Fingerprint Sensor Layout With Variable Photo Sensor Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production cost of display devices is increased due to the widespread use of photo sensors throughout the display panel for fingerprint sensing, as existing optical sensing fingerprint sensors require a high density of photo sensors for effective fingerprint recognition.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of photo sensors at different resolutions and densities within the sensor layer, with high resolution in specific areas and low resolution or no sensors in others, reduces the overall number of sensors needed, thereby decreasing production costs while maintaining effective fingerprint recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photo sensors are arranged at high resolution throughout the entire sensor layer, then fingerprint recognition accuracy is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the sensor layer into different regions (first areas and second areas) with different photo sensor resolutions. High-resolution photo sensors are placed in first areas where fingerprint recognition is most critical, while lower-resolution or no photo sensors are used in second areas, thereby maintaining accurate fingerprint recognition while reducing overall production cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is segmented into multiple regions with different photo sensor densities. The first areas contain photo sensors arranged at high resolution, while the second areas contain photo sensors at low resolution or no photo sensors, creating a segmented structure that optimizes both performance and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If photo sensors are used throughout the entire display panel, then fingerprint sensing function is provided, but production cost is unnecessarily increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the photo sensors from the entire sensor layer and retains them only in specific first areas where they are most needed for fingerprint recognition. The second areas either have no photo sensors or have them arranged at low resolution, thereby providing the necessary fingerprint sensing function while eliminating unnecessary sensors that would increase production cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If photo sensors are arranged at uniform resolution across the sensor layer, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform resolution, the patent implements local quality variations by arranging photo sensors at high resolution in first areas and low resolution in second areas. This differentiated approach improves cost efficiency by reducing the total number of photo sensors needed, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple through systematic regional differentiation.
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
This approach allows for cost-effective integration of fingerprint sensing capabilities into display devices without compromising the accuracy of fingerprint recognition, as high-resolution sensors in critical areas ensure reliable identification.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitting hole array layer including a plurality of light transmitting holes providing light transmitting paths of light rays that are incident through the first layer
Implementation Method 2
a sensor layer including a plurality of photo sensors configured to sense the light rays that pass through the light transmitting holes and are incident on the sensor layer
Data Source
AI summary
A fingerprint sensor includes: a first layer including a plurality of pixels; a light transmitting hole array layer including a plurality of light transmitting holes providing light transmitting paths of light rays that are incident through the first layer; and a sensor layer including a plurality of photo sensors configured to sense the light rays that pass through the light transmitting holes and are incident on the sensor layer. A resolution at which the photo sensors are disposed in first areas on the sensor layer differs from a resolution at which the photo sensors are disposed in second areas on the sensor layer.