Abstract: A multi-functional storage apparatus and a control method thereof for executing the steps of: receiving a first command outputted from an operation system through a driver and responding to the first command to make the operation system identify an attribute of the multi-functional storage apparatus; transferring an application program stored in a storage device of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to an executing request of the operation system; executing, by the operation system, the application program to generate a second command, wherein the first command and the second command pertain to a control transfer command (CTC) for enabling a control transfer; and receiving the second command to control a signal generator of the multi-functional storage apparatus to generate an external signal, transferring the external signal back to the operation system; and converting the CTC into a bulk transfer command (BTC) for enabling a bulk transfer.

Abstract: In a linear image sensing device with image matching function, a linear sensors array senses a finger, which is moving over it, to obtain fragment image analog signals, which are amplified, by a programmable gain amplifier, into amplified signals. An analog-to-digital converter sequentially converts the amplified signals into digital image signals. An image matching module sequentially receives and processes adjacent two of the digital image signals, and outputs continuous non-overlapped fragment images through an input/output interface. A control logic controls operations and communications of the above-mentioned components. A terminal system receives the non-overlapped fragment images and assembles the non-overlapped fragment images into a complete fingerprint image in a manner of stacking the images side by side.

Abstract: A portable storage device capable of automatically running biometrics application programs includes a control module, a storage unit and a biometrics sensor. The control module, in which firmware is stored, is electrically connected to a terminal host, a storage unit and a biometrics sensor. The firmware is configured to divide the storage unit into a plurality of blocks including a biometrics application program block and a private block. The biometrics application program block stores at least one biometrics application program. The firmware enables an operation system of the terminal host to treat the biometrics application program block as an compact disk drive and disables or closes the compact disk drive after automatic running the at least one biometrics application program. The least one biometrics application program guides a user to perform a biometrics identification procedure, and then enables a specific operation.

Abstract: A storage device to be connected to a terminal host includes a control module to be connected to the host, and a biometrics sensor and a storage unit both connected to the control module. The host runs a biometrics application program (AP) to inform the control module to control the sensor to read to-be-identified biometrics data of a user and to determine whether the to-be-identified biometrics data matches with biometrics template data stored in the storage device. When the two sets of data match with each other, the host runs a host-specific-code generating program to generate and transfer a host specific code to the control module. The control module generates a device specific code using a device-specific-code generating program stored therein, determines whether the codes match with each other, and enables the host to access a data protection unit of the storage device when the codes match with each other.

Abstract: A biometrics method based on a thermal image of a finger includes the steps of: acquiring the thermal image of the finger; and extracting a finger-print image or a finger-vein image from the thermal image and thus verifying a user's identity according to the finger-print image or the finger-vein image.

Abstract: A portable encrypted storage device with biometric identification includes a host interface connected to a terminal host, a controller connected to the host interface, a memory module, a fingerprint sensor, an encryption/decryption chip and a portable large-capacity storage unit connected to the controller. The controller communicates with the host by handshakes and enables the host to automatically run a fingerprint identification driver and application program from the memory module to the host. The host receives an instruction from the user through the driver and program, and informs the controller to control the fingerprint sensor to read to-be-recognized fingerprint data of the user. The host judges whether or not the to-be-recognized fingerprint data substantially matches with a fingerprint template stored in the memory module. If a match occurs, the host can recognize and access the hidden portable large-capacity storage unit through the encryption/decryption chip.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) chip includes an IC chip body and a nano-structure-surface passivation film. The IC chip body has at least one surface. The nano-structure-surface passivation film is formed on the at least one surface. The nano-structure-surface passivation film including nano-particles and a carrier resin protects the IC chip body from encountering any external interference. The IC chip body further has a plurality of fingerprint sensing members for sensing a whole fingerprint or a partial fingerprint.

