PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9390306-B2
Application Number: US-201314020398-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Finger biometric sensor including circuitry for acquiring finger biometric data based upon finger stability and related methods

Abstract:
A finger biometric sensor may include an array of finger biometric sensing pixels and processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may be capable of acquiring finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array, and determining whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon the finger stability biometric data. The processing circuitry may also be capable of acquiring finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable.

Claims:
That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A finger biometric sensor comprising:
 an array of finger biometric sensing pixels; 
 a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) having a previous setting value and a current setting value associated therewith; and 
 processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels and the DAC, and configured to
 acquire finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a static placement of a user&#39;s finger adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels, the finger stability biometric data comprising the previous and current setting values of the DAC, 
 determine whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a difference between the previous and current setting values of the DAC, and 
 acquire finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels prior to acquiring the finger stability biometric data. 
     
     
       3. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       4. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises a plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       5. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. 
     
     
       6. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is stable based upon whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger. 
     
     
       7. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 6 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is stable further based upon whether the threshold number of sub-arrays indicates stability over successive data acquisitions. 
     
     
       8. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises an array of electric field finger sensing pixels. 
     
     
       9. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger coupling electrode adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels; and wherein the processing circuitry further comprises drive circuitry coupled to the finger coupling electrode. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 wireless communications circuitry carried by the housing; 
 a finger biometric sensor carried by the housing and comprising
 an array of finger biometric sensing pixels; 
 a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) having a previous setting value and a current setting value associated therewith; and 
 processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels and the DAC, and configured to
 acquire finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a static placement of a user&#39;s finger adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels, the finger stability biometric data comprising the previous and current setting values of the DAC, 
 determine whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a difference between the previous and current setting values of the DAC, and 
 acquire finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. 
 
 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , further comprising an input device carried by the housing; and wherein the finger biometric sensor is carried by the input device. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the input device comprises a pushbutton switch. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels prior to acquiring the finger stability biometric data. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises a plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is stable based upon whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is stable further based upon whether the threshold number of sub-arrays indicates stability over successive data acquisitions. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 10 , further comprising a finger coupling electrode adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels; and wherein the processing circuitry further comprises drive circuitry coupled to the finger coupling electrode. 
     
     
       19. A method of acquiring finger biometric data comprising:
 acquiring finger stability biometric data from a subset of an array of finger biometric pixels, the finger stability biometric data comprising previous and current setting values of a DAC; 
 determining whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a difference between the previous and current setting values of the DAC based upon a static placement of a user&#39;s finger adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels; and 
 acquiring the finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels prior to acquiring the finger stability biometric data. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises a plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein determining whether the finger is stable comprises determining whether the finger is stable based upon whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein determining whether the finger is stable comprises determining whether the finger is stable further based upon whether the threshold number of sub-arrays indicates stability over successive data acquisitions. 
     
     
       25. A finger biometric sensor comprising:
 an array of finger biometric sensing pixels, each finger biometric sensing pixel having a pixel value associated therewith; and 
 processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels and configured to
 acquire finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a static placement of a user&#39;s finger adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels, the finger stability biometric data comprising the pixel values for each finger biometric sensing pixel, 
 determine whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon differences in the pixel values, and 
 acquire finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. 
 
 
     
     
       26. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 25 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels prior to acquiring the finger stability biometric data. 
     
     
       27. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 26 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       28. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 25 , wherein the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises a plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       29. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. 
     
     
       30. The finger biometric sensor of  claim 28 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to determine whether the finger is stable based upon whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger. 
     
