PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9581628-B2
Application Number: US-201313886520-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device including device ground coupled finger coupling electrode and array shielding electrode and related methods

Abstract:
An electronic device may include a housing and circuitry carried by the housing and having a device ground associated therewith. The electronic device may also include an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and an array shielding electrode outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels. A finger coupling electrode may be outside the array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground. The electronic device may also include drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and a compensating drive signal for the array shielding electrode.

Claims:
That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 circuitry carried by said housing and having a device ground associated therewith; 
 an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes configured to sense biometric data; 
 an array shielding electrode outside said array of biometric finger sensing pixels; 
 a finger coupling electrode outside said array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground, the finger coupling electrode being coupled to the device ground causing noise in the sensed biometric data relative to the finger coupling electrode; and 
 drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and a compensating drive signal comprising a scaled replica of the drive signal for said array shielding electrode, the compensating drive signal reducing the noise in the sensed biometric data. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising sense amplifier circuitry coupled to said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and having a circuit reference associated therewith different than the device ground; and wherein said drive circuitry is capable of generating the drive signal between the device ground and the circuit reference. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said array shielding electrode comprises a plurality of shielding pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reference electrode between said array shielding electrode and said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , further comprising a dummy biometric finger sensing pixel electrode area between said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and said reference electrode. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric cap over said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a semiconductor substrate carrying said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said circuitry comprises wireless communications circuitry capable of performing at least one wireless communications function. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising an input device carrying said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said drive circuitry is capable of generating the drive signal as a square wave at an amplitude in a range of 10 to 20 volts and at a frequency of 1 to 5 MHz. 
     
     
       11. A finger biometric sensor to be coupled to circuitry carried by a housing of an electronic device, the circuitry having a device ground associated therewith, the finger biometric sensor comprising:
 an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes configured to sense biometric data; 
 an array shielding electrode outside said array of biometric finger sensing pixels; 
 a finger coupling electrode outside said array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground, the finger coupling electrode being coupled to the device ground causing noise in the sensed biometric data relative to the finger coupling electrode; and 
 drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and a compensating drive signal comprising a scaled replica of the drive signal for said array shielding electrode, the compensating drive signal reducing noise in the sensed biometric data. 
 
     
     
       12. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 11 , further comprising sense amplifier circuitry coupled to said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and having a circuit reference associated therewith different than the device ground; and wherein said drive circuitry is capable of generating the drive signal between the device ground and the circuit reference. 
     
     
       13. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 11 , wherein said array shielding electrode comprises a plurality of shielding pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       14. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 11 , further comprising a reference electrode between said array shielding electrode and said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       15. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 14 , further comprising a dummy biometric finger sensing pixel electrode area between said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and said reference electrode. 
     
     
       16. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 11 , further comprising a dielectric cap over said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       17. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 11 , further comprising a semiconductor substrate carrying said array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       18. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 11 , wherein said drive circuitry is capable of generating the drive signal as a square wave at an amplitude in a range of 10 to 20 volts and at a frequency of 1 to 5 MHz. 
