Addressable Acoustic Sensor Array for Biometric Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-precision biometric sensors, such as fingerprint imaging systems, face challenges with signal quality due to smaller component sizes, leading to increased power consumption and complexity to account for lower signal quality and susceptibility to environmental interference.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic imaging system with an array of sensors, each independently driven and read using high-voltage drive circuitry and low-voltage sense circuitry, allowing for addressable operation and efficient power management, reducing the risk of current spikes and signal distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the size of imaging components is reduced to improve precision, then manufacturing precision and device compactness are improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to lower signal amplitude and increased susceptibility to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple independently addressable sensing elements, each with its own drive and sense circuits. This segmentation allows individual control and optimization of each element's signal processing, enabling high-precision imaging while maintaining robust signal quality through element-level management rather than relying on a single large component
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dual-voltage operation where drive circuits operate at high voltage (e.g., 100V) to generate strong acoustic signals, while sense circuits operate at low voltage (e.g., <5V) to detect weak return signals. This parameter change in operating voltage resolves the contradiction by enabling both high signal generation capability and sensitive detection in a compact sensor array
2Measurement precision
If advanced signal processing is implemented to account for lower signal quality, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Signal processing is performed at the source by implementing drive and sense circuits directly at each sensing element location. This preliminary action processes signals locally before they degrade further, reducing the need for complex post-processing and minimizing power consumption while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces addressable drive circuits and sense circuits as intermediary components between the sensor array and the control system. These intermediaries handle signal conditioning and processing locally, reducing the burden on the central processing system and enabling precise signal detection without excessive overall system complexity
3Power
If high voltage is applied to drive acoustic transducers for improved signal generation, then signal amplitude is improved, but risk of current spikes and signal distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive function is segmented and distributed to individual addressable drive circuits at each sensing element, allowing controlled high-voltage application only where and when needed. This segmentation enables strong signal generation at specific locations without subjecting the entire system to high voltage, reducing current spikes and maintaining signal stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pulsed or periodic drive signals applied through addressable circuits, rather than continuous high voltage. This periodic action allows the acoustic transducers to generate strong signals in controlled bursts while returning to a stable low-voltage state, preventing sustained current spikes and signal distortion
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high-quality image capture with reduced power consumption and minimized interference, enhancing the precision and reliability of biometric data while maintaining compact size.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic transducer with a drive mode (in which the acoustic transducer produces an acoustic pulse in response to a first electronic signal)
Implementation Method 2
a sense mode (in which the acoustic transducer produces a second electronic signal in response to receiving an acoustic pulse)
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic imaging system can contain a plurality of individual acoustic elements that each contain an acoustic transducer, drive circuitry, and low voltage sense and/or read circuitry. In many embodiments both the drive circuitry and the read circuitry can be independently addressable. For example, if the individual acoustic elements are arranged into rows and columns, each acoustic element can include row/column drive circuit enable switches and row/column read circuit enable switches.