US-20260127259-A1 - SYSTEM WITH ULTRASOUND SENSOR

Abstract

A user classification system is provided. The system includes a sensor for producing a sensor signal and a user device. The system classifies a user of the system based on the sensor signal.

Inventors

• Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub
• John N. Irwin, III
• R. Maxwell Flaherty
• J. Christopher Flaherty
• Gerard Touma
• Arif Sanli Ergun
• George Quintin Stedman
• Morten F. Rasmussen
• Chunfu Lin
• Paul Khuri-Yakub
• Priscilla Marie Babb
• Andre T. Khoury-Yacoub

Assignees

• ORCHID SOUND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20250610

Claims (20)

1. 1 . (canceled)
2. 2 . A method of user identification, the method comprising: providing a user classification system, the user classification system comprising: a first sensor, the first sensor comprising: a multi-platen ultrasound fingerprint sensor, the multi-platen ultrasound fingerprint sensor comprising: a first platen having a first round-trip propagation time; an array of first pixel transducers adjacent to the first platen; a second platen having a second round-trip propagation time different from the first round-trip propagation time; and an array of second pixel transducers adjacent to the second platen, wherein each first pixel transducer of the array of first pixel transducers is electronically paired with a corresponding second pixel transducer of the array of second pixel transducers; and a user device, the user device comprising: a processor communicably coupled to the first sensor; and a memory configured to store machine-readable instructions for performing an algorithm; producing, by the first sensor, a first sensor signal; performing, by the user device, the algorithm; and identifying, by the algorithm, based on the first sensor signal, a user of the user classification system.
3. 3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein performing the algorithm comprises: performing a signal-processing method, the signal-processing method comprising: determining a time shift between an arrival time of the first sensor signal and a baseline arrival time.
4. 4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising: determining the time shift for each first pixel transducer of the array of first pixel transducers.
5. 5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising: determining the time shift for each second pixel transducer of the array of second pixel transducers.
6. 6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein performing the algorithm causes the first sensor to: for each first pixel transducer of the array of first pixel transducers: transmit a first signal ultrasound pulse into the first platen, whereby a portion of the first signal ultrasound pulse reflects off a first platen surface of the first platen to form a first signal echo; sense the first signal echo; transmit a first baseline ultrasound pulse into the first platen, whereby a portion of the first baseline ultrasound pulse reflects off the first platen surface to form a first baseline echo; sense the first baseline echo; and determine a first time shift between a first signal arrival time of the first echo and a baseline arrival time of the first baseline echo; determine, based on the first time shift determined for at least one of the first pixel transducers, if a finger of the user was in contact with the first platen surface while the first signal ultrasound pulse was being transmitted and the first signal echo was being sensed; and generate, based on the first time shift determined for each first pixel transducer of the array of first pixel transducers, a fingerprint image of the finger.
7. 7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising: generating, based on a second time shift determined for each second pixel transducer of the array of second pixel transducers, the fingerprint image of the finger.
8. 8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the user classification system further comprises a second sensor, the second sensor comprising a pulse oximetry sensor, the method further comprising: producing, by the second sensor, a second sensor signal.
9. 9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the second sensor further comprises a collimator, the collimator comprising a light-absorbing material configured to absorb light at a frequency range of the pulse oximetry sensor, the collimator positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor to reduce clutter signals in recording produced by the second sensor.
10. 10 . The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one first pixel transducer of the array of first pixel transducers or at least one second pixel transducer of the array of second pixel transducers comprise a Langevin transducer.
11. 11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the algorithm comprises a machine learning, neural network, or other artificial intelligence algorithm.
12. 12 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising: performing, by the user classification system, a user confirmation routine; and detecting, by the algorithm, an attempt at spoofing the user confirmation routine.
13. 13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the user classification system further comprises a wedge platen.
14. 14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein: the first platen comprises a first portion of the wedge platen, and the second platen comprises a second portion of the wedge platen.
