Fingerprint sensor

Apparatus for measuring structures in a fingerprint comprising at least one sensor array adapted to be positioned close to, or in contact with, the surface of the fingerprint, the sensor array being adapted to measure chosen characteristics of the surface, by measuring capacitance or resistivity, at a plurality of positions, the at least one sensor array being an essentially one dimensional sensor array comprising at least one line of sensors,

• wherein the sensors are adapted to measure said characteristics at chosen intervals of time, the surface of the fingerprint having a relative movement in relation to the sensor array with a direction essentially perpendicular to the at least one line of sensors,
• the apparatus comprises means for combining the measurements at the different time intervals to obtain a segmented, two-dimensional representation of the characteristics of the surface of the fingerprint, and
• at least one of the outer ends of at least one sensor array protrudes towards the surface of the fingerprint to be measured, providing an essentially U-shaped cross section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of said movement.