Sensor array system selectively configurable as a fingerprint sensor or data entry device

1. A system for enrolling a verification template of fingerprint data in a fingerprint-enabled smart card, the system comprising:

a non-data-transmitting power source configured to be coupled to the smart card to transmit power to the smart card without transmitting data to or from the smart card, wherein the non-data-transmitting power source comprises a receptacle configured to receive an end of the smart card removably inserted into the receptacle and a power element supported on the receptacle;

a fingerprint sensor comprising one or more sensor elements and associated circuitry for controlling operation of the one or more sensor elements and for processing signals from the one or more sensor elements,

wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to be installed in the smart card whereby power is transmitted to the fingerprint sensor when the non-data-transmitting power source is coupled to the smart card,

wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to operate in an enrollment mode when power is transmitted to the fingerprint sensor by the non-data-transmitting power source, and

wherein, when operating in the enrollment mode, the fingerprint sensor is configured to derive and store a verification template of fingerprint data from fingerprint data generated by the one or more sensor elements; and

a finger guide that is removably attachable to the smart card and comprises two or more channels, wherein each channel is configured to position a finger placed thereon to contact the fingerprint sensor at a different orientation.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to operate in an enrollment mode when the non-data-transmitting power source is coupled to the smart card and power is transmitted to the fingerprint sensor combined with the occurrence of a trigger event.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the trigger event comprises one or more trigger events selected from the group consisting of:

a. user interactions with the fingerprint sensor;

b. placing a detectable object on the fingerprint sensor;

c. removing a detectable object from the fingerprint sensor;

d. detecting the absence of a stored verification template;

e. detecting the presence of a stored verification template that is partially complete;

f. detecting that power is being transmitted to the smart card for the first time;

g. detecting a specified instance of power being transmitted to the smart card;

h. detecting that a maximum number of unsuccessful attempts to derive a verification template has not been reached;

i. activating an input mechanism;

j. detecting that a timer or counter has not expired;

k. detecting the occurrence of an error state indicating that a recoverable error has occurred to prevent successful derivation or storing of a verification template;

l. detection of a flag set the last time the smart card was inserted in a card reader that transmits data to or from the smart card;

m. detecting that the smart card has been connected to a power source that does not transmit data to or from the smart card;

n. detection of a trigger event by a component of the smart card other than the fingerprint sensor; and

o. detecting that a particular smart card has been coupled to a particular non-data-transmitting power source.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to terminate enrollment mode when the non-data-transmitting power source is uncoupled from the smart card and power is no longer transmitted to the fingerprint sensor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is configured to terminate enrollment mode after the verification template of fingerprint data is stored.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the verification template is derived from one or more fingerprint images.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-data-transmitting power source comprises one or more terminals configured to contact one or more corresponding power transmission contacts on the surface of the smart card when the non-data-transmitting power source is coupled to the smart card.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power element is a battery, a solar cell or a socket on the non-data-transmitting power source to allow connection to a mains power source.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises:

a card holder frame comprising one or more card guide rails into which the smart card is inserted to position the cardholder frame with respect to the smart card; and

wherein the finger guide is attached to the card holder frame.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein each channel is spaced from each other channel by an angle in a plane of a sensing surface of the fingerprint sensor.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the channels positions the finger to contact the fingerprint sensor at an elevation angle relative to the plane of the sensing surface.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein at least two channels position the finger to contact the fingerprint sensor at an elevation angle relative to the plane of the sensing surface and wherein the elevation angle of each of the two channels is different from the other.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein each channel is spaced 90 degrees from one other channel.

14. A method for enrolling a fingerprint template on a smart card having a fingerprint sensor, the method comprising:

inserting an end of the smart card into a receptacle;

removably attaching a finger guide to the smart card, wherein the finger guide comprises two or more channels, and wherein each channel is configured to position a finger placed thereon to contact the fingerprint sensor at a different orientation;

transmitting power to the smart card from a power element supported on the receptacle without transmitting data to or from the smart card;

causing the fingerprint sensor to operate in an enrollment mode;

while the fingerprint sensor is operating in enrollment mode, generating two or more fingerprint images with the fingerprint sensor by instructing a user to contact the fingerprint sensor by placing the same finger on each of the two or more channels of the finger guide to position the finger placed thereon in a different orientation with respect to the fingerprint sensor;

deriving at least one verification template of fingerprint data from the two or more fingerprint images;

storing the verification template; and

after storing the verification template, terminating enrollment mode in the fingerprint sensor.

15. The method of claim 14 , comprising causing the fingerprint sensor to operate in the enrollment mode when power is transmitted to the fingerprint sensor combined with the occurrence of a trigger event.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the trigger even comprises one or more trigger events selected from the group consisting of:

a. user interactions with the fingerprint sensor;

b. placing a detectable object on the fingerprint sensor;

c. removing a detectable object from the fingerprint sensor;

d. detecting the absence of a stored verification template;

e. detecting the presence of a stored verification template that is partially complete;

f. detecting that power is being transmitted to the smart card for the first time;

g. detecting a specified instance of power being transmitted to the smart card;

h. detecting that a maximum number of unsuccessful attempts to derive a verification template has not been reached;

i. activating an input mechanism;

j. detecting that a timer or counter has not expired;

k. detecting the occurrence of an error state indicating that a recoverable error has occurred to prevent successful derivation or storing of a verification template;

l. detection of a flag set the last time the smart card was inserted in a card reader that transmits data to or from the smart card;

m. detecting that the smart card has been connected to a power source that does not transmit data to or from the smart card;

n. detection of a trigger event by a component of the smart card other than the fingerprint sensor; and

o. detecting that a particular smart card has been coupled to a particular non-data-transmitting power source.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising automatically terminating enrollment mode in the fingerprint sensor upon terminating power transmission to the smart card.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising automatically terminating enrollment mode in the fingerprint sensor after the verification template of fingerprint data is stored.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising providing a confirming indication that the fingerprint sensor is operating in enrollment mode.

20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising illuminating a light or lights on the smart card confirming that the verification template is stored.

21. The method of claim 14 , wherein deriving the least one verification template comprises determining that a specified number of acceptable fingerprint images has been generated.

22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the finger guide is attached to the receptacle.