scanned fingertip is as the tip of the finger passes a partial fingerprint scanner. The method also monitors the image characteristics of the partial fingerprint image returned by the partial fingerprint scanner, and uses these image characteristics to determine exactly where the image of the fingertip itself is lost, and imaging of non-fingerprint data begins. By combining the most probable fingertip position as a function of time data obtained from extrapolated finger motion data, with image analyzed fingerprint images more precisely determined to be near the fingertip edges, superior fingerprint images extending closer to the edge of the fingerprint may be obtained.

Abstract: A live finger detection system and method includes a drive plate configured to inject radio frequency signals into an object proximate the drive plate. The injected radio frequency energy causes the object to radiate an electric field. A pickup plate is configured to detect an intensity associated with the electric field radiated by the object. A sensor coupled to the pickup plate is configured to determine whether the object is a live finger based on the detected intensity of the electric field radiated by the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.

Abstract: Enhanced accuracy finger position and motion sensors devices, algorithms, and methods are disclosed that can be used in a variety of different applications. The sensors can be used in conjunction with partial fingerprint imagers to produce improved fingerprint scanners. The finger motion sensors may also be used (either with or without a partial fingerprint imager) to control electronic devices. When several of these finger motion and position sensors are aligned in different directions, finger motion over a two dimensional surface may be detected. This creates a finger controlled “mouse” computer input device. Motion of a finger along the surface of such sensors may allow a user to control the movement of an indicator on a display screen, and control a microprocessor device. Such techniques are particularly useful for small space constrained devices, such as cell phones, smart cards, music players, portable computers, personal digital accessories, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for a fingerprint acquisition device that can be integrated into an expansion card capable of being inserted into a PC card slot of a portable computer such that the apparatus is substantially flush with the computer. The apparatus can contain a drawer that rotates or slides out of the apparatus to expose a fingerprint module where a user's fingerprint data can be collected. A latching mechanism is provided so that the drawer can be locked in a retracted position in the apparatus when the drawer is pushed into the apparatus and so that the drawer can extract out of the apparatus if the user pushes on the drawer again when the drawer is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A sensor which uses a plurality of partial fingerprint readers (imagers), and various computational algorithms, to detect changes in fingerprint images as a function of finger movement. The sensor can provide both finger motion information and fingerprint images. The sensor uses multiple partial fingerprint readers, arranged in different directions on a surface, to detect finger motion in two dimensions. The sensor can also detect the relative speed and direction of finger movement. Some sensor embodiments use deep finger penetrating radio frequency (RF) based circuits, which can be inexpensively printed or formed on the surface of robust and flexible dielectric materials such as Kapton tape. The sensor also has textured surfaces to help guide the user. The sensor both small and robust, and is well suited for control applications for low-cost mass market microprocessor controlled devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, and other devices.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for securing an integrated circuit chip used in an electronic device by utilizing a circuit or other entity to produce physically unclonable functions (PUF) circuit to generate encryption keys, such as an RSA public or private key. A PUF circuit, according to its name and configuration, performs functions that are substantially difficult to be duplicated or cloned. This allows the invention to provide a unique and extremely secure system for authentication. In operation, the stored parameters can be used to more efficiently and quickly authenticate the device without the need to run the usual more burdensome encryption key generation processes without compromising the level of security in the device. Such a system can be used to substantially eliminate the time to produce encryption keys when a user needs to authenticate the device at power up or other access point.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for minimizing power consumption of a sensor unit that is capable of detecting an object. Main circuitry operates the sensor unit in a high power mode of operation when the sensor unit detects an object. Low power control circuitry operates the sensor unit in a low power mode of operation when the sensor unit does not detect an object within a pre-determined period of time. The low power control circuitry also comprises a counter to periodically determine when to restore the sensor unit to a high power mode of operation. One advantageous embodiment of the sensor unit is a fingerprint sensor unit for detecting a finger to obtain fingerprint information.