BIOMETRIC APPARATUS

A biometric apparatus including a light emitting device, an image capture device, a band pass filter, and a light scattering layer is provided. The light emitting device is used to emit a sensing light having a first wavelength range. The band pass filter is disposed on the image capture device. The light scattering layer is disposed on the band pass filter. A portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter, and the band pass filter is able to reflect a portion of any light having a second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a biometric apparatus.

Description of Related Art

The types of biometrics include face, voice, iris, retina, vein, and fingerprint identifications. Since each person's fingerprints are unique, and the fingerprints are not easy to change with age or health status, a fingerprint identification apparatus has become the most popular biometric apparatus at present. According to different sensing methods, the fingerprint identification apparatus may be further divided into an optical type, a capacitive type, an ultrasonic type, a thermal-sensing type, etc.

The working principle of the optical-type fingerprint identification apparatus is as follows. The fingerprint of a finger is composed of multiple irregular peaks and valleys. When the finger presses the fingerprint identification apparatus, the peaks are in contact with the fingerprint identification apparatus, and the valleys are not in contact with the fingerprint identification apparatus. A light beam will be directly reflected to an image capture device by the peaks, thereby forming a light region. At the same time, the light beam irradiated to the valleys will be reflected several times in the valleys and then transferred to the image capture device, thereby forming a dark region. Thereby, the light beam corresponding to the peaks and the valleys of the fingerprint forms a light and dark alternating fringe pattern on a light receiving surface of the image capture device, such that the image capture device obtains a fingerprint image. An algorithm is used to calculate information corresponding to the fingerprint image, so as to identify user identity.

In recent years, the biometric apparatus has been gradually combined with many electronic products (e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers, notebooks, flash drives), so as to be a checkpoint for safety protection apparatus. In order to match the appearance design of electronic products, a working surface of the biometric apparatus is required to be designed with a corresponding color. For example, the biometric apparatus may be applied to the mobile phone with a white border, and thus the working surface of the fingerprint identification apparatus needs to be designed to be white. The working surface of a conventional fingerprint identification apparatus is non-white, and the demand can not be met.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a biometric apparatus, of which a working surface represents a desired color.

The invention provides a biometric apparatus including a light emitting device, an image capture device, a band pass filter, and a light scattering layer. The light emitting device is used to emit a sensing light having a first wavelength range. The band pass filter is disposed on the image capture device. The light scattering layer is disposed on the band pass filter. A portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter, and the band pass filter is able to reflect a portion of any light having a second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biometric apparatus is irradiated by an ambient light from outside of the biometric apparatus. A portion of the ambient light has the second wavelength range. The portion of the ambient light is reflected by the band pass filter and then passing through the light scattering layer, such that the biometric apparatus represents a color corresponding to the second wavelength range.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensing light is an infrared light. The portion of the ambient light is a visible light. The biometric apparatus represents white color.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensing light is an infrared light. The portion of the ambient light is a blue light. A red light and a green light of the ambient light are further able to pass through the band pass filter, and the biometric apparatus represents blue color.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sensing light is an infrared light. The portion of the ambient light is a red light and a green light. A blue light of the ambient light is further able to pass through the band pass filter, and the biometric apparatus represents yellow color.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light scattering layer has a haze H, and 10%≦H≦95%.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the light scattering layer has a transmittance T %, and 60%≦T %≦95%.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biometric apparatus further includes a first substrate. The band pass filter, the first substrate and the light scattering layer are arranged toward a direction away from the image capture device sequentially.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biometric apparatus further includes a second substrate. The second substrate, the band pass filter, the first substrate and the light scattering layer are arranged toward a direction away from the image capture device sequentially.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biometric apparatus further includes a second substrate. The band pass filter, the second substrate, the first substrate and the light scattering layer are arranged toward a direction away from the image capture device sequentially.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biometric apparatus further includes a second substrate. The band pass filter, the first substrate, the light scattering layer and the second substrate are arranged toward a direction away from the image capture device sequentially.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the biometric apparatus further includes a protective layer disposed on the light scattering layer.

