Patents by Inventor Richard Alexander Erhart
Richard Alexander 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).
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Patent number: 8787632Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathon Thompson
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Publication number: 20140198960Abstract: A biometric authentication apparatus and method is disclosed which may comprise a biometric authentication unit which may comprise: a biometric object sensor comprising sensor elements and a sensor computing device; a wake-on-event logic controller maintaining the sensor computing device in one of a powered-off or powered down mode, and including a bulk biometric object detector configured to detect a biometric object on or in the vicinity of the sensor elements and to power-on or power-up the sensor computing device responsive to the detection of the biometric object on or in the vicinity of the sensor elements; the sensor computing device configured to analyze one or more lines of biometric object image comprising a partial biometric object image and determine if the partial biometric image belongs to a biometric object desired to be imaged to obtain a complete biometric object image, and to provide a power-on or power-up signal to a host electronic device computing device when the partial biometric image iType: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Erik Jonathon THOMPSON, Charles Walter BELLMAN, Anthony P. Russo, Philip Yiu Kwong CHAN, Bjoren Kurt DAVIS, Gregory Lewis DEAN, Richard Alexander ERHART, Jaswinder JANDU, Ty Bao LIEN, Frank SCHWAB
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Publication number: 20140016838Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lewis DEAN, Richard Alexander ERHART, Jaswinder JANDU, Erik Jonathon THOMPSON
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Patent number: 8600122Abstract: An apparatus for culling substantially redundant data in a fingerprint sensing circuit is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an input module, a storage module, a comparator module, and a determination module. The input module may receive sets of data samples from an array of fingerprint sensing elements. The sets of data samples may be stored by the storage module. The comparator module may calculate a difference between each data sample from a first-received set, and a corresponding data sample from a second-received set. The determination module may count the number of difference values that exceed a predetermined difference limit, and identify the second set of data samples as redundant if the number of difference values counted is less than a pre-set count limit.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Erik Jonathon Thompson, Frank Schwab, Richard Alexander Erhart
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Patent number: 8593160Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Erik Jonathon Thompson, Gregory Lewis Dean, Jaswinder Jandu, Richard Alexander Erhart
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Publication number: 20130259329Abstract: A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within a housing adaptable for use in an electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Paul WICKBOLDT, Richard Brian NELSON, Richard Alexander ERHART
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Publication number: 20130258086Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Richard Alexander ERHART, Erik Jonathon THOMPSON, Jaswinder JANDU, Pamela PERCY
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Patent number: 8520913Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathon Thompson
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Publication number: 20130177220Abstract: A sensing circuit and method is disclosed, which may comprise a plurality of transmitting or receiving elements each defining a pixel location defined by a gap between the respective one of the plurality of transmitting or receiving elements and a single element of the opposing type to the respective transmitting or receiving element, and a controller configured to provide or receive a probing signal to or from a group of at least two of the plurality of transmitting or receiving elements, at the same time, thereby increasing the effective area providing the transmitting of or the receiving of the probing signal for each pixel location imaged. The group of transmitting or receiving elements may form a symmetric pattern, which may be centered on the pixel location. The plurality of transmitting or receiving elements may form at least one linear pixel array with the respective single receiving or transmitting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Paul Wickboldt, Gregory Lewis Dean
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Publication number: 20130021044Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Erik Jonathon Thompson, Gregory Lewis Dean, Jaswinder Jandu, Richard Alexander Erhart
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Publication number: 20120256280Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing arc also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson
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Patent number: 8278946Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Erik Jonathon Thompson, Gregory Lewis Dean, Jaswinder Jandu, Richard Alexander Erhart
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Publication number: 20120242635Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc., a DELAWARE CorporationInventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
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Publication number: 20120148122Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathan Thompson
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Patent number: 8116540Abstract: An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathan Thompson
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Patent number: 8107212Abstract: A fingerprint sensor in accordance with the invention includes a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint to be sensed. A sensor circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface to sense a fingerprint when juxtaposed proximally thereto. An electrostatic discharge conductor is applied to the non-conductive surface and is located between an area where a fingerprint is swiped and the sensor circuit. The electrostatic discharge conductor discharges electrostatic charge resulting from a user swiping a fingerprint across the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Richard Brian Nelson, Richard Alexander Erhart, Armando Leon Perezselsky
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Publication number: 20110298711Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention as including a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. A fingerprint sensing circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface. The fingerprint sensing circuit is capable of sensing a fingerprint through the non-conductive substrate. A navigation device is positioned adjacent to (e.g., below) the non-conductive substrate and is capable of being manipulated by the user through the non-conductive substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Anthony Russo, Erik Thompson
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Publication number: 20110267298Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Richard Alexander Erhart, Richard Brian Nelson, Paul Wickboldt
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Patent number: 8005276Abstract: A fingerprint sensing circuit for reducing noise and parasitic capacitive coupling is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a plurality of transmitting elements to sequentially emit a probing signal. A digital ground is provided to ground digital components in the fingerprint sensing circuit. A quiet ground, separate from and quieter than the digital ground, is provided to ground transmitting elements that are not transmitting the probing signal. Similarly, control logic is provided to connect, to the quiet ground, transmitting elements that are not transmitting the probing signal, while disconnecting, from the quiet ground, transmitting elements that are emitting the probing signal. The quiet ground helps to reduce the adverse effects of parasitic capacitive coupling and noise on the inactive transmitting elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lewis Dean, Richard Alexander Erhart, Jaswinder Jandu, Erik Jonathon Thompson
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Patent number: RE44440Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for minimizing power consumption of a sensor unit that is capable of detecting an object. Main circuitry operates the sensor unit in a high power mode of operation when the sensor unit detects an object. Low power control circuitry operates the sensor unit in a low power mode of operation when the sensor unit does not detect an object within a pre-determined period of time. The low power control circuitry also comprises a counter to periodically determine when to restore the sensor unit to a high power mode of operation. One advantageous embodiment of the sensor unit is a fingerprint sensor unit for detecting a finger to obtain fingerprint information.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignees: Validity Sensors, Inc., National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Lawrence Getzin, Richard B. Nelson, Jaswinder S. Jandu, Richard Alexander Erhart