Electronic device integrating touchpad and fingerprint identification module

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electronic device integrating a touch panel and a fingerprint identification module. The electronic device comprises a first circuit board, a touch sensing circuit layer, a light guide plate, at least one light-emitting element, a first top cover, a processing element, a second circuit board, a fingerprint identification element and a second top cover. The touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board, and a plurality of sensing areas are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer. The first top cover is provided with a plurality of light-transmitting areas and a penetrating opening. Each light-transmitting area corresponds to one sensing area. The first top cover is arranged on the front face of the light guide plate, so that each light-transmitting area is located above the corresponding sensing area. The processing element is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer. The fingerprint identification element is electrically connected to the second circuit board. The second top cover is arranged on the fingerprint identification element and located in the opening of the first top cover. The whole appearance is attractive, elements can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module. Background Art

[0002] Touchpads have been widely used in various electronic products, such as smart phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, keyboards, etc. Current touchpads have been developed with patterns representing specific functions printed thereon, and users can quickly and effectively execute the specific functions represented by the touched patterns by touching the patterns on the touchpad.

[0003] In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of user identity recognition or the security of user identity authentication for the above-mentioned electronic products, fingerprint recognition modules have been widely installed thereon in recent years.

[0004] However, for the prior art of electronic products equipped with both a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module, the touchpad and the fingerprint recognition module are each independently designed and manufactured, and then respectively installed on different control areas of the above-mentioned electronic products. In particular, the top cover provided on the touchpad has no design integrated with the fingerprint recognition module.

[0005] In addition, the above-mentioned touchpad with patterns representing specific functions printed thereon has also developed backlight elements to allow the light emitted by the backlight elements to irradiate the patterns. The fingerprint recognition module also has a design with a configured backlight element. However, for the prior art of electronic products equipped with both a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module, an architecture integrating the backlight element of the touchpad and the backlight element of the fingerprint recognition module has not been seen. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module to solve the above problems.

[0007] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module.

[0008] An electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a first preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes a first circuit board, a touch sensing circuit layer, a light guide plate, at least one light emitting element, a first top cover, a processing element, a second circuit board, a fingerprint recognition element, and a second top cover. The touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board. Multiple sensing areas are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer. The light guide plate has a front surface and a light incident surface. The light guide plate is disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer. At least one light emitting element is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The first top cover has multiple light transmissive areas and a through opening. Each light transmissive area corresponds to a sensing area. The first top cover is disposed on the front surface of the light guide plate such that each light transmissive area is located above its corresponding sensing area. At least one light emitting element is driven to emit light. The light emitted by at least one light emitting element enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface of the light guide plate and is guided by the light guide plate to exit from the front surface and then irradiate the multiple light transmissive areas of the first top cover. The processing element is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer. The processing element is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the multiple sensing areas and execute a function corresponding to that sensing area. The fingerprint recognition element is electrically bonded to the second circuit board. The second top cover is disposed on the fingerprint recognition element and is located within the through opening of the first top cover.

[0009] In a specific embodiment, the first top cover includes a light transmissive plate body and a light shielding layer. The light transmissive plate body has a top surface. The light shielding layer is partially coated on the top surface of the light transmissive plate body. And the multiple light transmissive areas of the first top cover are not coated with the light shielding layer.

[0010] An electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes a first circuit board, a touch sensing circuit layer, a light guide plate, at least one first light emitting element, a processing element, a second circuit board, a fingerprint recognition element, and a top cover. The touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board. Multiple sensing areas are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer. The light guide plate has a front surface and a light incident surface. The light guide plate is disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer. At least one first light emitting element is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The processing element is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer. The processing element is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the multiple sensing areas and execute a function corresponding to that sensing area. The fingerprint recognition element is electrically bonded to the second circuit board. The top cover has multiple first light transmissive areas. Each first light transmissive area corresponds to a sensing area. The top cover is disposed on the front surfaces of the fingerprint recognition element and the light guide plate such that each first light transmissive area is located above its corresponding sensing area. At least one first light emitting element is driven to emit first light. The first light emitted by at least one first light emitting element enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface of the light guide plate and is guided by the light guide plate to exit from the front surface and then irradiate the multiple first light transmissive areas of the top cover.

[0011] In a specific embodiment, the top cover includes a light-transmissive plate body and a light-shielding layer. The light-transmissive plate body has a top surface. The light-shielding layer is partially coated on the top surface of the light-transmissive plate body. And a plurality of first light-transmissive regions of the top cover are not coated by the light-shielding layer.

