Apple Inc. (AAPL) Gets Serious About Fingerprint Identification

Week after week, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shows just how serious it is about patenting a variety of technology (one interesting example is this). While some of its patents are never put to good use, at least as far as the public can see, other technology is implemented in a number of devices.

This time around, we are going to take a look at an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent based on fingerprint identification technology. This is very interesting, being that many people feel this technology will eventually make its way into an upcoming iPhone.

The patent is entitled: Finger Sensor Having Pixel Sensing Circuitry For Coupling Electrodes And Pixel Sensing Traces And Related Methods

As confusing as that sounds, once you read the abstract you will have an easier time understanding what it is all about:

“A finger sensor may include pixels, pixel sensing traces each associated with a respective pixel, and electrodes overlying the pixel sensing traces. The finger sensor may also include pixel sensing circuitry coupled to the pixel sensing traces and the electrodes. The pixel sensing circuitry may be capable of operating in a measurement mode by operating the pixels so that at least some of the pixels are active, and at least some other of the pixels are inactive and coupling pixel sensing traces associated with the inactive pixels to a voltage reference. The pixel sensing circuitry may also be capable of operating in the measurement mode by coupling electrodes associated with the active pixels to the voltage reference and coupling electrodes associated with the inactive pixels to a drive signal.”

As you can see, this Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent goes much deeper than what you may expect. It touches on the finer details of the technology, many of which you may have no desire to understand.

Most people are looking forward to fingerprint identification being implemented in future Apple devices. That being said, these same people have no desire to know what goes into the technology and exactly how it works.

Fortunately, if you want to learn more you may be able to pick information from this patent.

Here is another point worth nothing from the patent:

“The present application is based upon previously filed copending provisional application Ser. No. 61/587,523, filed Jan. 17, 2012, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.’

Dale R. Setlak is listed as the only inventor of this Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent.