Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system and a control system. The control system may be configured for controlling the ultrasonic sensor system to obtain first ultrasonic data from at least a part of a target object proximate a surface of the apparatus. The control system may be configured for receiving the first ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic sensor system and for identifying one or more fingerprint ridge features and one or more fingerprint valley features corresponding to the first ultrasonic data. The control system may be configured for determining, based on the first ultrasonic data, one or more fingerprint valley time intervals corresponding to a depth of one or more fingerprint valley features and for performing a spoof detection process based, at least in part, on the one or more fingerprint valley time intervals.

Abstract: Embodiments of an ultrasonic button and methods for using the ultrasonic button are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic button may include an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave, a piezoelectric receiver layer configured to receive a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave, a platen layer configured to protect the ultrasonic transmitter and the piezoelectric receiver layer, a first matching layer configured to match an acoustic impedance of the platen layer with an acoustic impedance of ridges of a finger, and an ultrasonic sensor array configured to detect the finger using the reflected wave.

Abstract: Techniques describe structures and methods for generating larger output signals and improving image quality of ultrasonic sensors by inclusion of an acoustic cavity in the sensor stack. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor unit may be tuned during manufacturing or during a provisioning phase to work with different thicknesses and materials. In some embodiments, a standing wave signal may be generated using an acoustic cavity in the ultrasonic sensor unit for capturing an ultrasonic image of an object placed on a sensor surface. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter, a piezoelectric receiver, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer and a TFT substrate positioned between the transmitter and the receiver, one or more adhesive layers, and optional cover materials and coatings. The thickness, density and speed of sound of the sensor materials and associated adhesive attachment layers may be used to attain the desired acoustic cavity and improved performance.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor device includes a sensor substrate, a plurality of sensor circuits over a first surface of the sensor substrate, and a transceiver layer located over the plurality of sensor circuits and the first surface of the sensor substrate. The transceiver layer includes a piezoelectric layer and a transceiver electrode positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer and the transceiver electrode are configured to generate one or more ultrasonic waves or to receive one or more ultrasonic waves. The fingerprint sensor device may include a cap coupled to the sensor substrate and a cavity formed between the cap and the sensor substrate. The cavity and the sensor substrate may form an acoustic barrier.

Abstract: Techniques describe structures and methods for generating larger output signals and improving image quality of ultrasonic sensors by inclusion of an acoustic cavity in the sensor stack. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor unit may be tuned during manufacturing or during a provisioning phase to work with different thicknesses and materials. In some embodiments, a standing wave signal may be generated using an acoustic cavity in the ultrasonic sensor unit for capturing an ultrasonic image of an object placed on a sensor surface. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter, a piezoelectric receiver, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer and a TFT substrate positioned between the transmitter and the receiver, one or more adhesive layers, and optional cover materials and coatings. The thickness, density and speed of sound of the sensor materials and associated adhesive attachment layers may be used to attain the desired acoustic cavity and improved performance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor pixel includes a substrate, a piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) and a sensor pixel circuit. The PMUT includes a piezoelectric layer stack including a piezoelectric layer disposed over a cavity, the cavity being disposed between the piezoelectric layer stack and the substrate, a reference electrode disposed between the piezoelectric layer and the cavity, and one or both of a receive electrode and a transmit electrode disposed on or proximate to a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, the first surface being opposite from the cavity. The sensor pixel circuit is electrically coupled with one or more of the reference electrode, the receive electrode and the transmit electrode and the PMUT and the sensor pixel circuit are integrated with the sensor pixel circuit on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, systems and storage media are described, each of which may be used to generate an image of an object using ultrasonic plane waves. For example, the generated image may be of a target object positioned on a platen surface. The image may be derived from corrected output signals obtained from a plurality of selected sensor pixels. The corrected output signals may adjust for diffraction of reflected ultrasonic plane waves from a target object positioned on the platen surface. The target object may be a finger or a tip of a stylus.

Abstract: Techniques for testing ultrasonic fingerprint sensors include operating a fingerprint impress simulator that may cyclically press a contact pad of the simulator against a platen of an ultrasonic sensor under test. A control electronics arrangement may operate the ultrasonic sensor under test and the fingerprint impress simulator, and may receive ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic sensor under test. The ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic sensor array disposed between the ultrasonic transmitter and the platen. The control electronics arrangement may cause the ultrasonic transmitter to emit an ultrasonic pulse, and may receive ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic sensor array, the ultrasonic image data being converted from a detected portion of the ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-spectral ultrasonic imaging are disclosed. In one embodiment, a finger is scanned at a plurality of ultrasonic scan frequencies. Each scan frequency provides an image information set describing a plurality of pixels of the finger including a signal-strength indicating an amount of energy reflected from a surface of a platen on which a finger is provided. For each of the pixels, the pixel output value corresponding to each of the scan frequencies is combined to produce a combined pixel out put value for each pixel. Systems and methods for improving the data capture of multi-spectral ultrasonic imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus relating to electromechanical display devices. In one aspect, a multi-stage interferometric modulator (IMOD) can include a movable reflector that can be moved to different positions to produce different reflected colors. The IMOD can include deformable elements that are coupled to a back side of the movable reflector and provide support to the movable reflector. The deformable elements can provide a restoring force that biases the movable reflector to a resting position. The IMOD can include one or more restoring force modifiers that are configured to increase the restoring force when engaged. The restoring force modifiers can be between the movable reflector and the deformable elements such that the deformable elements contact the restoring force modifiers when the movable reflector is displaced to a contacting position.

Abstract: Various techniques and apparatuses are disclosed that provide for pixelated display modules that integrate an ultrasonic fingerprint or biometric sensing capability. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the display components of the display module may share a common backplane. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may share a flex cable with other components in the display module. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may leverage conductive traces on a cover glass used to provide for touch input to the display module.

Abstract: A piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) includes a diaphragm disposed over a cavity, the diaphragm including a piezoelectric layer stack including a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode electrically coupled with transceiver circuitry, and a second electrode electrically coupled with the transceiver circuitry. The first electrode may be disposed in a first portion of the diaphragm, and the second electrode may be disposed in a second, separate, portion of the diaphragm. Each of the first and the second electrode is disposed on or proximate to a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, the first surface being opposite from the cavity. The PMUT is configured to transmit first ultrasonic signals by way of the first electrode during a first time period and to receive second ultrasonic signals by way of the second electrode during a second time period, the first time period and the second time period being at least partially overlapping.

Abstract: Techniques for testing ultrasonic fingerprint sensors include operating a fingerprint impress simulator that may cyclically press a contact pad of the simulator against a platen of an ultrasonic sensor under test. A control electronics arrangement may operate the ultrasonic sensor under test and the fingerprint impress simulator, and may receive ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic sensor under test. The ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic sensor array disposed between the ultrasonic transmitter and the platen. The control electronics arrangement may cause the ultrasonic transmitter to emit an ultrasonic pulse, and may receive ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic sensor array, the ultrasonic image data being converted from a detected portion of the ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: Embodiments of an ultrasonic button and methods for using the ultrasonic button are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic button may include an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave, a piezoelectric receiver layer configured to receive a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave, a platen layer configured to protect the ultrasonic transmitter and the piezoelectric receiver layer, a first matching layer configured to match an acoustic impedance of the platen layer with an acoustic impedance of ridges of a finger, and an ultrasonic sensor array configured to detect the finger using the reflected wave.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus relating to electromechanical display devices. In one aspect, a multi-stage interferometric modulator (IMOD) can include a movable reflector that can be moved to different positions to produce different reflected colors. The IMOD can include deformable elements that are coupled to a back side of the movable reflector and provide support to the movable reflector. The deformable elements can provide a restoring force that biases the movable reflector to a resting position. The IMOD can include one or more restoring force modifiers that are configured to increase the restoring force when engaged. The restoring force modifiers can be between the movable reflector and the deformable elements such that the deformable elements contact the restoring force modifiers when the movable reflector is displaced to a contacting position.

Abstract: Techniques describe structures and methods for generating larger output signals and improving image quality of ultrasonic sensors by inclusion of an acoustic cavity in the sensor stack. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor unit may be tuned during manufacturing or during a provisioning phase to work with different thicknesses and materials. In some embodiments, a standing wave signal may be generated using an acoustic cavity in the ultrasonic sensor unit for capturing an ultrasonic image of an object placed on a sensor surface. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter, a piezoelectric receiver, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer and a TFT substrate positioned between the transmitter and the receiver, one or more adhesive layers, and optional cover materials and coatings. The thickness, density and speed of sound of the sensor materials and associated adhesive attachment layers may be used to attain the desired acoustic cavity and improved performance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit configured to be operatively coupled to a sensor array that is configured to generate an ultrasonic wave. The integrated circuit includes a transmitter circuit configured to provide a first signal to the sensor array. The integrated circuit further includes a receiver circuit configured to receive a second signal from the sensor array in response to providing the first signal. The sensor array includes an ultrasonic transmitter configured to generate the ultrasonic wave in response to the first signal and a piezoelectric receiver layer configured to detect a reflection of the ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: A method of operation of an ultrasonic sensor array includes receiving a receiver bias voltage at a receiver bias electrode of the ultrasonic sensor array to bias piezoelectric sensor elements of the ultrasonic sensor array. The method further includes receiving a transmitter control signal at the ultrasonic sensor array to cause an ultrasonic transmitter of the ultrasonic sensor array to generate an ultrasonic wave. The method further includes generating data samples based on a reflection of the ultrasonic wave. The receiver bias voltage and the transmitter control signal are received from an integrated circuit that is coupled to the ultrasonic sensor array.

Abstract: Various techniques and apparatuses are disclosed that provide for pixelated display modules that integrate an ultrasonic fingerprint or biometric sensing capability. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the display components of the display module may share a common backplane. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may share a flex cable with other components in the display module. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may leverage conductive traces on a cover glass used to provide for touch input to the display module.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to an ultrasonic sensor for detecting ultrasonic energy. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric receiver layer bonded with an adhesive to an array of pixel circuits disposed on a substrate, each pixel circuit in the array including at least one thin film transistor (TFT) element and having a pixel input electrode electrically coupled to the pixel circuit. Methods of forming ultrasonic sensors include bonding piezoelectric receiver layers to TFT arrays.