Configuration of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor relative to a display of a device

Abstract

The various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to ultrasonic fingerprint sensors. In some embodiments, the device may include a flexible display. The device may include an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display. The device may include an acoustic configuration layer located between the display and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. The acoustic configuration layer may be configured to optimize the signal strength of the ultrasonic signals, at least in part, based on the configuration of one or more layers of the flexible display. Numerous other embodiments are provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The various types of samples disclosed herein generally relate to fingerprint sensors, and for example to ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configurations. Prior Technology

[0002] Fingerprint sensors are already included in devices such as smartphones, ATMs, and automobiles. Fingerprint sensors are used to authenticate users. Typical fingerprint sensors (e.g., ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, optical fingerprint sensors, etc.) have the function of capturing an image (or multiple images) of a user's fingerprint for authentication. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some embodiments, a device may include: a flexible display; an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display; and an acoustic configuration layer located between the flexible display and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is configured to optimize the signal strength of the ultrasonic signals based at least in part on the configuration of one or more layers of the flexible display.

[0004] In some embodiments, a device may include: a flexible display including a backing layer, wherein the backing layer includes a porous foam layer, a base layer, and a recess; and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located within the recess and is coplanar with at least one of the porous foam layer or the base layer.

[0005] In some implementations, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may include: an emitter layer; an acoustic configuration layer; and a sensing pixel layer located between the emitter layer and the acoustic configuration layer, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is configured to optimize the operating frequency of ultrasonic signals emitted by the emitter layer or received by the sensing pixel layer.

[0006] In some implementations, a device may include: a display; an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; and an acoustic configuration layer formed of a resonant material, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is at least one of the following: a layer of the display configured to be closest to the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, or a layer of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to be closest to the acoustic configuration layer.

[0007] Various types generally include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, user gear, wireless communication equipment, and / or processing systems as described and explained in the figures and instructions.

[0008] The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the examples according to this disclosure in an effort to facilitate a better understanding of the following detailed description. Additional features and advantages will be described thereafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples can be readily used as the basis for modifying or designing other structures for implementing the same purpose as this disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the claimed patent. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, in both their organization and manner of operation, and their associated advantages, will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the drawings. Each drawing is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes, and not for defining any limitation on the claims. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] To gain a detailed understanding of the features described above in this disclosure, the various forms can be referred to for a more specific description of the content briefly outlined above, some of which are illustrated in the diagrams. However, it should be noted that the diagrams only illustrate certain typical forms of this disclosure and should not be considered as limiting its scope, as this description may allow for other equivalent and valid forms. Identical element symbols in different diagrams may identify the same or similar elements.

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating example environments in which the devices and / or methods described herein can be implemented according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating example components of one or more devices (such as user equipment) shown in Figure 1 according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured according to various configurations of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating examples of configuration implementations of ultrasonic fingerprint sensors and displays according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of the configuration of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and a display according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, including an acoustic configuration layer, configured according to various schemes of this disclosure. Implementation

[0016] The various embodiments of this disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to any specific structure or function given throughout this disclosure. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based at least in part on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of this disclosure is intended to cover any embodiment of this disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently or in combination with any other embodiment of this disclosure. For example, any number of embodiments set forth herein may be used to implement an apparatus or practice. In addition, the scope of this disclosure is intended to cover such apparatus or methods practiced using additional structures, functions, or structures and functions that supplement or complement the various embodiments of this disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any embodiment of this disclosure disclosed herein may be implemented by one or more elements of the claim.

[0017] User devices and / or communication devices typically use fingerprint sensors as a user authentication method. Various systems exist for sensing fingerprints, such as optical fingerprint detection systems via the display of communication devices, capacitive fingerprint sensing, and / or ultrasonic fingerprint sensing. Under-display fingerprint sensor systems can be provided in user devices or apparatuses. Many communication devices use displays with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays, and / or plastic organic light-emitting diode (pOLED) displays (which may also be referred to as flexible OLED displays). Because the electromagnetic properties of the display can interfere with capacitive fingerprint sensors, the electrical properties of the display can reduce the sensing capability of capacitive fingerprint sensors. Optical fingerprint systems may be limited or rendered useless when the display includes a light-blocking layer or numerous metal traces.

[0018] Ultrasonic fingerprint sensors can be integrated under the display of a user device. These sensors can be integrated under a light-blocking layer on the user device's display without interfering with the electrical functionality of the user device or its display.

[0019] As display technology continues to evolve, reducing display thickness is advantageous. For example, for folding or bending, flexible displays (and / or certain layers of the display, such as one or more cover glass layers) need to be relatively thinner compared to non-foldable or non-flexible displays. However, reducing the thickness of flexible displays reduces their rigidity. Reducing the number of layers in a flexible display, relative to a non-foldable display, affects the acoustic path of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Furthermore, due to the reduced thickness, compression of such a flexible display can compromise the integrity of the components beneath it. More specifically, when a user presses their finger on a flexible display to interact with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor beneath it, the finger may compress the flexible display into one or more elements of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, potentially damaging the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and / or the flexible display.

[0020] The various configurations and styles of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor described herein can be adapted for use with flexible displays configured to be foldable or bendable. For example, a user equipment may include a flexible display, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and an acoustic configuration layer configured to optimize the signal strength of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor while maintaining the integrity of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and / or the flexible display. The acoustic configuration layer may be configured to cover a threshold percentage of the effective area, thereby allowing for an increase in the fingerprint scanning area of ​​the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

[0021] In this way, the configuration of the device’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and / or flexible display (e.g., display device and / or touch screen of user equipment, user gear, tablet computer or other similar device) allows the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor to be located under the display, optimizing the performance of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor based on the position of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and / or flexible display, and / or preventing damage to the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, flexible display or other components of the device.