Based on the above, the biometric apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes the light emitting device, the image capture device, the band pass filter disposed on the image capture device, and the light scattering layer disposed on the band pass filter. The light emitting device is used to emit the sensing light having the first wavelength range. The portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter, and the band pass filter is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range. By using filter and light-reflection characteristics of the band pass filter and using the band pass filter and the light scattering layer with each other, the working surface of the biometric apparatus is able to represent the desired color without excessively affecting image capture quality of biological features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic view of a biometric apparatus of an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2is a partially enlarged schematic view of a biometric apparatus of an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a biometric apparatus100includes a light emitting device110, an image capture device120, a band pass filter130, and a light scattering layer140. As shown inFIG. 2, the light emitting device110is used to emit a sensing light L1having a first wavelength range. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the sensing light L1may be a non-visible light. Furthermore, the sensing light L1may be an infrared light, and the first wavelength range may be from 790 nanometers (nm) to 1000 nm. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the wavelength range of the sensing light L1may also be other suitable range. In the embodiment, the light emitting device110is a light emitting diode (LED), for example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light emitting device110may also be other suitable type of light source. The light emitting device110and the image capture device120may be assembled in a same main body150, thereby forming an image capture module M. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The light emitting device110may also be disposed at other suitable position.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the light emitting device110emits the sensing light L1, and the sensing light L1is used to irradiate a biological feature F. The image capture device120is used to receive the sensing light L1reflected by the biological feature F, and transform the sensing light L1into an electrical signal corresponding to the biological feature F. In the embodiment, the biological feature F is a fingerprint, for example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the biological feature may also be veins of a finger, an iris, a retina, or other biological features. In the embodiment, the image capture device120is a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), for example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the image capture device120may also be other suitable type of image sensor.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the band pass filter130is disposed on the image capture device120. The light scattering layer140is disposed on the band pass filter130. The band pass filter130is located between the light scattering layer140and the image capture device120. The light scattering layer140is closer to the biological feature F to be identified than the band pass filter130. Particularly, a portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect a portion of any light having a second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different.

FIG. 3is a schematic view of a transmission spectrum of a band pass filter of an embodiment of the invention. The transmittance t % shown inFIG. 3is more than 0%. Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3, for example, in the embodiment, the first wavelength range which is able to pass through the band pass filter130may be from 790 nm to 1000 nm, and the second wavelength range which is reflected by the band pass filter130may be from 380 nm to 780 nm. As shown inFIG. 2, the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range (e.g., 790 nm to 1000 nm) is able to pass through the band pass filter130and the light scattering layer140sequentially to irradiate the biological feature F. The sensing light L1reflected by the biological feature F is also able to pass through the light scattering layer140and the band pass filter130sequentially, so as to transfer to the image capture device120, such that the biometric apparatus100obtains image information corresponding to the biological feature F. On the other hand, if the biometric apparatus100is in a bright environment, an ambient light L2(e.g., sunlight, artificial light) will irradiate the biometric apparatus100, and pass through the light scattering layer140, so as to transfer to the band pass filter130. At this time, a portion L21of the ambient light L2(i.e., a visible light portion of the ambient light L2) having the second wavelength range (e.g., 380 nm to 780 nm) will be reflected by the band pass filter130. The portion L21of the ambient light L2reflected by the band pass filter130will pass through the light scattering layer140, and be scattered by the light scattering layer140, such that the biometric apparatus100represents a color (e.g., white color) corresponding to the second wavelength range (e.g., 380 nm to 780 nm).

In short, by using filter and light-reflection characteristics of the band pass filter130and using the band pass filter130and the light scattering layer140with each other, the working surface of the biometric apparatus100is able to represent the desired color without excessively affecting the image capture quality of the biological feature F. It should be noted that, in the aforementioned embodiments, the working surface of the biometric apparatus100which represents white color is used as an example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, by properly designing a transmission spectrum of the band pass filter130, the working surface of the biometric apparatus100may also represent other colors.FIG. 4andFIG. 5are illustrated as an example in the following.

