Abstract:
An apparatus is described for a fingerprint acquisition device that can be integrated into an expansion card capable of being inserted into a PC card slot of a portable computer such that the apparatus is substantially flush with the computer. The apparatus can contain a drawer that rotates or slides out of the apparatus to expose a fingerprint module where a user&#39;s fingerprint data can be collected. A latching mechanism is provided so that the drawer can be locked in a retracted position in the apparatus when the drawer is pushed into the apparatus and so that the drawer can extract out of the apparatus if the user pushes on the drawer again when the drawer is in the retracted position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of fingerprint acquisition devices and more particularly to fingerprint acquisition devices integrated into expansion cards. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As the use of computers in virtually any type of transaction has increased, the issues of security have gained significant importance. Fingerprint acquisition devices allow for convenient and highly secure access control in computers. Such devices identify a user by his or her fingerprint after the user slides a finger or otherwise inputs a fingerprint into the device, providing a convenient and highly secure means to restrict user access to a computer or an application. 
         [0003]    A problem with fingerprint acquisition devices is large size because of surface area required by a sensor. Generally, fingerprint acquisition devices are external units that connect to one of a computer&#39;s device interfaces. Particularly in the case of portable computers, an external fingerprint acquisition device poses significant inconvenience to users. 
         [0004]    However, virtually all modern portable computers incorporate slots for expansion cards, otherwise known as PC cards or more specifically as PCMCIA cards, which are standard size and implement standard connections. PC card slots permit a user to insert a device into a laptop, such as a memory card, so that the device is contained substantially fully within the laptop. What is needed is a fingerprint acquisition device that can be implemented within an expansion card slot so that it does not create inconvenience to users by consuming space outside of the computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Similar reference numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like components and/or features. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a portable computer with an external fingerprint acquisition device in existing prior art. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a portable computer with a fingerprint acquisition device in the extracted position, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a portable computer with a fingerprint acquisition device in the retracted position, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a sliding drawer in the extracted position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a sliding drawer in the retracted position, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in an extracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in a retracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a rotating drawer in the extracted position, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a rotating drawer in the retracted position, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in an extracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in a retracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a fingerprint sensor that can be included in the fingerprint module of various embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8A  depicts an example assembly of an illuminated fingerprint sensor  800 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8B  depicts illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  after sensor portion  806  has been mated to illumination portion  808 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8C  depicts illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  mounted in a housing  822  or other mounting mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known circuits, electrical components, mechanical components, algorithms, and processes have not been shown in detail or have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning fingerprint recognition systems, expansion cards, fingerprint sensors, personal computers, springs, latches, fingerprint sensors, and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Certain terms are used throughout the following description and Claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, components may be referred to by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name, but not function. In the following discussion and in the Claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the present invention are described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the present invention is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will be made in detail to implementations of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0023]    In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with applications and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a portable computer with an external fingerprint acquisition device in existing prior art. A fingerprint acquisition device  101  can be connected to a portable computer  102  by a cable  103 . A user can swipe his or her finger on the fingerprint acquisition device  101 , which can collect fingerprint information, and the fingerprint information can be conveyed to the computer  102  through the cable  103  for validation. Such devices can be inconvenient because they consume desktop space, involve an awkward cable, and are clumsy to transport. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a portable computer with a fingerprint acquisition device in the extracted position, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A drawer  202  within the fingerprint acquisition device can extract from a portable computer  102  and the user can swipe his or her finger on the fingerprint acquisition device. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a portable computer with a fingerprint acquisition device in the retracted position, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in the figure, when the fingerprint acquisition device is not in use, the user can push the drawer  202  into the laptop so that the drawer  202  is locked in a position flush with the laptop and does not consume space outsider of the computer. If the user wishes to again use the fingerprint acquisition device, the user can push on the drawer  202 , which can unlock it from the laptop and allow it to slide back out into the extracted position as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a sliding drawer in the extracted position. A drawer  301  containing a fingerprint module  302  can slide within a chassis  303 . The chassis can be located substantially within an expansion card slot of a user device such as a laptop computer, such that when the drawer is in the extracted position, as illustrated, the drawer  301  extends outside of the user device and allows a user access to the fingerprint module  302 . The user can input a reading of his or her fingerprint into the fingerprint module  302  for recognition by the system, such as by swiping his or her finger on the fingerprint module  302 . The fingerprint module  302  can be connected by a wire  304 , such as a USB wire, to an express card connector  305 , which connector  305  can be configured to interface with the user device. A spring  306  can apply force on the drawer  301  to keep the drawer in the extracted position. A user can push on the drawer  301  as illustrated to compress the spring  306  and slide the drawer  301  into the chassis  303 . A latch  307  can be located on the drawer  301  and a corresponding catch  308  can be located on the chassis  303 . The latch  307  and catch  308  can be configured so that the latch  307  becomes locked into the catch  308  when the latch  307  is pushed into the catch  308 . Hence, when the drawer reaches a retracted position, the latch  307  can lock into the catch  308 , thereby locking the drawer in a retracted position. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a sliding drawer in the retracted position, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated in the example, the spring  306  can be in a compressed state applying force on the drawer  301  pushing the drawer  301  out while the latch  307  can be locked into the catch  308 , preventing the drawer  301  from sliding out of the chassis  303 . The latch  307  and the catch  308  can be configured such that when the latch  307  is pushed into the catch  308 , the latch  307  becomes unlocked from the catch  308 . Hence, by pushing on the drawer  301 , as illustrated, the latch  307  can become unlatched from the catch  308  and the drawer  301  can slide out of the chassis  303  under the force of the spring  306 , revealing the fingerprint module  302  to the user. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in an extracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the fingerprint acquisition device with a sliding drawer  301  can implement a contact  401  configured to electronically connect the fingerprint module  302  with the connector  305  when the drawer is in an extracted position. The contact  401  can be mechanically connected to the chassis  303 . For example, the contact can be on a platform  403 , such as a PCB board, with traces  402  electronically connecting the contact  401  to the connector  305 . The platform  403  can be mechanically connected to the chassis  303 . A corresponding contact  404  can be located on the drawer  301 , which contact can be electronically connected to the fingerprint module  302 . The contacts  404 ,  401  can be configured such that the contact  404  on the drawer connects with the contact  401  on the chassis when the drawer is in the extracted position, resulting in the fingerprint module  302  being electronically connected to the connector  305  so that fingerprint data from a user&#39;s input into the fingerprint module  302  can be communicated to the user device through the connector  305 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in a retracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. In an embodiment, the contacts  404 ,  401  can be configured such that the contact  404  on the drawer slides away and becomes disconnected from the contact  401  on the chassis when the drawer is moved into the retracted position, resulting in the fingerprint module  302  being electronically disconnected from the connector  305 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a rotating drawer in the extracted position, in accordance with various embodiments. A drawer  501  containing a fingerprint module  502  can rotate on a pivot within a chassis  503 . The chassis can be located substantially within an expansion card slot of user device, such that when the drawer is in the extracted position, as illustrated, the drawer  501  extends outside of the user device and allows a user access to the fingerprint module  502 . The user can input a reading of his or her fingerprint into the fingerprint module  502  for recognition by the system, such as by swiping his or her finger on the fingerprint module  502 . The fingerprint module  502  can be connected by a wire  504 , such as a USB wire, to an express card connector  505 , which connector  505  can be configured to interface with the user device. A spring  506  can apply force on the drawer  501  to keep the drawer in the extracted position. A user can push on the drawer  501 , as illustrated, to compress the spring  506  and rotate the drawer  501  into the chassis  503 . A latch  507  can be located on the drawer  501  and a corresponding catch  508  can be located on the chassis  503 . The latch  507  and catch  508  can be configured so that the latch  507  becomes locked into the catch  508  when the latch  507  is pushed into the catch  508 . Hence, when the drawer reaches a retracted position, the latch  507  can lock into the catch  508 , thereby locking the drawer in a retracted position. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a top view of an example of the fingerprint acquisition device with a rotating drawer in the retracted position, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated in the example, the spring  506  can be in a compressed state applying force on the drawer  501  pushing the drawer  501  out while the latch  507  can be locked into the catch  508 , preventing the drawer  501  from sliding out of the chassis  503 . The latch  507  and the catch  508  can be configured such that when the latch  507  is pushed into the catch  508 , the latch  507  becomes unlocked from the catch  508 . Hence, by pushing on the drawer  501 , as illustrated, the latch  507  can become unlatched from the catch  508  and the drawer  501  can rotate out of the chassis  503  under the force of the spring  506 , revealing the fingerprint module  502  to the user. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in an extracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the fingerprint acquisition device with a rotating drawer  501  can implement a contact  601  configured to electronically connect the fingerprint module  502  with the connector  505  when the drawer is in an extracted position. A contact  601  can be mechanically connected to the chassis  503 . For example, the contact can be on a platform  603 , such as a PCB board, with traces  602  electronically connecting the contact  601  to the connector  505 . The platform  603  can be mechanically connected to the chassis  503 . A corresponding contact  604  can be located on the drawer  501 , which contact can be electronically connected to the fingerprint module  502 . The contacts  604 ,  601  can be configured such that the contact  604  on the drawer connects with the contact  601  on the chassis when the drawer is in the extracted position, resulting in the fingerprint module  502  being electronically connected to the connector  505  so that fingerprint data from a user&#39;s input into the fingerprint module  502  can be communicated to the user device through the connector  505 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an example of a fingerprint acquisition device in a retracted position with a contact for connecting the drawer to the connector, in accordance with various embodiments. In an embodiment, the contacts  604 ,  601  can be configured such that the contact  604  on the drawer slides away and becomes disconnected from the contact  601  on the chassis when the drawer is moved into the retracted position, resulting in the fingerprint module  502  being electronically disconnected from the connector  505 . 
         [0035]    In various embodiments, the apparatus and/or the connector to the expansion card interface can conform to the standards for PCMCIA expansion cards. For example, the apparatus and/or the connector can be configured to conform to the physical and/or size standards for PCMCIA expansion cards. 
         [0036]    The fingerprint module in the apparatus can comprise any of a variety of devices capable of reading a human fingerprint.  FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a fingerprint sensor that can be included in the fingerprint module of various embodiments.  FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of an illuminated fingerprint sensor  700 , which includes a substrate  702 , an opening  704  in the substrate, an image sensor  706 , and a light source (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) that causes light  708  to be emitted in an area proximate image sensor  706 . Substrate  702  may be a printed circuit board, a cover, a housing, or other object to which the fingerprint sensor is coupled. Opening  704  exposes image sensor  706 , thereby allowing a user to access the image sensor. Opening  704  also permits light  708  to be emitted near image sensor  706  to communicate information regarding the state of the fingerprint sensor. 
         [0037]    Image sensor  706  receives drive signals from a drive signal generator (not shown), senses fingerprint characteristics as a finger is “swiped” across the image sensor, and delivers sensed fingerprint data to an image sensing module (not shown). In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , image sensor  706  is a “swipe” fingerprint sensor. In other embodiments, image sensor  706  is a “static” fingerprint sensor (also referred to as a “placement” fingerprint sensor). 
         [0038]    As discussed below, particular embodiments of illuminated fingerprint sensor  700  utilize one or more light sources. The light source used to illuminate the fingerprint sensor may be a light emitting diode (LED) or any other type of light source capable of illuminating the fingerprint sensor as described herein. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8A  depicts an example assembly of an illuminated fingerprint sensor  800 . Fingerprint sensor  800  includes a sensor portion  806  and an illumination portion  808 . Sensor portion  806  is comprised of a substantially flexible substrate  804  with an image sensing module  802  attached thereto. Flexible substrate  804  has a raised (arched) portion at one end that includes an image sensor to sense fingerprint characteristics. In a particular embodiment, flexible substrate  804  is formed using Kapton® polyimide film (available from DuPont). In the embodiment of  FIG. 8A , flexible substrate  804  is transparent or semi-transparent such that light is at least partially transmitted through flexible substrate  804 . 
         [0040]    Illumination portion  808  of illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  includes a rigid substrate  810 , a raised portion  812 , and a light source  814  that emits light  816  in multiple directions. Rigid substrate  810  can be formed from a variety of compounds, such as fiberglass filled epoxy. Raised portion  812  substantially corresponds in shape and size to the raised portion of sensor portion  806 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 8B  depicts illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  after sensor portion  806  has been mated to illumination portion  808 . In this configuration, light source  814  emits light  816  that is fully or partially transmitted through flexible substrate  804  such that the light is visible to a user of illuminated fingerprint sensor  800 . Sensor portion  806  may be bonded to illumination portion  808  or otherwise configured such that the sensor portion and the illumination portion remain mated to one another. In particular embodiments, sensor portion  806  is bonded to illumination portion  808  using adhesive bonding, such as double-sided adhesive tape or a bonding glue. 
         [0042]    Other embodiments mate sensor portion  806  to illumination portion  808  without bonding the two portions using adhesives or glue. For example, sensor portion  806  can be mated to illumination portion  808  using a mechanical structure, such as a thin wire clip or other mechanism. In another implementation, a portion of the device housing in which illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  is mounted acts to maintain the mated position of sensor portion  806  and illumination portion  808 . Alternatively, sensor portion  806  can be configured to wrap around at least part of illumination portion  808  to mate the two portions to one another. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8C  depicts illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  mounted in a housing  822  or other mounting mechanism. In an embodiment, the housing  822  can be mounted in a slidable or rotatable drawer of the fingerprint acquisition device. In an embodiment, the drawer can include the housing  822 . Housing  822  includes an opening defined by edges  824  and  826 . The assembly shown in  FIG. 8B  is positioned within housing  822  such that the raised portion of substrate  810  (and the raised portion of flexible substrate  804 ) aligns with the opening in housing  822 . This arrangement allows a user&#39;s finger to be swiped across the raised portion of flexible substrate  804 , thereby allowing the user&#39;s fingerprint characteristics to be sensed by the image sensor. Additionally, this arrangement within housing  822  allows light  816  emitted from light source  814  to travel through the opening in housing  822 . Thus, the light emitted from light source  814  is visible to a user of the device in which the illuminated fingerprint sensor  800  is mounted. 
         [0044]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention as defined in the appended Claims and other Claims that may be later presented, and that this invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Hence, alternative arrangements of drawers, springs, latches, fingerprint sensors, and other components can occur without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Similarly, components not explicitly mentioned in this specification can be included in various embodiments of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, functions and logic described as being performed in certain components in various embodiments of this invention can, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, be readily performed in whole or in part in different components or in different configurations of components not explicitly mentioned in this specification, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0045]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0046]    Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. References to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may,” “can,” “might,” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or Claims refer to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or Claims refer to an “additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.