     
       31. A method of acquiring finger biometric data comprising:
 acquiring finger stability biometric data from a subset of an array of finger biometric pixels, the finger stability biometric data comprising pixel values for each finger biometric sensing pixel; 
 determining whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon differences in pixel values based upon a static placement of a user&#39;s finger adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels; and 
 acquiring the finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. 
 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31 , further comprising determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels prior to acquiring the finger stability biometric data. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 , wherein determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels comprises a plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34 , wherein determining whether the finger is stable comprises determining whether the finger is stable based upon whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and, more particularly, to electronic devices including finger biometric sensors and related methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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. 5,963,679 to Setlak and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 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. Such sensors are used to control access for many different types of electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s), and the like. In particular, fingerprint sensors are used because they may have a small footprint, are relatively easy for a user to use and they provide reasonable authentication capabilities. 
     One type of finger biometric sensor is a touch-based finger biometric sensor. A touch-based finger biometric sensor may fail or take a relatively long time to acquire data if the finger is not stationary or stable during finger biometric data acquisition. 
     SUMMARY 
     A finger biometric sensor may include an array of finger biometric sensing pixels and processing circuitry coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may be capable of acquiring finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels, and determining whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon the finger stability biometric data. The processing circuitry may also be capable of acquiring finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. Accordingly, the finger biometric sensor acquires finger biometric data when the finger is stable or not moving with respect to array of finger biometric sensing pixels. Thus, for example, acquisition times may be decreased and more accurate finger biometric data may be acquired since the acquisition may be performed a reduced number of times, and when the finger is not in motion. 
     The processing circuitry may be capable of determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels prior to acquiring the finger stability biometric data. The processing circuitry may be capable of determining whether the finger is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels, for example. In other words, frequency based finger detection may be initially used to wake up the circuitry. 
     The subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels may include a plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays of finger biometric sensing pixels. The plurality of spaced apart sub-arrays may be arranged in a checkerboard pattern, for example. 
     The processing circuitry may be capable of determining whether the finger is stable based upon whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger. The processing circuitry may be capable of determining whether the finger is stable further based upon whether the threshold number of sub-arrays indicates stability over successive data acquisitions, for example. 
     The array of finger biometric sensing pixels may include an array of electric field finger sensing pixels. The finger biometric sensor may further include a finger coupling electrode adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may further include drive circuitry coupled to the finger coupling electrode. 
     An electronic device aspect may include a housing and wireless communications circuitry carried by the housing. The finger biometric sensor may also be carried by the housing. The electronic device may include an input device carried by the housing. The finger biometric sensor may be carried by the input device. The input device may include a pushbutton switch, for example. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of acquiring finger biometric data. The method may include acquiring finger stability biometric data from a subset of an array of finger biometric pixels and determining whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels based upon the finger stability biometric data. The method may also include acquiring the finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels when the finger is stable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of acquisition of finger biometric data from the finger sensor of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a portion of finger biometric sensor according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a more detailed schematic diagram of the portion of the finger biometric sensor of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of acquisition of finger biometric data from the finger sensors of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed flowchart of the process of determining whether a finger is adjacent the array illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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 is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-2 , an electronic device  20  is now described. The electronic device  20  illustratively includes a portable housing  21  and a device processor  22  carried by the portable housing. The electronic device  20  is illustratively a mobile wireless communications device, for example, a cellular telephone. The electronic device  20  may be another type of electronic device, for example, a tablet computer, laptop computer, etc. 
