Abstract: A device and method for producing said device comprising an improved ultrasonic biometric sensor is disclosed. The ultrasonic biometric sensor is composed of a pixel array and multiple copolymer layers which are polarized in such a fashion as to increase the transmitting pressure and receiving sensitivity of the sensor. The copolymer layers may be polarized in the same direction, or in opposite directions, depending on the desired functionality.

Abstract: A device and method for improved sensing with a biometric sensor assembly such as an ultrasound fingerprint sensor using an anti-fingerprint, oleophobic, or hydrophobic coating applied to a surface above the biometric sensor assembly. The coating improves the mechanical coupling of a human finger to the surface, helping to reduce acoustic loss through the finger to surface interface, improving at least the false-rejection ratio.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with a thick electrically nonconductive acoustic layer and thin electrode layer coupled to a piezoelectric layer of an ultrasonic transmitter or transceiver. The thick electrically nonconductive acoustic layer may have a high density or high acoustic impedance value, and may be adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The thin electrode layer may be divided into electrode segments. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may use flexible or rigid substrates, and may use an ultrasonic transceiver or an ultrasonic transmitter separate from an ultrasonic receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor array, a light source system and a control system. Some implementations may include an ultrasonic transmitter. The control system may be operatively configured to control the light source system to emit light that induces acoustic wave emissions inside a target object. The control system may be operatively configured to select a first acquisition time delay for the reception of acoustic wave emissions primarily from a first depth inside the target object. The control system may be operatively configured to acquire first ultrasonic image data from the acoustic wave emissions received by the ultrasonic sensor array during a first acquisition time window. The first acquisition time window may be initiated at an end time of the first acquisition time delay.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with an ultrasonic transmitter or ultrasonic transceiver having an electrode layer divided into a plurality of electrode segments. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may detect an object over one or more electrode segments and provide a voltage burst to one or more selected electrode segments for localized generation of ultrasonic waves. The localized generation of ultrasonic waves may facilitate localized readout for imaging. In some implementations, the voltage burst may be provided in a single-ended drive scheme or differential drive scheme.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor array includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, each transducer including a piezoelectric member. Each of the transducers includes an electret member, a receive (Rx) layer configured to exhibit a first d33 resonating mode coefficient and a transmit (Tx) layer configured to exhibit a second d33 resonating mode coefficient, the first coefficient being different from the second coefficient. The transducers are disposed on a flexible substrate.

Abstract: Techniques for operating an ultrasonic sensor array, the ultrasonic sensor array disposed under a platen, include: making a determination whether or not to recalibrate the ultrasonic sensor array based on whether a first screen protector disposed above the platen has been removed or replaced by a second screen protector; and recalibrating the ultrasonic sensor array, when the determination is to recalibrate the ultrasonic sensor array. In some cases, the techniques include prompting a user to indicate whether or not the screen protector has been changed or removed, and recalibrating the ultrasonic sensor array only after confirmation from the user.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate, a platen and an acoustic stack disposed between the substrate and the platen, including at least one piezoelectric layer. The ultrasonic transducer exhibits a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 4 over a frequency range of at least 9 to 16 MHz.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer (MUT), such as a Piezoelectric MUT (PMUT) or Capacitive MUT (CMUT), with a transmitting mode and a receiving mode for generating and sensing acoustic pressure in imaging applications. During transmission in a PMUT the inverse piezoelectric effect on the piezo layer causes transverse stress, which causes a bending moment in the PMUT structure leading to out-of-plane deflection. Different applied signs of voltage generates different signs of stress inside the piezo that in turn cause oscillating motion generating an acoustic pressure wave. During signal reception, incident pressure waves deflect the PMUT creating transverse stress, resulting in a charge determined through measuring voltage between electrodes. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in health care, such as measuring fat/muscle thickness, blood-flow, and blood pressure.

Abstract: The descried techniques may support a sensing scheme for reducing background signals in imaging sensors. A device may include a sensor configured to determine ridges and valleys of a fingerprint. The sensor may include a pixel array with each pixel of the pixel array having a set of electrodes. To reduce the background signals, the device may sense, e.g., during a transmit mode, a first set of signals associated with the pixel array using at least one electrode of the set of electrodes, and sense, e.g., during a receive mode, a second set of signals associated with the pixel array using the at least one electrode. The device may reduce a background signal associated with the sensor according to the sensing of the first set of signals and the second set of signals.

