MUT fingerprint ID system
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsYipeng Lu, David Horsley, Hao-Yen Tang, Bernhard Boser
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Abstract
MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capability of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.
Claims14
A MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID system configured to detect both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions, the system comprising:
- a micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) transmitter-receiver array comprising two or more MUT elements that apply an acoustic signal to a finger;
- and
- a data processor that receives and processes a signal from the array to produce an image of a fingerprint,
- wherein the system is configured to drive MUT elements in the MUT transmitter-receiver array in groups and scan the acoustic signal by switching excitation of the MUT elements from group to group in sequence,
- wherein a focus diameter of the acoustic signal is determined by a pitch between the MUT elements in the group and a frequency of the MUTs in the group, and
- wherein one or more of the MUT elements are periodically activated to detect whether the finger is present.
A MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID system configured to detect both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions, the system comprising:
- a micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) transmitter-receiver array comprising two or more MUT elements that apply an acoustic signal to a finger;
- and
- a data processor that receives and processes a signal from the array to produce an image of a fingerprint,
- wherein the system is configured to drive MUT elements in the MUT transmitter-receiver array in groups and scan the acoustic signal by switching excitation of the MUT elements from group to group in sequence,
- wherein a focus diameter of the acoustic signal is determined by a pitch between the MUT elements in the group and a frequency of the MUT elements in the group,
- wherein the data processor processes the signal from the array based on a time of flight of an echo from the applied acoustic signal, and
- wherein the data processor uses time gating to identify echoes from the array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.