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US 7,257,242 B2Granted
Apparatus for controlling temperature of fingerprint sensor for vehicle and method thereof
AssigneeHyundai Motor Company
InventorSang Min Kim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When a fingerprint sensor temperature is outside a preferred predetermined temperature range, heat is transferred between a fingerprint sensor and semiconductor assembly. Accordingly the fingerprint sensor temperature can stay within the predetermined temperature range regardless of the driving conditions.
Claims14
An apparatus for controlling a fingerprint sensor temperature, comprising:
- a power source;
- a temperature sensor for detecting the fingerprint sensor temperature;
- a semiconductor assembly interposed between the fingerprint sensor and the power source for cooling or heating the fingerprint sensor according to a direction of a current from the power source;
- and
- a controller controlling the power source based on the fingerprint sensor temperature,
- wherein the semiconductor assembly comprises an n-type semiconductor, a p-type semiconductor, an electrode for conjunction between the n-type semiconductor and the p-type semiconductor, two counter electrodes respectively connected to the power source in series, and an intermediate element for heat transfer between the electrode and the fingerprint sensor.
3 more elements
A method for controlling a fingerprint sensor temperature, utilizing a thermoelectric semiconductor assembly connected to a power source, comprising:
- detecting the fingerprint sensor temperature, determining whether the detected fingerprint sensor temperature is within a predetermined temperature range;
- cutting off the power source to the semiconductor assembly if the detected fingerprint sensor temperature is within the predetermined temperature range;
- applying a reverse bias current to the semiconductor assembly from the power source if the detected fingerprint sensor temperature is higher than the highest temperature of the predetermined temperature range;
- and
- applying a forward bias current to the semiconductor assembly from the power source if the detected fingerprint sensor temperature is lower than the lowest temperature of the predetermined temperature range.
2 more elements
An apparatus for controlling temperature of a fingerprint sensor, comprising:
- a power source;
- a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature at the fingerprint sensor;
- a semiconductor assembly configured and dimensioned to be disposed between the fingerprint sensor and said power source;
- a controller communicating with said power source and receiving signals from said temperature sensor, said controller being programmed to turn off the power source when the sensed temperature is within a predetermined range, supply a reverse bias current from the power source to the semiconductor assembly when the sensed temperature is higher than the predetermined range;
- and supply a forward bias current from the power source to the semiconductor assembly when the sensed temperature is lower than the predetermined range.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.