Abstract: The descried techniques may support a sensing scheme for reducing background signals in imaging sensors. A device may include a sensor configured to determine ridges and valleys of a fingerprint. The sensor may include a pixel array with each pixel of the pixel array having a set of electrodes. To reduce the background signals, the device may sense, e.g., during a transmit mode, a first set of signals associated with the pixel array using at least one electrode of the set of electrodes, and sense, e.g., during a receive mode, a second set of signals associated with the pixel array using the at least one electrode. The device may reduce a background signal associated with the sensor according to the sensing of the first set of signals and the second set of signals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with an ultrasonic transmitter or ultrasonic transceiver having an electrode layer divided into a plurality of electrode segments. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may detect an object over one or more electrode segments and provide a voltage burst to one or more selected electrode segments for localized generation of ultrasonic waves. The localized generation of ultrasonic waves may facilitate localized readout for imaging. In some implementations, the voltage burst may be provided in a single-ended drive scheme or differential drive scheme.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with a thick electrically nonconductive acoustic layer and thin electrode layer coupled to a piezoelectric layer of an ultrasonic transmitter or transceiver. The thick electrically nonconductive acoustic layer may have a high density or high acoustic impedance value, and may be adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The thin electrode layer may be divided into electrode segments. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may use flexible or rigid substrates, and may use an ultrasonic transceiver or an ultrasonic transmitter separate from an ultrasonic receiver.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capabilty of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system of the present disclosure may be provided with a flexible substrate. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system may include a film stack disposed on the flexible substrate that provides acceptable acoustic coupling for fingerprint sensing. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system includes a high acoustic impedance layer in an acoustic path of ultrasonic waves through a display. The high acoustic impedance layer can be electrically conductive or electrically nonconductive. In some implementations, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system includes an ultrasonic transceiver or an ultrasonic transmitter separate from an ultrasonic receiver.

Abstract: A mobile device may include a first fingerprint sensor, including a platen, residing on a first side of the mobile device, and a display residing on a second side of the mobile device. The second side may be opposite from the first side. The mobile device may include a control system configured for communication with the first fingerprint sensor and the display. The control system may be further configured for receiving first fingerprint sensor signals from the first fingerprint sensor corresponding to a fingerprint contact area of a first finger positioned on the platen, for detecting one or more finger distortions corresponding to changes of the first fingerprint sensor signals and for controlling the mobile device based, at least in part, on the one or more finger distortions.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system, a platen, a set of bioimpedance electrodes proximate the platen and a control system configured for communication with the ultrasonic sensor system and the set of bioimpedance electrodes. The control system may be further configured for controlling the ultrasonic sensor system to transmit ultrasonic waves, receiving ultrasonic sensor signals from the ultrasonic sensor system corresponding to ultrasonic waves reflected from a portion of a body in contact with the platen, receiving bioimpedance measurements from the set of bioimpedance electrodes and estimating a status of one or more biometric indicators of the portion of the body based on the ultrasonic sensor signals and the bioimpedance measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor pixel includes a substrate, a piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) and a sensor pixel circuit. The PMUT includes a piezoelectric layer stack including a piezoelectric layer disposed over a cavity, the cavity being disposed between the piezoelectric layer stack and the substrate, a reference electrode disposed between the piezoelectric layer and the cavity, and one or both of a receive electrode and a transmit electrode disposed on or proximate to a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, the first surface being opposite from the cavity. The sensor pixel circuit is electrically coupled with one or more of the reference electrode, the receive electrode and the transmit electrode and the PMUT and the sensor pixel circuit are integrated with the sensor pixel circuit on the substrate.

Abstract: Some disclosed methods involve controlling an ultrasonic sensor system to transmit ultrasonic waves and receiving signals from the ultrasonic sensor system corresponding to ultrasonic waves reflected from a finger positioned on a platen. The methods may involve obtaining fingerprint image data corresponding to the signals and determining a change in a force of at least a portion of the finger on the platen corresponding to the signals.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capability of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.