Patents by Inventor Paul Wickboldt

Paul Wickboldt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10705272
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. The optical fingerprint sensor includes an image sensor array; a collimator filter layer disposed above the image sensor array, the collimator filter layer having an array of apertures; and an illumination layer disposed above the collimator filter layer. The collimator filter layer filters reflected light such that only certain of the reflected light beams reach optical sensing elements in the image sensor array. Employing the collimator filter layer prevents blurring while allowing for a lower-profile image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: WILL SEMICONDUCTOR (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Smith, Paul Wickboldt, Patrick A. Worfolk, Steven Molesa, Young Lee, Richard Klenkler
  • Publication number: 20190258840
    Abstract: It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there is disclosed in the present application a biometric sensor that may comprise a plurality of a first type of signal traces formed on a first surface of a first layer of a multi-layer laminate package; at least one trace of a second type, formed on a second surface of the first layer or on a first surface of a second layer of the multi-layer laminate package; and connection vias in at least the first layer electrically connecting the signal traces of the first type or the signal traces of the second type to respective circuitry of the respective first or second type contained in an integrated circuit physically and electrically connected to one of the first layer, the second layer or a third layer of the multi-layer laminate package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Brett Dunlap, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 10325132
    Abstract: It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there is disclosed in the present application a biometric sensor that may comprise a plurality of a first type of signal traces formed on a first surface of a first layer of a multi-layer laminate package; at least one trace of a second type, formed on a second surface of the first layer or on a first surface of a second layer of the multi-layer laminate package; and connection vias in at least the first layer electrically connecting the signal traces of the first type or the signal traces of the second type to respective circuitry of the respective first or second type contained in an integrated circuit physically and electrically connected to one of the first layer, the second layer or a third layer of the multi-layer laminate package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Dunlap, Paul Wickboldt
  • Publication number: 20190138154
    Abstract: An input device includes a transparent layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an inner layer positioned below and directly contacting the bottom surface of the transparent layer, wherein the inner layer has a second index of refraction (n2) that is lower than a first index of refraction (n1) of the transparent layer, and wherein a first region of the transparent layer extends past an end of the inner layer. The device also includes a light source positioned below the bottom surface of the transparent layer, and a reflector arrangement configured to reflect light emitted by the light source into the transparent layer in or proximal to the first region of the transparent layer, wherein at least a portion of the light reflected into the transparent layer propagates within the transparent layer by total internal reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Smith, Paul Wickboldt, Marek Mienko, Pascale El Kallassi
  • Patent number: 10268884
    Abstract: An optical sensor system includes: an input surface providing a sensing region for a biometric object; a plurality of display elements, disposed beneath the input surface, configured to emit light to provide a display; an aperture layer, disposed beneath the plurality of display elements; a collimator layer, disposed beneath the aperture layer; and a plurality of light sensing elements, disposed beneath the collimator layer, wherein the plurality of light sensing elements are configured to detect light from the sensing region that has passed through the aperture layer and the collimator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Jones, Paul Wickboldt, Patrick Smith, Young Seen Lee, Alvin Jee, Richard Andrew Klenkler, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Publication number: 20190095676
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensor for imaging a biometric input object on a sensing region includes a transparent layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a set of apertures disposed above the first side of the transparent layer; a first set of reflective surfaces disposed below the second side of the transparent layer configured to receive light transmitted through the first set of apertures and to reflect the received light; a second set of reflective surfaces disposed above the first side of the transparent layer configured to receive the light reflected from the first set of reflective surfaces and to further reflect the light; and a plurality of detector elements positioned to receive the further reflected light from the second set of reflective surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Arash Akhavan Fomani, Marek Mienko, Patrick Smith, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 10229316
    Abstract: An optical sensor system having a compound aperture and collimator structure for collimating light includes: an input surface providing a sensing region for a biometric object; an aperture layer, disposed beneath the input surface; a plurality of light-blocking structures, disposed beneath the aperture layer, forming a plurality of collimators; and an image sensor, disposed beneath the plurality of light-blocking structures, wherein the image sensor is configured to detect light from the sensing region that has passed through the aperture layer and the plurality of collimators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Wickboldt, Eric Jones
  • Publication number: 20190026523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for optical sensing, comprising: a display comprising a transparent substrate and a plurality of light emitters disposed above the transparent substrate; a transparent cover layer disposed above the display, wherein a top surface of the transparent cover layer provides an input surface for sensing an input object; and, an angled filter disposed below the transparent substrate of the display, wherein the angled filter is configured to allow light within a tolerance angle of an acceptance angle to pass through the angled filter, wherein the acceptance angle is centered around a non-zero angle relative to a normal of the input surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Guozhong SHEN, Richard KLENKLER, Paul WICKBOLDT, Young Seen LEE, Patrick SMITH, Bob Lee MACKEY, Marek MIENKO, Arash Akhavan FOMANI, Alvin JEE, Erik Jonathon THOMPSON, Bjoren DAVIS
  • Patent number: 10185866
    Abstract: Disclosed are optical sensors, optical fingerprint sensor packages, and methods for forming same. An optical sensor comprises: a substrate; an image sensor disposed over the substrate; a light source disposed over the substrate; a light guide disposed over the image sensor; and, an encapsulant disposed over the light source, wherein the encapsulant is coupled to the light guide and comprises a surface positioned to reflect light emitted from the light source and direct the reflected light into the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason Goodelle, Paul Wickboldt, Young Seen Lee, Chien Lam, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Patent number: 10176355