     Wireless communications circuitry  25  (e.g. a wireless transceiver, cellular, WLAN Bluetooth, etc.) is also carried within the housing  21  and coupled to the device processor  22 . The wireless transceiver  25  cooperates with the device processor  22  to perform at least one wireless communications function, for example, for voice and/or data. In some embodiments, the electronic device  20  may not include a wireless transceiver  25 . 
     A display  23  is also carried by the portable housing  21  and is coupled to the device 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 device memory  26  is also coupled to the processor  22 . 
     A finger-operated user input device, illustratively in the form of a pushbutton switch  24 , is also carried by the portable housing  21  and is coupled to the device processor  22 . The pushbutton switch  24  cooperates with the device processor  22  to perform a device function in response to 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 device 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. Of course, other device functions may be performed based upon the pushbutton switch  24 . In some embodiments, the finger-operated user input device  24  may be a different type of finger-operated user input device, for example, forming part of a touch screen display. Other or additional finger-operated user input devices may be carried by the portable housing  21 . 
     The electronic device  20  includes a finger biometric sensor  50 , which may be in the form of one or more integrated circuits (ICs). The finger biometric sensor  50  includes an array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  that may be part of an IC carried by the pushbutton switch  24  to sense a user&#39;s finger  40  or an object placed adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels. Each pixel of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  may be an electric field sensing pixel of the type as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,526 to Setlak et al., for example, assigned to the present assignee, and the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     The finger biometric sensor  50  includes processing circuitry  51  which may be in the form of one or more processors and a memory coupled thereto. Other circuitry may be included in the processing circuitry  51 , as will be described in further detail below. 
     Referring now to the flowchart  100  in  FIG. 3 , beginning at Block  102 , acquisition of finger biometric data from the finger biometric sensor  50  is now described. The processing circuitry  51 , at Block  104  acquires finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 . 
     The processing circuitry  51  determines whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  based upon the finger stability biometric data (Block  106 ). If the finger is stable, the processing circuitry  51  acquires finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  at Block  108  before ending at Block  110 . If the finger is not stable, the processing circuitry will again acquire finger stability biometric data (Block  104 ) and make a determination of whether the finger is stable (Block  106 ). 
     In some embodiments, the processing circuitry  51 , for example, may also cooperate with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31  to determine a finger match based upon the image data. More particularly, the processing circuitry  51  may determine a finger match based upon enrollment image data stored in memory and the sufficient amount of generated image data. Enrollment data may typically be collected over a series of regions of a finger that are then assembled or composited into a larger region. The match or generated image data may be smaller, but still having a number of matching features to provide a desired rate of matching. 
     In some embodiments, the processing circuitry  51  may also determine a live finger based upon spoof data. More particularly, the processor  51  may determine a live finger based upon a complex impedance and/or bulk impedance measurement. 
     In some embodiments, the processing circuitry  51  may cooperate with the array finger biometric sensing pixels  31  to perform a navigation function, for example. Of course the processing circuitry  51  may cooperate with the array finger biometric sensing pixels  31  and/or other circuitry to perform other or additional functions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     It should be understood that in some embodiments, the processing circuitry  51  may be part of or included in the device processor  22 . In other words, the functionality described herein with respect to the processing circuitry  51  may be performed by the device processor  22 , another processor, or shared between or among processors. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , further details of a finger biometric sensor  50 ′ are described. The finger biometric sensor  50 ′ also includes switching circuitry  32 ′ coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ and gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′. The switching circuitry  32 ′ is capable of acquiring finger biometric data from each of a plurality of sub-arrays  33   a ′- 33   e ′ of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. More particularly, the switching circuitry  32 ′ is capable of sequentially generating output data for adjacent regions of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ or sub-arrays  33   a ′- 33   e ′, or more particularly, for each finger biometric sensing pixel  35 ′. In an 88×88 array of finger biometric sensing pixels, there are 7744 finger biometric sensing pixels and 7744 corresponding switches. Of course, additional switches may be used, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     The finger biometric sensing device  50 ′, and more particularly, the processing circuitry  51 ′ includes drive circuitry  44 ′ capable of generating a drive signal coupled to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. The array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ cooperates with the drive circuitry  44 ′ to generate a detected signal based upon placement of a finger  40 ′ adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. The gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′ are coupled together in series and define summing nodes  61   a ′- 61   b ′ between a pair of adjacent ones of the gain stages. 
