Biometric Sensor Integrated Into Display Activation Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with fingerprint recognition sensors face space constraints due to the need for a separate hardware structure, leading to undesirable device appearances and limited positioning options.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, into the display activation area of an electronic device, utilizing a light source and an optical coupler to reflect light through a transparent cover for fingerprint sensing, eliminating the need for a separate sensor space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate hardware structure is used for the fingerprint recognition sensor, then the sensor can effectively recognize fingerprints, but the device requires additional space and has limited positioning options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fingerprint sensor with the display structure by integrating the sensor into the display activation area. The display panel serves as both the display interface and the housing for the fingerprint sensor, eliminating the need for separate hardware space. The sensor is positioned between the transparent cover and the display panel, allowing fingerprint recognition without additional external components.
2Reliability
If the sensor is positioned closer to the user for effective sensing, then fingerprint recognition performance improves, but the device appearance becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is integrated into the display area, allowing it to be positioned close to the user's fingerprint for effective sensing while maintaining a clean, seamless device appearance. The transparent cover and display panel provide the necessary optical path without requiring separate sensor housings or protruding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel and transparent cover act as intermediaries that enable the sensor to be positioned close to the user while maintaining aesthetic appearance. These layers provide the optical path for light to reach the sensor and return to the detector, allowing effective fingerprint sensing through the display surface.
3Reliability
If a separate space is allocated for the fingerprint sensor, then the sensor can be properly positioned, but the device becomes thicker or loses display activation area
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint sensor is positioned within the display activation area, merging the sensor function with the display function. This integration allows the sensor to be properly positioned for fingerprint recognition while utilizing the existing display structure, thereby preserving the display activation area rather than sacrificing it to a separate sensor housing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for effective fingerprint recognition without additional physical components, expanding space usage and enhancing device aesthetics by integrating the sensor into the display area, while maintaining effective waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
a coupler disposed between the illumination part and the transparent cover configured to reflect the light from the illumination part to the transparent cover
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may comprise a housing including a first surface facing in a first direction and a second surface facing in a second direction opposite the first direction, the housing including a transparent cover that comprises at least part of the first surface, a display disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the housing and configured to display information through the transparent cover to an outside, an illumination part comprising light emitting circuitry disposed at an inner side of an end of the first surface of the housing and configured to emit light to the transparent cover, an optical coupler disposed between the illumination part and the transparent cover and configured to reflect light from the illumination part to the transparent cover, and a biometric sensor disposed under the transparent cover and the display. In an electronic device including a biometric sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light source is put to use in sensing the user's fingerprint information using a biometric sensor positioned in a display activation area, thereby providing better performance and an improved outer appearance.