Patent US5852670A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5852670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fingerprint sensing apparatus with finger position indication
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 1997-12-30
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Granted: 1998-12-22
•
Expires: 2017-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A fingerprint sensing device includes a fingerprint sensor, a processor for determining an actual fingerprint position on the fingerprint sensor relative to a desired fingerprint position, and a finger position indicator for generating a finger position indication to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on the fingerprint sensor. The processor preferably calculates a fingerprint center point defining the actual fingerprint position. The fingerprint sensor may be provided by an electric field sensor in integrated circuit form. The finger position indicator may be provided by a visual indicator, such as a desired position image indicia generator for generating image indicia on a display screen relating to the desired fingerprint position on the fingerprint sensor, and wherein an actual fingerprint position image is also generated relative to the desired position image indicia on the display screen. The desired position image indicia may preferably be a desired fingerprint center point indicia image. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale R. Setlak
- 👤 John C. Schmitt
- 👤 Steven D. Wilson
- 👤 Ellery Y. Chan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/13; G06V40/1306; G06V40/1347; G06V40/60; G06V40/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus comprising: a fingerprint sensor including a plurality of sensing elements for sensing identifying features of a fingerprint from a finger of a user; a processor operatively connected to said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor for determining an actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor relative to a desired fingerprint position based on the sensed identifying features; and finger position indicator means operatively connected to said processor for generating a finger position indication to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus comprising: a fingerprint sensor including a plurality of sensing elements for sensing identifying features of a fingerprint from a finger of a user; a processor operatively connected to said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor for determining an actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor relative to a desired fingerprint position based on the sensed identifying features; and finger position indicator means operatively connected to said processor for generating a finger position indication to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said processor comprises center point calculating means for calculating a fingerprint center point defining the actual fingerprint position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said processor comprises analyzing means for analyzing identifying features of a fingerprint over at least a minimum fingerprint portion relative to a fingerprint center point; and wherein said processor comprises desired fingerprint position determining means for determining a desired fingerprint position based upon the minimum fingerprint portion relative to the fingerprint center point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor comprises: an array of electric field sensing electrodes; a dielectric layer adjacent said electric field sensing electrodes, said dielectric layer for receiving a finger adjacent thereto; and drive means for applying an electric field drive signal to said electric field sensing electrodes and adjacent portions of the finger so that said electric field sensing electrodes produce a fingerprint image signal representative of identifying features of a fingerprint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fingerprint sensor further comprises dynamic contrast enhancement means operatively connected to said electric field sensing electrodes for enhancing a contrast of the fingerprint image signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fingerprint sensor comprises an integrated circuit having an upper surface portion for receiving a finger thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises: a display screen; desired position image indicia generating means for generating image indicia on said display screen relating to the desired fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor; and actual fingerprint position image generating means for generating an actual fingerprint position image relative to the desired position image indicia on said display screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said desired position image indicia generating means comprises means for generating desired fingerprint center point image indicia on said display screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises a speech message generator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises a display screen, and a display screen message generator operatively connected to said display screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises directional indicators for indicating desired repositioning of the finger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said processor further comprises pressure determining means for determining if the finger is positioned on said fingerprint sensor at a desired fingerprint pressure; and further comprising pressure indicating means for generating a finger pressure indication to assist the user in applying the desired fingerprint pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising reference fingerprint storage means for storing reference fingerprint information; and wherein said processor comprises reference fingerprint matching means for determining if a sensed fingerprint matches a stored reference fingerprint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus comprising: a fingerprint sensor including a plurality of sensing elements for sensing identifying features of a fingerprint from a finger of a user; a processor operatively connected to said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor for determining a fingerprint center point defining an actual fingerprint position relative to a desired fingerprint position based on the sensed identifying features; and finger position indicator means operatively connected to said processor for generating a finger position indication to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus comprising: a fingerprint sensor including a plurality of sensing elements for sensing identifying features of a fingerprint from a finger of a user; a processor operatively connected to said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor for determining a fingerprint center point defining an actual fingerprint position relative to a desired fingerprint position based on the sensed identifying features; and finger position indicator means operatively connected to said processor for generating a finger position indication to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said processor comprises analyzing means for analyzing identifying features of a fingerprint over at least a minimum fingerprint portion relative to a fingerprint center point; and wherein said processor comprises desired fingerprint position determining means for determining a desired fingerprint position based upon the minimum fingerprint portion relative to the fingerprint center point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor comprises: an array of electric field sensing electrodes; a dielectric layer adjacent said electric field sensing electrodes, said dielectric layer for receiving a finger adjacent thereto; and drive means for applying an electric field drive signal to said electric field sensing electrodes and adjacent portions of the finger so that said electric field sensing electrodes produce a fingerprint image signal representative of identifying features of a fingerprint.