     The first gain stage  60   a ′ may be in the form of one or more variable gain amplifiers  63   a ′ defining front end amplifiers, each respectively coupled to a finger biometric sensing pixel from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. The first gain stage  60   a ′ is input with the detected signal at a raw signal level. An output of the first gain stage  60   a ′ is coupled to the first summing node  61   a ′. For an 8-channel implementation (e.g., for an 88×88 array of finger biometric sensing pixels divided into eleven 8×8 regions), there are 8 instances of the illustrated first gain stage  60   a′.    
     The second gain stage  60   b ′ may also be in the form of one or more variable gain amplifiers  63   b ′ defining AC amplifiers. Each amplifier  63   b ′ of the second gain stage  60   b ′ has an input coupled to the first summing node  61   a ′. A capacitor  64 ′ or other impedance device may be coupled between the first summing node  61   a ′ and the first gain stage  60   a ′. The second gain stage  60   b ′ also processes the input signal at a raw signal level. For an 8-channel implementation (e.g., for an 88×88 array of finger biometric sensing pixels divided into eleven 8×88 regions), there are 8 instances of the illustrated second gain stage  60   b′.    
     The third gain stage  60   c ′ may be in the form of one or more pairs of variable gain amplifiers  63   c ′,  63   d ′ defining a correlated double sampler (CDS). More particularly, the third gain stage  60   c ′ may include odd and even variable gain amplifiers  63   c ′,  63   d ′ for each channel. For an 8-channel implementation, there are 8 instances of the illustrated third gain stage  60   c ′. The output of each of the odd and even variable gain amplifiers  63   c ′,  63   d ′ of the third gain stage  60   c ′ are input to a multiplexer  66 ′. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the multiplexer  66 ′ may be a 16:1 multiplexer for an 8 channel implementation. The output of the multiplexer  66  is summed, at the second summing node  61   b ′, with an output from a second digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  72 ′, which will be described in further detail below. The third gain stage  60   c ′ also processes the input signal at a raw signal level. 
     The fourth gain stage  60   d ′ may also be in the form of one or more variable gain amplifiers  63   e ′. The variable gain amplifier  63   e ′ may have an input coupled to the second summing node  61   b ′ and an output coupled to the third summing node  61   c ′. The fourth gain stage  60   d ′ processes the input signal at a feature signal level. Of course, while four gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′ are illustrated and described, there may be additional gain stages. 
     The finger biometric sensor  50 ′ includes a finger coupling electrode  47 ′ adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. The drive circuitry  44 ′ may be in form of a drive signal generator, or voltage generator, coupled to the finger coupling electrode  47 ′. 
     The array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ and the gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′ have a circuit reference associated therewith. The circuit reference is to be coupled to a device ground so that the drive circuitry  44 ′ drives the finger coupling electrode  47 ′ with respect to the circuit reference and the device ground. 
     The finger biometric sensor  50 ′ also includes drive signal nulling circuitry  45 ′ coupled to the gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, relatively high voltage drive signals may result in relatively large common mode voltages appearing on the detected signal generated from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. Since the drive signal generally carries no useful information, it may be particularly desirable to reduce or eliminate it as early as possible in the signal chain. Specifically, small spatial variations in electric field intensity in the presence of a relatively large average field intensity may be measured. 
     The drive signal nulling circuitry  45 ′ is capable of reducing the relatively large drive signal component from the detected signal. The drive signal nulling circuitry  45 ′ includes digital-to-analog converter (DAC)  46 ′ capable of generating an inverted scaled replica of the drive signal for the gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′. More particularly, the DAC  46 ′ is coupled to the first summing node  61   a ′. A memory may be coupled to the DAC  46 ′. 
     An output analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  56 ′ may be coupled downstream from the gain stages  60   a ′- 60   d ′. More particularly, the output ADC  56 ′ may be coupled to the fourth gain stage  60   d ′ and may have a dynamic range. In some embodiments, a memory may be coupled to the ADC  56 ′. Control circuitry is capable of adjusting the fourth gain stage  60   d ′, and in some embodiments, other and/or additional gain stages so that an output thereof is within the dynamic range of output ADC  57 ′. 
     Referring now additionally to the flowchart  130 ′ in  FIG. 6 , beginning at Block  132 ′, further details of the finger biometric sensor  50 ′ and acquisition of finger biometric data from the finger biometric sensor are now described. At Block  134 ′, the processing circuitry  51 ′ determines whether the finger  40 ′ is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. This determination is made prior to acquiring finger stability biometric data, as will be described in further detail below. 
     The processing circuitry  51 ′ includes finger detection circuitry  78 ′ that determines whether the finger  40 ′ is adjacent the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ based upon a change in an oscillation frequency associated with the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. In particular, a finger is determined to be adjacent when the finger contacts the coupling electrode  47 ′ and the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. Contact (or close proximity) with the coupling electrode  47 ′ is determined based upon frequency-based finger detection (FBFD). A frequency-based finger detection is a relatively low-power detection technique that is performed with the analog circuits powered off and the main clock of the finger biometric sensor  50 ′ shut off. Finger contact with the coupling electrode  47 ′ and the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ is verified by the acquiring data from the pixels of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels. 
