Patents by Inventor Richard A. Erhart

Richard A. Erhart 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: 10203816
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: EGIS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Patent number: 10203826
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: EGIS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Patent number: 10203827
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: EGIS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Patent number: 10203828
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: EGIS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Publication number: 20170364178
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Publication number: 20170336894
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Publication number: 20170315640
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Patent number: 9697411
    Abstract: A biometric image sensor system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first light source having a first wavelength ?1, a second light source having a second wavelength ?2, a photodetector configured and positioned to receive light of the first wavelength ?1 and light of the second wavelength ?2 reflecting from a biometric object being imaged and to produce a first output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the first wavelength ?1 and a second output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the second wavelength ?2, and a computing device configured to compare the difference between the first output and the second output with an authenticity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Erhart, Erik Thompson, Jas Singh Jandu, Pam Percy
  • Publication number: 20150379323
    Abstract: A biometric image sensor system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first light source having a first wavelength ?1, a second light source having a second wavelength ?2, a photodetector configured and positioned to receive light of the first wavelength ?1 and light of the second wavelength ?2 reflecting from a biometric object being imaged and to produce a first output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the first wavelength ?1 and a second output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the second wavelength ?2, and a computing device configured to compare the difference between the first output and the second output with an authenticity threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Erhart, Erik Thompson, Jas Singh Jandu, Pam Percy
  • Publication number: 20140333328
    Abstract: A low cost, two-dimensional, fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, each pixel including a switch and a pixel electrode for forming a capacitance with a fingertip. One or more active transmission electrodes are spaced from a selected row of the pixel array, and transmit a carrier signal into the finger without direct coupling into the selected pixels. Signals sensed by the pixel array are coupled to an independent integrated circuit, and connections between the IC and the pixel array are reduced by demultiplexing row select lines, and by multiplexing sensed column data. Differential sensing may be used to improve common mode noise rejection. The fingerprint sensor may be conveniently incorporated within a conventional touchpad LCD panel, and can mimic the performance of lower density touchpad pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Richard B. Nelson, Richard A. Erhart
  • Patent number: 8290150
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for securing an integrated circuit chip used in an electronic device by utilizing a circuit or other entity to produce physically unclonable functions (PUF) circuit to generate encryption keys, such as an RSA public or private key. A PUF circuit, according to its name and configuration, performs functions that are substantially difficult to be duplicated or cloned. This allows the invention to provide a unique and extremely secure system for authentication. In operation, the stored parameters can be used to more efficiently and quickly authenticate the device without the need to run the usual more burdensome encryption key generation processes without compromising the level of security in the device. Such a system can be used to substantially eliminate the time to produce encryption keys when a user needs to authenticate the device at power up or other access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A Erhart, Gregory L. Dean, Frank Schwab
  • Publication number: 20110002461
    Abstract: A system for securing an integrated circuit chip used for biometric sensors, or other electronic devices, by utilizing a physically unclonable function (PUF) circuit. These PUF functions are in turn used to generate security words and keys, such as an RSA public or private key. Such a system can be used to protect biometric security sensors and IC chips, such as fingerprint sensors and sensor driver chips, from attack or spoofing. The system may also be used in an efficient method to produce unique device set-up or power-up authentication security keys. These keys can be generated on a low frequency basis, and then frequently reused for later security verification purposes. In operation, the stored keys can be used to efficiently authenticate the device without the need to frequently run burdensome security key generation processes each time, while maintaining good device security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Gregory L. Dean, Frank Schwab
  • Patent number: 7460697
    Abstract: Image sensing apparatus includes an image pickup plate disposed generally orthogonally with respect to an expected direction of movement of an object, such as a finger, multiple image drive plates in spaced relation to the image pickup plate to define sensor gaps between respective image drive plates and the image pickup plate, and a reference plate disposed substantially parallel to the image pickup plate. The reference plate is spaced from the image pickup plate to permit common mode noise and coupling to be cancelled and is spaced from the image drive plates to permit a differential image signal to develop between the image pickup plate and the reference plate. A differential amplifier coupled to the image pickup plate and the reference plate provides noise cancellation. The apparatus may further include a comb plate spaced from the reference plate and coupled to a reference potential, such as ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Darioush Keyvani, Fred G. Benkley, III, Jaswinder Jandu
  • Publication number: 20080279373