     
     
       19. A method of making an electronic device comprising circuitry having a device ground associated therewith, the method comprising:
 forming an array shielding electrode outside an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes; 
 forming a finger coupling electrode outside the array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground, the finger coupling electrode being coupled to the device ground causing noise in sensed biometric data relative to the finger coupling electrode; and 
 forming drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for the array of biometric finger sensing pixels and a compensating drive signal comprising a scaled replica of the drive signal for the array shielding electrode, the compensating drive signal reducing the noise in the sensed biometric data. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising forming sense amplifier circuitry coupled to the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and having a circuit reference associated therewith different than the device ground; and wherein the drive circuitry is capable of generating the drive signal between the device ground and the circuit reference. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming the array shielding electrode comprises forming a plurality of shielding pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising forming a reference electrode between the array shielding electrode and the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , further comprising forming a dummy biometric finger sensing pixel electrode area between the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and the reference electrode. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising positioning a dielectric cap over the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming the drive circuitry comprises forming the drive circuitry to be capable of generating the drive signal as a square wave at an amplitude in a range of 10 to 20 volts and at a frequency of 1 to 5 MHz.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/718,307 filed Dec. 18, 2012, entitled “BIOMETRIC FINGER SENSOR INCLUDING ARRAY SHIELDING ELECTRODE AND RELATED METHODS,” and also claims the benefit of related U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/642,832, filed May 4, 2012, entitled “SYSTEM FOR MEASURING FINGERPRINTS AT A DISTANCE FROM THE FINGERPRINT SENSOR USING HIGHER VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS,” all of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and, more particularly, to finger sensing devices and related methods. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fingerprint sensing and matching is a reliable and widely used technique for personal identification or verification. In particular, a common approach to fingerprint identification involves scanning a sample fingerprint or an image thereof and storing the image and/or unique characteristics of the fingerprint image. The characteristics of a sample fingerprint may be compared to information for reference fingerprints already in a database to determine proper identification of a person, such as for verification purposes. 
     A particularly advantageous approach to fingerprint sensing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,441 to Setlak and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. The fingerprint sensor is an integrated circuit sensor that drives the user&#39;s finger with an electric field signal and senses the electric field with an array of electric field sensing pixels on the integrated circuit substrate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,114 to Mainguet, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated in its entirety by reference, discloses a fingerprint sensor that includes a finger sensing integrated circuit (IC). The finger sensing IC includes a layer of piezoelectric or pyroelectric material placed between upper and lower electrodes to provide electric signals representative of an image of the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint. 
     A particularly advantageous approach to multi-biometric fingerprint sensing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,919 to Setlak, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated in its entirety by reference. The Setlak patent discloses a multi-biometric finger sensor sensing different biometric characteristics of a user&#39;s finger that have different matching selectivities. 
     A fingerprint sensor may be particularly advantageous for verification and/or authentication in an electronic device, and more particularly, a portable device, for example. Such a fingerprint sensor may be carried by the housing of a portable electronic device, for example, and may be sized to sense a fingerprint from a single-finger. For example, the AES3400 sensor from AuthenTec, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla., the assignee of the present invention, is widely used in a variety of notebooks, desktops and PC peripherals. Other fingerprint sensors, for example, the AES850, also from AuthenTec, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla., is a multi-function smart sensor that expands touch-based functionality of touchscreen and QWERTY smartphones with a reduced impact on sensor performance or durability. Thus, a fingerprint sensor may be particularly advantageous for providing more convenient access to the electronic device without a password, for example, and, more particularly, without having to type the password, which is often time consuming. A fingerprint sensor may also be particularly advantageous for starting one or more applications on the electronic device. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0175703 to Benkley, III discloses an electronic imager using an impedance sensor grid array mounted on or about a switch. More particularly, Benkley, III discloses a switch being incorporated into a sensor assembly that allows integration of sensor operations, such as, fingerprint sensor operations. A fingerprint sensor can be used for authentication while being used together with a power switch or navigation selection switch. The authentication may be used to access the device entirely or access different levels of information. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0083850 to Fadell et al. discloses an embedded authentication system in an electronic device. More particularly, Fadell et al. discloses authenticating a user via a fingerprint to provide access to resources or content that was previously not available. The electronic device may allow a user to authenticate for a particular amount of time for accessing restricted resources. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,809,168 to Abiko et al. discloses a biometric information input device. More particularly, Abiko et al. discloses a movement direction detection means for detecting a movement direction of a finger with respect to the fingerprint sensor, based on partial fingerprint images collected by the fingerprint sensor. 