15. 15 . The method of claim 2 , wherein: the array of first pixel transducers comprises a first density of pixel transducers, and the array of second pixel transducers comprises a second density of pixel transducers.
16. 16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first density is greater than the second density.
17. 17 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the user device further comprises a display.
18. 18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first sensor is positioned behind the display.
19. 19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first sensor does not comprise a transparent electrode material.
20. 20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the user classification system does not comprise an adhesive layer positioned between the display and the first sensor.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/272,965 (Docket No. ORC-005-US), titled “System with Ultrasound Sensor”, filed on Jul. 18, 2023, Publication Number 2024-0346120, published Oct. 17, 2024, which is a U.S. National Stage entry of International Patent Application No.: PCT/US22/013299 (Docket No. ORC-005-PCT), titled “System with Ultrasound Sensor”, filed on Jan. 21, 2022, Publication Number WO 2022/159692, published Jul. 28, 2022, which application claims priority to: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/140,647 (Docket No. ORC-003-PR1), titled “Ultrasound Signal-Processing System and Associated Methods”, filed Jan. 22, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/174,516 (Docket No. ORC-004-PR1), titled “Multi-Platen Ultrasound Fingerprint Sensors and Associated Methods”, filed Apr. 13, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/189,567 (Docket No. ORC-005-PR1), titled “System Including User Classification”, filed May 17, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/242,657 (Docket No. ORC-005-PR2), titled “System Including User Classification”, filed Sep. 10, 2021; the content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to systems which include one or more ultrasound sensors, such as to receive commands from a user or identify or assess a condition of a user. BACKGROUND Numerous commercial devices include a sensor for collecting user information. These systems can include a user identification function, such as a function that identifies a user via fingerprint or face recognition. There is a need for improved systems, devices, and methods for classifying a user of the system. BRIEF SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present inventive concepts, a user classification system comprises a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal and a user device. The system can be configured to classify a user of the system based on the sensor signal. In some embodiments, the user comprises a single user. In some embodiments, the user comprises multiple users. In some embodiments, classifying the user comprises determining and/or confirming an identity of the user. The system can determine and/or confirm the identity of the user via at least one of: user fingerprint data; an image of the user's face; a recording of the user's voice, and/or recorded physiologic data of the user. In some embodiments, classifying the user comprises identifying and/or confirming a health condition of the user. The system can characterize the health condition of the user via at least one of: fingerprint data; facial image data; voice recording data; and/or physiologic data. The system can characterize the health condition of the user via physiologic data collected by the sensor and selected from the group consisting of: pulse oximetry data; blood glucose data; EEG; LFP; neuronal firing patterns and/or other brain data; heart rate data; respiration data; perspiration data; blood gas data; and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the system is configured to perform a calibration routine. The calibration routine can be configured to calibrate the sensor. The calibration routine can be performed after a portion of the system has been damaged and/or is otherwise functioning improperly. The calibration routine can be performed to accommodate a cracked screen of the user device and allow for successful identification of the user. The calibration routine can comprise at least two calibration routines. The calibration routine can comprise a first calibration routine that can be performed to modify the user device and a second calibration routine that can be subsequently performed. The calibration routine can be performed multiple times during use of the user device. The calibration routine can be configured to confirm the user has not changed. The calibration routine can be configured to confirm the user's health condition has not changed. The calibration routine can be configured to prevent one or more of: switching of users; prolonged use by a single user; and/or use by a user whose health condition has become unacceptable. In some embodiments, the system is configured to perform a confirmation routine. The confirmation routine can be performed to confirm multiple fingerprints of a user. The multiple fingerprints can be collected according to a pre-assigned collection sequence. The system can provide feedback to the user as to which fingerprint is to be collected next. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises one or more sensors positioned in and/or on another component of the system. The sensor can comprise one or more sensors positioned in and/or on the user device. In some embodiments, the sensor comprises one, two, or more sensors selected from the group consisting of: ultrasound-based sensor; capacitive touch sensor