[0012] According to a variation of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, the light-transmissive plate body has a bottom surface and a recess formed on the bottom surface. The first top of the fingerprint recognition element is placed in the recess of the light-transmissive plate body.

[0013] According to another variation of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a tubular light guide element and at least one second light-emitting element. The tubular light guide element has a second top and a bottom. At least one second light-emitting element is electrically joined to a second circuit board. The second circuit board can be a flexible circuit board. The fingerprint recognition element, the second circuit board, and at least one second light-emitting element are placed inside the tubular light guide element. The fingerprint recognition element is located at the second top of the tubular light guide element. The top cover also has a second light-transmissive region. The second top of the tubular light guide element is located below the second light-transmissive region of the top cover. At least one second light-emitting element is close to the bottom of the tubular light guide element. At least one second light-emitting element is driven to emit second light rays that enter the tubular light guide element from the bottom of the tubular light guide element and are guided by the tubular light guide element to exit from the second top of the tubular light guide element and then irradiate the second light-transmissive region of the top cover.

[0014] The electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the third preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes a first circuit board, a touch sensing circuit layer, a second circuit board, a fingerprint recognition element, a light guide plate, at least one light-emitting element, a processing element, and a top cover. The touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board. A plurality of sensing regions are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer. The fingerprint recognition element is electrically joined to the second circuit board. The light guide plate has a front surface and a light-incident surface. The light guide plate is disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer and the fingerprint recognition element. At least one light-emitting element is disposed adjacent to the light-incident surface of the light guide plate. The processing element is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer. The processing element is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the plurality of sensing regions and execute a function corresponding to that sensing region. The top cover has a plurality of first light-transmissive regions and a second light-transmissive region. Each first light-transmissive region corresponds to a sensing region. The top cover is disposed on the front surfaces of the fingerprint recognition element and the light guide plate, such that each first light-transmissive region is located above its corresponding sensing region and the second light-transmissive region is located above the fingerprint recognition element. At least one light-emitting element is driven to emit light. The light emitted by at least one light-emitting element enters the light guide plate from the light-incident surface of the light guide plate and is guided by the light guide plate to exit from the front surface and then irradiate the plurality of first light-transmissive regions and the second light-transmissive region of the top cover.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, the top cover includes a light-transmitting plate body and a light-shielding layer. The light-transmitting plate body has a top surface. The light-shielding layer is partially coated on the top surface of the light-transmitting plate body. The plurality of first light-transmitting regions and second light-transmitting regions of the top cover are not coated with the light-shielding layer.

[0016] An electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a fourth preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes N first circuit boards, N touch sensing circuit layers, N light guide plates, N groups of first light-emitting elements, a processing element, a second circuit board, a fingerprint recognition element, a tubular light guide element, at least one second light-emitting element, and a top cover, where N is an integer greater than 1, and the second circuit board can be a second flexible circuit board. Each touch sensing circuit layer corresponds to a first circuit board and is formed on its corresponding first circuit board. Each light guide plate has its respective front surface and respective light-incident surface. Each light guide plate corresponds to a touch sensing circuit layer and is disposed on its corresponding touch sensing circuit layer. Each group of first light-emitting elements corresponds to a light guide plate and is disposed adjacent to the light-incident surface of its corresponding light guide plate. The processing element is electrically connected to the N touch sensing circuit layers. The processing element is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the N touch sensing circuit layers and execute the function corresponding to that touch sensing circuit layer. The fingerprint recognition element is electrically bonded to the second circuit board. The tubular light guide element has a top and a bottom. At least one second light-emitting element is electrically bonded to the second circuit board. The fingerprint recognition element, the second circuit board, and at least one second light-emitting element are disposed inside the tubular light guide element. The fingerprint recognition element is located at the top of the tubular light guide element. At least one second light-emitting element is close to the bottom of the tubular light guide element. The top cover has N first light-transmitting regions and second light-transmitting regions. Each first light-transmitting region corresponds to a touch sensing circuit layer. The top cover is disposed on the fingerprint recognition element and the N front surfaces of the N light guide plates, such that each first light-transmitting region of the top cover is located above its corresponding touch sensing circuit layer and the second light-transmitting region is located on the top of the tubular light guide element. Each group of first light-emitting elements is driven to emit first light. The first light emitted by each group of first light-emitting elements enters the light guide plate from the light-incident surface of the light guide plate corresponding to that group of first light-emitting elements and is guided by the light guide plate to exit from the front surface and then irradiate the N first light-transmitting regions of the top cover. At least one second light-emitting element is driven to emit second light, which enters the tubular light guide element from the bottom of the tubular light guide element and is guided by the tubular light guide element to exit from the top of the tubular light guide element and then irradiate the second light-transmitting region of the top cover.

