Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transitioning a device controller comprised with an electronic device from an at least partly inactive mode to an at least partly active mode, wherein the method comprises: determining the area portion of a finger detecting structure being touched by an object; determining a force applied on the fingerprint sensing device. When the area portion of the finger detecting structure being touched by the object exceeds a predetermined threshold area portion, and the force exceeds a predetermined threshold force value, transitioning, using the pre-processing module, the device controller from the at least partly inactive mode to the at least partly active mode. The invention also relates to such an electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transitioning a device controller comprised with an electronic device from an at least partly inactive mode to an at least partly active mode, wherein the method comprises: determining the area portion of a finger detecting structure being touched by an object; determining a force applied on the fingerprint sensing device. When the area portion of the finger detecting structure being touched by the object exceeds a predetermined threshold area portion, and the force exceeds a predetermined threshold force value, transitioning, using the pre-processing module, the device controller from the at least partly inactive mode to the at least partly active mode. The invention also relates to such an electronic device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of authenticating a user by means of a fingerprint authentication system comprising a fingerprint sensing arrangement and authentication circuitry. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a first candidate fingerprint image; acquiring a second candidate fingerprint image; processing, while acquiring the second candidate fingerprint image, the first candidate fingerprint image by the authentication circuitry; and evaluating a result of the processing. When the evaluation indicates that successful authentication is not likely based on the first candidate fingerprint image, the user is authenticated based on the second candidate fingerprint image.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a capacitive fingerprint sensing device for sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger, the capacitive fingerprint sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element comprises a protective dielectric top layer to be touched by the finger, an electrically conductive sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer, sensing circuitry for providing an analog sensing signal indicative of a distance between the finger and the sensing structure. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal, the drive signal being configured to provide a change in potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure. The method comprises forming a drive signal comprising a sequence of pulses, wherein a delay between consecutive pulses is controllable by said timing circuitry. There is also provided a sensing device configured to perform the above described method.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a capacitive fingerprint sensing device for sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger, the capacitive fingerprint sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element comprises a protective dielectric top layer to be touched by the finger, an electrically conductive sensing structure arranged underneath the top layer, sensing circuitry for providing an analog sensing signal indicative of a distance between the finger and the sensing structure. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal, the drive signal being configured to provide a change in potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure. The method comprises forming a drive signal comprising a sequence of pulses, wherein a delay between consecutive pulses is controllable by said timing circuitry. There is also provided a sensing device configured to perform the above described method.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensing device and method therein for noise detection are disclosed. The capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprises a plurality of sensing elements, each comprising a sensing structure and configured to sense a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and a finger. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises sensing circuitry and timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable to operate in a noise-detection mode and in a fingerprint mode. In the noise-detection mode, the fingerprint sensing device is configured to control the timing circuitry such that no drive signal is provided. The fingerprint sensing device senses a capacitive coupling between the finger and at least one sensing structure and provides a sensing signal indicative of the capacitive coupling between the finger and the sensing structures by means of said sensing circuitry.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensing device and method therein for noise detection are disclosed. The fingerprint sensing device comprises a plurality of sensing elements, each having a sensing structure and configured to sense a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and a finger. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises sensing circuitry configured to provide a sensing signal indicative of the capacitive coupling between the finger and the sensing structures and timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable to operate in a noise-detection mode and in a fingerprint mode. When in the noise-detection mode, the fingerprint sensing device is configured to control the timing circuitry such that a drive signal is provided. The fingerprint sensing device repeatedly senses a capacitive coupling between the finger and at least one sensing structure and provides a time-dependent sensing signal by means of said sensing circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a finger movement event on a fingerprint sensor. The method comprises to acquire signals indicative of the portion of finger detecting structures that may be touched by a finger. Based on the ratio between the signals and a total signal level, the position of the finger on the fingerprint sensing device can be determined at two different time instances. Based on the positions which may be the same, a finger movement event may be determined. The invention also relates to a corresponding fingerprint sensing device.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensing device and method therein for noise detection are disclosed. The fingerprint sensing device comprises a plurality of sensing elements, each having a sensing structure and configured to sense a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and a finger. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises sensing circuitry configured to provide a sensing signal indicative of the capacitive coupling between the finger and the sensing structures and timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable to operate in a noise-detection mode and in a fingerprint mode. When in the noise-detection mode, the fingerprint sensing device is configured to control the timing circuitry such that a drive signal is provided. The fingerprint sensing device repeatedly senses a capacitive coupling between the finger and at least one sensing structure and provides a time-dependent sensing signal by means of said sensing circuitry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of authenticating a user by means of a fingerprint authentication system comprising a fingerprint sensing arrangement and authentication circuitry. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a first candidate fingerprint image; acquiring a second candidate fingerprint image; processing, while acquiring the second candidate fingerprint image, the first candidate fingerprint image by the authentication circuitry; and evaluating a result of the processing. When the evaluation indicates that successful authentication is not likely based on the first candidate fingerprint image, the user is authenticated based on the second candidate fingerprint image.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensing device and method therein for noise detection are disclosed. The capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprises a plurality of sensing elements, each comprising a sensing structure and configured to sense a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and a finger. The fingerprint sensing device further comprises sensing circuitry and timing circuitry configured to control a timing of a drive signal. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable to operate in a noise-detection mode and in a fingerprint mode. In the noise-detection mode, the fingerprint sensing device is configured to control the timing circuitry such that no drive signal is provided. The fingerprint sensing device senses a capacitive coupling between the finger and at least one sensing structure and provides a sensing signal indicative of the capacitive coupling between the finger and the sensing structures by means of said sensing circuitry.

