Fingerprint Sensor Distortion Compensation on Curved Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fingerprint recognition on curved sensing areas in electronic devices is hindered by distortion and indistinctness, leading to difficulties in obtaining a sufficiently distinct fingerprint pattern for accurate recognition.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a fingerprint sensor that adjusts its sensing operation based on the distance between the fingerprint and the sensing area, using a processor to control signal values and transmission power, and providing feedback to the user on the fingerprint position, allowing for compensation of distortion and improved recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fingerprint sensor is placed on a curved sensing area, then the device can achieve flexible touch screen integration and side-mounted sensor placement, but the fingerprint pattern becomes distorted and indistinct, leading to reduced recognition accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible touch screen integrationVSAvoidfingerprint recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adjusting sensing parameters specifically for curved sensing areas. The processor identifies when the sensing area is curved and modifies transmission power and signal detection thresholds locally in those regions, rather than using uniform parameters across the entire sensor surface. This allows the system to maintain high recognition accuracy on curved surfaces by adapting the sensing characteristics to the local geometric conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically modifying transmission power levels and signal detection thresholds based on the curvature of the sensing area. When a curved surface is detected, the system adjusts these parameters to compensate for the distortion and indistinctness caused by the curve, thereby maintaining fingerprint recognition accuracy despite the geometric challenges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the sensing area is made curved to enable side-mounted fingerprint sensors, then device design flexibility is improved, but the fingerprint pattern distortion increases making accurate recognition difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside-mounted sensor placementVSAvoidfingerprint pattern distinctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors the quality of fingerprint signals received from curved sensing areas. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts transmission power and detection parameters to optimize signal quality. This closed-loop control ensures that even on curved surfaces with inherent distortion, the system can maintain sufficient pattern distinctness for accurate recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sensing parameters adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system can dynamically change transmission power levels and detection thresholds in response to the curvature and signal quality, allowing it to maintain performance on side-mounted curved sensors while enabling flexible device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2945097B1Fingerprint recognition method and electronic device performing the method
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2945097B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2945097B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP2945097B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fingerprint recognition method and electronic device performing the same are provided. The electronic device includes a fingerprint sensor configured to perform fingerprint sensing according to a control signal of a processor, and includes the processor configured to obtain a fingerprint-unrecognizable position from a sensing area of the fingerprint sensor, to obtain, based on the fingerprint-unrecognizable position, a distance to a fingerprint from the fingerprint-unrecognizable position, and to control, based on the distance, the fingerprint sensor by adjusting a sensing operation of the fingerprint sensor.