     Moreover, while a fingerprint sensor used in an electronic device may be particularly advantageous for authentication, navigation, etc., these finger sensors generally require the user&#39;s finger to be placed in a very close proximity to the array of finger sensing pixels. The need for close proximity to the user&#39;s finger typically makes the mechanical packaging and the integration of a fingerprint sensor into the electronic device more difficult and more costly. 
     Some approaches to address packaging of an electronic device include a special molded package with an opening in the molding allowing the finger a close approach to the finger sensing array. Specialized packaging increases the cost of these sensors. 
     The desire for the user&#39;s finger to be close to the array of finger sensing pixels may limit the thickness of the material that can be placed over the array of finger sensing pixels, which may increasingly restrict the use of both protective and cosmetic coatings over the array area. Mechanically integrating these sensors into their host devices typically requires that the finger sensor project through a hole in the electronic device&#39;s case, so that the array of finger sensing pixels can be located about flush with the external surface of the case. 
     However, a negative aspect of these mounting arrangements may include increased difficulty and cost to seal the opening for the finger sensor in the electronic device case or housing against the ingress of moisture, dust, and other contaminants. Additionally, the opening in the case or housing with the finger sensor protruding may be cosmetically unacceptable to the intended appearance of the electronic device, and mounting the finger sensor in an opening in the case may be difficult and costly in some devices. 
     It may be desirable to extend the range of electric field based finger sensors so that they can image fingers through significantly thicker dielectric materials such as molded plastic structures. Using an increased thickness material layer over the array of finger sensing pixels may result in increased power consumption. More particularly, an increased thickness material layer generally requires a greater drive voltage to be driven into the user&#39;s finger. The greater distance from the array of finger sensing pixels and the increased drive voltage may result in increased noise of a finger image, which may be undesirable for authentication, for example. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that may generate a reduced noise finger image from a finger positioned at a relatively large distance from the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by an electronic device that may include a housing and circuitry carried by the housing and having a device ground associated therewith. The electronic device may include an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes, and an array shielding electrode outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels, for example. The electronic device may also include a finger coupling electrode outside the array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground. The electronic device may further include drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and a compensating drive signal for the array shielding electrode, for example. Accordingly, the electronic device may generate a reduced noise finger image from a finger positioned at a relatively large distance from the array of finger sensing pixels. 
     The drive circuitry may be capable of generating the compensating drive signal comprising a scaled replica of the drive signal. The electronic device may further include sense amplifier circuitry coupled to the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and having a circuit reference associated therewith different than the device ground. The drive circuitry may be capable of generating the drive signal between the device ground and the circuit reference, for example. 
     The array shielding electrode may include a plurality of shielding pixel electrodes, for example. The electronic device may further include a reference electrode between the array shielding electrode and the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. The electronic device may further include a dummy biometric finger sensing pixel electrode area between the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and the reference electrode, for example. 
     The electronic device may include a dielectric cap over the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. A semiconductor substrate may carry the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     The circuitry may include wireless communications circuitry capable of performing at least one wireless communications function, for example. An input device may carry the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. The drive circuitry may be capable of generating the drive signal as a square wave at an amplitude in a range of 10 to 20 volts and at a frequency of 1 to 5 MHz, for example. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making an electronic device that may include circuitry having a device ground associated therewith. The method may include forming an array shielding electrode outside an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and forming a finger coupling electrode outside the array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground. The method may also include forming drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for the array of biometric finger sensing pixels and a compensating drive signal for the array shielding electrode, for example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an electronic device including a biometric finger sensor in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device and biometric finger sensor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the biometric finger sensor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the biometric finger sensor of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the biometric finger sensor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a biometric finger sensor in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a graph of simulated voltage for a biometric finger sensor without an array shielding electrode. 
         FIG. 8  is a graph of simulated voltage for a biometric finger sensor in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of an electronic device including a biometric finger sensor in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device and biometric finger sensor of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the biometric finger sensor of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the finger coupling electrode coupled to the device ground in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation and numbers in increments of 100 are used to refer to like elements in different embodiments. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  20  is now described. The electronic device  20  illustratively includes a portable housing  21  and a processor  22  carried by the portable housing. The electronic device  20  is illustratively a mobile wireless communications device, for example, a cellular telephone or smartphone. The electronic device  20  may be another type of electronic device, for example, a tablet computer, laptop computer, etc. 
