Fingerprint sensing and body area network communication system

Combined fingerprint sensing and body area network communication system for communication with an electronic unit using the body of a user as communication medium, comprising:

• a sensing arrangement comprising:
• an array of sensing structures, each being covered by a dielectric structure;
• and
• read out circuitry connected to each of said sensing structures for providing sensing signals indicative of a capacitive coupling between each sensing structure and the user's finger in response to a change in potential difference between a sensing structure potential of said sensing structure and a finger potential of said finger;
• a connection electrode arranged adjacent to said sensing structures for making electrical contact with said finger when said finger is placed for sensing the fingerprint pattern of the finger;
• and
• a body area network communication circuitry,
• wherein the system is controllable between:
• a fingerprint sensing state, in which a first signal for controlling the finger potential is provided to the finger via the connection electrode, and the readout circuitry is controlled to provide said sensing signals indicative of the capacitive coupling between each sensing structure and the user's finger;
• and
• a body area network communication state in which a second signal is provided to the connection electrode by one of the electronic unit and the body area network communication circuitry, the signal is to be sent from said one of the electronic device and the body area network communication circuitry via the user's body to the other one of the electronic unit and the body area network communication circuitry.