Abstract: A memory storage device includes a host interface to be connected to a terminal host, a controller connected to the host interface, and a fingerprint sensor and a memory module both connected to the controller. The controller communicates with the terminal host by handshakes and causes the terminal host to automatically run a suitable driver and a suitable application program from the memory module to the terminal host. The terminal host receives an instruction from a user through the driver and the program and informs the controller to control the fingerprint sensor to read to-be-recognized fingerprint data of the user. The terminal host utilizes the application program to process and judge whether or not the to-be-recognized fingerprint data substantially matches with template fingerprint data stored in the memory module, and further enables a specific block of the memory module to be accessed by the terminal host according to a matching result.

Abstract: A storage device and a method for protecting data stored therein. The storage device includes a host interface connected to a terminal host, a control module connected to the interface, and a biometrics sensor and a memory module both connected to the control module. The control module makes the host automatically run a suitable driver and a suitable application program. The host receives an instruction from a user through the driver and program and informs the control module to control the sensor to read and process to-be-recognized biometrics data of the user and extract to-be-recognized minutiae data. The host sends the to-be-recognized minutiae data back to the control module through the interface. The control module compares the to-be-recognized minutiae data with template minutiae data stored in the memory module, and enables a private block of the memory module to be accessed by the host according to a matching result.

Abstract: An electronic identification key to be connected to a terminal system to execute at least one specific operation. The electronic identification key includes a housing, a standard interface connector, a chip-type fingerprint sensor, an embedded AP (Application Program) memory module and a control microprocessor. The control microprocessor automatically uploads an initializing program and a fingerprint application program to the terminal system. The fingerprint sensor reads a user's fingerprint and then scanned fingerprint data and reference fingerprint data stored in the electronic key are transferred to the terminal system for comparison. When the comparison passes, the execution of the at least one specific operation, such as the remote certification, control of terminal system function, personal record retrieve operation, data protection operation, or remote file access operation, is allowed.

Abstract: A BIOS locking device is connected to a BIOS chip of a computer apparatus to control a BIOS booting procedure. The computer apparatus communicates with a USB controller of the locking device via a communication protocol of a standard interface and recognizes this locking device as a USB-interface storage device. Then, the computer apparatus selects a fingerprint application program stored in a memory of the locking device according to a method of accessing a USB storage device and enables a fingerprint sensor to read a user's fingerprint so as to transfer to-be-identified fingerprint data corresponding to the fingerprint and an authorized data template previously stored in a main storage device of the computer apparatus to a main memory of the computer apparatus. A CPU of the computer apparatus compares the fingerprint data with the template, and allows the BIOS booting procedure if the comparison passes.

Abstract: A card-type biometric identification device includes a biometric sensor, an operating/processing module, a remote transceiver, and a rechargeable battery. The biometric sensor reads the biometric data of a holder. The operating/processing module stores a pseudorandom-code generating program, personal data, and authorized biometric data of the holder, and may then receive and process to-be-identified biometric data. After judging that the to-be-identified biometric data substantially matches with the authorized biometric data, the module generates and outputs a to-be-identified code by the pseudorandom-code generating program. The remote transceiver outputs the personal data to a host system to enable the host system to generate an authorized code by the pseudorandom-code generating program, which is stored in the host system and corresponds to the personal data. Comparing the authorized code with the to-be-identified code may judge whether or not the to-be-identified holder is an authorized holder.

Abstract: A biometrics method based on a thermal image of a finger includes the steps of: acquiring the thermal image of the finger; and extracting a finger-print image or a finger-vein image from the thermal image and thus verifying a user's identity according to the finger-print image or the finger-vein image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fingerprint sensing mechanism using a two-dimensional thermoelectric sensor array to capture the thermal image related to the ridges and valleys on the finger, wherein its fabricating method is totally compatible with integrated circuits processing. Using the body temperature of a human being as the stimulation source for biometrics, a temperature difference is produced from a ridge of a fingerprint contacting the thermoelectric sensor and the temperature gradient is converted into an electrical signal. A plurality of thermoelectric sensors arranged in a two-dimensional array forms a fingerprint sensor so as to obtain the electrical signal output of the ridge profile of the fingerprint.