     A wireless transceiver  25  is also carried within the portable housing  21  and is coupled to the processor  22 . The wireless transceiver  25  cooperates with the processor  22  to perform at least one wireless communications function, for example, for voice and/or data communication. In some embodiments, the electronic device  20  may not include a wireless transceiver  25  or other wireless communications circuitry. 
     A display  23  is also carried by the portable housing  21  and is coupled to the processor  22 . The display  23  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, or may be another type of display, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     A finger-operated input device, illustratively in the form of a pushbutton switch  24 , is also carried by the portable housing  21  and is coupled to the processor  22 . The pushbutton switch  24  cooperates with the processor  22  to perform one or more device functions in response to operation of the pushbutton switch. For example, a device function may include a powering on or off of the electronic device  20 , initiating communication via the wireless communications circuitry  25 , and/or performing a menu function. 
     More particularly, with respect to a menu function, the processor  22  may change the display  23  to show a menu of available applications based upon pressing of the pushbutton switch  24 . In other words, the pushbutton switch  24  may be a home switch or button, or key. The processor  22  may also toggle between applications executed by the processor based upon pressing of the pushbutton switch  24 . Of course, other device functions may be performed based upon the pushbutton switch  24  for example, finger biometric data enrollment and/or finger biometric data matching. In some embodiments, the finger-operated input device  24  may be a different type of finger-operated input device, for example, forming part of a touch screen display. Other or additional finger-operated input devices may be carried by the portable housing  21 . 
     Referring now additionally to  FIGS. 3-5 , a biometric finger sensor  30  is carried by the pushbutton switch  24  to sense a user&#39;s finger  40 . The finger sensor  30  is carried by the pushbutton switch  24  so that when a user contacts and/or presses downward on the pushbutton switch, finger biometric data from the user&#39;s finger  40  is acquired, for example, for finger matching and/or finger enrollment to be stored and later used for matching. 
     The finger biometric data may include fingerprint minutae data, ridge and/or valley fingerprint image data, ridge flow data, finger pore data, etc. For example, the biometric finger sensor  30  may be a finger sensor as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,441 to Setlak and/or as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,927,581 to Gozzini, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     The biometric finger sensor  30  includes an array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31  to receive a user&#39;s finger  40  adjacent thereto. The array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  are carried by a semiconductor substrate  32 , for example, a silicon substrate. The array of finger sensing pixels  31  may be any array size, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, but may be particularly sized to be carried by the pushbutton switch  24 . The array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31  are illustratively in the shape of a square. In some embodiments, the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31  may have a different shape. 
     Each biometric finger sensing pixel  31  may be an electric-field sensing pixel, and more particularly, a high impedance electric field sensing pixel. In some embodiments, each finger sensing pixel may be a capacitive sensing pixel, for example, or other type of sensing pixel. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, each finger sensing pixel  31  includes a finger sensing electrode. 
     The biometric finger sensor  30  further includes a dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35  carried by the semiconductor substrate  32  and laterally outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 . The dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35  includes dummy pixels which are unused for biometric finger sensing. The dummy pixels of the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35  may be coupled a voltage reference, for example a ground, or may be electrically floating. 
     A ground electrode  36  is also carried by the semiconductor substrate  32  and laterally outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 , or more particularly, outside the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35 . In other words, the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35  is laterally between the ground electrode  36  and the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 . The dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35  and the ground electrode  36  are illustratively in the shape of a square ring following the square shape of the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 . In some embodiments, the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35  and the ground electrode  36  may not be square and/or ring-shaped, for example, each of the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area and the ground electrode may be a circular ring and/or may have one or more discontinuities therein. 
