Partial Fingerprint Sensor Noise Reduction via Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing partial fingerprint sensors are overly sensitive to variations in user technique, leading to inaccurate finger swiping motion detection and speed calculation due to noise issues when the finger transitions between sensor elements, which affects the quality of fingerprint images reconstructed from partial scans.
Innovation Solution
Improved signal analysis techniques and algorithms are employed to accurately determine finger location and movement during a swipe, providing more precise finger position and velocity data, reducing noise interference and enabling the creation of more accurate fingerprint images across a range of user techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If partial fingerprint sensors are used to reduce size and cost, then device compactness and affordability improve, but measurement precision of finger motion and speed calculation deteriorate due to noise during finger transitions between sensor elements
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint sensor is divided into multiple discrete sensing elements arranged in a linear array. Each element independently detects contact during finger swiping motion, enabling the system to track position changes across sequential elements and calculate velocity through temporal analysis of activation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
A processor acts as an intermediary that receives raw signals from the sensing elements, applies noise reduction algorithms, and computes derived parameters including finger position and speed. This intermediary processing layer filters out noise during transitions while preserving motion information.
2Volume of moving object
If partial fingerprint sensors are used to reduce size and cost, then device compactness and affordability improve, but reliability of fingerprint image reconstruction deteriorates due to inaccurate motion detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors contact signals from multiple sensing elements during the swiping motion and uses this feedback to track finger position in real-time. The processor analyzes the temporal pattern of element activation to determine velocity and position, providing feedback that enables accurate reconstruction of the complete fingerprint image from partial scans.
3Device complexity
If one dimensional array of sensing elements is used, then device complexity and cost reduce, but measurement precision of two dimensional fingerprint imaging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms one-dimensional contact detection data into two-dimensional fingerprint images by analyzing the temporal sequence of element activations. The processor uses the time-varying contact pattern across the linear array to reconstruct the complete fingerprint structure, effectively adding a temporal dimension to the spatial measurement.
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
The enhanced finger motion sensing technology allows for more robust and accurate fingerprint imaging, even with non-uniform finger swipes, and can be used for improved navigation and control in portable devices, such as creating a 'finger mouse' for computer input.
Implementation Method 1
These components are embedded in a sensing surface to form a matrix of pressure sensing elements that generate signals in response to pressure applied to the surface by a finger
Implementation Method 2
Other devices include one or two dimensional arrays of optical sensors that read light reflected off of a person's finger and onto an array of optical detectors. The reflected light is converted to a signal that defines the fingerprint of the finger analyzed
Data Source
AI summary
Enhanced accuracy finger position and motion sensors devices, algorithms, and methods are disclosed that can be used in a variety of different applications. The sensors can be used in conjunction with partial fingerprint imagers to produce improved fingerprint scanners. The finger motion sensors may also be used (either with or without a partial fingerprint imager) to control electronic devices. When several of these finger motion and position sensors are aligned in different directions, finger motion over a two dimensional surface may be detected. This creates a finger controlled “mouse” computer input device. Motion of a finger along the surface of such sensors may allow a user to control the movement of an indicator on a display screen, and control a microprocessor device. Such techniques are particularly useful for small space constrained devices, such as cell phones, smart cards, music players, portable computers, personal digital accessories, and the like.