Abstract: A capacitive biometric skin contact sensor configured to resolve the contours of skin in contact with the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises: an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises a thin film transistor and a capacitive sensing electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a plurality of gate drive channels, wherein each gate drive channel is arranged to provide a gate drive signal to one or more of the sensor pixels; a plurality of read-out channels, wherein each read-out channel is arranged to receive a read-out current from one or more of the sensor pixels, each read-out current being indicative of a proximity to a respective capacitive sensing electrode of a conductive object to be sensed; and an analog to digital converter comprising a dual slope integrator arranged to receive, as its input, either an output current or a reference voltage, wherein said output current is based on one or more read-out currents; wherein the biometric sensor is configured to: apply the output cu

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pointing device for controlling the position of a pointer in a graphical user interface, GUI, of a computer. The device comprises: an operation interface for sensing operation by an operator of the device for controlling the pointer in the GUI, and a biometric skin-contact sensor configured to obtain biometric identifier data, for identifying the operator, by sensing contact of surface contours of the operator's skin. The biometric skin-contact sensor is a contact surface of the operation interface configured to obtain the biometric identifier data during the operation to control the pointer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a smartcard inlay is provided. The method includes providing a dielectric sheet; depositing, on a first major surface of the dielectric sheet, an active matrix TFT array comprising at least one conductive layer; wherein the at least one conductive layer is deposited on regions of the dielectric sheet outside of the active matrix TFT array to provide electrical connections of the inlay.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pixel structure comprising a plurality of layers for providing a touch sensitive pixel of a sensing array. The layers comprising: a thin film transistor; and a conductive layer deposited on a dielectric shield to be touched by an object to be sensed and arranged to provide a capacitive sensing electrode coupled to the thin film transistor. The present disclosure also provides methods of manufacturing such a pixel structure.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a cover glass configured to overlie a display screen of a user equipment, UE, device, the cover glass comprising: a substrate arranged to overlie a said display screen for protecting said display screen, wherein the substrate has a display-facing surface and a user-facing surface; and a capacitive biometric skin contact sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to resolve the contours of skin proximal to the sensor, the sensor comprising: a plurality of gate drive channels; a plurality of read-out channels; a sensor array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises a thin film transistor and an at least partially transparent capacitive sensing electrode coupled to the thin film transistor, and wherein each of the sensor pixels is coupled to both: (i) a gate drive channel to receive a scanning signal; and (ii) a read-out channel to provide a read-out signal; and conversion circuitry configured to process read-out signals received from sensor pixels to obtain

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a smartcard inlay the method comprising: providing a dielectric sheet; depositing, on a first major surface of the dielectric sheet, an active matrix TFT array comprising at least one conductive layer; wherein the at least one conductive layer is deposited on regions of the dielectric sheet outside the active matrix TFT array to provide electrical connections of the inlay.

Abstract: A capacitive biometric skin contact sensor configured to resolve the contours of skin in contact with the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises: a contact sensing area comprising an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises a thin film transistor and a capacitive sensing electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a plurality of gate drive channels, wherein each gate drive channel is arranged to provide a gate drive signal to one or more of the sensor pixels; a plurality of read-out channels, wherein each read-out channel is arranged to receive a read-out current from one or more of the sensor pixels, each read-out current being indicative of a proximity to a respective capacitive sensing electrode of a conductive object to be sensed; a current multiplexer connected to a plurality of the read-out channels to receive read-out currents therefrom; and an analog to digital converter configured to provide a digital signal based on said read-out currents; wherein the sensor is configured to co

Abstract: A capacitive biometric skin contact sensor configured to resolve the contours of skin in contact with the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises: an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises a thin film transistor and a capacitive sensing electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a plurality of gate drive channels, wherein each gate drive channel is arranged to provide a gate drive signal to one or more of the sensor pixels; a plurality of read-out channels, wherein each read-out channel is arranged to receive a read-out current from one or more of the sensor pixels, each read-out current being indicative of a proximity to a respective capacitive sensing electrode of a conductive object to be sensed; a current multiplexer connected to a plurality of the read-out channels to receive read-out currents therefrom; and a current mirror assembly connected to the multiplexer to receive an input current therefrom and to provide a selected gain to the input current; wherein the sensor is configu

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pixel structure comprising a plurality of layers for providing a touch sensitive pixel of a sensing array. The pixel comprises: a thin film transistor, a capacitive sensing electrode, and a reference capacitor comprising a first plate and a second plate. The capacitive sensing electrode and the second plate of the reference capacitor are connected to a gate region of the thin film transistor. Methods of manufacturing such a touch sensitive pixel are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensing element to sense a parameter, the sensing element comprising a sense TFT having a gate connection connected to a sensing electrode. the method comprising: providing a reference current (Ibias) through the sense TFT: providing a reference voltage (Vbias) at the gate connection to obtain a reference sample voltage (Vcap) from a source connection of the sense TFT: providing, at the gate connection, an indicator voltage (Vgate) dependent upon the parameter to be sensed whilst the reference current (Ibias) continues to be provided through the sense TFT to obtain a sensing voltage from the source connection of the sense TFT; and sensing the parameter based on the difference between the sensing voltage (VS) and the reference sample voltage (Vcap).

