Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with the protection of integrated circuit fingerprint sensors from the environment during regular use, as an example.
Heretofore, in this field, the detection of fingerprint patterns has been useful for the identification of specific individuals based on the observation that each individual person has a unique fingerprint. Fingerprints, therefore, can be used not only to positively identify individuals, but to exclude individuals whose fingerprint profile does not match a pre-existing set of patterns.
Fingerprint sensing has evolved from optical and mechanical sensing technology that acquires a fingerprint image. Generally, the mechanical and optical sensors obtained a fingerprint image using a scanner or a camera, processed the acquired information into an analog or digital signal that could be analyzed, and provided an output based on the acquired signal. Unfortunately, the lighting and contrast conditions available at the time the image was acquired affected the analysis and consequently the output from the sensor.
Another class of fingerprint sensors are capacitive sensors, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,056 issued to Tsikos. The Tsikos patent demonstrates the use of a sensor that incorporates a sensing member that has a sensing surface for receiving a fingerprint. The sensing surface has a means for sensing the ridges and valleys of the skin of the finger under observation. A sensing member containing a multitude of capacitors that sense the patterns of the fingerprint when the finger is pressed against the sensing surface. The information obtained is transformed into an electric signal. The capacitors are insulated from the environment of use by a flexible membrane that conforms itself to the contour of the fingerprint. Unfortunately, the repeated cycles of flexing and compression of the flexible membrane can lead to device failure and the need to replace the membrane.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,056 issued to Ruell, et al., discloses a fingerprint sensor that provides an electric output signal in response to the topographic relief of the fingerprint. The sensor incorporates a contact body that is formed at least in part by a light transparent elastic material. The elastic contact material can be attached to a flat sensor plate that has a light receiving surface. The sensor also incorporates a light source and a photodetector to measure the valleys and ridges of the fingerprint. As with the sensor described hereinabove, the elastic nature of the contact body leads to cycles of compression and flexing that lead to the deterioration of the contact point between the sensor and the finger.