Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120133300 | COLOR MIXING AND DESATURATION WITH REDUCED NUMBER OF CONVERTERS - A system is disclosed to automatically establish proper biasing for light sources in a color mixed projection system having multiple light sources which are active at the same time. Responsive to a feedback signal, a single DC-DC converter generates the bias voltage for the light sources. Comparators compare a headroom signal for each light source to a reference value to generate comparator output signals. The comparator output signals are processed by a channel selector and a digital filter/DAC module. The channel selector controls a switch to selectively provide and combine a headroom signal with an output of the digital filter/DAC module to create the feedback signal. By monitoring each headroom value, the bias voltage is adjusted, based on the feedback signal, until every headroom signal reaches the reference value thereby achieving sufficient biasing for every active light source in the color mixed projection system. | 05-31-2012 |
20120306399 | PROJECTOR SYSTEM WITH SINGLE INPUT, MULTIPLE OUTPUT DC-DC CONVERTER - A projector system with a single DC-DC converter having a single inductor is disclosed. A single DC-DC converter receives an input voltage and connects to two or more light sources such that each light source receives the same DC-DC converter output signal. Connected to the opposite terminal of the light source is a current source driver which receives a control signal control the voltage levels that determine which light source is the active or full power light source in the time multiplexed image generation arrangement. The use of a DC-DC converter having a single inductor reduces cost and size of the system while still enabling color mixing such that two or more light sources share the same single output of the DC-DC converter. | 12-06-2012 |
20130147393 | HIGH ACCURACY, HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE LED/LASER DRIVER - A current driver circuit, for driving a light source, that provides high accuracy and reduced power consumption is disclosed. The driver includes a digital to analog converter configured to receive a digital value representing a light intensity and convert the digital value to an analog current signal. A current minor is configured to receive the analog current signal and create a current minor output which is larger than the analog current signal based on a ratio of the current mirror. This results in a modified analog current signal. A light source receives the modified analog current signal, and responsive thereto generate a light signal such that the light signal has an intensity controlled by the digital value. One or more amplifiers are also part of the current driver and configured to increase response time and accuracy. | 06-13-2013 |
20140152272 | AUTOMATIC BUCK/BOOST MODE SELECTION SYSTEM FOR DC-DC CONVERTER - A reconfigurable DC-DC converter including a controller is disclosed which automatically adjusts the mode of operation (buck mode or boost mode) depending on the system requirements and is able to achieve the maximum efficiency and the lowest inductance current. The method of switching between buck and boost mode allows the converter to operate to 100% duty cycle for buck mode and 0% duty cycle for boost mode. This maximizes efficiency since the buck-boost mode of operation is eliminated and improves the stability and reliability of the system. A converter output voltage is processed and compared to a control voltage to generate buck and boost comparator output signals. The buck and boost comparator output signals are provided to control logic, which generates switch control signals, which are provided to the DC-DC converter to establish buck mode, boost mode, or pass-through mode. | 06-05-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090123039 | Pixel Sensing Circuit with Common Mode Cancellation - An improved biometric data sensing circuit, for example adapted for fingerprint sensing, uses a charge subtraction technique at the input of the circuit integrator to cancel the so called “common mode” signal from the circuit output. The result is an output signal that is (a) linear, (b) free from any amplification effect due to the presence of the detected object (e.g. a finger), and (c) indicative of the detected object's fine surface geometry (i.e., indicative of the fingerprint's ridges and valleys). | 05-14-2009 |
20090166411 | HYBRID MULTI-SENSOR BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION DEVICE - An improved fingerprint sensing device is provided with multiple sensing apparatus, two or more of which operating on different sensing principles. For example, a capacitive sensor may be integrally formed with an optical sensor on a single substrate. Ideally, the multiple sensing apparatus are disposed such that they may sense nearly identical portions of a fingerprint simultaneously. A primary sensor may be employed to establish the identity of a user based on a fingerprint, while a secondary sensor may be employed to establish that the fingerprint is part of a live human (anti-spoofing). Integrated light sources may be provided to drive an optical sensor. The light sources may also provide visual cues for usage, and enhance the aesthetics of the device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169071 | Pseudo-Translucent Integrated Circuit Package - An integrated circuit (IC) package includes at least one light source disposed together with an IC structure within an encapsulation structure. The material forming the encapsulation structure is generally opaque. Accordingly, the light source and at least a portion of the IC are not visible to the unaided human eye. The thickness and geometry of the encapsulation are such that when the light source is caused to emit light, the encapsulation structure permits at least a portion of that light to be visible to a user. The IC may be a portion of a fingerprint sensor, exposed for receiving a fingertip of a user. The light source, or a plurality of such light sources, may be functional (e.g., providing visual indication of the of the condition or state of an item of hardware or software, assist the user in operation of a device), be primarily aesthetic, or a combination thereof. | 07-02-2009 |