     A dielectric routing substrate  37  is over the array of biometric finger sensing pixels, the dummy pixel area  35 , and the ground electrode  36 . More particularly, the array of biometric finger sensing pixels, the dummy pixel area  35 , and the ground electrode  36  are adjacent a bottom surface of the dielectric routing substrate  37 . 
     The biometric finger sensor  30  includes an array shielding electrode  34  laterally outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31  and is carried by an upper surface of the dielectric routing substrate  37 . The array shielding electrode  34  is also illustratively in the shape of a square ring and may have a size ∈ of about 0.2 mm, for example ( FIG. 5 ). Of course, in some embodiments, the array shielding electrode  34  may not be in the shape of a square ring and/or may have one or more discontinuities therein, and may have a different size. 
     The array shielding electrode  34  is coupled by a through-via  51  in the dielectric routing substrate  37 . The array shielding electrode  34  is partially over the ground electrode  36 . 
     The biometric finger sensor  30  illustratively includes a finger drive electrode  33  laterally outside the array shielding electrode  34 . The finger drive electrode  33  is coupled by a conductive finger drive electrode pad  45  between the finger drive electrode  33  and the top surface of the dielectric routing substrate  37 . In other words, the finger drive electrode  33  is carried by and coupled to the conductive finger drive electrode pad  45  which extends to the semiconductor substrate  32  by a through-via  52 . A distance δ of about 0.1 mm may be between the finger drive electrode  33  and the array shielding electrode  34 . An adhesive layer  41  may secure the finger drive electrode  33  to the dielectric routing substrate  37 . In other words, the adhesive layer  41  is between the dielectric routing substrate  37  and the finger drive electrode  33 . 
     The finger drive electrode  33  is also illustratively in the shape of a ring. Of course, in some embodiments, the finger drive electrode  33  may not be in the shape of a ring and/or may have one or discontinuities therein. A dielectric material  49  fills any open spaces between the components and connections (i.e. the array of finger sensing pixels  31 , the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area  35 , the ground electrode  36 , and the through-vias  51 ,  52 ). 
     A dielectric cap  38  is over the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 , the dummy finger sensing pixel area  35 , the ground electrode  36 , the array shielding electrode  34 , and the finger drive electrode  33 . The dielectric cap  38  may be plastic, for example, and may be contoured for the user&#39;s finger. In other words, the dielectric cap  38  may have a curved upper surface  46  for receiving the user&#39;s finger  40  thereon during operation of the pushbutton switch  24 . For example, the dielectric cap  38  may have a radius of curvature of 70 mm. In some embodiments, the finger drive electrode  33  may also have a curved upper surface, which may be particularly advantageous because the finger drive electrode is relatively close to the user&#39;s finger  40 . 
     Of course, in some embodiments, the dielectric cap  38  may not have a curved upper surface or may have a relatively flat upper surface. Where, for example, the dielectric cap  38  has a flat upper surface, a dielectric material layer may be carried by the flat upper surface. The dielectric material may be z-axis anisotropic dielectric material, for example. Further details of a z-axis anisotropic dielectric material as it relates to a finger sensor are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,471, which has a common inventor with and is assigned to the assignee of the present application, and the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the finger drive electrode  33  may be carried by or integrally formed with the dielectric cap  38 . Thus, when the dielectric cap  38  is positioned over the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 , the dummy finger sensing pixel area  35 , the ground electrode  36 , the array shielding electrode  34 , and the conductive finger drive electrode pad  45 , the finger drive electrode  33  contacts or couples to the conductive finger drive electrode pad. 
     The finger drive electrode  33  is configured to couple a finger drive signal through the user&#39;s finger  40  to the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 . Of course, the finger drive electrode  33  may couple a finger drive signal through more than one user&#39;s finger, and more than one finger drive electrode may be used. 
