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: The present invention generally relates to a method for forming a fingerprint using a fingerprint sensing system, and specifically to the possibility of allowing the formation of a fingerprint when only separated portions of the fingerprint is available. The invention also relates to the corresponding fingerprint sensing system and to a computer program product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fingerprint sensing device comprising an array of sensing elements; readout circuitry connected to the array of sensing elements; and finger detecting circuitry for detecting if a finger candidate is touching the sensing surface of the fingerprint sensing device. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable between an active state and an inactive state. When the fingerprint sensing device is in the inactive state, the finger detecting circuitry is configured to provide a finger lost signal for indicating when the finger candidate no longer touches the sensing surface of the fingerprint sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for removing disturbances in an image captured by a fingerprint sensor, and specifically to reduction of noise in an acquired fingerprint image by incorporating the sensing principle into the applied method for noise reduction, wherein the noise reduced image is used for determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. Advantages with the invention include enhanced determination of fingerprint patterns from fingerprint images captured using a fingerprint sensor. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic device and to a computer program product.

Abstract: The present invention generally 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, the electronic device further comprising a pre-processing module and a fingerprint sensor configured to acquire image data. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic device and to a computer program product.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method forming a fingerprint image using a fingerprint sensing system, and specifically the formation of an improved fingerprint image by combining fingerprint image data from a plurality of subsequently acquired images of a finger. The invention also relates to a corresponding fingerprint sensing system and to a computer program product.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensing system comprises a sensor array with a plurality of sensing structures and read-out circuitry connectable to each of the sensing structures, and power supply circuitry arranged to provide to the read-out circuitry a substantially constant supply voltage being a difference between a high potential and a low potential. The fingerprint sensing system is configured in such a way that the low potential and the high potential are variable while substantially maintaining the supply voltage, and the read-out circuitry is connectable to each of the sensing structures in such a way that a variation in the low potential and the high potential while substantially maintaining the supply voltage results in a change of the charge carried by a sensing structure connected to the read-out circuitry. The change in charge is indicative of a capacitive coupling between the sensing structure and the finger.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a candidate fingerprint by means of an electronic device comprising a touch sensor; and a fingerprint sensor. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring at least one touch sensor signal indicative of a sub-area of the touch sensor being touched by the candidate finger; acquiring at least one fingerprint image of the candidate fingerprint; retrieving a stored enrollment representation of the enrolled fingerprint of the enrolled finger; determining an authentication representation of the candidate fingerprint based on the fingerprint image; and determining an authentication result based on the authentication representation, the stored enrollment representation, and the at least one touch sensor signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fingerprint sensing device comprising an array of sensing elements; readout circuitry connected to the array of sensing elements; and finger detecting circuitry for detecting if a finger candidate is touching the sensing surface of the fingerprint sensing device. The fingerprint sensing device is controllable between an active state and an inactive state. When the fingerprint sensing device is in the inactive state, the finger detecting circuitry is configured to provide a finger lost signal for indicating when the finger candidate no longer touches the sensing surface of the fingerprint sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for removing disturbances in an image captured by a fingerprint sensor, and specifically to reduction of noise in an acquired fingerprint image by incorporating the sensing principle into the applied method for noise reduction, wherein the noise reduced image is used for determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. Advantages with the invention include enhanced determination of fingerprint patterns from fingerprint images captured using a fingerprint sensor. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic device and to a computer program product.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a candidate fingerprint by means of an electronic device comprising a touch sensor; and a fingerprint sensor. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring at least one touch sensor signal indicative of a sub-area of the touch sensor being touched by the candidate finger; acquiring at least one fingerprint image of the candidate fingerprint; retrieving a stored enrollment representation of the enrolled fingerprint of the enrolled finger; determining an authentication representation of the candidate fingerprint based on the fingerprint image; and determining an authentication result based on the authentication representation, the stored enrollment representation, and the at least one touch sensor signal.

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: 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: 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: A fingerprint sensing device comprising sensing circuitry comprising a plurality of sensing elements, each sensing element comprising a sensing structure arranged in a sensing plane and facing a surface of the capacitive fingerprint sensing device, each of the sensing elements being configured to provide a signal indicative of an electromagnetic coupling between the sensing structure and a finger placed on the surface of the fingerprint sensing device; and a plurality of connection pads electrically connected to the sensing circuitry for providing an electrical connection between the sensing circuitry and readout circuitry, wherein each of the connection pads is separately recessed in relation to the sensing plane such that each connection pad has a floor in a floor plane, and wherein each connection pad is separated from an adjacent connection pad through a portion of the sensing device being elevated in relation to the floor plane.

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 generally relates to a method for removing disturbances in an image captured by a fingerprint sensor, and specifically to reduction of noise in an acquired fingerprint image by incorporating the sensing principle into the applied method for noise reduction, wherein the noise reduced image is used for determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. Advantages with the invention include enhanced determination of fingerprint patterns from fingerprint images captured using a fingerprint sensor. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic device and to a computer program product.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for forming a fingerprint using a fingerprint sensing system, and specifically to the possibility of allowing the formation of a fingerprint when only separated portions of the fingerprint is available. The invention also relates to the corresponding fingerprint sensing system and to a computer program product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a fingerprint sensing system including a plurality of sensing elements, each being configured to capacitively couple to a finger arranged adjacent to the sensing element and to provide a sensing signal indicative of a response to a time-varying finger excitation signal provided to the finger; and an electrically conducting housing at least partly enclosing an interior of the electronic device. The electronic device further comprises housing connection circuitry connected to the electrically conducting housing, and arranged and configured to at least intermittently allow a potential of the electrically conducting housing to follow the finger excitation signal. Hereby the housing can be used to enhance the functionality of the fingerprint sensing system.