20100127366 | Integrated Leadframe And Bezel Structure And Device Formed From Same - An integrated leadframe and bezel structure includes a planar carrier frame, a plurality of bonding leads, a die pad region, and a bezel structure. The bezel structure includes a bending portion shaped and disposed to facilitate a portion of said bezel structure being bent out of the plane of said carrier frame. A sensor IC may be secured to the die pad region, and wire bonds made to permit external connection to the sensor IC. The bezel structure includes portions which are bent such that their upper extent is in or above a sensing surface. The assembly is encapsulated, exposing on the top surface part of the bezel portions and the upper surface of the sensor IC, and on the bottom surface the contact pads. Two or more bezel portions may be provided, one or more on each side of the sensor IC. | 05-27-2010 |
20110215341 | Biometric Sensor Assembly With Integrated Visual Indicator - A biometric sensor assembly comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die containing sensor circuitry, at least one conductive bezel having a visual indicator region formed therein, and electrically connected to said die by way of said substrate, a light source, and a light-directing region directing light from the light source to the visual indicator region. The die, the light-directing region, and the bezel are encased in an encapsulation structure such that a portion of a surface of the die and the visual indication region are exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation structure. The light-directing region directs light emitted by the light source within the encapsulation structure to the visual indicator region. Desired indicia in the visual indicator region may thereby be illuminated, while the die and bezel, and optionally the light source, are protected by the encapsulation structure. | 09-08-2011 |
20110215484 | Integrally Molded Die And Bezel Structure For Fingerprint Sensors And The Like - A biometric sensor device, such as a fingerprint sensor, comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die on which is formed a sensor array and at least one conductive bezel. The die and the bezel are encased in a unitary encapsulation structure to protect those elements from mechanical, electrical, and environmental damage, yet with a portion of the sensor array and the bezel exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation or other coating material structure. | 09-08-2011 |
20110254108 | FINGER SENSOR INCLUDING CAPACITIVE LENS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A finger sensing device may include a mounting substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) die carried by the mounting substrate and having an array of electric field-based finger sensing elements, and first electrical connections coupling the mounting substrate and the IC die. In addition, the finger sensing device may include a protective plate attached over the array of electric field-based finger sensing elements and having a dielectric constant greater than 5 in all directions and a thickness greater than 40 microns to define a capacitive lens for the array of electric field-based finger sensing elements. The finger sensing device may also include an encapsulating material adjacent the mounting substrate and the IC die and around at least the first electrical connections. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257546 | Biometric Sensor And Heart Function Monitoring Apparatus - A heartbeat monitoring circuit shares one electrode with another device, such as a biometric sensor, and a second electrode that may be a dedicated element or form a part of the case of the apparatus in which the circuit is housed. When operated as an electrode for the heartbeat monitoring circuit, the biometric sensor is contacted by the user's finger while the second electrode is contacted by another part of the user's body, such as a finger on the hand holding the apparatus (e.g., cell phone). Contact may then simply and naturally be made on either side of the user's heart, and ideal arrangement for parametric heart data acquisition. A third electrode may optionally be provided. Data analysis may be performed on the apparatus or by a remote optional processing center. | 10-20-2011 |
20130076486 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING FINGER SENSOR AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a housing and circuitry carried by the housing. The electronic device may also include a finger sensing device carried by the housing and coupled to the circuitry. The finger sensing device may include a mounting substrate, and a semiconductor interposer having a lower surface adjacent the mounting substrate. The finger sensing device may also include a plurality of semiconductor finger sensing die on an upper surface of the semiconductor interposer in side-by-side and abutting relation, and defining a finger sensing surface to receive at least one finger thereon. | 03-28-2013 |
