Biometric Sensor Protrusion Layout for Slim Wearable Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The positioning of biometric sensors in wearable electronic devices is complicated by the thickness of the front glass, which affects performance when mounted on the front, and stacking sensors adjacent to the rear plate makes it difficult to maintain device thickness.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a protrusion from its side surface with multiple biometric sensors disposed within a placement space, including a first and second window, and sensor circuits on connected boards to facilitate accurate biometric information measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are mounted on the front of the wearable electronic device through the front glass, then biometric information can be measured, but the measurement performance deteriorates due to the thickness of the front glass

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric information measurement accuracyVSAvoidfront glass thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the biometric sensors from the front surface (2D plane) to the side surface of the device, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the sensors to be positioned where they can directly contact the user's body part without the interference of thick front glass, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion structure acts as an intermediary element that extends from the side surface of the device housing. It provides a dedicated platform that positions the biometric sensors in optimal contact with the user's body, mediating between the device body and the measurement target to ensure accurate biometric data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If sensors are stacked adjacent to the rear plate of the wearable device, then device thickness can be reduced, but it becomes difficult to maintain a slim profile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoiddevice slimness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device structure by creating a protrusion that extends from the side surface. This segmentation allows the biometric sensors to be housed in a separate section rather than being stacked against the rear plate, enabling the main body to remain thin while providing dedicated space for sensor placement in the protruding section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of stacking sensors in the thickness direction (vertical dimension), the patent utilizes the side surface dimension by creating a protrusion. This dimensional shift allows the device to maintain a slim profile in the thickness direction while accommodating sensors in the lateral dimension through the protruding structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If a protrusion is created from the side surface to house biometric sensors, then biometric recognition accuracy improves, but device structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric recognition accuracyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion structure serves multiple functions: it houses the biometric sensors, provides a contact surface for user interaction, and maintains the overall device shape. By combining these functions into a single structural element, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity despite the improved sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4318139B1Electronic device including biometric recognition module
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4318139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4318139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4318139B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may comprise: a housing; a protrusion part which protrudes from a side of the housing, and which includes a first window and a second window; a first substrate arranged inside the housing; a second substrate connected to one surface of the first substrate; a first sensor circuit which is arranged on a first surface of the second substrate, and which is arranged to be spaced apart from the bottom of the first window inside the protrusion part; and a second sensor circuit which is arranged on a second surface of the second substrate, opposite to the first surface of the second substrate, and which is arranged to be spaced apart from the top of the second window inside the protrusion part. Various embodiments other than the various embodiments disclosed in the present document are possible.