Patents by Inventor David Carl Gebauer

David Carl Gebauer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fingerprint sensor having enhanced ESD protection and associated methods
    Patent number: 7076089
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Authentec, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Brandt, David Carl Gebauer, Dale Raymond Setlak, Peter Eric Sherlock, Matthew M. Salatino
  • Fingerprint sensor having enhanced ESD protection and associated methods
    Publication number: 20030215116
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: AuthenTec Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Brandt, David Carl Gebauer, Dale Raymond Setlak, Peter Eric Sherlock, Matthew M. Salatino