     Finger drive circuitry  42  is coupled to finger drive electrode  33 . The finger drive circuitry  42  may include a radio frequency drive signal generator, for example. The finger drive circuitry  42  generates the finger drive signal  47 , which may be a 2 MHz finger drive signal. In some embodiments, the finger drive signal may be near 5 MHz, for example. 
     The finger drive circuitry  42  is also coupled to the array shielding electrode  34  and generates a compensating finger drive signal  48  for the array shielding electrode. The compensating finger drive signal  48  may have a different magnitude or offset with respect to the finger drive signal. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the compensating finger drive signal  48  is in the form of an inverted finger drive signal for the array shielding electrode  34 . In other words, the inverted finger drive signal is about 180-degrees out of phase with the finger drive signal for the finger drive electrode  33 , as will be explained in further detail below. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the finger biometric sensing device  20  operates by injecting a small electrical signal, the finger drive signal  47 , from the finger drive electrode  33  into the conductive layer of the skin of the user&#39;s finger  40 . The shape of the electric field generated by that conductive layer of skin is then measured. 
     The finger drive electrode  33  is configured to inject the small electrical signal into the users&#39; finger by operating as an insulated electrode finger drive, since the user&#39;s finger  40  does not come in direct contact with the finger drive electrode  33 . In other words, the finger drive electrode  33  is separated from the surface of the user&#39;s finger  40  by a thickness of the dielectric cap  38 . Electrical signals on an insulated finger drive electrode  33  couple capacitively to nearby skin surfaces. Signal attenuation due to coupling depends on the combination of several parameters including the area of the region of skin close to the electrode, the thickness of the dielectric cap  38  (i.e., the thickness of dielectric material between the finger drive electrode  33  and the user&#39;s finger  40 ), the electrical properties of the dielectric cap, and the electrical properties of the finger skin itself. 
     It may be important to note that the dielectric cap  38  being over the finger drive electrode  33 , i.e., an insulated finger drive system, tends to reduce the variation in drive signal attenuation between the dry, thick skinned fingers and the moist, thin skinned fingers, for example, because of the increased distance between the user&#39;s finger  40  and the finger drive electrode. To address the difference in average attenuation, the voltage of the finger drive signal applied to the finger drive electrode  33  from the finger drive circuitry  42  may be increased. A typical voltage of the finger drive voltage may be upwards of 18 volts, for example. However, the biometric finger sensor  30  may demand significantly less dynamic range to be able to handle finger skin variation. 
     Moreover, because of the relatively small size of the biometric finger sensor  30 , for example, so that it may be carried by the pushbutton switch  24  of the electronic device  20 , voltage, for example, the finger drive signal, may leak from the finger drive electrode  33 . This may cause distortion in the sensing field, and thus the biometric data sensed by the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 . The finger drive circuitry  42  advantageously generates the inverted finger drive signal for the array shielding electrode  34  to reduce or cancel the leakage from the finger drive electrode  33 . In other words, the array shielding electrode  34  reduces the field distortion or noise generated from the relatively close proximity of the finger drive electrode  33  to the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 . Additionally, the ground electrode  36  reduces or blocks leakage from the array shielding electrode  34 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above-described arrangement may be particularly advantageous for a relatively small-sized finger biometric sensor, for example, for use in a mobile electronic device. For example, an exemplary size α of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  may be about 4.8 mm ( FIG. 3 ). The length β of the biometric finger sensor  30  up to the finger drive electrode  33  may be 5.8 mm ( FIG. 3 ). In other words, there may be a 1 mm between the array of finger biometric finger sensing pixels  31  and the finger drive electrode  33 . The overall size or diameter γ of the biometric finger sensor  30  may be about 10.9 mm ( FIG. 3 ). In other words the size of the finger drive electrode at its thickest part may be about 5.1 mm. 
