Abstract: A lock has a pressure-based fingerprint sensor, the sensor detects the fingerprint pattern of the finger that presses the sensor, a matching circuit prepares a fingerprint code based on the detected fingerprint pattern, this code is compared with registered fingerprint codes stored in a memory device to determine whether there is a match, and if there is a match, a control unit unlocks the locking mechanism of a concerned object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for determining whether an object comprises living tissue. An antenna is provided which is operable to form an electrical circuit with the object. Detection circuitry is provided which is operable to detect at least one parameter corresponding to the electrical circuit. Determination circuitry is provided which is operable to determine whether the object comprises living tissue with reference to the at least one parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and process of authorizing an electronic transaction system includes a computer located at the site of a transaction, a conversion module for enabling connection between the computer located at the site of the transaction and the conversion module to authorize the transaction, and a connection between the conversion module and the computer at the site of the transaction. The system uses fingerprint input data panel for obtaining fingerprint input data from a finger impressed on the fingerprint input data panel and converts the fingerprint input data to characteristic fingerprint points including minutiae. These characteristic fingerprint points including minutiae are used in conjunction with at least one code at the conversion module to encode messages sent across the system.

Abstract: A lock has a pressure-based fingerprint sensor, the sensor detects the fingerprint pattern of the finger that presses the sensor, a matching circuit prepares a fingerprint code based on the detected fingerprint pattern, this code is compared with registered fingerprint codes stored in a memory device to determine whether there is a match, and if there is a match, a control unit unlocks the locking mechanism of a concerned object.

Abstract: An active matrix surface pressure input panel comprises a flexible magnetic sheet stacked onto a circuit plate. The circuit plate includes an insulating base plate with first and second groups of intersecting electrode lines and a multiplicity of detection elements formed thereon. Each detection element includes a magnetic sensitive element coupled to the electrode lines and configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the distance between the magnetic sensitive elements and respective overlying portions of the magnetic sheet. The electrode lines are coupled to an electrical circuit that determines the relative location of each electrical signal to map an overall surface pressure distribution. With this configuration, the surface pressure input panel exhibits high definition over a relatively large detection area so that complicated surfaces, such as fingerprints, can be accurately detected and reproduced.

Abstract: An active matrix surface pressure input panel comprises a piezoelectric sheet having electrode lines formed thereon and coupled to a piezoelectric body for vibrating the sheet at a given reference frequency. When an object having surface variations, such as a fingertip, is pressed against the sheet, corresponding underlying portions of the sheet vibrate at frequencies that differ from the reference frequency. The local vibration frequencies are detected by electrode lines applied to opposing sides of the sheet, preferably in an X-Y grid, so that the relative locations of the sheet from where the detected signals emanate can be determined. The surface pressure input panel exhibits high definition over a relatively large detection area so that complicated surfaces, such as fingerprints, can be accurately detected and reproduced.

Abstract: An active matrix surface pressure input panel comprises a flexible pressure sheet stacked onto a circuit base plate. The pressure sheet includes a conductive layer and the circuit base plate comprises an insulating plate with first and second groups of intersecting electrode lines and a multiplicity of detection elements formed thereon. Each detection element includes a contact plate coupled to the electrode lines by a switch, such as a thin film transistor or diode, and configured to generate an electrical signal when the overlying portion of the conductive layer contacts the contact plate. The electrode lines are coupled to an electrical circuit that determines the relative location of each electrical signal to map an overall surface pressure distribution. With this configuration, the surface pressure input panel exhibits high definition over a relatively large detection area so that complicated surfaces, such as fingerprints, can be accurately detected and reproduced.

Abstract: An analog finger print reader comprises a matrix of electronic switches selectively controlled from a matrix of individually associated electrodes. A thin film having a conductive surface is suspended over the electrodes to apply control potentials to the electrodes in response to the pressure applied by a mountain in the pattern of a finger print (a ridge is viewed as a string of mountains). The area of contact between the conductive film and the electrode varies as an analog of the amount of applied pressure. Shift registers scan the electrodes to identify the address of a finger print mountain which is turning on the associated electronic switch. A detector responds to the address by giving an output which is an analog of the area of contact and, therefore, of the amount of applied pressure. The entire unit is built on a semiconductor substrate. Thus, the amount of wiring is greatly reduced. The reader is a unified device made with the precision of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A surface pressure distribution matrix of detecting elements requires no positioning operation during a manufacturing process and does not vary in sensitivity depending on where surface pressure is applied to the matrix. A large number of transistors in a matrix form are formed on a single semiconductor substrate. A flexible film having a conductive coating is formed over the matrix of detecting elements. The collector electrodes of a plurality of transistors are commonly connected to each other to form rows in the matrix, each row being electrically isolated from the other rows. The base electrodes of the plurality of transistors are commonly connected to each other to form columns in the matrix, each column being electrically isolated from the other columns. When the flexible film receives a surface pressure from the ridges of a fingerprint, the depressed portions of the conductive coating on the film are brought into contact with the matrix of detecting elements.

Abstract: A detecting element for sensing surface pressure distributions comprising a substantially rigid insulating substrate, a plurality of scanning row electrodes, formed by metal deposition on said substrate, etched to form a pattern of substantially parallel electrodes which are spaced apart and oriented along a first axis, a thin resistive film, deposited on said substrate, having a resistance which varies as a function of contact area, a substantially resilient deformable surface layer, a plurality of scanning column electrodes, formed by metal deposition on said surface layer, etched to form a pattern of substantially parallel column electrodes which are spaced apart, said surface layer being bonded to said substrate by an anisotropic adhesive so that said column electrodes are oriented along a second axis which is perpendicular to said first axis, said surface layer transmitting pressure distribution to said row electrodes, resistive film, and column electrodes to form a matrix of variable contact resistances