Abstract: A sensor array (10) comprising a plurality of touch sensitive pixels, each pixel (12) comprising a capacitive sensing electrode (14) and a reference capacitor (16) connected in series with the capacitive sensing electrode (14) to provide an indicator voltage that is indicative of the proximity of a conductive object to be sensed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biometric skin-contact sensor comprising: a contact sensing area comprising an array of pixels, each pixel comprising a thin film transistor and a capacitive sensing electrode for sensing contact; and a controller coupled to the contact sensing area and configured to operate the array of pixels to switch between a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode. In the low resolution mode the sensor is operable to obtain contact location data comprising an indication of a sub-region of the contact sensing area in which contact is sensed. In the high resolution mode the sensor is operable to obtain biometric data for skin interacting with the contact sensing area by identifying a difference in capacitance between valleys and ridges of the skin.

Abstract: A biometric skin contact sensor comprising an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises: a capacitive sensing electrode for accumulating a charge in response to proximity of a conductive object to be sensed; a reference capacitor connected to the capacitive sensing electrode; a sense voltage-controlled impedance, VCI, having a control terminal connected to a connection between the capacitive sensing electrode and the reference capacitor, the sense VCI having an impedance controlled by its control terminal voltage, and wherein the pixel is arranged so that, in response to a select voltage being applied to the pixel, the control terminal voltage of the sense VCI indicates the proximity of the conductive object to be sensed; and biasing circuitry comprising a one-way conduction path from a bias voltage connection to the control terminal of the sense VCI so that current flows from the bias voltage towards the control terminal of the sense VCI in response to the control terminal voltage of the se

Abstract: A sensor array (10) comprising a plurality of touch sensitive pixels, each pixel (12) comprising a capacitive sensing electrode (14) and a reference capacitor (16) connected in series with the capacitive sensing electrode (14) to provide an indicator voltage that is indicative of the proximity of a conductive object to be sensed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pixel structure comprising a plurality of layers for providing a touch sensitive pixel of a sensing array. The layers comprising: a thin film transistor; and a conductive layer deposited on a dielectric shield to be touched by an object to be sensed and arranged to provide a capacitive sensing electrode coupled to the thin film transistor. The present disclosure also provides methods of manufacturing such a pixel structure.

Abstract: A biometric skin contact sensor comprising an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises: a capacitive sensing electrode for accumulating a charge in response to proximity of a conductive object to be sensed; a reference capacitor connected to the capacitive sensing electrode; a sense voltage-controlled impedance, VCI, having a control terminal connected to a connection between the capacitive sensing electrode and the reference capacitor, the sense VCI having an impedance controlled by its control terminal voltage, and wherein the pixel is arranged so that, in response to a select voltage being applied to the pixel, the control terminal voltage of the sense VCI indicates the proximity of the conductive object to be sensed; and biasing circuitry comprising a one-way conduction path from a bias voltage connection to the control terminal of the sense VCI so that current flows from the bias voltage towards the control terminal of the sense VCI in response to the control terminal voltage of the se

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pixel structure comprising a plurality of layers for providing a touch sensitive pixel of a sensing array. The layers comprising: a thin film transistor; and a conductive layer deposited on a dielectric shield to be touched by an object to be sensed and arranged to provide a capacitive sensing electrode coupled to the thin film transistor. The present disclosure also provides methods of manufacturing such a pixel structure.

Abstract: A capacitive biometric skin contact sensor configured to resolve the contours of skin in contact with the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises: an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises a thin film transistor and a capacitive sensing electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a plurality of gate drive channels, wherein each gate drive channel is arranged to provide a gate drive signal to one or more of the sensor pixels; a plurality of read-out channels, wherein each read-out channel is arranged to receive a read-out current from one or more of the sensor pixels, each read-out current being indicative of a proximity to a respective capacitive sensing electrode of a conductive object to be sensed; a current multiplexer connected to a plurality of the read-out channels to receive read-out currents therefrom; and a current mirror assembly connected to the multiplexer to receive an input current therefrom and to provide a selected gain to the input current; wherein the sensor is configu

Abstract: A capacitive biometric skin contact sensor configured to resolve the contours of skin in contact with the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises: a contact sensing area comprising an array of sensor pixels, wherein each sensor pixel comprises a thin film transistor and a capacitive sensing electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a plurality of gate drive channels, wherein each gate drive channel is arranged to provide a gate drive signal to one or more of the sensor pixels; a plurality of read-out channels, wherein each read-out channel is arranged to receive a read-out current from one or more of the sensor pixels, each read-out current being indicative of a proximity to a respective capacitive sensing electrode of a conductive object to be sensed; a current multiplexer connected to a plurality of the read-out channels to receive read-out currents therefrom; and an analog to digital converter configured to provide a digital signal based on said read-out currents; wherein the sensor is configured to co

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a smartcard inlay the method comprising: providing a dielectric sheet; depositing, on a first major surface of the dielectric sheet, an active matrix TFT array comprising at least one conductive layer; wherein the at least one conductive layer is deposited on regions of the dielectric sheet outside the active matrix TFT array to provide electrical connections of the inlay.