Patents by Inventor Ralph W. Bernstein
Ralph W. Bernstein 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).
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Patent number: 10762322Abstract: A fingerprint sensor for incorporation into a smart card includes sensor electrodes for detecting fingerprint features of a finger placed on a contact surface, the sensor electrodes being disposed above a substrate layer that comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a ledge where an edge of the first portion extends beyond an edge of the second portion. Contact points disposed on the ledge connect the fingerprint sensor to electrical conductors of an intermediate layer of a multi-layer smartcard. The fingerprint sensor is disposed within a cavity formed in a body of the smartcard, and the contact points disposed on the ledge are set at a depth corresponding to the thickness of an outer layer covering the electrical conductors of the intermediate layer of the smartcard.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: IDEX Biometrics ASAInventors: Øyvind Sløgedal, Ralph W. Bernstein
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Publication number: 20190251322Abstract: A fingerprint sensor for incorporation into a smart card includes sensor electrodes for detecting fingerprint features of a finger placed on a contact surface, the sensor electrodes being disposed above a substrate layer that comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a ledge where an edge of the first portion extends beyond an edge of the second portion. Contact points disposed on the ledge connect the fingerprint sensor to electrical conductors of an intermediate layer of a multi-layer smartcard. The fingerprint sensor is disposed within a cavity formed in a body of the smartcard, and the contact points disposed on the ledge are set at a depth corresponding to the thickness of an outer layer covering the electrical conductors of the intermediate layer of the smartcard.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: Øyvind SLØGEDAL, Ralph W. Bernstein
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Patent number: 10095906Abstract: An electronic sensor forms a grid to detect surface features of a proximally located object, such as a fingerprint. The grid includes a plurality of parallel drive lines connectable to a drive source and a plurality of parallel pickup lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the drive lines and overlapping the drive lines. The drive lines are separated from the pickup lines by an insulating dielectric layer. The overlaps where the drive lines and pickup lines cross define impedance-sensitive electrode pairs which act as pixels at which surface features of the proximally located object are detected. One or more conductive probes extend from one or more corresponding impedance-sensitive electrode pairs, through an overlay layer of insulating material, to the sensing surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Fred G. Benkley, III, Ralph W. Bernstein, Nicolai W. Christie, Geir Ivar Bredholt, Øyvind Sløgedal
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Patent number: 9881196Abstract: A fingerprint sensor and fingerprint sensor system especially for integration in a device having an overlay made of an insulating material comprises a plurality of sensing elements positioned on a first side of the overlay; a plurality of probes positioned in a predetermined pattern defining a fingerprint sensing area on a second side of the overlay, the plurality of probes extending from the first side of the overlay at least partially through the overlay; a plurality of conductor leads on the first side of the overlay interconnecting the plurality of probes with the plurality of sensing elements; a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the number of amplifiers being less than the number of sensing elements; and an activation circuit connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the activation circuit being adapted to output at least one activation signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Ralph W. Bernstein, Nicolai W. Christie, Geir Ivar Bredholt, Øyvind Sløgedal
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Patent number: 9818014Abstract: A sensor unit for measuring surface structures and properties of an object of organic tissue includes a contact surface adapted to have mechanical contact with the object, a first dielectric layer made from a dielectric material, a first conductor layer including at least one shielding electrode essentially covering an area of the dielectric layer facing the contact surface, the at least one shielding electrode surrounding at least one essentially non-conductive aperture defining a sensing region, and a second conductor layer separated from the first conductor layer by the first dielectric layer and comprising a number of conductive wires extending at least partially under the at least one aperture and having a direction essentially perpendicular to the sensing region, each wire having a predetermined width. A sensing area of each wire is defined by the width and the length of each wire extending in the sensing region.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Geir Ivar Bredholt, Ralph W. Bernstein, Øyvind Sløgedal
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Publication number: 20170068836Abstract: A fingerprint sensor and fingerprint sensor system especially for integration in a device having an overlay made of an insulating material comprises a plurality of sensing elements positioned on a first side of the overlay; a plurality of probes positioned in a predetermined pattern defining a fingerprint sensing area on a second side of the overlay, the plurality of probes extending from the first side of the overlay at least partially through the overlay; a plurality of conductor leads on the first side of the overlay interconnecting the plurality of probes with the plurality of sensing elements; a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the number of amplifiers being less than the number of sensing elements; and an activation circuit connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the activation circuit being adapted to output at least one activation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: Ralph W. BERNSTEIN, Nicolai W. CHRISTIE, Geir Ivar BREDHOLT, Øyvind SLØGEDAL
