Fingerprint Reader Integrated With Touchscreen Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electronic devices lack secure authentication methods, allowing unauthorized users to access functions and data once the device or application is unlocked, as traditional PIN or password methods do not provide sufficient protection.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a touch screen configured to detect and compare user fingerprints against authorized fingerprints before executing functions, optionally incorporating a secondary authentication process if the fingerprints do not match, using a fingerprint reader integrated with the touch screen or located beneath/above it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional PIN or password authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened allowing unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/password-based authentication system with a biometric fingerprint recognition system. The fingerprint sensor captures ridge patterns and compares them against stored templates, substituting the manual PIN/password entry mechanism with an automatic biological identification process that provides enhanced security while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the authentication parameter from knowledge-based (PIN/password that users memorize) to physical-biological (fingerprint patterns that are inherently unique). This parameter change transforms the authentication mechanism from something users can accidentally disclose to something that is physically tied to their identity, thereby improving security without significantly impacting ease of operation.
2Reliability
If fingerprint authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fingerprint sensor with the existing touchscreen display, integrating the biometric authentication capability into the device's existing interface. The sensor is positioned beneath or within the touchscreen area, allowing fingerprint capture to occur during normal touch interactions, thereby adding security functionality without requiring separate dedicated hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional authentication system where the touchscreen serves both as the primary user interface and as the location for fingerprint capture. The same screen area that displays content also functions as the biometric sensor activation zone, allowing the system to perform multiple functions (display and authentication) through a single integrated interface.
3Ease of operation
If fingerprint reader is integrated under the touch screen, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the fingerprint sensor within the touchscreen structure, placing the biometric sensor beneath the display layer. This nested arrangement allows the fingerprint reader to be integrated into the existing device architecture without requiring separate external components, enabling the sensor to be activated during normal touchscreen interactions while maintaining a sleek device profile.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An electronic device (20) and a method (50) for authenticating a user of the electronic device (20) includes a touch screen (24) configured to display a user interface (28) having at least one user input (30) for executing a function, a processor (32), and a fingerprint reader (26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 126, 226) coupled to the processor (32) and to the user input (30) for receiving a user fingerprint associated with activation of the user input (30). The processor (32) is configured to compare the user fingerprint received by the fingerprint reader (26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 126, 226) with an authorized fingerprint of the electronic device (20), and execute the function when the user fingerprint matches the authorized fingerprint.