Fingerprint reader

Abstract

A fingerprint reader includes a display screen composed of an array of energy emitting pixels covered by a transparent cover, at least one sensor coupled along an edge of the display screen, a display driver directing the array of energy emitting pixels of the display screen to illuminate in a predetermined sequence, and a microprocessor in communication with the display driver and the at least one sensor. The microprocessor knows the location of the energy emitting pixel being illuminated and the specific time at which the illumination occurs. In use, and when at least one finger is placed on the transparent cover and the display driver is activated, energy from each energy emitting pixel sequentially illuminated is reflected off the fingerprint to the at least one sensor. The energy received at the at least one sensor is at different intensity levels depending upon the ridges and valleys of the at least one fingerprint. The at least one sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor regarding the energy intensity level, from which the microprocessor creates a fingerprint image as the energy emitting pixels are sequentially illuminated.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A fingerprint reader, comprising:
 a screen composed of one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels covered by a transparent cover;   at least one sensor coupled near an edge of the screen, but not on the edge of the screen;   a driver directing the one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels of the screen to illuminate in a sequence;   a microprocessor in communication with the driver and the at least one sensor, wherein the microprocessor knows the location of the energy emitting pixel being illuminated and the specific time at which the illumination occurs;   wherein when a finger is placed on the transparent cover near the edge of the screen and partly off the edge of the screen and the driver is activated, energy from each energy emitting pixel sequentially illuminated is reflected off the finger to the at least one sensor, the energy received at the at least one sensor is at different intensity levels depending upon the ridges and valleys of the finger, the at least one sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor regarding the energy intensity level, from which the microprocessor creates a fingerprint image as the energy emitting pixels are sequentially illuminated.   
     
     
         28 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 27  wherein the one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels includes a primary set of pixels and a secondary set of pixels. 
     
     
         29 . The fingerprint reader of  claim 28 , wherein the primary set of pixels function to illuminate the finger. 
     
     
         30 . New The fingerprint reader of  claim 28 , wherein the secondary set of pixels function to illuminate the finger. 
     
     
         31 . The fingerprint reader of  claim 28 , wherein the primary and secondary set of pixels function to illuminate the finger. 
     
     
         32 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 27 , wherein the one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels include sub-pixels and the sub-pixels can be independently illuminated. 
     
     
         33 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 27 , including lenses or occlusion features to facilitate optimal illumination of the finger. 
     
     
         34 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 27 , wherein the fingerprint reader is integrated into a watch. 
     
     
         35 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 27 , wherein the fingerprint reader is integrated into a cellphone. 
     
     
         36 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 27 , wherein the fingerprint reader is integrated into a computer. 
     
     
         37 . A fingerprint reader, comprising:
 a screen composed of one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels covered by a transparent cover;   at least one sensor coupled half-on and half-off the edge of the screen;   a driver directing the one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels of the screen to illuminate in a sequence;   a microprocessor in communication with the driver and the at least one sensor, wherein the microprocessor knows the location of the energy emitting pixel being illuminated and the specific time at which the illumination occurs;   wherein when a finger is placed on the transparent cover near the edge of the display and partly off the edge of the display and the driver is activated, energy from each energy emitting pixel sequentially illuminated is reflected off the finger to the at least one sensor, the energy received at the at least one sensor s at different intensity levels depending upon the ridges and valleys of the at least one finger, the at least one sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor regarding the energy intensity level, from which the microprocessor creates a fingerprint image as the energy emitting pixels are sequentially illuminated.   
     
     
         38 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 37 , wherein the one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels includes a primary set of pixels and a secondary set of pixels. 
     
     
         39 . The fingerprint reader of  claim 38 , wherein the primary set of pixels function to illuminate the finger. 
     
     
         40 . The fingerprint reader of  claim 38 , wherein the secondary set of pixels function to illuminate the finger. 
     
     
         41 . The fingerprint reader of  claim 38 , wherein the primary and secondary set of pixels function to illuminate the finger. 
     
     
         42 . The fingerprint reader according to claim wherein the one or more arrays of energy emitting pixels include sub-pixels and the sub-pixels can be independently illuminated. 
     
     
         43 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 37 , further includes lenses or occlusion features to facilitate optimal illumination of the finger. 
     
     
         44 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 37 , wherein the fingerprint reader is integrated into a watch. 
     
     
         45 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 37 , wherein the fingerprint reader is integrated into a cellphone. 
     
     
         46 . The fingerprint reader according to  claim 37 , wherein the fingerprint reader is integrated into a computer.