[0017] In a specific embodiment, the top cover includes a light-transmitting plate body and a light-shielding layer. The light-transmitting plate body has a top surface and is formed of a dielectric material. The light-shielding layer is partially coated on the top surface of the light-transmitting plate body. The plurality of first light-transmitting regions and second light-transmitting regions of the top cover are not coated with the light-shielding layer.

[0018] Different from the prior art, the electronic device according to the present utility model integrates a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module, which has an overall beautiful appearance, can streamline components, and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0019] The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a partial top view of an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the first preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line A-A in

[0022] Figure 3 It is a partial top view of an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] Figure 4 is Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line B-B in

[0024] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a deformation of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 6 It is a partial top view of another deformation of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 7 is Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line B-B in

[0027] Figure 8 It is a partial top view of an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the third preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 9 is Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line C-C in

[0029] Figure 10 It is a partial top view of an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the fourth preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0030] Figure 11 For Figure 10 Partial cross-sectional schematic view of an electronic device integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line D-D. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] To further understand the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present utility model, the following is a detailed description in conjunction with embodiments.

[0032] The descriptions of the following embodiments refer to the attached drawings, which are used to illustrate specific embodiments in which the present utility model can be implemented. The directional terms mentioned in the present utility model, such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "side", etc., are only with reference to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for explaining and understanding the present utility model, rather than limiting the present utility model.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , which schematically depict an electronic device 1 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the first preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 1 Schematically shown in a partial top view is an electronic device 1 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the first preferred specific example of the present utility model. Figure 2 For Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device 1 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line A-A in

[0034] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the electronic device 1 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the first preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model includes a first circuit board 10, a touch sensing circuit layer 11, a light guide plate 12, at least one light emitting element 13, a first top cover 14, a processing element 15, a second circuit board 16, a fingerprint recognition element 17, and a second top cover 18.

[0035] The touch sensing circuit layer 11 is formed on the first circuit board 10. A plurality of sensing areas 112 are defined thereon. The light guide plate 12 has a front surface 120 and a light incident surface 122, and the light incident surface 112 is a side surface of the light guide plate 12 adjacent to the front surface 120. The light guide plate 12 is disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer 11. At least one light emitting element 13 is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface 122 of the light guide plate 12. In a specific embodiment, the structure of the touch sensing circuit layer 11 can be used to perform the function of a projected capacitive touchpad, but the present utility model is not limited thereto.

[0036] The first top cover 14 has a plurality of light-transmitting regions 140 and through openings 142. Each light-transmitting region 140 presents a pattern representing a specific function. In Figure 1 the illustrated example, the two light-transmitting regions 140 respectively present patterns representing the functions of video recording and audio recording. Each light-transmitting region 140 corresponds to a sensing region 112. The first top cover 14 is disposed on the front surface 120 of the light guide plate 12, such that each light-transmitting region 140 is located above its corresponding sensing region 112.

[0037] In a specific embodiment, the light guide plate 12 can be made of acrylic, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or other commercially available light guide polymer materials. The layer thickness of the light guide plate 12 can be determined as needed and is not particularly limited.

[0038] The processing element 15 is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 11. The processing element 15 is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the plurality of sensing regions 112 and execute the function corresponding to that sensing region 112. In Figure 2 the illustrated example, the processing element 15 is electrically bonded to the first circuit board 10 and is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 11 via the circuit of the first circuit board 10. The fingerprint identification element 17 is electrically bonded to the second circuit board 16. The second top cover 18 is disposed on the fingerprint identification element 17 and is located within the through opening 142 of the first top cover 14.