FIG. 4is a schematic view of a transmission spectrum of a band pass filter of another embodiment of the invention. The transmittance t % shown inFIG. 4is more than 0%. Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4, in another embodiment of the invention, not only the portion of any light having the first wavelength range (e.g., 790 nm to 1000 nm) is able to pass through the band pass filter130, but a portion of any light having the wavelength range between 500 nm to 550 nm and a portion of any light having the wavelength range between 620 nm to 632.8 nm are able to pass through the band pass filter130. The band pass filter130is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range (e.g., 440 nm to 470 nm). In short, an infrared light, a green light, and a red light are able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect a blue light. At this time, as shown inFIG. 2, the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range (e.g., 790 nm to 1000 nm) is able to pass through the band pass filter130and the light scattering layer140sequentially to irradiate the biological feature F. The sensing light L1reflected by the biological feature F is able to pass through the light scattering layer140and the band pass filter130sequentially, so as to transfer to the image capture device120, such that the biometric apparatus100obtains the image information corresponding to the biological feature F. On the other hand, if the biometric apparatus100is in a bright environment, the ambient light L2(e.g., sunlight, artificial light) will irradiate the biometric apparatus100, and pass through the light scattering layer140, so as to transfer to the band pass filter130. At this time, the portion L21of the ambient light L2(i.e., the blue light portion of the ambient light L2) having the second wavelength range (e.g., 440 nm to 470 nm) will be reflected by the band pass filter130. The portion L21of the ambient light L2reflected by the band pass filter130will pass through the light scattering layer140, and be scattered by the light scattering layer140, such that the biometric apparatus100represents blue color corresponding to the second wavelength range (e.g., 440 nm to 470 nm).

FIG. 5is a schematic view of a transmission spectrum of a band pass filter of a further embodiment of the invention. The transmittance t % shown inFIG. 5is more than 0%. Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 5, in a further embodiment of the invention, not only the portion of any light having the first wavelength range (e.g., 790 nm to 1000 nm) is able to pass through the band pass filter130, but also a portion of any light having the wavelength range between 440 nm to 470 nm is able to pass through the band pass filter130. The band pass filter130is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range (e.g., 500 nm to 550 nm and 620 nm to 632.8 nm). In short, an infrared light and a blue light are able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect a green light and a red light. At this time, as shown inFIG. 2, the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range (e.g., 790 nm to 1000 nm) is able to pass through the band pass filter130and the light scattering layer140sequentially to irradiate the biological feature F. The sensing light L1reflected by the biological feature F is able to pass through the light scattering layer140and the band pass filter130sequentially, so as to transfer to the image capture device120, such that the biometric apparatus100obtains the image information corresponding to the biological feature F. On the other hand, if the biometric apparatus100is in a bright environment, the ambient light L2(e.g., sunlight, artificial light) will irradiate the biometric apparatus100, and pass through the light scattering layer140, so as to transfer to the band pass filter130. At this time, the portion L21of the ambient light L2(i.e., the red light portion and the green light portion of the ambient light L2) having the second wavelength range (e.g., 500 nm to 550 nm and 620 nm to 632.8 nm) will be reflected by the band pass filter130. The red light portion and the green light portion of the ambient light L2reflected by the band pass filter130will be mixed to a yellow light and scattered by the light scattering layer140, such that the biometric apparatus100represents yellow color corresponding to the second wavelength range (e.g., 500 nm to 550 nm and 620 nm to 632.8 nm).

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in the embodiment, the light scattering layer140has a haze H, and 10%≦H≦95%. The light scattering layer140has a transmittance T %, and 60%≦T %≦95%. In other words, the light scattering layer140has a low haze and a high transmittance. Thereby, a transmission path of the sensing light L1is not easy to be excessively influenced by the light scattering layer140. Then, an image of the biological feature F with good quality (i.e., image sharpness is high) can be obtained when the working surface of the biometric apparatus100represents the desired color.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in the embodiment, the biometric apparatus100may further include a protective layer160. The protective layer160is disposed on the light scattering layer140. The band pass filter130, the light scattering layer140, and the protective layer160are arranged toward a direction d away from the image capture device120sequentially. The protective layer160is closest to the biological feature F. The protective layer160can protect the light scattering layer140and/or the band pass filter130from scratching. In the embodiment, the protective layer160is a light transmissive hard coating, for example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the protective layer160may also be a light transmissive plate or other suitable device.

FIG. 6is a schematic view of a biometric apparatus of another exemplary embodiment of the invention. A biometric apparatus100A ofFIG. 6is similar to the biometric apparatus100ofFIG. 1, and thus the same or corresponding components are represented by the same or corresponding reference numbers. The difference between the biometric apparatus100A and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100A further includes a first substrate170. The difference between the two is mainly illustrated in the following, and the same or corresponding positions of the two are referred to the above illustrations.

Referring toFIG. 6, the biometric apparatus100A includes the light emitting device110, the image capture device120, the band pass filter130, and the light scattering layer140. The light emitting device110is used to emit the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range. The band pass filter130is disposed on the image capture device120. The light scattering layer140is disposed on the band pass filter130. The portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different. The difference between the biometric apparatus100A and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100A further includes the first substrate170. The first substrate170is a light transmissive substrate. The band pass filter130, the first substrate170, the light scattering layer140, and the protective layer160are arranged toward the direction d away from the image capture device120sequentially. The biometric apparatus100A have the effects and advantages similar to the biometric apparatus100, and are not repeated herein.

