Fingerprint Recognition via Dynamic Pixel Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fingerprint recognition systems for smartphones require a separate apparatus and can only recognize fingerprints at a preset location, limiting their usability and integration with display screens.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilizes a display device with a transparent cover and a fingerprint sensor to detect light reflected from a user's fingerprint, allowing for fingerprint recognition on any area of the screen by sequentially turning on and off pixels to determine the fingerprint profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fingerprint recognition apparatus is provided, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but device complexity increases and integration with display screen is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fingerprint recognition function with the display screen by integrating the fingerprint sensor with the display structure. The fingerprint sensor is positioned to work through the transparent cover of the display, allowing the display screen itself to serve as the authentication interface, thereby eliminating the need for a separate fingerprint recognition apparatus and improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the visual display interface and the fingerprint recognition interface. By making the transparent cover touch-sensitive and integrating the fingerprint sensor, the display screen becomes a multi-functional component that can display information and authenticate users, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fingerprint recognition is limited to preset location, then recognition accuracy is maintained, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display screen into multiple pixel regions that can be independently controlled. By sequentially turning on and off specific pixels corresponding to different areas of the fingerprint, the system can focus light emission and detection on the precise region where the fingerprint is placed, enabling arbitrary area recognition while maintaining measurement precision through localized pixel control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which pixels are activated based on the detected touch location. When a user places their finger anywhere on the screen, the controller identifies the touch position and activates only the relevant pixels in that region, allowing the fingerprint recognition area to be dynamic and adaptable to user input rather than fixed to a preset location.
3Measurement precision
If pixels are sequentially turned on and off, then fingerprint profile determination is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating all pixels or continuously emitting light, the system uses partial action by sequentially activating only the specific pixels needed for fingerprint profile determination at each moment. This reduces overall energy consumption while still achieving sufficient measurement precision for accurate fingerprint recognition.
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
Enables fingerprint recognition on arbitrary areas of a display screen, improving usability and integrating fingerprint authentication seamlessly with display technology, while maintaining a simple system configuration.
Implementation Method 1
detect light that is reflected from the touch surface due to the fingerprint
Implementation Method 2
fingerprint sensor configured to detect light that is reflected from the touch surface
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus and method for recognizing a fingerprint are provided. The apparatus includes a display device including a plurality of pixels configured to be turned on and off based on an image signal, a transparent cover disposed on the display device, the transparent cover including a touch surface through which a touch of a user is input, and a touch sensor configured to recognize a location of the touch through the touch surface. The apparatus further includes a fingerprint sensor configured to detect light that is reflected from the touch surface, based on the fingerprint of the user inputting the touch, and generate a signal, based on the light, and a controller configured to generate the image signal to turn on pixels corresponding to the location among the plurality of pixels, and determine a fingerprint profile of the fingerprint, based on the signal generated by the fingerprint sensor.