Fingerprint Sensor Dynamic Contact Region Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fingerprint identification methods face issues with incomplete data collection due to the misalignment of gravity centers with contact regions, leading to light leakage and insufficient fingerprint information, especially when users apply varying forces or only partially touch the fingerprint identification area.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining contact region parameters, such as line and angle parameters, to accurately define the contact pattern, which includes geometrical shapes like ellipses or rectangles, and activating sensors within this pattern for comprehensive fingerprint information collection, thereby avoiding light leakage and ensuring complete data capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If sensors are activated based on gravity center alignment with fixed identification area, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to misalignment with actual contact region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor activation controlVSAvoidfingerprint information completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic sensor activation by determining the actual contact region through touch information and dynamically adjusting which sensors are activated based on the detected contact pattern, rather than using a fixed gravity-center-based activation scheme. This allows the system to adapt to varying user touch behaviors while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by selectively activating only those sensors that correspond to the actual contact region detected through touch information analysis. Instead of uniformly activating all sensors or using a fixed activation pattern, the system tailors sensor activation to the specific local contact area, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If illumination area is expanded to cover entire identification region, then light leakage is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakageVSAvoidbacklight energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local illumination by controlling the backlight to illuminate only the specific contact region detected through touch information, rather than illuminating the entire fingerprint identification area. This localized approach prevents light leakage in the contact region while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to full-area illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by providing illumination only where needed (in the contact region) rather than across the entire identification area. This partial illumination is sufficient to prevent light leakage in the relevant area while avoiding the energy waste of illuminating unused regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If all sensors are activated for fingerprint collection, then fingerprint information completeness is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint information completenessVSAvoidsensor management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively activating only the subset of sensors that correspond to the detected contact region. This ensures that fingerprint information from the actual contact area is captured completely, while avoiding the unnecessary activation of sensors outside the contact region, thus maintaining information completeness without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by activating only the necessary portion of sensors (those in the contact region) rather than all sensors. This partial sensor activation is sufficient to capture complete fingerprint information from the contact area while reducing the complexity of sensor management compared to full-system activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enhances user experience by blocking light emission effectively and collecting more comprehensive fingerprint information, improving the accuracy and completeness of fingerprint identification and authentication processes.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining fingerprint texture information of the fingerprint input through an optical fingerprint sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3686720B1Method and apparatus for identifying fingerprint, electronic device, and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3686720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for identifying a fingerprint being applied to a terminal is provided. The method may include: obtaining contact region parameters related to a contact region on the terminal; determining a contact pattern according to the contact region parameters; collecting and/or identifying fingerprint information within the contact pattern.