[0039] At least one light-emitting element 13 is driven to emit light. The light emitted by at least one light-emitting element 13 enters the light guide plate 12 from the light incident surface 122 of the light guide plate 12 and is guided by the light guide plate 12 to exit from the front surface 120 and then irradiate the plurality of light-transmitting regions 140 of the first top cover 14. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the illustrated example, the first top cover 14 is a long strip-shaped plate body, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, at least one light-emitting element 13 can be a light-emitting element such as a semiconductor light-emitting diode element or an organic light-emitting diode element.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, as also shown in Figure 2 the figure, the first top cover 14 includes a light-transmitting plate body 144 and a light-shielding layer 146. The light-transmitting plate body 144 has a top surface 1440, and the light-transmitting plate body 144 is formed of a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be glass, acrylic, ceramic, etc. The light-shielding layer 146 is partially coated on the top surface 1440 of the light-transmitting plate body 144. And the plurality of light-transmitting regions 140 of the first top cover 14 are not coated by the light-shielding layer 146.

[0042] In a specific embodiment, similarly as Figure 2 shown, the second top cover 18 includes a light-transmitting plate body 182 and a light-shielding layer 184. The second top cover 18 has a pattern area 180 for the user to clearly see the operation area of the fingerprint identification module. The light-transmitting plate body 182 has a top surface 1820, and the light-transmitting plate body 182 is formed of a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be glass, acrylic, ceramic, etc. The light-shielding layer 184 is partially coated on the top surface 1820 of the light-transmitting plate body 182. And the pattern area 180 of the second top cover 18 is not coated by the light-shielding layer 184. The light-shielding layer 184 can be the same layer structure as the light-shielding layer 146. Thus, the electronic device 1 integrating the touchpad and the fingerprint identification module according to the first preferred specific embodiment of the present invention has an aesthetic appearance. The gap between the second top cover 18 and the inner wall of the through opening 142 can be sealed. It should be emphasized that no light is emitted from the pattern area 180 of the second top cover 18.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , which schematically depict an electronic device 2 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint identification module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 Schematically shown in a partial top view is an electronic device 2 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint identification module according to the second preferred specific example of the present invention. Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device 2 integrating the touchpad and the fingerprint identification module in Figure 5 along the line B-B. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a deformation of the electronic device 2 integrating the touchpad and the fingerprint identification module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention along the line B-B as Figure 6 shown. Figure 7 is Figure 6 a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device 2 integrating the touchpad and the fingerprint identification module in

[0044] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the electronic device 2 integrating the touchpad and the fingerprint identification module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes a first circuit board 20, a touch sensing circuit layer 21, a light guide plate 22, at least one first light-emitting element 23, a processing element 24, a second circuit board 25, a fingerprint identification element 26, and a top cover 27.

[0045] The touch sensing circuit layer 21 is formed on the first circuit board 20. Multiple sensing regions 212 are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer 21. The light guide plate 22 has a front surface 220 and a light incident surface 222, and the light incident surface 222 is a side surface of the light guide plate 22 adjacent to the front surface 220. The light guide plate 22 is disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer 21. At least one first light emitting element 23 is arranged adjacent to the light incident surface 222 of the light guide plate 22. In a specific embodiment, the structure of the touch sensing circuit layer 21 can be used to perform the function of a projective capacitive touch panel, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] The processing element 24 is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 21. The processing element 24 is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the multiple sensing regions 212 and execute the function corresponding to that sensing region 212. In Figure 4 the illustrated example, the processing element 24 is electrically bonded to the first circuit board 20 and is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 21 through the circuit of the first circuit board 20.

[0047] The fingerprint recognition element 26 is electrically bonded to the second circuit board 25. The top cover 27 has multiple first light transmissive regions 270. Each light transmissive region 270 presents a pattern representing its specific function. Each first light transmissive region 270 corresponds to a sensing region 212. The top cover 27 is disposed on the fingerprint recognition element 26 and the front surface 220 of the light guide plate 22, such that each first light transmissive region 270 is located above its corresponding sensing region 212. At least one first light emitting element 23 is driven to emit first light. The first light emitted by at least one first light emitting element 23 enters the light guide plate 22 from the light incident surface 222 of the light guide plate 22 and is guided by the light guide plate 22 to exit from the front surface 220 and then irradiate the multiple first light transmissive regions 270 of the top cover 27. In Figure 3 and Figure 4 the illustrated example, the top cover 27 is a strip-shaped plate, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0048] In a specific embodiment, at least one first light emitting element 23 can be a light emitting element such as a semiconductor light emitting diode element or an organic light emitting diode element.

[0049] In a specific embodiment, the light guide plate 22 can be made of acrylic, silicone resin, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or other commercial light guiding polymer materials. The layer thickness of the light guide plate 22 can be determined as needed and is not particularly limited.