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Publication number: 20170017828Abstract: A fingerprint detecting apparatus includes a plurality of fingerprint sensor devices. Each of the plurality of fingerprint sensor devices includes a first conductive layer in which a sensing electrode configured to receive a response signal from a subject according to application of a driving voltage is formed, a shield layer formed under the first conductive layer, and to which a ground potential is applied, a second conductive layer formed under the shield layer, a third conductive layer formed in a part under the second conductive layer, a gain controller formed between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer, and configured to selectively vary again, and an amplifier configured to generate an output signal formed by amplifying the response signal as much as the gain. The response signal and the output signal are received and output independently from an adjacent fingerprint sensor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: RALPH W. BERNSTEIN, KYUNGSAENG KIM, KEON JOON AHN
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Patent number: 9501685Abstract: A fingerprint sensor and fingerprint sensor system especially for integration in a device having an overlay made of an insulating material comprises a plurality of sensing elements positioned on a first side of the overlay; a plurality of probes positioned in a predetermined pattern defining a fingerprint sensing area on a second side of the overlay, the plurality of probes extending from the first side of the overlay at least partially through the overlay; a plurality of conductor leads on the first side of the overlay interconnecting the plurality of probes with the plurality of sensing elements; a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the number of amplifiers being less than the number of sensing elements; and an activation circuit connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the activation circuit being adapted to output at least one activation signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Ralph W. Bernstein, Nicolai W. Christie, Geir Ivar Bredholt, Øyvind Sløgedal
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Patent number: 9396379Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for detection of properties and structures of an organic tissue and its surface, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Øyvind Sløgedal, Ralph W. Bernstein
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Publication number: 20160148035Abstract: A sensor unit for measuring surface structures and properties of an object of organic tissue includes a contact surface adapted to have mechanical contact with the object, a first dielectric layer made from a dielectric material, a first conductor layer including at least one shielding electrode essentially covering an area of the dielectric layer facing the contact surface, the at least one shielding electrode surrounding at least one essentially non-conductive aperture defining a sensing region, and a second conductor layer separated from the first conductor layer by the first dielectric layer and comprising a number of conductive wires extending at least partially under the at least one aperture and having a direction essentially perpendicular to the sensing region, each wire having a predetermined width. A sensing area of each wire is defined by the width and the length of each wire extending in the sensing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: GEIR IVAR BREDHOLT, RALPH W. BERNSTEIN, ØYVIND SLØGEDAL
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Publication number: 20160104024Abstract: The application relates to a fingerprint sensor assembly for detection of properties or structure of a finger at chosen positions. The fingerprint sensor assembly includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, a processing unit, a dielectric substrate, and a plurality of conductive paths. The dielectric substrate is between the plurality of sensor electrodes and the processing unit. The first plurality of conductive paths is associated with the plurality of sensor electrodes, where each of the plurality of conductive paths includes at least a portion extending through the dielectric substrate and provides an electrical connection between one of the plurality of sensor electrodes and the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to detect a signal at each of the plurality of sensor electrodes. The plurality of sensor electrodes is embedded in the dielectric substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: Øyvind SLØGEDAL, Ralph W. BERNSTEIN
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Publication number: 20160004897Abstract: This invention relates to a fingerprint sensor especially for integration in a unit having a cover material such as glass being transparent in a certain area, the fingerprint sensor comprising a number of electrodes positioned in a predetermined pattern on or close to the surface of said cover material, each electrode being connected to a conductor lead extending through said cover material, the conductor lead being essentially transparent and being routed on the opposite side from the electrodes to a processing unit being positioned outside said transparent area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: Øyvind SLØGEDAL, Ralph W. BERNSTEIN, Geir Ivar BREDHOLT
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Patent number: 9122901Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for detection of properties and structures of an organic tissue and its surface, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Øyvind Sløgedal, Geir Ivar Bredholt, Nicolai W. Christie, Anders Nåtas, Ralph W. Bernstein
