Fingerprint Device with MEMS Optical Path Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fingerprint apparatuses require users to touch specific locations on the device for recognition, limiting user experience and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A fingerprint apparatus with a first cover featuring multiple touch units, a sensing layer, a light transmission layer, a light emitter, a light receiver, a chip system, and an optical micro electro mechanical system that adjusts the optical signal path to allow fingerprint recognition when the finger touches any location on the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed location fingerprint sensor is used, then the device structure is simple, but the user experience is limited as users must touch specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple independent optical paths, each corresponding to a different touch location. The light transmission layer is divided into multiple waveguide layers, with each layer containing waveguide channels that guide light to specific regions of the touch screen, enabling flexible fingerprint recognition across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different optical paths based on the touch location detected by the sensing layer. When a user touches a specific location, the system activates the corresponding waveguide layer and optical path, making the optical system adaptable and flexible rather than fixed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical paths are added for different touch locations, then fingerprint recognition flexibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each waveguide layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a light transmission medium, a structural support layer, and an optical path guide. The same layer structure is reused across different locations, with each layer configured to serve specific touch regions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where multiple waveguide layers are stacked vertically, with each layer containing waveguide channels that guide light to different horizontal regions. This nested arrangement allows the system to handle multiple touch locations using a compact, organized layer structure rather than scattered components.
3Measurement precision
If light transmission layers are added to guide optical signals, then optical signal directionality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide channels are designed with specific geometric parameters (width, depth, spacing) that control light propagation. By adjusting these parameters during manufacturing, the system achieves precise optical signal positioning. The standardized parameters across different layers facilitate consistent manufacturing processes.
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 information recognition when the finger touches any location on the screen, enhancing user experience and flexibility by using a chip system to control the light emitter and optical micro electro mechanical system to direct the optical signal to the correct touch unit.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide layer configured to transmit the first optical signal emitted by the light emitter and the second optical signal from the first optical signal and reflected back by the human finger
Implementation Method 2
the optical micro electro mechanical system comprises a plurality of optical switches in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of waveguide channels, and the optical micro electro mechanical system is configured to determine a first waveguide channel corresponding to the first touch unit according to the second instruction, and turn on an optical switch of the first waveguide channel
Implementation Method 3
the sensing layer is configured to acquire touch information of a human finger and send the touch information to the chip system
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present application provide a fingerprint apparatus, which may achieve that fingerprint information of a human finger could be recognized when the human finger touches any location on a screen. The fingerprint apparatus includes: a first cover, a second cover, a sensing layer, a light transmission layer, a light emitter, a light receiver, a chip system and an optical micro electro mechanical system, where the sensing layer is configured to acquire touch information of a human and send the touch information to the chip system; the chip system is configured to determine a first touch unit in the plurality of touch units corresponding to a location on the first cover touched by the human according to the touch information, and send, to the light emitter, a first instruction for controlling the light emitter to emit the first optical signal, and to the optical micro electro mechanical system, a second instruction for controlling the optical micro electro mechanical system to adjust a propagation path of the first optical signal so that the first optical signal with the adjusted propagation path finally reaches the first touch unit.