     In some embodiments, the finger drive circuitry  42  may perform voltage balancing based upon a given one of the user&#39;s fingers. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, different fingers have different leakage profiles. The finger drive circuitry  42  may adjust the voltage of the finger drive signal and the inverted finger drive signal based upon the finger type. Of course, the finger drive circuitry  42  may perform other and/or additional balancing or compensation functions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment, the array shielding electrode may be in the form of shielding pixels  34 ′. More particularly, the dummy biometric finger sensing pixel area and the ground electrode described above with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 , are replaced with shielding pixels  34 ′ carried by the semiconductor substrate  32 ′ and laterally outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31 ′. The shielding pixels  34 ′ are structurally similar to the biometric sensing pixels  31 ′, but are configured so that they do no perform the function of sensing finger biometrics. 
     The finger drive circuitry  42 ′, in addition to being coupled to the finger drive electrode  33 ′, is coupled to the shielding pixels  34 ′ and generates a compensating finger drive signal for the array shielding electrode. Similar to the embodiments described above, the compensating finger drive signal may have a different magnitude or offset with respect to the finger drive signal, and may be the form of an inverted finger drive signal for the shielding pixels  34 ′. 
     Referring now to the graph  70  in  FIG. 7 , a pixel profile  71  is illustrated. Each horizontal flat spot in the profile is a pixel plate, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The peaks correspond to ridges in the user&#39;s finger  40 . The pixel profile illustrated is for a dry finger with no elevated field shaping electrode or array shielding electrode  34 . It should be noted that the voltage corresponding to between 0 and about 0.4 mm is the effect of leakage from the drive signal. In other words, the voltage between 0 and 0.4 mm is undesirable. The remaining pixel profile in terms of voltage, from 0.4 mm to 2.5 mm rises because of the curvature of the substrate, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to the graph  80  in  FIG. 8 , another pixel profile  81  is illustrated. The pixel profile is for a dry finger with an array shielding electrode  34  such that V shield =0.02*V drive . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, voltage leakage from the finger drive electrode is reduced. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making a biometric finger sensor  30 . The method includes forming an array shielding electrode  34  outside an array of biometric finger sensing pixels  31  and forming a finger drive electrode  33  outside the array shielding electrode. The method further includes coupling finger drive circuitry  42  to generate a finger drive signal for the finger drive electrode  33  and generate an inverted finger drive signal for the array shielding electrode  34 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-12 , in another embodiment, the electronic device  120  includes circuitry  175  carried by the housing  121 , for example, which may include the processor  122 , the display  123 , and the wireless communications circuitry  125  capable of performing at least one wireless communications function. Of course the circuitry  175  may include other or additional circuitry. The circuitry  175  has a device ground  174  associated therewith. 
     The electronic device  120  also includes a finger biometric sensor  130  that includes an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131 , for example as described above. An input device, for example in the form of a pushbutton switch  124 , may carry the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131 . 
     An array shielding electrode  134  is outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels. The array shielding electrode in other embodiments may be provided by shielding pixel electrodes, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, for example, as described above with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
     A finger coupling electrode  133  is outside the array shielding electrode  134  and coupled to the device ground  173 . Sense amplifier circuitry  173  is coupled to the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131  and has a circuit reference  172  associated therewith different than the device ground  174 . Similar to the embodiments described above, the finger coupling electrode  133  may be carried by and coupled to a conductive finger coupling electrode pad  145  which extends to the semiconductor substrate  132  by the through via  152 . Of course, other coupling arrangements may be used, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, including a two integrated circuit (IC) approach. 
     Drive circuitry  142  is capable of generating a drive signal  147  for the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131 . The drive signal  147  may be generated as a square wave at an amplitude in a range of 10 to 20 volts and at a frequency of 1 to 5 MHz, for example. In other words, in contrast to the embodiments described above, the drive circuitry  142  drives the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131  and the sense amplifier circuitry  173  as opposed to the finger coupling electrode  133 . 