[0050] In a specific embodiment, similarly as Figure 4As shown, the top cover 27 includes a light-transmitting plate body 272 and a light-shielding layer 274. The light-transmitting plate body 272 has a top surface 2720, and the light-transmitting plate body 272 is formed of a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be glass, acrylic, ceramic, etc. The light-shielding layer 274 is partially coated on the top surface 2720 of the light-transmitting plate body 272. And a plurality of first light-transmitting regions 270 of the top cover 27 are not coated by the light-shielding layer 274. The top cover 27 further has a pattern region 278 for the user to clearly see the operation region of the fingerprint recognition module. It should be emphasized that no light will emit from the pattern region 278 of the top cover 27.

[0051] A variation of the electronic device 2 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 5 shown, the light-transmitting plate body 272 has a bottom surface 2722 and a recess 2724 formed on the bottom surface 2722. The first top 260 of the fingerprint recognition element 26 is placed in the recess 2724 of the light-transmitting plate body 272. Figure 5 which has elements marked with the same numbers as in Figure 4 has the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be elaborated here.

[0052] Another variation of the electronic device 2 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the electronic device 2 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to the second preferred specific embodiment of the present invention further includes a tubular light guide element 28 and at least one second light-emitting element 29. The tubular light guide element 28 has a second top 280 and a bottom 282. At least one second light-emitting element 29 is electrically joined to the second circuit board 25. The second circuit board 25 is a flexible circuit board. The fingerprint recognition element 26, the second circuit board 25, and at least one second light-emitting element 29 are placed inside the tubular light guide element 28. The fingerprint recognition element 26 is located at the second top 280 of the tubular light guide element 28. The top cover 27 further has a second light-transmitting region 276. The second top 280 of the tubular light guide element 28 is located below the second light-transmitting region 276 of the top cover 27. At least one second light-emitting element 29 is close to the bottom 282 of the tubular light guide element 28. At least one second light-emitting element 29 is driven to emit second light rays into the tubular light guide element 28 from the bottom 282 of the tubular light guide element 28, and is guided by the tubular light guide element 28 to emit from the second top 280 of the tubular light guide element 28, and then irradiate the second light-transmitting region 276 of the top cover 27. Figure 6 and Figure 7 which has elements marked with the same numbers as in Figure 3 and Figure 4 has the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be elaborated here.

[0053] In a specific embodiment, at least one second light-emitting element 29 may be a light-emitting element such as a semiconductor light-emitting diode element or an organic light-emitting diode element.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , these drawings schematically depict an electronic device 3 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a third preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Schematically shown in a partial top view is an electronic device 3 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a third preferred specific example of the present invention. Figure 9 is Figure 8 a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device 3 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line C-C in

[0055] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, an electronic device 3 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a third preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes a first circuit board 30, a touch sensing circuit layer 31, a second circuit board 32, a fingerprint recognition element 33, a light guide plate 34, at least one light-emitting element 35, a processing element 36, and a top cover 37.

[0056] The touch sensing circuit layer 31 is formed on the first circuit board 30. Multiple sensing regions 312 are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer 31. The fingerprint recognition element 33 is electrically bonded to the second circuit board 32. The light guide plate 34 has a front surface 340 and a light incident surface 342, and the light incident surface 342 is a side surface of the light guide plate 34 adjacent to the front surface 340. The light guide plate 34 is disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer 31 and the fingerprint recognition element 33. At least one light-emitting element 35 is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface 342 of the light guide plate 34. In a specific embodiment, the structure of the touch sensing circuit layer 31 may be used to perform the function of a projected capacitive touchpad, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] In a specific embodiment, the light guide plate 34 may be made of acrylic, silicone resin, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or other commercially available light guide polymer materials. The layer thickness of the light guide plate 34 can be determined as needed and is not particularly limited.

[0058] The processing element 36 is electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 31. The processing element 36 is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the multiple sensing regions 312 and execute the function corresponding to that sensing region 312. In Figure 9 the illustrated example, the processing element 36 is electrically bonded to the first circuit board 30 and electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 31 via the circuit of the first circuit board 30.

[0059] The top cover 37 has a plurality of first light-transmitting regions 370 and second light-transmitting regions 372. Each first light-transmitting region 370 presents a pattern representing a specific function. The second light-transmitting region 372 presents a pattern for performing a fingerprint recognition function. Each first light-transmitting region 370 corresponds to a sensing region 312. The top cover 37 is disposed on the front surface 340 of the light guide plate 34 (and also located on the fingerprint recognition element 33), such that each first light-transmitting region 370 is located above its corresponding sensing region 312 and the second light-transmitting region 372 is located above the fingerprint recognition element 33.