Abstract: A structure of sweep-type fingerprint sensing chip capable of resisting electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes a semiconductor substrate, and a sweep-type fingerprint sensing chip formed on the semiconductor substrate, a polymer layer and a conducting metal layer. The sweep-type fingerprint sensing chip includes a sensing array region and a peripheral circuit region. The sensing array region has an exposed area for sensing a plurality of fingerprint fragment images as a finger sweeps thereacross. The peripheral circuit region, which is formed on the substrate and located around the sensing array region, controls an operation of the sensing array region. The polymer layer is disposed on the peripheral circuit region and has a flat and smooth outer surface. The conducting metal layer is disposed on the flat and smooth outer surface of the polymer layer. The conducting metal layer discharges the approaching electrostatic charges to the ground to avoid damaging of the sensing chip.

Abstract: A driverless signal generating apparatus to be connected to a computer host includes a signal generator and an interface controller, which is connected to the signal generator and has operation firmware stored therein. The operation firmware simulates the signal generating apparatus as a standard device. A driver corresponding to the standard device has been built in an operation system (OS) of the computer host. The operation firmware receives a first command outputted from the OS through the driver and makes the OS identify an attribute of the signal generating apparatus in response to the first command. An application program (AP) may be executed in the OS to generate a second command. The first and second commands pertain to a control transfer command for enabling control transfer. The firmware receives the second command and thus controls the signal generator to generate an external signal to be sent back to the OS.

Abstract: A multi-functional storage apparatus and a control method thereof for executing the steps of: receiving a first command outputted from an operation system through a driver and responding to the first command to make the operation system identify an attribute of the multi-functional storage apparatus; transferring an application program stored in a storage device of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to an executing request of the operation system; executing, by the operation system, the application program to generate a second command, wherein the first command and the second command pertain to a control transfer command for enabling a control transfer; and receiving the second command to control a signal generator of the multi-functional storage apparatus to generate an external signal, and transferring the external signal back to the operation system.

Abstract: A capacitive micro pressure sensing member and a fingerprint sensor using the same. The sensing member includes a substrate, a first suspended structure, a first protrusion structure, and a second suspended structure. The first suspended structure is located above the substrate and includes a suspended thin plate and at least one compliant suspension arm connected to the suspended thin plate, which is movable so that a distance from the suspended thin plate to the substrate is changed. The first protrusion structure is arranged at a center portion of a top surface of the suspended thin plate. The second suspended structure is arranged on a top surface of the first protrusion structure with a center portion of the second suspended structure contacting the first protrusion structure. The second suspended structure covers the first suspended structure to form a sealed chamber together with the substrate.

Abstract: An ink-jet print head with a chamber sidewall heating mechanism includes a substrate, an insulation layer on the substrate, a main channel penetrating through the substrate, a plurality of V-shaped micro-channels each having a diverging end linking with the main channel and a converging end linking with an ink chamber on the insulation layer, and a nozzle plate with a plurality of orifices formed on the ink chamber. The V-shaped micro-channels are perpendicular to the main channel and parallel to and arranged on the insulation layer. Each chamber sidewall includes a heater structure to evaporate ink in the chamber to form a bubble, which pushes the ink in the chamber to eject from the orifice.

Abstract: A sweep-type fingerprint sensor module includes a microprocessor and a sweep-type fingerprint sensor, which includes a substrate, and a sensing members array, a speed-detecting unit, and a processing circuit on the substrate. The array is composed of plural fingerprint sensing members. When the finger sweeps across the fingerprint sensor, the array sequentially acquires plural fingerprint fragment images from the finger with a sampling time interval. The speed-detecting unit is composed of first and second plate electrodes. The processing circuit processes and then outputs signals from the array and the speed-detecting unit.