[0022] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example system 100 in which the devices and / or methods described herein can be implemented according to various aspects of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, system 100 may include user equipment 110 with a display 112, wireless communication equipment 120, and / or network 130. The devices of system 100 may be interconnected via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0023] User equipment 110 includes one or more devices capable of including an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured relative to a display, as described herein. For example, user equipment 110 may include one or more devices as described herein capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information associated with one or more sensors (e.g., ultrasonic sensors, capacitive touch sensors, accelerometers, piezoelectric sensors, etc.) for the purpose of detecting a user. More specifically, user equipment 110 may include communication and / or computing devices, such as user equipment (e.g., smartphones, cordless phones, etc.), laptops, tablets, handheld computers, wearable communication devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.), home security systems (e.g., with touch-sensitive security panels), home appliances, vehicles (e.g., with capacitive touch doors, control panels, etc.), payment terminals, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or any other similar type of device.

[0024] The display 112 of the user equipment 110 may be a flexible display (e.g., a touch screen with a capacitive touch interface) and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. As shown, the display 112 may include an inwardly folding display and / or an outwardly folding display.

[0025] Similar to user equipment 110, wireless communication device 120 includes one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information associated with user input and / or user interaction as described herein. For example, wireless communication device 120 may include base stations, access points, etc. Additionally or alternatively, similar to user equipment 110, wireless communication device 120 may include communication and / or computing devices such as mobile phones (e.g., smartphones, wireless phones, etc.), laptops, tablets, handheld computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, wearable communication devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.), or similar types of devices.

[0026] Network 130 includes one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, network 130 may include cellular networks (e.g., long-term evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, 3G networks, 4G networks, 5G networks, another type of next-generation network, etc.), public land mobile network (PLMN), local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), telephone network (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN)), private network, ad hoc network, intranet, internet, fiber-based network, cloud computing network, etc., and / or combinations of these or other types of networks. In some configurations, network 130 may include a data network and / or communicate with a data platform (e.g., a web platform, a cloud-based platform, a non-cloud-based platform, etc.) capable of receiving, generating, processing, and / or providing information associated with user input and / or user interactions detected and / or analyzed by user equipment 110.

[0027] The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in Figure 1 are provided as one or more examples. In practice, there may be additional devices and / or networks, fewer devices and / or networks, different devices and / or networks, or devices and / or networks arranged differently compared to those shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, two or more devices shown in Figure 1 may be implemented within a single device, or the single device shown in Figure 1 may be implemented as multiple distributed devices. Additionally or alternatively, the set of devices in system 100 (e.g., one or more devices) may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices in system 100.

[0028] Figure 2 is a diagram of example components of device 200. Device 200 may correspond to user equipment 110 and / or wireless communication device 120. Additionally or alternatively, user equipment 110 and / or wireless communication device 120 may include one or more devices 200 and / or one or more components of device 200. As shown in Figure 2, device 200 may include bus 205, processor 210, memory 215, storage component 220, input component 225, output component 230, communication interface 235, one or more sensors 240 (each referred to as "sensor 240" and collectively as "sensor 240"), and ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245.

[0029] Bus 205 includes components that allow communication between the components of device 200. Processor 210 includes a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), accelerated processing unit (APU), digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor, microcontroller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and / or another type of processing component. Processor 210 is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. In some cases, processor 210 includes one or more processors that can be programmed to perform functions.

[0030] The memory 215 includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by the processor 210.

[0031] Storage component 220 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 200. For example, storage component 220 may include hard disks (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and / or solid-state disks), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, cassettes, magnetic tapes, and / or other types of non-transitory computer-readable media, along with corresponding drives.

[0032] Input component 225 includes components that allow device 200 to receive information, such as via user input. For example, input component 225 may be associated with a user interface as described herein (e.g., to allow the user to interact with one or more features of device 200). Input component 225 includes a capacitive touchscreen display capable of receiving user input. Input component 225 may include a keyboard, keypad, mouse, buttons, switches, microphone, etc. Additionally or alternatively, input component 225 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., vision sensors, position sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, actuators, etc.). In some cases, input component 225 may include a camera (e.g., a high-resolution camera, a low-resolution camera, etc.). In some cases, input component 225 may include, correspond to, and / or be associated with one or more sensors 240.

[0033] Output component 230 includes components (e.g., a display, speaker, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.) that provide output from device 200. Output component 230 may include a display device. According to some examples described herein, the display device may include a flexible display comprising one or more foldable or bendable layers. The flexible display may be foldable and / or bendable (e.g., inward and / or outward) by using a hinge (and / or other pivoting mechanism) that allows the flexible display to fold along a crease formed by the hinge (e.g., such that the flexible display rotates at an angle of less than 180° along the crease). Some examples described herein can be applied to foldable and / or bendable flexible displays. Accordingly, while some examples described may refer to foldable or foldable flexible displays, such examples can be similarly applied to bendable or bendable flexible displays. Furthermore, the configuration of the display device can be based on whether the display device is foldable and / or can be based on whether the display device is foldable inward or foldable outward. For example, certain thicknesses of certain layers of the example flexible display described herein can depend on whether the display device is a flexible display and / or whether the flexible display is foldable inward and / or foldable outward.

[0034] Communication interface 235 includes a transceiver and / or separate receiver and transmitter, enabling device 200 to communicate with other devices (such as via wired connection, wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections). Communication interface 235 allows device 200 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface 235 may include an Ethernet interface, optical interface, coaxial interface, infrared interface, radio frequency (RF) interface, universal serial bus (USB) interface, Wi-Fi interface, cellular network interface, wireless modem, inter-integrated circuit (I2C), serial peripheral interface (SPI), etc.

