Multi-Fingerprint Sensor Enrollment Using Cross-Sensor Templates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices with multiple fingerprint sensors require separate enrollment processes for each sensor, leading to a sub-par user experience and inefficient power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A unified enrollment process is implemented using a control system to create a second fingerprint sensor template based on characteristics of a first fingerprint sensor template, without requiring a separate enrollment process for the second sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate enrollment processes are performed for each fingerprint sensor, then each sensor can be properly configured for authentication, but the user experience deteriorates and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint authentication capabilityVSAvoidenrollment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate enrollment processes into a single unified enrollment process. The control system performs enrollment for the first fingerprint sensor and then uses the obtained fingerprint data along with sensor characteristics to generate templates for second and subsequent sensors without requiring additional enrollment actions from the user. This combining of processes directly reduces enrollment time while maintaining authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system performs preliminary actions by obtaining fingerprint data during the first sensor enrollment and proactively generating templates for other sensors in advance. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for repeated enrollment actions, reducing overall enrollment time while ensuring all sensors are properly configured before use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If separate enrollment processes are performed for each fingerprint sensor, then each sensor can be properly configured for authentication, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint authentication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple enrollment operations into a single enrollment event. The control system processes fingerprint data once and generates templates for all sensors in that single process, eliminating repeated power-intensive operations. This merging significantly reduces overall power consumption while ensuring all sensors are properly configured for authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system creates copies of the fingerprint template from the first sensor for use with second and subsequent sensors. Instead of performing complete enrollment processes for each sensor, the system generates template copies adapted to each sensor's characteristics, reducing power consumption while maintaining authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of time

If a unified enrollment process is implemented using templates from the first sensor, then enrollment time and power consumption are reduced, but the system must handle different sensor characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenrollment timeVSAvoidtemplate generation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system applies local quality by tailoring the fingerprint template generation to each specific sensor's characteristics. While using the same fingerprint data, the system adjusts template parameters based on each sensor's size, resolution, and other properties, ensuring optimal performance for each sensor without requiring separate enrollment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes template parameters according to each sensor's characteristics. The unified enrollment process generates base templates and then modifies parameters such as resolution, size, and format to match the specific requirements of each fingerprint sensor, handling complexity through automated parameter adjustment rather than manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12536839B2Unified enrollment for devices with multiple fingerprint sensors

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Some disclosed methods involve performing a fingerprint enrollment process involving obtaining fingerprint image data via a first fingerprint sensor of a fingerprint sensor system including two or more fingerprint sensors and creating a first fingerprint sensor template for subsequent fingerprint authentication via the first fingerprint sensor. Some disclosed methods involve determining a second fingerprint sensor of the fingerprint sensor system for which a fingerprint template will be created, determining one or more second fingerprint sensor characteristics of the second fingerprint sensor and creating a second fingerprint sensor template for subsequent fingerprint authentication via the second fingerprint sensor based, at least in part, on the first fingerprint sensor template and the one or more second fingerprint sensor characteristics. In some examples, the method may involve creating the second fingerprint sensor template without performing an enrollment process involving the second fingerprint sensor.