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said fingerprint sensor further comprises dynamic contrast enhancement means operatively connected to said electric field sensing electrodes for enhancing a contrast of the fingerprint image signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises a visual indicator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises: a display screen; desired position image indicia generating means for generating image indicia on said display screen relating to the desired fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor; and actual fingerprint position image generating means for generating an actual fingerprint position image relative to the desired position image indicia on said display screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said desired position image indicia generating means comprises means for generating a desired fingerprint center point image indicia on said display screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises a speech message generator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises a display screen, and a display screen message generator operatively connected to said display screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said finger position indicator means comprises directional indicators for indicating desired repositioning of the finger.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said processor further comprises pressure determining means for determining if the finger is positioned on said fingerprint sensor at a desired fingerprint pressure; and further comprising pressure indicating means for generating a finger pressure indication to assist the user in applying the desired fingerprint pressure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fingerprint sensing apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising reference fingerprint storage means for storing reference fingerprint information; and wherein said processor comprises reference fingerprint matching means for determining if a sensed fingerprint matches a stored reference fingerprint.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer workstation comprising: a display screen and a processor operatively connected thereto; and a fingerprint sensor including a plurality of sensing elements operatively connected to said processor for sensing identifying features of a fingerprint from a finger of a user; said processor comprising finger position determining means for determining an actual fingerprint position based on the sensed identifying features on said fingerprint sensor relative to a desired fingerprint position, and finger position image indicator means for generating on said display screen a finger position indication image to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer workstation comprising: a display screen and a processor operatively connected thereto; and a fingerprint sensor including a plurality of sensing elements operatively connected to said processor for sensing identifying features of a fingerprint from a finger of a user; said processor comprising finger position determining means for determining an actual fingerprint position based on the sensed identifying features on said fingerprint sensor relative to a desired fingerprint position, and finger position image indicator means for generating on said display screen a finger position indication image to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on said fingerprint sensor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer workstation according to claim 27 wherein said processor comprises center point calculating means for calculating a fingerprint center point defining the actual fingerprint position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer workstation according to claim 28 wherein said processor further comprises desired position image indicia generating means for generating a desired fingerprint center point image indicia on said display screen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
61 words
A computer workstation according to claim 28 wherein said processor comprises analyzing means for analyzing identifying features of a fingerprint over at least a minimum fingerprint portion relative to a fingerprint center point; and wherein said processor comprises desired fingerprint position determining means for determining a desired fingerprint position based upon the minimum fingerprint portion relative to the fingerprint center point.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer workstation according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of sensing elements of said fingerprint sensor comprises: an array of electric field sensing electrodes; a dielectric layer adjacent said electric field sensing electrodes, said dielectric layer for receiving a finger adjacent thereto; and drive means for applying an electric field drive signal to said electric field sensing electrodes and adjacent portions of the finger so that said electric field sensing electrodes produce a fingerprint image signal representative of the sensed identifying features.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer workstation according to claim 31 wherein said fingerprint sensor further comprises dynamic contrast enhancement means operatively connected to said electric field sensing electrodes for enhancing a contrast of the fingerprint image signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer workstation according to claim 27 wherein said fingerprint sensor comprises an integrated circuit having an upper surface portion for receiving a finger thereon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer workstation according to claim 27 wherein said processor further comprises pressure determining means for determining if the finger is positioned on said fingerprint sensor at a desired fingerprint pressure; and further comprising pressure indicating means for generating a finger pressure indication on said display screen to assist the user in applying the desired fingerprint pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
A computer workstation according to claim 27 further comprising reference fingerprint storage means for storing reference fingerprint information; and wherein said processor comprises reference fingerprint matching means for determining if a sensed fingerprint matches a stored reference fingerprint and for enabling further operation of said processor based upon a fingerprint match.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-21 | 2002-06-22 | 2002-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | 2006-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-21 | 2010-06-22 | 2010-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |