Hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device
View Patent ↗An improved fingerprint sensing device is provided with multiple sensing apparatus, two or more of which operating on different sensing principles. For example, a capacitive sensor may be integrally formed with an optical sensor on a single substrate. Ideally, the multiple sensing apparatus are disposed such that they may sense nearly identical portions of a fingerprint simultaneously. A primary sensor may be employed to establish the identity of a user based on a fingerprint, while a secondary sensor may be employed to establish that the fingerprint is part of a live human (anti-spoofing). Integrated light sources may be provided to drive an optical sensor. The light sources may also provide visual cues for usage, and enhance the aesthetics of the device.
1. A hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device which senses biometric data associated with a user's finger, comprising:
an integrated circuit substrate;
a first sensor apparatus formed on said integrated circuit substrate for sensing characteristics, indicative of a fingerprint pattern, of the surface and/or structure of skin at or proximate the tip of the user's finger, said first sensor operating on the principle of sensing changes in the fringing field established between elements thereof due to variations in the fingerprint pattern of the user's finger;
an array of light sources integrally formed on said integrated circuit substrate, said array of light sources generally being at least as wide as the width of the user's finger, said light sources emitting at least in the visible light spectrum such that the output of said light sources may be used to give visual indications to the user relating to operation of the biometric identification device; and
a second sensor apparatus formed on said integrated circuit substrate adjacent said array of light sources, of a type for sensing biometric data associated with said user's finger utilizing at least a selected wavelength of the light output by said array of light sources.
2. The hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device of claim 1 , wherein said first and second sensor apparatus are disposed for operation such that they may simultaneously sense nearly identical regions of the surface and/or structure of the skin.
3. The hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device of claim 1 , wherein said light source is polychromatic.
4. The hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device of claim 3 , wherein said second fingerprint sensor apparatus selectively senses in at least one wavelength band emitted by the light source.
5. The hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device of claim 1 , wherein said second sensor apparatus is capable of sensing characteristics of living human tissue, thereby permitting distinguishing between living human tissue and non-living and/or non-human material.
6. The hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device of claim 1 , wherein said first and second sensor apparatus are each formed on said integrated circuit substrate by common processing steps.
7. The hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device of claim 1 , wherein said substrate is crystalline silicon.
8. A hybrid multi-sensor biometric identification device which senses biometric data associated with a user's finger, comprising:
a silicon substrate having integrally formed therein:
a capacitive fingerprint sensor apparatus for sensing characteristics, indicative of a fingerprint pattern, of the surface and/or structure of a user's skin at or proximate the tip of the user's finger;
an array of polychromatic light sources, said array generally being at least as wide as the width of the user's finger, said light sources emitting at least in the visible light spectrum such that the output of said light sources may be used to give visual indications to the user relating to operation of the biometric identification device;
an optical fingerprint sensor apparatus for sensing characteristics of living human tissue utilizing at least a selected wavelength of the light output by said array of light sources, thereby permitting distinguishing between living human tissue and non-living and/or non-human material;
wherein said optical fingerprint sensor is capable of sensing said selected wavelengths and further wherein said capacitive fingerprint sensor apparatus and said optical fingerprint sensor apparatus are disposed within said substrate for operation such that they may simultaneously sense nearly identical regions of the surface and/or structure of the skin.