20130121542 | AUTHENTICATION DEVICE INCLUDING TEMPLATE VALIDATION AND RELATED METHODS - An authentication device may include a housing and a finger sensor carried by the housing and including first processing circuitry and a finger sensing area coupled thereto. The first processing circuitry may be configured to generate finger image data based upon a finger positioned adjacent the finger sensing area, and generate and store a first template based upon the finger image data. The authentication device may include second processing circuitry carried by the housing and configured to obtain the finger image data from the first processing circuitry. The second processing circuitry may be configured to generate a second template based upon the finger image data. The first processing circuitry may further be configured to obtain the second template from second processing circuitry, and validate the second template against the first template. | 05-16-2013 |
20130154031 | INTEGRALLY MOLDED DIE AND BEZEL STRUCTURE FOR FINGERPRINT SENSORS AND THE LIKE - A biometric sensor device, such as a fingerprint sensor, comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die on which is formed a sensor array and at least one conductive bezel. The die and the bezel are encased in a unitary encapsulation structure to protect those elements from mechanical, electrical, and environmental damage, yet with a portion of the sensor array and the bezel exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation or other coating material structure. | 06-20-2013 |
20130320464 | INTEGRALLY MOLDED DIE AND BEZEL STRUCTURE FOR FINGERPRINT SENSORS AND THE LIKE - A biometric sensor device, such as a fingerprint sensor, comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die on which is formed a sensor array and at least one conductive bezel. The die and the bezel are encased in a unitary encapsulation structure to protect those elements from mechanical, electrical, and environmental damage, yet with a portion of the sensor array and the bezel exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation or other coating material structure. | 12-05-2013 |
20140056493 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE PERFORMING FINGER BIOMETRIC PRE-MATCHING AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor to sense a user's finger adjacent thereto, and a memory for storing finger matching biometric data and a subset of finger matching biometric data. The electronic device may include a processor coupled to the finger biometric sensor to acquire finger matching biometric data from the finger biometric sensor, and perform a finger pre-matching between a subset of the acquired finger matching biometric data and the subset of stored finger matching biometric data and based upon context data to generate pre-match data. The processor may also perform a finger matching between the acquired finger biometric data and the stored finger matching biometric data based upon the pre-match data. | 02-27-2014 |
20140171158 | BIOMETRIC FINGER SENSOR INCLUDING ARRAY SHIELDING ELECTRODE AND RELATED METHODS - A biometric finger sensor may include an array of biometric finger sensing pixels and an array shielding electrode outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels. The biometric finger sensor may further include a finger drive electrode outside the array shielding electrode. Finger drive circuitry may generate a finger drive signal for the finger drive electrode and generate a compensating finger drive signal for the shielding electrode. | 06-19-2014 |
20150023570 | FINGER BIOMETRIC SENSOR INCLUDING STACKED DIE EACH HAVING A NON-RECTANGULAR SHAPE AND RELATED METHODS - A finger biometric sensor may include first and second integrated circuit (IC) dies arranged in a stacked relation. The first IC die may include a first semiconductor substrate and an array of finger biometric sensing pixels thereon, and the second IC die may include a second semiconductor substrate and processing circuitry thereon coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The first and second IC dies may each have respective first and second non-rectangular shapes, such as circular shapes that are coextensive. | 01-22-2015 |
20150042595 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING BLURRED FINGER IMAGE DEBLURRING CIRCUITRY AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor that may include an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto. The electronic device may also include a dielectric layer over the array of electric field sensing pixels and causing electric field diffusion so that the image data output circuitry generates image data corresponding to a blurred finger image. The electronic device may also include deblurring circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of processing the image data to produce processed image data representative of a deblurred finger image. | 02-12-2015 |