[0035] Sensor 240 may include one or more devices capable of sensing characteristics associated with device 200 (e.g., characteristics of the physical environment or operating conditions of device 200). Sensor 240 may include one or more passive components (e.g., on a packaged silicon die) of one or more integrated circuits and / or one or more flexible circuits to enable communication with one or more components of device 200.

[0036] Sensor 240 may include a visual sensor (e.g., an image sensor, an optical sensor, a camera, etc.) having a field of view from which the sensor 240 can obtain an image (e.g., an image of a fingerprint). Additionally or alternatively, sensor 240 may include a hydrometer (e.g., for detecting the presence or density of a liquid in the environment of device 200), a magnetometer (e.g., a Hall effect sensor, anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensor, giant magneto-resistive (GMR) sensor, etc.), a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a local positioning system (LPS) device (e.g., using triangulation, polygonal measurement, etc.), and / or the like), a gyroscope (e.g., a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope or a similar device), an accelerometer, a velocity sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a gas sensor, and the like.

[0037] Sensor 240 may include an ultrasonic sensing element for detecting the presence of a user and / or for use in association with ultrasonic fingerprint detection. In some cases, the ultrasonic sensing element may be used by ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 to obtain an ultrasonic measurement of the user's fingerprint. As described herein, an ultrasonic sensor acting as a passive sensor may detect and / or analyze vibrations from the user, which may be used to passively detect the user (e.g., without emitting ultrasonic signals) based at least in part on the piezoelectric properties of the ultrasonic sensor. An ultrasonic sensor acting as an active ultrasonic sensor may emit ultrasonic signals and receive corresponding reflected ultrasonic signals, which may be measured to determine whether the user's finger is on (or near) the user device, the user device's touchscreen, and / or the user device's fingerprint scanner (e.g., ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245).

[0038] The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 includes one or more devices capable of analyzing a user's fingerprint. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 may be associated with and / or communicatively coupled to one or more sensors 240. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 can be configured as a user authentication device using any suitable technology to analyze a user's fingerprint to determine whether the user is an authorized user of device 200 and / or applications associated with device 200. Accordingly, as an authentication device, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 may allow unlocking operations on the user device (e.g., accessing applications on the user device, accessing the home screen of the user device, logging into accounts associated with the user) based at least in part on the fingerprint identifying the authorized user.

[0039] Device 200 can perform one or more processes described herein. Device 200 can execute these programs in response to processor 210 executing software instructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable media (such as memory 215 and / or storage component 220). As used herein, "computer-readable media" means a non-transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space distributed across multiple physical storage devices.

[0040] Software instructions can be read from another computer-readable medium or another device into memory 215 and / or storage component 220 via communication interface 235. The software instructions stored in memory 215 and / or storage component 220, when executed, can cause processor 210 to execute one or more programs described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to execute one or more programs described herein. Therefore, the various embodiments described herein are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0041] In some embodiments, device 200 includes means for performing one or more programs described herein and / or means for performing one or more operations of the programs described herein. For example, means for performing the programs and / or operations described herein may include bus 205, processor 210, memory 215, storage component 220, input component 225, output component 230, communication interface 235, sensor 240 and / or any combination thereof.

[0042] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 2 are provided as an example. In practice, device 200 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged differently compared to those shown in Figure 2. Additionally or alternatively, the set of components of device 200 (e.g., one or more components) may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 200.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an isometric cross-sectional view and a plan cross-sectional view of an example portion of an example ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 according to an example of a particular type described herein. For example, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 may implement the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 described with reference to Figure 2. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 may include an ultrasonic transducer 302 above a substrate 304 and below a pressure plate 306 (e.g., one or more layers of a flexible display and / or a flexible display described herein). The ultrasonic transducer 302 may include both a piezoelectric active layer 308 and a sensing pixel 310. The piezoelectric layer 308 is generally configured to generate an ultrasonic signal (e.g., in ultrasonic form) and emit the ultrasonic signal to the pressure plate 306, and in the illustrated implementation, emit the ultrasonic signal to a finger 312 located on the upper surface of the pressure plate 306. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transmitter 308 may be more specifically configured to generate and emit ultrasonic waves toward the pressure plate 306. For example, the piezoelectric material of the ultrasonic transmitter 308 may be configured to convert electrical signals provided by the controller of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 into a continuous or pulsed sequence of ultrasonic surface waves at a scanning frequency. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transmitter 308 includes a piezoelectric material layer, such as, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or PVDF copolymers (such as PVDF-TrFE). In some embodiments, other piezoelectric materials, such as aluminum nitride (AlN), lead zirconate titanate (PZT), or sodium bismuth titanate, may be used in the ultrasonic transmitter and / or ultrasonic receiver. In some cases, the ultrasonic transmitter and / or ultrasonic receiver may additionally or alternatively include capacitive ultrasonic elements (such as capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs)) or piezoelectric ultrasonic elements (such as piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs, also known as "piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers")).

[0044] The ultrasonic sensing pixel 310 is generally configured to detect ultrasonic reflections 314 resulting from the interaction between ultrasound emitted from the ultrasonic emitter 308 and the ridges 316 and valleys 318 of the fingerprint defining the finger 312 being scanned. As shown, the piezoelectric layer 308 is located below the sensing pixel layer 310 and the flexible display (referred to herein as a "receiver-under-the-head configuration"). Correspondingly, the piezoelectric active layer 308 is located between the pressure plate 306 and the sensing pixel layer 310. In some cases, the sensing pixel layer 310 may be above the piezoelectric active layer 308 (referred herein as a "receiver-on-the-head configuration"). In such cases, the sensing pixel 310 is located between the pressure plate 306 and the piezoelectric active layer 308.

[0045] The ultrasonic receiver 310 can be configured to generate and output an electrical output signal corresponding to the detected ultrasonic reflection 314. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic receiver 310 may include a second piezoelectric layer different from the piezoelectric layer of the ultrasonic transmitter 308. For example, the piezoelectric material of the ultrasonic receiver 310 can be any suitable piezoelectric material, such as, for example, a PVDF layer or a PVDF-TrFE copolymer. The piezoelectric layer of the ultrasonic receiver 310 can convert the vibrations caused by ultrasonic reflection into an electrical output signal. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic receiver 310 further includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer. In some such embodiments, the TFT layer may include a sensor pixel element array configured to amplify or buffer the electrical output signal generated by the piezoelectric layer of the ultrasonic receiver 310. The electrical output signal provided by the sensor pixel element array can then be provided as raw measured image data to a processing unit for processing the image data, identifying fingerprints associated with the image data, and, in some applications, authenticating users associated with fingerprints. In some embodiments, a single piezoelectric layer may serve as both the ultrasonic transmitter 308 and the ultrasonic receiver 310. In some embodiments, the substrate 304 may be a glass, plastic, or silicon substrate on which electronic circuitry systems (e.g., printed circuit boards (PCBs) for user equipment and / or flexible displays) may be fabricated. In some embodiments, the sensor pixel element array and associated interface circuitry of the ultrasonic receiver 310 may be configured from complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry formed in or on the substrate 304. In some embodiments, the substrate 304 may be positioned between the pressure plate 306 and the ultrasonic transmitter 308 and / or between the pressure plate 306 and the ultrasonic receiver 310. One or more protective layers, acoustic control layers, anti-fouling layers, adhesive layers, decorative layers, conductive layers, or other coatings (not shown) of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 may be included on one or more sides of the substrate 304 and the pressure plate 306.

[0046] The pressure plate 306 may be formed of one or more layers that can be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transmitter 308. For example, the pressure plate 306 may be formed of one or more of glass, plastic, ceramic, sapphire, metal, or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the pressure plate 306 may be a cover plate, such as, for example, the cover glass or lens glass of a bottom display. In some embodiments, as described herein, the pressure plate 306 may include an acoustic configuration layer configured to optimize the ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter 308 and / or the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic receiver 310. In some embodiments, the pressure plate 306 may include recesses (e.g., in a backing layer) configured to accommodate one or more components of the ultrasonic transducer 302 and / or the substrate 304. In some embodiments, the pressure plate 306 may include a non-resonant material (e.g., on the cover glass of the pressure plate 306) whose thickness is at least partially based on a quarter wavelength of the ultrasonic signal.

[0047] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 3 are provided as an example. In practice, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged differently compared to those shown in Figure 3. Additionally or alternatively, the set of components (e.g., one or more components) of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor system 300.

[0048] Figure 4 is an illustration of an example 400 associated with the configuration of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor relative to a device display. Figure 4 includes a cross-sectional plan view of a flexible display 402 comprising multiple layers. As shown, the flexible display 402 includes a cover layer 404, multiple adhesive film layers 406 (hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as "adhesive film layers 404"), a glass layer 408, a polarizer layer 410, a panel layer 412, and a protective layer 414. The flexible display 402 may include one or more additional layers, such as color filters, polarizers, anti-reflective films, shatterproof films, barrier layers, optical layers, coating layers, light-blocking layers, etc.

[0049] The capping layer 404 may include a hard coating layer, such as colorless polyimide (CPI), and may have a thickness between 30 microns (μm). The glass layer 408 may be formed of ultra-thin glass (UTG) and may have a thickness between 10 microns and 50 microns. The capping layer 404 and the glass layer 408 (together with the adhesive film between them) may form a glass cover for the flexible display 402 and may have an overall thickness between 60 microns and 100 microns. The polarizer 410 may include any suitable polarizing material and may have a thickness between 50 and 80 microns. The panel layer 412 may include an OLED panel, an LED panel, etc., and may have a thickness between 30 and 50 microns. The protective layer may include any suitable material or film configured to maintain a barrier and / or protect the panel layer 412 relative to one or more other components of the device (e.g., user equipment 110) associated with the flexible display 402.

[0050] The example device 400 in Figure 4 also includes an adhesive layer 416, an acoustic configuration layer 420, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430. The adhesive layer 416 can be any suitable material, such as a non-porous adhesive material, an optically clear adhesive (OCA) material, etc., laminated to a layer of the flexible display 402. In some embodiments, the flexible display 402 may not include a porous foam layer (e.g., as part of the backing layer of the flexible display 402). Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 may be located within a recess in the backing layer of the flexible display, which includes a base layer (e.g., a stainless steel layer, a glass layer, etc.) and / or a porous foam layer.

[0051] As described herein, the acoustic configuration layer 420 is configured to optimize the ultrasonic signal associated with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 and / or maintain the structural integrity of the flexible display 402 (e.g., preventing the flexible display from being pressed into the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430). The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 is configured to transmit and / or receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display 402. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 can be configured with the receiver on top or the receiver on the bottom. As shown in FIG4, the acoustic configuration layer 420 is located between the flexible display 402 and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430.

[0052] The acoustic configuration layer 420 can be configured to optimize the signal strength of the ultrasonic signal associated with (e.g., emitted from and / or received by) the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430. For example, the thickness of the acoustic configuration layer 420 can be based at least in part on the half-wavelength of the ultrasonic signal associated with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 and the material of the acoustic configuration layer 420. In such examples, depending on the type of material used to form the acoustic configuration layer, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can have a relatively thick thickness (e.g., greater than or equal to 200 micrometers). Furthermore, in this case, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can be formed of a non-resonant material, such as aluminum (e.g., 100% aluminum or aluminum alloy), plastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), glass, etc.). As described herein, the flexible display 402 can be a bendable display and / or a foldable display. Accordingly, to facilitate this flexibility, the maximum thickness of the flexible display can be less than approximately 500 micrometers. Depending on the specific case, the maximum thickness of the flexible display 402 can be substantially equal to or less than the maximum thickness of the acoustic configuration layer 420 (although not shown to scale in Figure 4). In this case, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can allow the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 to operate over a relatively high frequency range (e.g., involving an operating frequency range for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic signals between 10 MHz and 20 MHz).

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can alter the frequency of the ultrasonic signal associated with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430. For example, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can be formed of a resonant material (e.g., tin, lead, titanium, stainless steel, copper, tungsten, etc.) configured to change the frequency of the ultrasonic signal. More specifically, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can be configured to increase the transmitted ultrasonic signal and / or decrease the received ultrasonic signal. In this case, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can allow the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 to operate within a relatively low operating frequency range (e.g., involving an operating frequency range for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic signals between 1 MHz and 15 MHz).

[0054] When formed of a resonant material, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can provide a larger fingerprint sensing area than the region or size of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430 (e.g., the physical region of the sensing element array of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430). In some embodiments, the size (and / or shape) of the fingerprint sensing area can correspond to the size of the acoustic configuration layer 420. In some embodiments, the acoustic configuration layer 420 can have a thinner thickness (e.g., less than 50 micrometers) when formed of a resonant material.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4 and by component symbol 440, the region of the acoustic configuration layer 420 may correspond to a portion of the effective region 442 of the flexible display 402 (e.g., the region capable of displaying an image via the flexible display 402). For example, the largest region of the resonant material forming the acoustic configuration layer 420 may be at least 25% of the effective region of the flexible display 402. Accordingly, in such an example, the acoustic configuration layer 420 provides a fingerprint sensing region 444 covering a relatively large portion (e.g., 25% or more, 50% or more, etc.) of the effective region 442 of the flexible display 402. As another example, as shown by component symbol 450, the region of the acoustic configuration layer 420 may correspond to the effective region 442 of the flexible display 402. In this case, the acoustic configuration layer 420 provides a fingerprint sensing region that can cover the effective region 442 (or at least a majority of the effective region 442). In this way, the acoustic configuration layer 420, when formed of a resonant material, can (relative to prior art) expand the fingerprint sensing area of ​​the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 430.

[0056] Accordingly, as described herein, the device may include a flexible display with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that uses an acoustic configuration layer 420 to optimize the ultrasonic signal associated with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. In this way, the accuracy associated with measuring a user's fingerprint and / or the fingerprint sensing area of ​​the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor can be optimized for authenticating a user at least in part based on the user's fingerprint.

[0057] As indicated above, Figure 4 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described with respect to Figure 4.

[0058] Figure 5 is an illustration of an example relating to the configuration of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor relative to a device display. Figure 5 includes a cross-sectional plan view of a flexible display 502, which includes a backing layer 504. The backing layer 504 includes a porous foam layer 506 and a substrate layer 508. The backing layer 504 may be located between a panel layer of the flexible display 502 and a substrate of a device (e.g., user equipment 110) associated with the flexible display 502.

[0059] As described herein, in the example of FIG. 5, the backing layer 504 may include a recess configured to accommodate an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (e.g., the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 of FIG. 2). Accordingly, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245 may be located within the recess to allow the backing layer 504 to maintain the structural integrity of the flexible display 502 and / or prevent the flexible display 502 from being pressed into the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 245.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5 and by component symbol 510, the backing layer 504 includes a recess 512. The recess 512 includes an opening extending through the porous foam layer 506 and the base layer 508 (e.g., through the base of the base layer 508). An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514 is located within the recess 512. As further shown, a reinforcement 516 is located within the recess 512. The reinforcement 516 may be located between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514 and the flexible display 502 (e.g., between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514 and the panel layer of the flexible display 502), as shown. In some cases, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514 may be located between the reinforcement 516 and the flexible display 502 (e.g., between the reinforcement 516 and the panel layer of the flexible display). The reinforcement 516 may be formed of a plastic material, glass material, steel material, aluminum material, compressed foam material, etc. In some cases, the reinforcement (such as, for example, a reinforcement formed of a resonant material (such as copper or stainless steel)) may be an acoustic configuration layer (e.g., similar to acoustic configuration layer 420 in example 400) to alter the frequency and / or amplitude of the ultrasonic signal associated with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514. One or more adhesive layers may be included between the flexible display 502, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514, and / or the reinforcement 516 to secure the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514 and / or the reinforcement 516 within the recess. As shown, the cross-sectional area 518 of the recess 512 (e.g., a cross-sectional area parallel to the effective area of ​​the flexible display 502) may be relatively small (e.g., 20% or less of the effective area of ​​the flexible display 502).

[0061] As shown in Figure 5 and by component symbol 520, the backing layer 504 includes a recess 522. An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 524 is located within the recess 524. The recess 522 includes an opening extending through a porous foam layer 506 and has a base 526 in a base layer 508. In some configurations, the base 526 supports the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 524 via the porous foam layer to maintain the structural integrity of the flexible display 502 (e.g., similar to a reinforcement 516 located below the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 524). The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 514 is located within the recess 512. As further shown, the reinforcement 516 is located within the recess 512. The base 526 (and / or the base layer 508) can be formed of a plastic material, glass material, steel material, etc. As shown, the cross-sectional area 528 of the recess 522 can be relatively small (e.g., 20% or less of the effective area of ​​the flexible display 502).

[0062] As shown in Figure 5 and by component symbol 530, the backing layer 504 includes a recess 532. An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 534 is located on a reinforcement 536 within the recess 532. The recess 532 includes an opening extending through a porous foam layer 506, through a substrate layer 508, and reaching (or through) a PCB 538. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 534 and / or the reinforcement 536 may be mounted to the PCB 538 (e.g., via one or more fasteners or adhesives) and / or communicatively coupled to the PCB 536 via traces 540. As shown, the cross-sectional area 548 of the recess 532 may be relatively small (e.g., 20% or less of the effective area of ​​the flexible display 502).

[0063] As indicated above, Figure 5 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described with respect to Figure 5.

[0064] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating examples 600A and 600B associated with the configuration of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor relative to a device display. Figure 6 includes a cross-sectional plan view of a display 602 having an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604, which includes an acoustic configuration layer 606. The display 602 may correspond to one or more flexible displays or any other suitable non-flexible display described elsewhere herein. Accordingly, the display 602 may or may not include an acoustic configuration layer separate from the acoustic configuration layer 606 of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604. As shown in examples 600A and 600B of Figure 6, the acoustic configuration layer 606 may be located between the display layer and the sensing pixel layer 610 of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

[0065] As shown in Example 600A of Figure 6, an adhesive layer 608 for the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 may be located between the display 602 and the acoustic configuration layer 606 (e.g., for adhering the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 to the display 602 and vice versa). The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 includes an emitter layer 610 (e.g., a piezoelectric layer) and a sensing pixel layer 612 (e.g., a TFT layer). A thin adhesive layer 614 (e.g., an adhesive layer less than 20 micrometers thick) may be located between the acoustic configuration layer 606 and the sensing pixel layer 612. In Examples 600A and 600B, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 606 includes an electrode layer 616 (e.g., a silver ink layer) and / or a substrate layer 618 (e.g., an epoxy resin film layer).

[0066] As described herein, the acoustic configuration layer 606 is configured to optimize the operating frequency of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604. For example, the thickness of the acoustic configuration layer 606 may be based on the wavelength, half-wavelength, and / or quarter-wavelength of the ultrasonic signal emitted by the transmitter layer 610 and / or the ultrasonic signal to be received by the sensing pixel layer 612. For example, a relatively thin acoustic configuration layer 606 (e.g., less than 100 micrometers) may result in the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 having a relatively low operating frequency (e.g., less than 10 MHz), while a relatively thick acoustic configuration layer 606 may result in the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor having a relatively high operating frequency (e.g., greater than 10 MHz).

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the sensing pixel layer 612, the emitter layer 610, and / or the electrode layer 616 is configured or set accordingly based on the thickness of the acoustic configuration layer 606 (and vice versa). For example, when the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 is configured to have a relatively low operating frequency range, the acoustic configuration layer 606 may be relatively thin, and the electrode layer 616 relatively thick (e.g., greater than 10 micrometers). On the other hand, when the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 is configured to have a relatively high operating frequency, the electrode layer 616 will be relatively thin (e.g., less than 10 micrometers). Accordingly, the ratio between the acoustic configuration layer and one or more other layers can be configured to optimize the operating frequency of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604. Furthermore, the same form factor associated with the display 602 can be used to allow different configurations of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 to operate at different operating frequency ranges.

[0068] As shown in Example 600B of Figure 6, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 may include a spacer 620 between the acoustic configuration layer and the thin adhesive layer 612. The spacer 620 may be formed of a non-resonant material and configured to optimize the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 to have a relatively high operating frequency. Accordingly, compared to the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 being optimized to have a relatively low operating frequency in Example 600A, the thickness of one or more other layers of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 604 in Example 600B may be reduced. For example, the sensing pixel layer 612 may have a thickness of less than 100 micrometers, and / or the electrode layer 616 may have a thickness of less than 10 micrometers.

[0069] As indicated above, Figure 6 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described with respect to Figure 6.

[0070] The following provides an overview of the various forms disclosed herein:

[0071] Sample 1: A device comprising: a flexible display; an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display; and an acoustic configuration layer located between the flexible display and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is configured to optimize the signal strength of the ultrasonic signals based at least in part on the configuration of one or more layers of the flexible display.

[0072] Version 2: The device as described in Version 1, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is formed of a resonant material configured to change the frequency of the ultrasonic signal.

[0073] Version 3: The device as described in Version 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the resonant material is approximately 10% of the thickness of the flexible display.

[0074] Type 4: The device as described in any one of Types 1-3, wherein the operating frequency range of the ultrasonic signal is between 1 MHz and 15 MHz.

[0075] Sample 5: The device as described in any one of Samples 1-4, wherein the maximum region of the resonant material is at least 25% of the maximum effective region of the flexible display.

[0076] State 6: The device as described in any one of States 1-5, wherein the thickness of the non-resonant material of the acoustic configuration layer is at least partially based on half the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal.

[0077] Sample 7: The device as described in Sample 6, wherein the thickness of the non-resonant material is substantially the same as the thickness of the flexible display.

[0078] Sample 8: The device as described in any one of Samples 1-7, wherein the operating frequency range of the ultrasonic signal is between 10 MHz and 20 MHz.

[0079] Version 9: The device as described in any one of Versions 1-8, wherein a non-porous adhesive layer is located between the flexible display and the acoustic configuration layer.

[0080] Sample 10: The device as described in Sample 9, wherein the non-porous adhesive layer is laminated to the layer of the flexible display.

[0081] Format 11: The device as described in any one of Formats 1-10, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located within a recess in the backing layer of the flexible display.

[0082] Version 12: The device as described in Version 11, wherein the backing layer comprises at least one of a porous foam layer or a base layer.

[0083] Specimen 13: The device as described in any one of Specimens 1-12, wherein the flexible display includes a cover glass having a maximum thickness of less than 200 micrometers.

[0084] Sample 14: The device as described in Sample 13, wherein the thickness of the non-resonant material above the cover glass is at least partially based on a quarter wavelength of the ultrasonic signal.

[0085] Sample 15: A device comprising: a flexible display including a backing layer, wherein the backing layer includes a porous foam layer, a base layer, and a recess; and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located within the recess and is coplanar with at least one of the porous foam layer or the base layer.