     Referring now briefly to the flowchart  180 ′ in  FIG. 7  further details of the finger detection technique noted above with respect to Block  134 ′ are described. Beginning at Block  182 ′, at Block  184 ′, the processing circuitry  51 ′, and more particularly, the finger detection circuitry  78 ′ waits for the frequency-based finger detection to detect a finger. At Block  186 ′, the pixel image data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ is captured for the finger. If the pixel image data is representative of a finger (Block  188 ′), a finger has been detected, and the process ends at Block  198 ′. If the pixel image data is not representative of a finger, the finger-based frequency detection is recalibrated (Block  190 ′) and a delay is inserted (Block  192 ′) before returning to Block  184 ′. Of course, in some embodiments other finger detection techniques may be used. 
     Returning to the flowchart  130 ′ in  FIG. 6 , after the finger is detected, checks for stability and motion, for example, are performed by the processing circuitry  51 ′ to ensure that the finger is stable before beginning an image capture or acquisition of finger biometric data. The processing circuitry  51 ′, at Block  136 ′, acquires finger stability biometric data from a subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  30 ′ includes spaced apart sub-arrays  33   a ′- 33   e ′ from five regions of finger biometric sensing pixels and arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Each sub-array  33   a ′- 33   e ′ may include an 8×8 arrangement of pixels. In some embodiments, the subset may include sub-arrays configured or arranged in other patterns and from other regions. Moreover, while five sub-arrays from five regions of finger biometric finger sensing pixels are illustrated, the subset may include any number of sub-arrays and regions. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the processing circuitry  51 ′ acquires finger stability data from each of the sub-arrays to determine whether there is a finger in the region. A region may be considered to include sub-arrays from a given column of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′. Of course, in other embodiments, a region may be defined by, for example, a row of sub-arrays. 
     The processing circuitry  51 ′ determines, at Block  138 ′, whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger. More particularly, the processing circuitry  51 ′ determines whether sub-arrays from at least three regions (of the five) have acquired finger stability data indicative of a finger. A setting of the DAC  46 ′ may be indicative of whether a finger is in a given region. If less than three regions have acquired finger stability data indicative of a finger, then the processing circuitry  51 ′ again acquires finger stability biometric data from the subset of the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ (Block  136 ′). The threshold number of sub-arrays may be any number, and, for example, may be based upon the total number of sub-arrays. 
     Once the processing circuitry  51 ′ has determined that a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing a finger, the processing circuitry determines whether a finger is stable relative to the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ based upon the finger stability biometric data (Block  140 ′). More particularly, the processing circuitry  51 ′ determines whether the finger is stable based upon whether the threshold number of sub-arrays indicates stability over successive data acquisitions. A determination of stability may be made when a difference between a last setting and current setting of the DAC  46 ′ are either less than a first threshold or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold. A determination of stability may also be made based upon a difference between the difference between the last setting and the current setting of the DAC  46 ′, and the last setting being less than a threshold, for example, 0 (i.e, (current−last)−(last−previousTolast)&lt;threshold, or (N−(N−1))−((N−1)−(N−2), etc., where N is a current setting, N−1 is the last setting, N−2 is the setting previous to the last setting, and so on). 
     The processing circuitry  51 ′ may detect motion by generating a sum of the absolute value of pixel differences, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The pixel values used may be 8-bit pixel values after a digital zoom. Other pixel values types may be used. The sum of the pixel difference is compared to yet another threshold, for example, a 16-bit programmable threshold. The sum of the pixel differences is to be less than or equal to the programmable threshold for the finger to be considered not moving, stationary, or stable, 
     If the finger is determined to be stable (Block  140 ′), the processing circuitry  51 ′ acquires finger biometric data from the array of finger biometric sensing pixels  31 ′ (Block  142 ′ before ending at Block  144 ′. If the finger is not stable, the processing circuitry  51 ′ will again acquire finger stability biometric data from a subset (Block  136 ′), determine whether a threshold number of sub-arrays is sensing the finger (Block  138 ′) and make a determination of whether the finger is stable (Block  140 ′). 
     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: 20130906
Publication Date: 20160712
Grant Date: 20160712
Priority Date: 20130906
Inventors: MINTEER GREGORY T.
KRAEMER ERIC P.
GU ZHIQIANG
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06V40/13", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V10/147", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/00919", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/00013", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/209", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/13", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/63", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/63", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V10/147", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 52625044