Importance

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Abstract

A fingerprint image input apparatus comprises a plane light source for irradiating light having a two-dimensional light distribution and an approximately even luminance, a two-dimensional image sensor capable of allowing the light to pass through, and an optical part for guiding light from the plane light source, having passed the two-dimensional image sensor, to a finger and guiding light reflected at the finger to the photoelectric converting element. The two-dimensional image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form. A bias power source for supplying a bias voltage to the individual pixels, a scanning circuit for outputting a scan signal to the pixels and a first detecting circuit for detecting photoelectric data signals from the pixels are connected to those pixels via bias lines, scan lines and data lines. Connected to the bias lines are a signal generator for generating a finger detection signal to detect the contact of a finger with the optical part and a signal detecting circuit for detecting a change in the finger detection signal. A switch controller outputs a control signal in accordance with a finger detection mode and a fingerprint image input mode. According to the control signal, first and second switch circuits control the connection between the signal generator and the second detecting circuit.

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First Claim