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensor for imaging a biometric input object on a sensing region includes a transparent layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first set of apertures disposed above the first side of the transparent layer; a reflective layer disposed below the second side of transparent layer configured to receive light transmitted through the first set of apertures and to reflect the received light; and a plurality of detector elements positioned to detect the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick Smith, Arash Akhavan Fomani, Marek Mienko, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 10169630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensor for imaging a biometric input object on a sensing region includes a transparent layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a set of apertures disposed above the first side of the transparent layer; a first set of reflective surfaces disposed below the second side of the transparent layer configured to receive light transmitted through the first set of apertures and to reflect the received light; a second set of reflective surfaces disposed above the first side of the transparent layer configured to receive the light reflected from the first set of reflective surfaces and to further reflect the light; and a plurality of detector elements positioned to receive the further reflected light from the second set of reflective surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Arash Akhavan Fomani, Patrick Smith, Marek Mienko, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 10147757
    Abstract: Methods and systems for integrating image sensor structures with collimator filters, including manufacturing methods and associated structures for forming collimator filters at the wafer level for integration with image sensor semiconductor wafers. Methods of making an optical biometric sensor include forming a collimator filter layer on an image sensor wafer, wherein a plurality of light collimating apertures in the collimator filter layer are aligned with a plurality of light sensing elements in the image sensor wafer, and after forming the collimator filter layer on the image sensor wafer, singulating the image sensor wafer into a plurality of individual optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Young Seen Lee, Paul Wickboldt, Patrick Smith, Robert John Gove, Jason Goodelle
  • Patent number: 10146258
    Abstract: An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Supriyo Sinha, Pascale El Kallassi, Paul Wickboldt, Bob Mackey
  • Patent number: 10108841
    Abstract: An optical biometric sensor includes an array of light sensing elements, an array of diverging optical elements, and an array of apertures disposed between the array of light sensing elements and the array of diverging optical elements. Light incident on the diverging optical elements within a limited acceptance angle passes through the apertures and towards the light sensing elements and light incident on the diverging optical elements outside of the limited acceptance angle diverges away from the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Young Seen Lee, Paul Wickboldt, Robert John Gove, Bob Lee Mackey
  • Patent number: 10048787
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
  • Patent number: 10049254
    Abstract: A biometric imager may comprise a plurality of sensor element traces formed in or on a sensor substrate which may comprise at least a portion of a display screen defining a biometric sensing area and forming in-active pixel locations; an auxiliary active circuit formed in or on the sensor substrate on the periphery of the biometric sensing area and in direct or indirect electrical contact with the sensor element traces; and providing a signal processing interface to a remotely located controller integrated circuit. The sensor element traces may form a portion of one dimensional linear sensor array or pixel locations in a two dimensional grid array capacitive gap biometric imaging sensor. The auxiliary circuit may provide pixel location selection or pixel signal amplification. The auxiliary circuit may be mounted on a surface of the display screen. The auxiliary circuit further comprising a separate pixel location selection controller circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Wickboldt, Gregory Lewis Dean, Erik Jonathon Thompson, Jaswinder Jandu, Patrick Smith, Steven Molesa
  • Patent number: 10042467
    Abstract: An input device includes a first sensor array having a first plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a sensing area, wherein the first sensor array has a first pixel density, and a second sensor array having a second plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in the sensing area, wherein the second sensor array has a second pixel density different from the first pixel density. The input device also includes a processing system coupled to the second plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to electrically float a sensor electrode in the second plurality of sensor electrodes during a sensing period of the first sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Adam L. Schwartz, Paul Wickboldt, Guozhong Shen, Patrick Smith, Marc Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 10043052
    Abstract: Electronic devices are described which are adapted and configured to incorporate a fingerprint sensor within a recess or aperture, formed or molded in the housing, such that the fingerprint sensor interface is within 500 microns of an exterior surface of the device. Methods of use and manufacture are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Wickboldt, Khamvong Thammasouk
  • Publication number: 20180081098
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. The optical fingerprint sensor includes an image sensor array; a collimator filter layer disposed above the image sensor array, the collimator filter layer having an array of apertures; and an illumination layer disposed above the collimator filter layer. The collimator filter layer filters reflected light such that only certain of the reflected light beams reach optical sensing elements in the image sensor array. Employing the collimator filter layer prevents blurring while allowing for a lower-profile image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Smith, Paul Wickboldt, Patrick A. Worfolk, Steven Molesa, Young Lee, Richard Klenkler
  • Patent number: 9829614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. The optical fingerprint sensor includes an image sensor array; a collimator filter layer disposed above the image sensor array, the collimator filter layer having an array of apertures; and an illumination layer disposed above the collimator filter layer. The collimator filter layer filters reflected light such that only certain of the reflected light beams reach optical sensing elements in the image sensor array. Employing the collimator filter layer prevents blurring while allowing for a lower-profile image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick Smith, Paul Wickboldt, Patrick A Worfolk, Steve Molesa, Young Lee, Richard Klenkler