[0086] Version 16: The device as described in Version 15 further includes a reinforcement located within the groove.

[0087] Version 17: The device as described in Version 16, wherein the reinforcement is located between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the panel layer of the flexible display.

[0088] Version 18: The device as described in Version 16 or 17, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located between the reinforcement and the panel layer of the flexible display.

[0089] Specimen 19: The device as described in any one of Specimens 16-18, wherein the reinforcement is located between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the base of the groove, the base of the groove being in the base layer.

[0090] Sample 20: The device as described in any one of Samples 16-19, wherein the reinforcement is formed of a resonant material configured to change the frequency of the ultrasonic signal.

[0091] Format 21: The device as described in any one of Formats 16-20, wherein the groove includes an opening extending through the porous foam layer and through the base layer.

[0092] Format 22: The device as described in any one of Formats 15-21, wherein the groove includes an opening through the porous foam layer and a base within the base layer.

[0093] Format 23: The device as described in any one of Formats 15-22, wherein the substrate layer is located between the porous foam layer and the printed circuit board, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is mounted to the printed circuit board.

[0094] Sample 24: The device as described in any one of Samples 15-22, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove is less than 20% of the area of ​​the effective display of the flexible display, wherein the cross-sectional area is parallel to a portion of the effective display.

[0095] Specimen 25: The device as described in any one of Specimens 15-24, wherein the flexible display includes a cover glass having a thickness of less than 200 micrometers.

[0096] Sample 26: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, comprising: an transmitter layer; an acoustic configuration layer; and a sensing pixel layer located between the transmitter layer and the acoustic configuration layer, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is configured to optimize the operating frequency of ultrasonic signals emitted by the transmitter layer or received by the sensing pixel layer.

[0097] Sample 27: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as described in Sample 26, wherein the regions of the piezoelectric region, the acoustic configuration layer, and the sensor pixel layer are coplanar, have the same size, and have the same shape.

[0098] Sample 28: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as described in Sample 26 or 27, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is formed of a resonant material and has a thickness proportional to half the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal.

[0099] Sample 29: An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as described in any one of Samples 26-28, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is configured to optimize the operating frequency based at least in part on one or more of the following: a ratio associated with the thickness of the acoustic configuration layer and the thickness of the sensing pixel layer, the type of one or more materials of the acoustic configuration layer, or the thickness of the acoustic configuration layer and the thickness of the spacer between the acoustic configuration layer and the sensing pixel layer.

[0100] Sample 30: A device comprising: a display; an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; and an acoustic configuration layer formed of a resonant material, wherein the acoustic configuration layer is at least one of the following: a layer of the display configured to be closest to the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, or a layer of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to be closest to the acoustic configuration layer.

[0101] Sample 31: A method performed by one or more of the devices described in any one of Samples 1-25 or 30.

[0102] Sample 32: An apparatus comprising at least one component for performing a method performed by one or more of the apparatuses described in any one of Samples 1-25 or 30.

[0103] Sample 33: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method performed by one or more of the devices described in any one of Samples 1-25 or 30.

[0104] Sample 34: A method performed by an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as described in any of Samples 26-29.

[0105] Sample 35: An apparatus comprising at least one component for performing a method performed by an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as described in any of Samples 26-29.

[0106] Sample 36: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method performed by an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as described in any of Samples 26-29.

[0107] The foregoing disclosure provides explanation and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the forms to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the foregoing disclosure or may be obtained through practice of the forms.

[0108] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly interpreted as hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, a processor is implemented using hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, and / or hardware and software combinations. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limited to a particular variety. Therefore, the operation and behavior of these systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it should be understood that the software and hardware can be designed to implement these systems and / or methods at least in part based on the description herein.

[0109] As used in this article, depending on the context, a threshold can refer to a value greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, etc.

[0110] Although specific combinations of features are described in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of individual states. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically described in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each of the appendices listed below may be directly subordinate to only one claim, the disclosure of individual states includes the combination of each appendice with each other claim in this set of claims. The phrase “at least one of” in a list of items refers to any combination of these items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination having multiple identical elements (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0111] The elements, actions, or instructions used herein should not be construed as critical or necessary unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the articles “a” and “some” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Additionally, as used herein, the article “described” is intended to include one or more items referenced in conjunction with the article “described” and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Moreover, as used herein, the terms “have,” “contain,” “include,” etc., are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase “at least partially based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on” unless otherwise explicitly stated. Moreover, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a sequence and may be used interchangeably with “and / or” unless otherwise explicitly stated (e.g., in combination with “either of” or “only one of”).

[0112] 100: System 110: User Equipment 112: Monitor 120: Wireless communication equipment 130: Internet 200: Equipment 205: Busbar 210: Processor 215: Memory 220: Storage component 225: Input Component 230: Output Component 235: Communication Interface 240: Sensor 245: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 300: Sensor System 302: Ultrasonic transducer 304:Substrate 306: Pressure Plate 308: Ultrasonic transmitter 310: Ultrasonic Receiver 312: fingers 314: Ultrasonic reflection 316: Ridge Tattoo 318: Groove 400: Sample Device 402: Flexible Display 404: Overlay 406: Adhesive film layer 408: Glass layer 410: Polarizer layer 412: Panel layer 414: Protective layer 416: Adhesive layer 420: Acoustic Configuration Layer 430: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 440: First Configuration 442: Effective Area 444: Fingerprint sensing area 450: Second Configuration 454: Fingerprint sensing area 510, 520, 530: Schematic diagram 502: Flexible Display 504: Backing layer 506: Porous foam layer 508: Basal layer 512, 522, 532: Groove 514, 524, 534: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 516, 536: Reinforcing components 518, 528, 548: Cross-sectional areas 526: Base 538:PCB 540: Trajectory 600A, 600B: Examples 602: Monitor 604: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor 606: Acoustic Configuration Layer 606-1: Acoustic Configuration Layer 606-2: Spacer 608: Adhesive layer 610: Launcher Layer 612: Sensing Pixel Layer 614: Thin adhesive layer 616: Electrode layer 618: Basal layer

