Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include a finger sensor having an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and secure software update circuitry on the IC substrate. In addition, the finger sensing apparatus may include a host platform external from the finger sensor and hosting software associated with the finger sensor. The host platform may cooperate with the secure software update circuitry to authorize an attempted software update.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include a finger sensor including an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing final finger matching. The finger sensing apparatus may also include a host platform cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for performing at least one finger prematch function. In addition, the finger sensor and the host platform may implement at least one security function therebetween. The at least one security function may include a watermarking function, and/or an encryption/decryption function.

Abstract: A finger sensing device may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and image watermark circuitry on the IC substrate and cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for generating finger image data with an image watermark embedded therein. The finger sensing apparatus may also include match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing finger matching based at least upon the image watermark. The array of finger sensing elements may include an array of finger sensing pixels. The image watermark circuitry may distort values from the array of finger sensing pixels to generate the finger image data with the image watermark embedded therein. The watermark circuitry may distort position values from the array of finger sensing pixels.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and encryption circuitry on the IC substrate cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for encrypting a user template comprising finger template data and at least one user credential. The at least one user credential may enable another device, such as a host platform, to perform at least one protected operation.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include a finger sensor having an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and secure software update circuitry on the IC substrate. In addition, the finger sensing apparatus may include a host platform external from the finger sensor and hosting software associated with the finger sensor. The host platform may cooperate with the secure software update circuitry to authorize an attempted software update.

Abstract: A finger sensor apparatus may include a finger sensor having an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and session key negotiation circuitry on the IC substrate. The finger sensing apparatus may also include a host platform external from the finger sensor and cooperating with the session key negotiation circuitry to negotiate a unique session key for secure communication with the finger sensor during a respective communication session therewith.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, match circuitry on the IC substrate, and a host platform external from the IC substrate and cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for generating finger template data with a template watermark embedded therein. The host platform may also generate a match score based on the finger template data with the template watermark embedded therein for use by the match circuitry.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and encryption circuitry on the IC substrate cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for encrypting a user template comprising finger template data and at least one user credential. The at least one user credential may enable another device, such as a host platform, to perform at least one protected operation.

Abstract: A finger sensing device may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and image watermark circuitry on the IC substrate and cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for generating finger image data with an image watermark embedded therein. The finger sensing apparatus may also include match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing finger matching based at least upon the image watermark. The array of finger sensing elements may include an array of finger sensing pixels. The image watermark circuitry may distort values from the array of finger sensing pixels to generate the finger image data with the image watermark embedded therein. The watermark circuitry may distort position values from the array of finger sensing pixels.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include a finger sensor including an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing final finger matching. The finger sensing apparatus may also include a host platform cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for performing at least one finger prematch function. In addition, the finger sensor and the host platform may implement at least one security function therebetween. The at least one security function may include a watermarking function, and/or an encryption/decryption function.

Abstract: A finger sensing apparatus may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing finger matching, and credential release circuitry on the IC substrate. The credential release circuitry may cooperate with the match circuitry for releasing at least one user credential based upon finger matching for enabling another device to perform at least one protected operation. Accordingly, the user may use a single finger match to securely have one or more protected operations performed. The at least one user credential may include at least one of a user password, passphrase, username, certificate, and key data, for example.