Patent ID: 6234031
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A fingerprint detection apparatus, comprising:a shape transfer unit having a contact face for being contacted by a finger whose fingerprint is to be detected, a thickness of said shape transfer unit varying when the finger contacts with a surface which serves as the contact face, in accordance with pressures which are produced by concave and convex patterns of the fingerprint of the finger; anda detection driving circuit unit for detecting a pattern of the fingerprint based on variations of the thickness of said shape transfer unit and outputting results of the detection as electric signals, wherein said detection driving circuit unit detects variations of the thickness of the shape transfer unit as variations of an electrostatic capacity and detects the pattern of the fingerprint based on the variations of the electrostatic capacity, and wherein said shape transfer unit further comprises:an insulating deformation layer formed on said detection driving circuit unit and its thickness varies in accordance with the pressures produced by the concave and convex patterns of the fingerprint, said deformation layer having a plurality of gaps on one surface;a flexible electrode formed on said deformation layer and deformable based on the pressures produced by the concave and convex patterns of the fingerprint; anda deformable surface protective film formed on said flexible electrode for protecting said flexible electrode.