Patent ID: 7508963

Claim:
A surface shape recognition sensor device comprising a plurality of two-dimensionally disposed basic detection units which each includes at least a first detection element and a second detection element, said surface shape recognition sensor device comprising: a first detection electrode, as a component of said first detection element, for forming a capacitance depending on irregularities of a surface shape of an object by coming into contact therewith through the intermediary of an insulating film; a second detection electrode, as a component of said second detection element, for forming a capacitance depending on irregularities of a surface shape of the object by coming into contact therewith through the intermediary of said insulating film; a third detection electrode, as another component of said first detection element, which is disposed around said first detection electrode belonging to the same said first detection element and which is brought into electrical contact with the object and connected to a predetermined common potential; a fourth detection electrode, as another component of said second detection element, which is disposed around said second detection electrode belonging to the same said second detection element and which is brought into electrical contact with the object; a surface shape detection unit, which is electrically connected, respectively, to said first detection electrode of said first detection element and said second detection electrode of said second detection element that belongs to the same said basic detection unit, for detecting irregularities of the surface shapes of the object corresponding to positions thereof where said first and said second detection elements are respectively placed, based on said capacitances formed in said first detection electrode and said second detection electrode, respectively; and a biometric recognition unit, which is electrically connected, respectively, to said third detection electrode of said first detection element and said fourth detection electrode of said second detection element that belong to the same said basic detection unit, for determining whether the object is a living body based on a signal generated correspondingly to an impedance formed across a portion of the object electrically connected between said third detection electrode and said fourth detection electrode; wherein said plurality of basic detection units each including said first detection element and said second detection element perform both a surface shape detection function and a biometric recognition function.