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for securing an integrated circuit chip used in an electronic device by utilizing a circuit or other entity to produce physically unclonable functions (PUF) to generate a security word, such as an RSA public or private key. A PUF, according to its name and configuration, performs functions that are substantially difficult to be duplicated or cloned. This allows the invention to provide a unique and extremely secure system for authentication. In operation, the stored parameters can be used to more efficiently and quickly authenticate the device without the need to run the burdensome security key generation processes without compromising the level of security in the device. Such a system can be used to substantially eliminate the time to produce security keys when a user needs to authenticate the device at power up or other access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Gregory L. Dean, Frank Schwab
  • Publication number: 20070031011
    Abstract: Image sensing apparatus includes an image pickup plate disposed generally orthogonally with respect to an expected direction of movement of an object, such as a finger, multiple image drive plates in spaced relation to the image pickup plate to define sensor gaps between respective image drive plates and the image pickup plate, and a reference plate disposed substantially parallel to the image pickup plate. The reference plate is spaced from the image pickup plate to permit common mode noise and coupling to be cancelled and is spaced from the image drive plates to permit a differential image signal to develop between the image pickup plate and the reference plate. A differential amplifier coupled to the image pickup plate and the reference plate provides noise cancellation. The apparatus may further include a comb plate spaced from the reference plate and coupled to a reference potential, such as ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicants: Validity Sensors, Inc., National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Erhart, Darioush Keyvani, Fred Benkley, Jaswinder Jandu
  • Patent number: 5604449
    Abstract: CMOS transistor logic circuitry is permitted to operate at higher power supply voltages while retaining lower voltage processing geometries by providing each input signal as dual input signals that track each other within two different voltage ranges. A shield voltage is provided approximately midway between the uppermost and lowermost power supply voltages. The first input signal ranges between the lowermost power supply voltage and the shield voltage, and the second input signal ranges between the shield voltage and the uppermost power supply voltage. The first and second input signals drive the gates of n-channel and p-channel CMOS switching transistors, respectively, the drain terminals of which are coupled to first and second output terminals, respectively. N-channel and p-channel shield transistors are connected in series between the first and second output terminals, and have their gate terminals coupled to the shield voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Vivid Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Thomas W. Ciccone
  • Patent number: 5578957
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for driving an active or passive matrix liquid crystal display panel or the like provides an analog output signal which switches through a voltage range that exceeds the safe operating voltage of the CMOS transistors from which it is formed. Duplicate digital to analog conversion circuits are provided on the integrated circuit but are operated from two different power supply voltage ranges. Each voltage range has a magnitude less than the safe operating voltage. The analog output signals generated by the duplicate digital to analog conversion circuits are coupled to an output multiplexer that is responsive to a control signal for selecting one of the two analog output signals to the output terminal of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Vivid Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Thomas W. Ciccone
  • Patent number: 5572211
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided for generating analog output voltages for a series of column driver output circuits used to drive an active or passive matrix LCD display. The digital value corresponding to the shade of gray for each column is stored on the integrated circuit. A shift register is clocked to sequentially enable tap points of a resistive divider network for providing four monotonically increasing analog voltages on each shift register clock cycle. A binary counter is clocked along with the shift register, and the more significant bits of the stored digital value for each column driver output circuit are each compared with the current binary count to detect a correlation. Upon detecting a correlation, the two least significant bits of the stored digital value for each column driver circuit are used to select one of the four analog voltages during the current counter cycle, and the selected analog value is sampled and held for driving a column of the LCD display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Vivid Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Thomas W. Ciccone
  • Patent number: 5528256
    Abstract: A power-saving column driver integrated circuit, and a power-saving method for driving a liquid crystal display, include a series of multiplexers coupled to the columns of the display. The multiplexers selectively couple each of the columns to a common external storage capacitor during a portion of each row drive period for discharging each of the pixels in the selected row of the liquid crystal display to a median bias voltage. During the remaining portion of each row drive period, the multiplexers selectively couple voltage drivers to the columns of the LCD pixel array for applying a desired driving voltage to each column of the array. The polarity of the driving voltages applied to each column alternates on succeeding row drive periods, and the resulting voltage that is summed on the storage capacitor averages to the median bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Vivid Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Gerald T. Harder
  • Patent number: 5510748
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for driving an active or passive matrix liquid crystal display panel or the like provides an analog output signal which switches through a voltage range that exceeds the safe operating voltage of the CMOS transistors from which it is formed. Duplicate digital to analog conversion circuits are provided on the integrated circuit but are operated from two different power supply voltage ranges. Each voltage range has a magnitude less than the safe operating voltage. The analog output signals generated by the duplicate digital to analog conversion circuits are coupled to an output multiplexer that is responsive to a control signal for selecting one of the two analog output signals to the output terminal of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Vivid Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Erhart, Thomas W. Ciccone