Localized Display Flash for Under-Screen Fingerprint Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with displays, such as organic light-emitting diode displays, face challenges in providing non-image illumination that meets desired attributes, particularly in situations requiring localized and uniform illumination for operations like fingerprint capture.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an array of light sensors under the display with transparent windows, and using control circuitry to selectively illuminate a subset of pixels as a flash region, allowing independent brightness and color adjustment from the rest of the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire display is illuminated uniformly, then the light sensor array can capture fingerprints, but the image display quality deteriorates and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into two functional regions: a first region containing the light sensor array for fingerprint capture and a second region for image display. This spatial segmentation allows the light sensor region to receive uniform illumination while the image display region maintains its normal display function, resolving the contradiction between fingerprint capture quality and image display quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different illumination characteristics. The first region (light sensor array) receives uniform illumination to ensure reliable fingerprint capture, while the second region (image display) maintains its normal display properties. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
2Reliability
If the entire display is illuminated uniformly, then the light sensor array can capture fingerprints, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a first region for light sensing and a second region for image display. Illumination is applied selectively only to the first region during fingerprint capture operations, rather than illuminating the entire display. This segmentation-based selective illumination significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining reliable fingerprint capture functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of illuminating the entire display uniformly (excessive action), the system applies illumination only to the necessary first region where the light sensor array is located (partial action). This partial illumination approach reduces energy consumption while providing sufficient light for fingerprint capture operations.
3Ease of operation
If a subset of pixels is illuminated as a flash region, then localized illumination is achieved, but uniformity of illumination may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into a first region (light sensor array) and a second region (image display). The first region is illuminated uniformly as a flash to provide localized illumination for fingerprint capture, while the second region remains unaffected. This segmentation ensures that uniformity is maintained within the illuminated region while allowing localized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The first region is assigned uniform illumination properties while the second region has different properties. This local quality differentiation ensures that the illuminated subset of pixels provides uniform lighting for fingerprint capture while maintaining the ability to control illumination locally without affecting the entire display.
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
Ensures satisfactory performance of operations like fingerprint capture by providing a uniform and adjustable flash of illumination, enhancing user interaction and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Displays such as organic light-emitting diode displays have pixels with light-emitting diodes
Implementation Method 2
Reflected light from the user's finger may illuminate the array of light sensors for a fingerprint capture operation
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have a display with an array of pixels. The device may have an array of components such as an array of light sensors for capturing fingerprints of a user through an array of corresponding transparent windows in the display. A capacitive touch sensor, proximity sensor, force sensor, or other sensor may be used by control circuitry in the device to monitor for the presence of a user's finger over the array of light sensors. In response, the control circuitry can direct the display to illuminate a subset of the pixels, thereby illuminating the user's finger and causing reflected light from the finger to illuminate the array of light sensors for a fingerprint capture operation. The display may have display driver circuitry that facilitates the momentary illumination of the subset of pixels with uniform flash data while image data is displayed in other portions of the display.