[0060] At least one light-emitting element 35 is driven to emit light. The light emitted by at least one light-emitting element 35 enters the light guide plate 34 from the light-incident surface 342 of the light guide plate 34 and is guided by the light guide plate 34 to exit from the front surface 340 and then irradiate the plurality of first light-transmitting regions 370 and the second light-transmitting region 372 of the top cover 37. In Figure 8 and Figure 9 the illustrated example, the top cover 37 is a strip-shaped plate body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It should be emphasized that in this embodiment, light will exit from the second light-transmitting region 372 of the top cover 37.

[0061] In a specific embodiment, at least one light-emitting element 35 can be a light-emitting element such as a semiconductor light-emitting diode element, an organic light-emitting diode element, etc.

[0062] In a specific embodiment, similarly as Figure 9 shown, the top cover 37 includes a light-transmitting plate body 374 and a light-shielding layer 376. The light-transmitting plate body 374 has a top surface 3740, and the light-transmitting plate body 374 is formed of a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be glass, acrylic, ceramic, etc. The light-shielding layer 376 is partially coated on the top surface 3740 of the light-transmitting plate body 374. And the plurality of first light-transmitting regions 370 and the second light-transmitting region 372 of the top cover 37 are not coated by the light-shielding layer 376.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , which schematically depict an electronic device 4 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a fourth preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 Schematically shown in a partial top view is an electronic device 4 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a fourth preferred specific example of the present invention. Figure 11 is Figure 10 a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device 4 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module along line D-D in

[0064] As Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, an electronic device 4 integrating a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module according to a fourth preferred specific embodiment of the present invention includes N first circuit boards 40, N touch sensing circuit layers 41, N light guide plates 42, N groups of first light emitting elements 43, a processing element 44, a second circuit board 45, a fingerprint recognition element 46, a tubular light guide element 47, at least one second light emitting element 48, and a top cover 49, where N is an integer greater than 1. In one embodiment, the second circuit board 45 may be a second flexible circuit board 45, but is not limited thereto.

[0065] Each touch sensing circuit layer 41 corresponds to one first circuit board 40, and each touch sensing circuit layer 41 is formed on its corresponding first circuit board 40. Each light guide plate 42 has its own front surface 420 and its own light incident surface 422. Each light guide plate 42 corresponds to one touch sensing circuit layer 41, and each light guide plate 42 is disposed on its corresponding touch sensing circuit layer 41. Each group of first light emitting elements 43 corresponds to one light guide plate 42, and each group of first light emitting elements 43 is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface 422 of its corresponding light guide plate 42. In a specific embodiment, the structure of each touch sensing circuit layer 41 may be used to perform the function of a projected capacitive touchpad, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, each light guide plate 42 may be made of acrylic, silicone resin, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or other commercial light guiding polymer materials. The layer thickness of each light guide plate 42 may be determined as needed and is not particularly limited.

[0067] The processing element 44 is electrically connected to the N touch sensing circuit layers 41. The processing element 44 is used to determine that a touch input falls on one of the N touch sensing circuit layers 41 and execute the function corresponding to that touch sensing circuit layer 41. In Figure 11 the example shown, the processing element 44 is electrically bonded to one first circuit board 40 and electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 41 thereon via the circuit of the bonded first circuit board 40. Further, the processing element 44 is also electrically connected to other first circuit boards 40 and electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer 41 thereon via the circuits of the electrically connected first circuit boards 40. The fingerprint recognition element 46 is electrically bonded to the second flexible circuit board 45.

[0068] The tubular light guide element 47 has a top 470 and a bottom 472. At least one second light-emitting element 48 is electrically joined to the second flexible circuit board 45. The fingerprint recognition element 46, the second flexible circuit board 45, and at least one second light-emitting element 48 are disposed within the tubular light guide element 47. The fingerprint recognition element 46 is located at the top 470 of the tubular light guide element 47. At least one second light-emitting element 48 is near the bottom 472 of the tubular light guide element 47. The top cover 49 has N first light-transmitting regions 490 and a second light-transmitting region 492. Each first light-transmitting region 490 corresponds to a touch sensing circuit layer 41. The top cover 49 is disposed on the fingerprint recognition element 46 and the N front surfaces 420 of the N light guide plates 42, such that each first light-transmitting region 490 of the top cover 49 is located above its corresponding touch sensing circuit layer 41 and the second light-transmitting region 492 is located on the top 470 of the tubular light guide element 47.