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Publication number: 20150242672Abstract: An electronic sensor forms a grid to detect surface features of a proximally located object, such as a fingerprint. The grid includes a plurality of parallel drive lines connectable to a drive source and a plurality of parallel pickup lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the drive lines and overlapping the drive lines. The drive lines are separated from the pickup lines by an insulating dielectric layer. The overlaps where the drive lines and pickup lines cross define impedance-sensitive electrode pairs which act as pixels at which surface features of the proximally located object are detected. One or more conductive probes extend from one or more corresponding impedance-sensitive electrode pairs, through an overlay layer of insulating material, to the sensing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: FRED G. BENKLEY, III, RALPH W. BERNSTEIN, NICOLAI W. CHRISTIE, GEIR IVAR BREDHOLT, ØYVIND SLØGEDAL
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Publication number: 20150136860Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for detection of properties and structures of an organic tissue and its surface, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: Øyvind SLØGEDAL, Geir Ivar BREDHOLT, Nicolai W. CHRISTIE, Anders NATÅS, Ralph W. BERNSTEIN
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Publication number: 20140241595Abstract: A fingerprint sensor and fingerprint sensor system especially for integration in a device having an overlay made of an insulating material comprises a plurality of sensing elements positioned on a first side of the overlay; a plurality of probes positioned in a predetermined pattern defining a fingerprint sensing area on a second side of the overlay, the plurality of probes extending from the first side of the overlay at least partially through the overlay; a plurality of conductor leads on the first side of the overlay interconnecting the plurality of probes with the plurality of sensing elements; a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the number of amplifiers being less than the number of sensing elements; and an activation circuit connected to the plurality of sensing elements, the activation circuit being adapted to output at least one activation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: IDEX ASAInventors: Ralph W. BERNSTEIN, Nicolai W. CHRISTIE, Geir Ivar BREDHOLT, Øyvind SLØGEDAL
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Publication number: 20130194071Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for detection of properties and structures of an organic tissue and its surface, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: Idex ASAInventors: Øyvind Sløgedal, Geir Ivar Bredholt, Nicolai W. Christie, Anders Nåtas, Ralph W. Bernstein
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Patent number: 8487624Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for measuring structures in a surface, e.g. a fingerprint sensor comprising a chosen number of sensor elements at chosen positions for coupling to a finger surface having a size less or comparable to the size of the structures in the finger surface, and a processing unit including interrogation electrodes coupled to said sensor elements for providing impedance measurements at said finger surface, the processing unit being mounted on one side of a substrate and the sensor elements being positioned on the opposite side of said substrate, the substrate including through going first conducting leads between said sensor elements and said interrogation electrodes. The substrate is made from a semiconductor material such as silicon and said first conducting leads are constituted by through going substrate sections of a chosen size surrounded by an insulating dielectric separating them from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: IDEX ASAInventors: Geir Ivar Bredholt, Ralph W. Bernstein, Nicolai W. Christie, Anders Natas, Oyvind Slogedal
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Publication number: 20110182488Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for measuring structures in a surface, e.g. a fingerprint sensor comprising a chosen number of sensor elements at chosen positions for coupling to a finger surface having a size less or comparable to the size of the structures in the finger surface, and a processing unit including interrogation electrodes coupled to said sensor elements for providing impedance measurements at said finger surface, the processing unit being mounted on one side of a substrate and the sensor elements being positioned on the opposite side of said substrate, the substrate including through going first conducting leads between said sensor elements and said interrogation electrodes. The substrate is made from a semiconductor material such as silicon and said first conducting leads are constituted by through going substrate sections of a chosen size surrounded by an insulating dielectric separating them from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: Geir Ivar Bredholt, Ralph W. Bernstein, Nicolai W. Christie, Anders Natas, Oyvind Slogedal
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Patent number: 7164479Abstract: This invention relates to an optical displacement sensor element, e.g. for use in a pressure sensor or a microphone, comprising two essentially flat surfaces being separated by a cavity being defined by a spacer, the distance between the surfaces being variable thus providing a displacement sensitive Fabry-Perot interferometer. Both of said surfaces are at least partially reflective, and in that said first surface is provided with at least one optical detector, and one of surfaces being provided on an at least partially transparent material.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Sinvent ASInventors: Ib-Rune Johansen, Britta Grennberg Fismen, Henrik Rogne, Dag Wang, Berit Sundby Avset, Alain Ferber, Ralph W. Bernstein