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A flexible display includes a cover layer, an adhesive film layer, and a glass layer, wherein the adhesive film layer is located between the cover layer and the glass layer; An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display; and an acoustic configuration layer located between the flexible display and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; wherein the acoustic configuration layer is formed of a resonant material and is configured to increase the frequency at which the ultrasonic signals are transmitted and decrease the frequency at which the ultrasonic signals are received, wherein the thickness of the resonant material is approximately 10% of the total thickness of all layers of the flexible display; wherein the acoustic configuration layer is configured to optimize the signal strength of the ultrasonic signals based at least in part on the configuration of one or more layers of the flexible display; and wherein the fingerprint sensing region is extended by the acoustic configuration layer to a physical region larger than the sensing element array of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resonant material is configured to change the frequency of the ultrasonic signal.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operating frequency range of the ultrasonic signal is between 1 MHz and 15 MHz.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maximum region of the resonant material is at least 25% of the maximum effective region of the flexible display.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the non-resonant material of the acoustic configuration layer is at least partially based on half the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating frequency range of the ultrasonic signal is between 10 MHz and 20 MHz.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a non-porous adhesive layer is located between the flexible display and the acoustic configuration layer.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the non-porous adhesive layer is laminated to the layer of the flexible display.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located within a recess in the backing layer of the flexible display.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the backing layer comprises at least one of a porous foam layer or a base layer.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover layer is a cover glass having a maximum thickness of less than 200 micrometers.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the thickness of the non-resonant material above the cover glass is at least partially based on a quarter wavelength of the ultrasonic signal.

13. A display device, comprising: A flexible display comprising a cover layer, an adhesive film layer, a glass layer, and a backing layer; wherein the adhesive film layer is located between the cover layer and the glass layer; wherein the flexible display is a foldable display; and wherein the backing layer includes a groove; an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in an acoustic path through the flexible display; wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located within the groove; and an acoustic configuration layer including a fingerprint sensing area larger than the area or size of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; wherein the acoustic configuration layer is formed of a resonant material and configured to increase the frequency at which the ultrasonic signal is transmitted and decrease the frequency at which the ultrasonic signal is received; wherein the thickness of the resonant material is approximately 10% of the total thickness of the flexible display; and wherein the fingerprint sensing area is extended by the acoustic configuration layer to a physical area larger than the sensing element array of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a reinforcement located within the recess, wherein the reinforcement comprises the acoustic configuration layer.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the reinforcement is located between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the panel layer of the flexible display.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located between the reinforcement and the panel layer of the flexible display.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the backing layer further includes a base layer, and wherein the reinforcement is located between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the base of the recess, the base of the recess being in the base layer.

18. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the reinforcement is configured to change the frequency of the ultrasonic signal.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the backing layer further comprises a porous foam layer and a base layer, and wherein the groove includes an opening extending through the porous foam layer and through the base layer.

20. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the backing layer further comprises a porous foam layer and a base layer, and wherein the groove comprises an opening through the porous foam layer and a base within the base layer.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the backing layer further comprises a porous foam layer and a base layer, and wherein the base layer is located between the porous foam layer and the printed circuit board, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is mounted to the printed circuit board.

22. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the groove is less than 20% of the area of ​​the effective display of the flexible display, wherein the cross-sectional area is parallel to a portion of the effective display.

23. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cover layer is a cover glass having a thickness of less than 200 micrometers.

24. The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: A reinforcing member is located between the flexible display and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a plastic material, a glass material, a steel material, or an aluminum material; And one or more adhesive layers are located between the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and the reinforcement.

25. The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a reinforcement including the acoustic configuration layer, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is located between the flexible display and the acoustic configuration layer.

26. A display device, comprising: A foldable display comprising a cover layer, an adhesive film layer, and a glass layer; wherein the adhesive film layer is located between the cover layer and the glass layer; an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; And an acoustic configuration layer formed of a resonant material, the acoustic configuration layer being configured to increase the frequency at which the ultrasonic signal is transmitted and decrease the frequency at which the ultrasonic signal is received; wherein the acoustic configuration layer includes a fingerprint sensing region larger than the area or size of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; wherein the thickness of the resonant material is approximately 10% of the total thickness of the layers of the foldable display; and wherein the fingerprint sensing region is extended by the acoustic configuration layer to a physical region larger than the sensing element array of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

27. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the foldable display is an inwardly foldable display.

28. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the glass layer comprises ultra-thin glass (UTG).

29. A display device, comprising: Foldable display; Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; The foldable display includes a cover layer, an adhesive film layer, a glass layer, and one or more other layers; wherein the adhesive film layer is located between the cover layer and the glass layer; and an acoustic configuration layer; wherein the acoustic configuration layer includes a fingerprint sensing area larger than the area or size of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; wherein the fingerprint sensing area is extended by the acoustic configuration layer to a physical area larger than the sensing element array of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; wherein the acoustic configuration layer is formed of a resonant material, the acoustic configuration layer is configured to increase the frequency at which the ultrasonic signal is transmitted and decrease the frequency at which the ultrasonic signal is received; and wherein the thickness of the resonant material is approximately 10% of the total thickness of all layers of the foldable display.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the foldable display further comprises a plurality of adhesive film layers, and wherein the plurality of adhesive film layers are located between the cover layer and the glass layer.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the glass layer is located between the cover layer and the one or more other layers; wherein the cover layer comprises a hard coating; and wherein the glass layer comprises ultra-thin glass (UTG).

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