FINGERPRINT SENSORS

摘要

A sensor for detecting fingerprints is provided having first and second substrates, a two-dimensional array of sensing elements formed on the first substrate, and a plurality of thin-film transistors or TFTs for controlling the sensing elements at pixel location along the array. Each of the sensing elements detects one of electrical signals (e.g., capacitance, resistance, or impedance), temperature, or light via one of the first or second substrates representative of one or more fingerprints. The top of the second substrate or the bottom of the first substrate may provide a platen upon which one or more fingers can be disposed. The sensor may be utilized in a fingerprint scanner having one or more processors driving sensing elements or reading from sensing elements analog signals representative of one or more fingerprints, and generating an image representative of the one or more fingerprints from the analog signals.

主权项

1. A sensor for detecting one or more fingerprints comprising:
a first substrate and a second substrate; a two-dimensional array of sensing elements between said first substrate and said second substrate, wherein said sensing elements of said array are at least light sensing elements; a plurality of thin-film transistors for controlling said sensing elements; and a plurality of light sources between said first substrate and said second substrate distributed at locations among said array of said light sensing elements for transmitting illumination via said second substrate, in which said light sensing elements detect reflected illumination representative of one or more fingerprints via said second substrate, wherein each of said light sources comprises at least one of a diffractive element or a Fresnel element between the light source and said second substrate for shaping light from the light source.