[0069] Each group of first light-emitting elements 43 is driven to emit first light. The first light emitted by each group of first light-emitting elements 43 enters the light guide plate 42 from the light-incident surface 422 of the light guide plate 42 corresponding to that group of first light-emitting elements 43 and is guided by the light guide plate 42 to exit from the front surface 420, thereby irradiating the N first light-transmitting regions 490 of the top cover 49. At least one second light-emitting element 48 is driven to emit second light that enters the tubular light guide element 47 from the bottom 472 of the tubular light guide element 47 and is guided by the tubular light guide element 47 to exit from the top 470 of the tubular light guide element 47, thereby irradiating the second light-transmitting region 492 of the top cover 49. The top cover 49 further has a pattern region 498 for the user to clearly see the operation region of the fingerprint recognition module. No light exits from the pattern region 498 of the top cover 49.

[0070] In a specific embodiment, as also Figure 11 shown, the top cover 49 includes a light-transmitting plate body 494 and a light-shielding layer 496. The light-transmitting plate body 494 has a top surface 4940, and the light-transmitting plate body 494 is formed of a dielectric material. The dielectric material may be glass, acrylic, ceramic, etc. The light-shielding layer 496 is partially coated on the top surface 4940 of the light-transmitting plate body 494. And the plurality of first light-transmitting regions 490 and the second light-transmitting region 492 of the top cover 49 are not coated by the light-shielding layer 496.

[0071] From the above detailed description of the present invention, it can be clearly understood that the electronic device according to the present invention integrates a touchpad and a fingerprint recognition module, which has an overall beautiful appearance, can streamline components, and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0072] Of course, the present utility model may also have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present utility model, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present utility model. However, these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electronic device integrating a touch panel and a fingerprint recognition module, characterized in that Include: a first circuit board; A touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board, and a plurality of sensing areas are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer; A light guide plate having a front surface and a light incident surface, the light guide plate being disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer; At least one light-emitting element is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface; A first top cover having a plurality of light-transmitting areas and a through opening, each light-transmitting area corresponding to a sensing area, the first top cover being arranged on the front surface of the light guide plate so that each light-transmitting area is located above its corresponding sensing area, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is driven to emit a light, the light enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface and is guided by the light guide plate to be emitted from the front surface and then illuminate the plurality of light-transmitting areas; A processing element electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer, the processing element being used to determine whether a touch input falls within one of the plurality of sensing areas and to execute a function corresponding to the sensing area; a second circuit board; A fingerprint identification element is electrically connected to the second circuit board; as well as The second top cover is disposed on the fingerprint identification element and is located in the opening.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover comprises: A light-transmitting plate body having a top surface; and The light shielding layer is partially covered on the top surface of the light-transmitting plate body, wherein the plurality of light-transmitting areas are not covered by the light shielding layer.

3. An electronic device integrating a touch panel and a fingerprint recognition module, characterized in that Include: a first circuit board; A touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board, and a plurality of sensing areas are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer; A light guide plate having a front surface and a light incident surface, the light guide plate being disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer; At least one first light-emitting element is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface; A processing element electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer, the processing element being used to determine whether a touch input falls within one of the plurality of sensing areas and to execute a function corresponding to the sensing area; a second circuit board; A fingerprint identification element is electrically connected to the second circuit board; as well as A top cover has a plurality of first light-transmitting areas, each of which corresponds to a sensing area. The top cover is disposed on the fingerprint recognition element and the front surface of the light guide plate so that each first light-transmitting area is located above its corresponding sensing area, wherein the at least one first light-emitting element is driven to emit a first light, and the first light enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface and is guided by the light guide plate to be emitted from the front surface to irradiate the plurality of first light-transmitting areas.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top cover contains: A light-transmitting plate body having a top surface; and A light shielding layer is partially covered on the top surface of the light-transmitting plate body, wherein the plurality of first light-transmitting areas are not covered by the light shielding layer.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The light-transmitting plate body has a bottom surface and a recess formed on the bottom surface, and the first top of the fingerprint identification element is placed in the recess.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Further including: A tubular light guide element having a second top portion and a bottom portion; and At least one second light-emitting element is electrically connected to the second circuit board. The fingerprint recognition element, the second circuit board and the at least one second light-emitting element are placed in the tubular light-guiding element. The fingerprint recognition element is located at the second top of the tubular light-guiding element. The top cover has a second light-transmitting area. The second top of the tubular light-guiding element is located below the second light-transmitting area of ​​the top cover. The at least one second light-emitting element is close to the bottom of the tubular light-guiding element. The at least one second light-emitting element is driven to emit a second light from the bottom of the tubular light-guiding element into the tubular light-guiding element and is guided by the tubular light-guiding element to be emitted from the second top of the tubular light-guiding element to illuminate the second light-transmitting area.