     This arrangement of the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  142  being driven is illustrated more particularly in  FIG. 12 . The finger coupling electrode  133  is coupled to the device ground  174  so that the drive circuitry  142  drives the circuit reference  172  with respect to the finger coupling electrode and the device ground. A finger coupling electrode impedance Ze is defined between the user&#39;s finger  140  and the finger coupling electrode  133 , which in turn, is coupled to the device ground  174 . A finger impedance Zf exists between the user&#39;s finger  140  and the biometric finger sensing pixel electrode  131 . A reference impedance Zg exists between the biometric finger sensing pixel electrode  131  and the substrate  132   a  of a first IC. A reference impedance Zr exists between the circuit ground  172  of a second IC and the non-inverting input of the amplifier included within the sense circuitry  173  also on the second IC. A voltage regulator  177  may also be coupled to between the voltage supply Vcc and the circuit ground  172  or device ground  174 . 
     In contrast to driving the finger coupling electrode  133 , the relatively high voltage drive signal may not be seen by the sense amplifier circuitry  173  between its inputs and its ground. Small difference voltages may be visible to the sense amplifier circuitry  173 . However, an output signal from the sense amplifier circuitry  173  may not be ground referenced, but may be riding on top of the internal excitation signal or drive signal  147  as described in further detail below. Active level shifting circuitry may be applied in the subsequent signal path to remove the drive signal and generate a ground referenced output. 
     When the circuit reference  172  associated with the sense amplifier circuitry  173  is driven high, for example, the sense amplifier circuitry recognizes that the device grounded finger coupling electrode  133  went negative, hence it may be desirable that the array shielding electrode  134  be positive with respect to the circuit reference for it to appear inverted to the sense amplifier circuitry. Thus, the drive circuitry  142  is also capable of generating a compensating drive signal  148  for the array shielding electrode  134  and between the device ground  174  and the circuit reference  172 . The compensating drive signal  148  includes a scaled replica of the drive signal  147 . More particularly, the compensating drive signal  148  includes a scaled replica of the signal  147  driving the array of biometric finger sensing pixels  131  with respect to the circuit reference associated with the sense amplifier circuitry  173 . And with respect to device ground  174 , the compensating drive signal  148  “rides on top of the” drive signal  147 . Hence the compensating signal  148  appears in phase with and larger than the drive signal  147 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the compensating drive signal  148  may reduce noise since coupling the finger coupling electrode  133  to the device ground  174  may cause increased noise or leakage from the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131  with respect to the finger coupling electrode. 
     Similar to the embodiments described above with respect to  FIG. 1-5 , a reference electrode  136  is between the array shielding electrode  134  and the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131 . A dummy biometric finger sensing pixel electrode area  135  may be between the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131  and the reference electrode  136 . An adhesive layer  141  is between the dielectric layer routing substrate  137  and the finger coupling electrode  133 , and a dielectric material  149  fills opens spaces between components and connections, e.g. the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrode  135 , the ground electrode  136 , and the through-vias  151 ,  152 , also as described above. A dielectric cap is over the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131  ( FIG. 5 ), and a semiconductor substrate  132  may carry the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making an electronic device  120 . The electronic device  120  includes circuitry  175  having a device ground  174  associated therewith. The method includes forming an array shielding electrode  134  outside an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131 . The method also includes forming a finger coupling electrode  133  outside the array shielding electrode  134  and coupled to the device ground  174 . The method also includes forming drive circuitry  142  capable of generating a drive signal  147  for the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes  131  and a compensating drive signal  148  for the array shielding electrode  134 . 
     It should be noted that the biometric finger sensor described herein may be included within any electronic device, or may be used as a standalone biometric finger sensor to be coupled to or used in conjunction with other devices or circuitry. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130503
Publication Date: 20170228
Grant Date: 20170228
Priority Date: 20120504
Inventors: SETLAK DALE R.
GOZZINI GIOVANNI
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G01R27/2605", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/00053", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/0002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/1306", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/1329", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R27/2605", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R3/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/1329", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/1306", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49621116