Fingerprint Sensor Module Device-to-Device Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current device-to-device communication technologies do not effectively utilize existing fingerprint detection modules and capacitive touch screens for biometric sensing and authentication beyond user input, limiting their potential for device-to-device communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing capacitive coupling between a fingerprint detection module with a conductive contact and a capacitive touch screen or another fingerprint detection module to establish a communication link, enabling the transmission of electrical signals for device-to-device communication, authentication, and biometric sensing such as heartbeat monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fingerprint detection modules and capacitive touch screens are used only for traditional user input and authentication, then their design can be simple and focused, but their communication functionality and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidhardware design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes fingerprint detection modules and capacitive touch screens perform multiple functions: traditional fingerprint authentication and biometric sensing, plus new device-to-device communication functionality. The existing conductive contacts and capacitive structures are repurposed to establish communication links between devices, allowing one hardware component to serve both authentication and communication purposes without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing hardware components are repurposed for device-to-device communication, then communication capability is enabled, but the original authentication and sensing functions must be maintained without compromise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-to-device communication capabilityVSAvoidauthentication and sensing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the different functional modes within the same hardware structure. The fingerprint detection module and capacitive touch screen are divided into distinct operational modes: authentication/sensing mode and communication mode. This segmentation allows each function to operate independently with optimized parameters for its specific purpose, maintaining authentication reliability while enabling communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If dedicated communication hardware is added to devices, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of hardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding dedicated communication hardware, the patent makes existing fingerprint detection modules and capacitive touch screens perform communication functions. The same conductive contacts and capacitive structures used for authentication are repurposed to establish communication links, eliminating the need for separate communication components while maintaining reliable data transmission between devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 secure and efficient device-to-device communication and biometric sensing, repurposing existing hardware for new functions like authentication and data exchange between devices.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, at a first device, a capacitive coupling established between a conductive contact included in a fingerprint detection module of the first device and a capacitive coupling module of a second device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

transmitting, from the first device to the second device, an electrical signal through the established capacitive coupling between the conductive contact of the first device and the capacitive coupling module of the second device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling signal transmission: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10128907B2Fingerprint sensor module-based device-to-device communication

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 SHENZHEN GOODIX TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Devices, systems, and techniques are provided for enabling device-to-device communications between a first device equipped with a fingerprint detection module that includes a metal contact and a second device equipped with a capacitive coupling port. In one aspect, a technique for enabling the device-to-device communications includes: positioning the first device and the second device so that the metal contact of the fingerprint detection module of the first device is in capacitive coupling with the capacitive coupling port of the second device; and establishing device-to-device communication between the first device and the second device through electrical signaling between the metal contact of the first device and the capacitive coupling port of the second device. During the device-to-device communication, the metal contact operates as a transmitting and receiving electrode for sending and receiving electrical signals to and from the capacitive coupling port.