7. An electronic device integrating a touch panel and a fingerprint recognition module, characterized in that Include: a first circuit board; A touch sensing circuit layer is formed on the first circuit board, and a plurality of sensing areas are defined on the touch sensing circuit layer; a second circuit board; A fingerprint identification element is electrically connected to the second circuit board; A light guide plate having a front surface and a light incident surface, the light guide plate being disposed on the touch sensing circuit layer and the fingerprint recognition element; At least one light-emitting element is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface; A processing element electrically connected to the touch sensing circuit layer, the processing element being used to determine whether a touch input falls within one of the plurality of sensing areas and to execute a function corresponding to the sensing area; as well as A top cover has a plurality of first light-transmitting areas and a second light-transmitting area, each of the first light-transmitting areas corresponds to a sensing area, the top cover is arranged on the front surface of the light guide plate so that each first light-transmitting area is located above its corresponding sensing area and the second light-transmitting area is located above the fingerprint recognition element, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is driven to emit a light, the light enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface and is guided by the light guide plate to be emitted from the front surface to irradiate the plurality of first light-transmitting areas and the second light-transmitting area.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top cover contains: A light-transmitting plate body having a top surface; and A light shielding layer is partially covered on the top surface of the light-transmitting plate body, wherein the plurality of first light-transmitting regions and the second light-transmitting region are not covered by the light shielding layer.

9. An electronic device integrating a touch panel and a fingerprint recognition module, characterized in that Include: N first circuit boards, where N is an integer greater than 1; N touch sensing circuit layers, each touch sensing circuit layer corresponds to a first circuit board and each touch sensing circuit layer is formed on its corresponding first circuit board; N light guide plates, each light guide plate having a respective front surface and a respective light incident surface, each light guide plate corresponding to a touch sensing circuit layer and disposed on the corresponding touch sensing circuit layer; N groups of first light-emitting elements, each group of first light-emitting elements corresponds to a light guide plate and is arranged adjacent to a light incident surface of the corresponding light guide plate; A processing element electrically connected to the N touch sensing circuit layers, the processing element being used to determine whether a touch input falls on one of the N touch sensing circuit layers and to execute a function corresponding to the touch sensing circuit layer; a second circuit board; A fingerprint identification element is electrically connected to the second circuit board; A tubular light guide element having a top and a bottom; At least one second light-emitting element is electrically connected to the second circuit board, wherein the fingerprint recognition element, the second circuit board and the at least one second light-emitting element are placed in the tubular light-guiding element, the fingerprint recognition element is located at the top of the tubular light-guiding element, and the at least one second light-emitting element is close to the bottom of the tubular light-guiding element; as well as A top cover having N first light-transmitting areas and a second light-transmitting area, each first light-transmitting area corresponds to a touch sensing circuit layer, and the top cover is arranged on the fingerprint recognition element and the N front surfaces of the N light guide plates so that each first light-transmitting area is located above its corresponding touch sensing circuit layer and the second light-transmitting area is located on the top of the tubular light guide element, wherein each group of first light-emitting elements is driven to emit a first light ray, the first light ray enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface of the light guide plate corresponding to the group of first light-emitting elements and is guided by the light guide plate to be emitted from the front surface and thus illuminate the N first light-transmitting areas, and the at least one second light-emitting element is driven to emit a second light ray that enters the tubular light guide element from the bottom and is guided by the tubular light guide element to be emitted from the top of the tubular light guide element and thus illuminates the second light-transmitting area.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The top cover contains: A light-transmitting plate body having a top surface; and A light shielding layer is partially covered on the top surface of the light-transmitting plate body, wherein the plurality of first light-transmitting regions and the second light-transmitting region are not covered by the light shielding layer.

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