Abstract: There is provided a capacitive fingerprint sensing device comprising a plurality of sensing elements, sensing circuitry for providing an analog sensing signal, drive signal circuitry providing a drive signal comprising a drive pulse having a maximum level and a minimum level, providing a change in potential difference between the finger and the sensing structure, analog sampling circuitry comprising at least three analog sample and hold circuits arranged to sample the sensing signal, and a sampling control unit for individually controlling the sample and hold circuits to capture a sample at a specified time, wherein the samples comprises one sample captured when the drive signal is at a first voltage level V1 and one sample captured when the drive signal is at a second voltage level V2, different from V1; and an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, configured to convert a combination of the samples into a digital signal, wherein the three samples are captured times such that a noise component is suppressed from

Abstract: An apparatus and a computer-implemented method of acquiring a fingerprint image from a fingerprint sensor with an array of sensor elements spanning a sensing area, comprising: monitoring groups of sensor elements located at group-wise spaced apart positions in the array of sensor elements, to determine a touch event occurring on the array of sensor elements; from the array of sensor elements, acquiring, at respective points in time, fingerprint sub-images which are confined in size to a subarea of the sensing area; as the fingerprint sub-images are acquired, computing values of a statistical indicator for the fingerprint sub-images; and acquiring a full fingerprint image when a predefined criterion indicates that the values of the statistical indicator has reached or is about to reach a stable state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sensing a fingerprint pattern of a finger using a fingerprint sensing device comprising an array of sensing elements; an electrically conductive finger detecting structure; and finger detecting circuitry connected to the finger detecting structure for providing a finger detection signal indicative of a capacitive coupling between the finger detecting structure and the finger. The method comprises the steps of: comparing the finger detection signal with a first threshold value indicating a first capacitive coupling, and a second threshold value indicating a second capacitive coupling stronger than the first capacitive coupling; and activating at least a subset of the sensing elements when the finger detection signal changes from a first value indicating a capacitive coupling weaker than the first capacitive coupling to a second value indicating a capacitive coupling stronger than the second capacitive coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus and a computer-implemented method of acquiring a fingerprint image from a fingerprint sensor with an array of sensor elements spanning a sensing area, comprising: monitoring groups of sensor elements located at group-wise spaced apart positions in the array of sensor elements, to determine a touch event occurring on the array of sensor elements; from the array of sensor elements, acquiring, at respective points in time, fingerprint sub-images which are confined in size to a subarea of the sensing area; as the fingerprint sub-images are acquired, computing values of a statistical indicator for the fingerprint sub-images; and acquiring a full fingerprint image when a predefined criterion indicates that the values of the statistical indicator has reached or is about to reach a stable state.

Abstract: Transistors, methods of manufacturing thereof, and image sensor circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transistor includes a buried channel disposed in a workpiece, a gate dielectric disposed over the buried channel, and a gate layer disposed over the gate dielectric. The gate layer comprises an I shape in a top view of the transistor.

Abstract: Transistors, methods of manufacturing thereof, and image sensor circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transistor includes a buried channel disposed in a workpiece, a gate dielectric disposed over the buried channel, and a gate layer disposed over the gate dielectric. The gate layer comprises an I shape in a top view of the transistor.