Combined Fingerprint Touch Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fingerprint recognition systems require separate modules for touch sensing and fingerprint recognition, leading to increased complexity and reduced usability, as well as lower authentication rates due to the need for multiple enrollment operations and potential loss of fingerprint coverage during enrollment.
Innovation Solution
A combined fingerprint recognition touch sensor that integrates touch sensing and fingerprint recognition capabilities into a single module, using a capacitive method with dense electrode patterns to detect mutual capacitance changes, allowing for simultaneous fingerprint enrollment and touch sensing across a large area, thereby enhancing authentication efficiency and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate modules are used for touch sensing and fingerprint recognition, then each module can be optimized independently, but device complexity increases and space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines touch sensing electrodes and fingerprint recognition electrodes into a single integrated sensor module. The same electrode array serves dual purposes: detecting touch events and capturing fingerprint patterns, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining independent optimization capabilities through software-controlled mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module is designed with multi-functionality, where the electrode array can operate in different modes (touch sensing mode and fingerprint recognition mode) depending on the applied signal frequency and reading pattern. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated modules while preserving the functional advantages of each.
2Reliability
If traditional fingerprint enrollment is performed, then authentication can be performed, but multiple enrollment operations are required and fingerprint coverage may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The enrollment process is segmented into multiple signal reading phases within a single touch operation. The controller sequentially reads signals from different electrode groups (e.g., first column group, second column group, etc.) while the user maintains a single finger press, effectively capturing the complete fingerprint pattern in one continuous action rather than requiring multiple separate enrollments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous signal acquisition during the entire enrollment process by keeping the finger pressed in a single position and continuously reading sensor data across different electrode groups. This continuous action ensures complete fingerprint coverage is captured without interruption or loss of registration.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution fingerprint recognition is implemented, then authentication accuracy improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs periodic signal transmission at different frequencies to distinguish between touch events and fingerprint recognition operations. By using frequency-multiplexed signaling, the system activates high-resolution fingerprint sensing only when needed, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high measurement precision during active recognition phases.
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
The combined sensor enables high-resolution fingerprint recognition and touch sensing, increasing authentication rates by allowing enrollment in a single touch operation across a larger area, reducing power consumption, and extending battery life in electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive method with dense electrode patterns to detect mutual capacitance changes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a combined fingerprint recognition touch sensor, an electronic apparatus including the same, and a fingerprint enrollment method to which the same is applied. The combined fingerprint recognition touch sensor includes parallel transmission lines extending in a touch sensing region, and a plurality of parallel reception lines extending in the touch sensing region to intersect the transmission lines. A signal transmitter includes a plurality of transmission groups so as to apply driving signals to the transmission lines. A storage is configured to store an enrolled fingerprint image to be compared with an enrolled fingerprint for fingerprint authentication. In the fingerprint enrollment mode, a fingerprint image of a finger is obtained through one touch operation by applying driving signals to transmission lines belonging to two or more transmission groups and reading a fingerprint image of a sensing zone including an initial touch region and a surrounding region.