FIG. 7is a schematic view of a biometric apparatus of a further embodiment of the invention. A biometric apparatus100B ofFIG. 7is similar to the biometric apparatus100ofFIG. 1, and thus the same or corresponding components are represented by the same or corresponding reference numbers. The difference between the biometric apparatus100B and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100B further includes the first substrate170and a second substrate180. The difference between the two is mainly illustrated in the following, and the same or corresponding positions of the two are referred to the above illustrations.

Referring toFIG. 7, the biometric apparatus100B includes the light emitting device110, the image capture device120, the band pass filter130, and the light scattering layer140. The light emitting device110is used to emit the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range. The band pass filter130is disposed on the image capture device120. The light scattering layer140is disposed on the band pass filter130. The portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different. The difference between the biometric apparatus100B and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100B further includes the first substrate170and the second substrate180. The first substrate170and the second substrate180are light transmissive substrates. The second substrate180, the band pass filter130, the first substrate170, the light scattering layer140, and the protective layer160are arranged toward the direction d away from the image capture device120sequentially. The biometric apparatus100B have the effects and advantages similar to the biometric apparatus100, and are not repeated herein.

FIG. 8is a schematic view of a biometric apparatus of a further another embodiment of the invention. A biometric apparatus100C ofFIG. 8is similar to the biometric apparatus100ofFIG. 1, and thus the same or corresponding components are represented by the same or corresponding reference numbers. The difference between the biometric apparatus100C and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100C further includes the first substrate170and the second substrate180. The difference between the two is mainly illustrated in the following, and the same or corresponding positions of the two are referred to the above illustrations.

Referring toFIG. 8, the biometric apparatus100C includes the light emitting device110, the image capture device120, the band pass filter130, and the light scattering layer140. The light emitting device110is used to emit the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range. The band pass filter130is disposed on the image capture device120. The light scattering layer140is disposed on the band pass filter130. The portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different. The difference between the biometric apparatus100C and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100C further includes the first substrate170and the second substrate180. The first substrate170and the second substrate180are light transmissive substrates. The band pass filter130, the second substrate180, the first substrate170, the light scattering layer140, and the protective layer160are arranged toward the direction d away from the image capture device120sequentially. The biometric apparatus100C have effects and advantages similar to the biometric apparatus100, and are not repeated herein.

FIG. 9is a schematic view of a biometric apparatus of an embodiment of the invention. A biometric apparatus100D ofFIG. 9is similar to the biometric apparatus100ofFIG. 1, and thus the same or corresponding components are represented by the same or corresponding reference numbers. The difference between the biometric apparatus100D and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100D further includes the first substrate170and the second substrate180. The difference between the two is mainly illustrated in the following, and the same or corresponding positions of the two are referred to the above illustrations.

Referring toFIG. 9, the biometric apparatus100D includes the light emitting device110, the image capture device120, the band pass filter130, and the light scattering layer140. The light emitting device110is used to emit the sensing light L1having the first wavelength range. The band pass filter130is disposed on the image capture device120. The light scattering layer140is disposed on the band pass filter130. The portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter130, and the band pass filter130is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are different. The difference between the biometric apparatus100D and the biometric apparatus100is that, the biometric apparatus100D further includes the first substrate170and the second substrate180. The first substrate170and the second substrate180are light transmissive substrates. The band pass filter130, the first substrate170, the light scattering layer140, and the second substrate180are arranged toward the direction d away from the image capture device120sequentially. The second substrate180can replace the function of the protective layer160, and the protective layer160may be not disposed at the biometric apparatus100D selectively. The biometric apparatus100D have effects and advantages similar to the biometric apparatus100, and are not repeated herein.

In summary, the biometric apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes the light emitting device, the image capture device, the band pass filter disposed on the image capture device, and the light scattering layer disposed on the band pass filter. The light emitting device is used to emit the sensing light having the first wavelength range. The portion of any light having the first wavelength range is able to pass through the band pass filter, and the band pass filter is able to reflect the portion of any light having the second wavelength range. By using filter and light-reflection characteristics of the band pass filter and using the band pass filter and the light scattering layer with each other, the working surface of the biometric apparatus is able to represent the desired color without excessively affecting the image capture quality of the biological features.