20150043791 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING SUB-ARRAY BASED DEBLURRING OF A BLURRED FINGER IMAGE AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of processing the image data from each of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels. The electronic device may also include a dielectric layer over the array of electric field sensing pixels and causing electric field diffusion so that the image data output circuitry generates image data corresponding to a blurred finger image. The electronic device also includes deblurring circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of processing the image data from each of the plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels to produce processed image data representative of a deblurred finger image. | 02-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130294662 | FINGER BIOMETRIC SENSING DEVICE INCLUDING DRIVE SIGNAL NULLING CIRCUITRY AND RELATED METHODS - A finger biometric sensing device may include drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal and an array of finger biometric sensing pixel electrodes cooperating with the drive circuitry and capable of generating a detected signal based upon placement of a finger adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixel electrodes. The detected signal may include a relatively large drive signal component and a relatively small sense signal component superimposed thereon. The finger biometric sensing device may also include a gain stage coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixel electrodes, and drive signal nulling circuitry coupled to the gain stage capable of reducing the relatively large drive signal component from the detected signal. | 11-07-2013 |
20130314105 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING DEVICE GROUND COUPLED FINGER COUPLING ELECTRODE AND ARRAY SHIELDING ELECTRODE AND RELATED METHODS - An electronic device may include a housing and circuitry carried by the housing and having a device ground associated therewith. The electronic device may also include an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and an array shielding electrode outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels. A finger coupling electrode may be outside the array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground. The electronic device may also include drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and a compensating drive signal for the array shielding electrode. | 11-28-2013 |
20130315451 | FINGER BIOMETRIC SENSING DEVICE INCLUDING ERROR COMPENSATION CIRCUITRY AND RELATED METHODS - A finger biometric sensing device may include an array of finger biometric sensing pixel electrodes and a gain stage coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixel electrodes. The finger biometric sensing device may also include error compensation circuitry that may include a memory capable of storing error compensation data. The error correction circuitry may also include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) cooperating with the memory and coupled to the gain stage and capable of compensating for at least one error based upon the stored error compensation data. | 11-28-2013 |
20140267659 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE CAPACITIVE SENSING - Improving fingerprint image measurement despite damage to the stratum corneum. Determining whether a fingerprint image is adequate for matching with a database. If not, re-measure those image portions that are inadequate (overexposed or underexposed), such re-measuring a minimal selection of image portions. An amount of time or power to re-measure is minimized. Improving fingerprint image data collection despite fixed pattern noise like saturated bars in blocks of picture elements. Determining a histogram of grayscale values, removing fixed pattern noise, and expanding real histogram values to obtain more bits of precision. | 09-18-2014 |
20150022670 | Noise Compensation in a Biometric Sensing Device - An electronic device includes a biometric sensing device connected to a processing channel that includes at least one amplifier having a gain. One or more processing devices is operatively connected to the biometric sensing device and adapted to compensate for signal fixed pattern noise in signals received from the processing channel. The signal fixed pattern noise can include signal measurement variation noise and gain variation noise. The biometric sensing device captures a new image or data, and at least one processing device compensates for the signal fixed pattern noise in the newly captured image or data. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023571 | Controllable Signal Processing in a Biometric Device - A processing channel is operatively connected to a biometric device. The processing channel includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to at least one of an amplifier and an offset circuit. Biometric signals representing captured biometric data, such as a fingerprint image, are controllably fitted into an input range of the ADC. The ADC input range can include one or more removed ranges and one or more adjustable allowed input ranges. One or more channel parameters are adjusted until a desired number of biometric signals are included in the one or more removed ranges. | 01-22-2015 |
20150036065 | Fingerprint Sensor in an Electronic Device - A fingerprint sensor is incorporated in a display stack in an electronic device. A single fingerprint can be captured at one time at a single pre-defined fixed location on a display. Alternatively, a single fingerprint can be acquired at one time at any location on a display. Alternatively, multiple touches on the display can be acquired substantially simultaneously where only one fingerprint is captured at a time or where all of the fingerprints are acquired at the same time. The fingerprint sensor can be implemented as an integrated circuit connected to a bottom surface of a cover sheet, near the bottom surface of the cover sheet, or connected to a top surface of a display. Alternatively, the fingerprint sensor can be implemented as a full panel fingerprint sensor. | 02-05-2015 |