Dual-Mode Fingerprint Sensor for Optical Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical wireless communication technologies have not been realized in commercial applications due to the lack of effective light sources and integration challenges, limiting their adoption and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fingerprint image sensor is configured to operate in both transmitting and receiving modes, utilizing a backlight plate to emit lights with different optical characteristics for coded information transmission and an image sensor unit to convert external lights into electrical signals, enabling optical wireless communications without significant hardware modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical wireless communication technologies are developed, then electromagnetic interference resistance and frequency spectrum utilization are improved, but hardware complexity and integration challenges worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight plate is designed to serve dual functions: as a light source for fingerprint imaging and as a light emitter for optical wireless communication. The image sensor unit similarly serves both fingerprint detection and light reception functions. This multi-functionality reduces hardware complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fingerprint sensing functionality with optical wireless communication functionality into a single integrated device. The backlight plate and image sensor unit are merged components that perform both fingerprint acquisition and optical communication tasks, thereby reducing overall system complexity and component count.
2Reliability
If dedicated optical wireless communication hardware is implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Existing fingerprint sensor components (backlight plate and image sensor) are repurposed for dual use in optical wireless communication. This approach leverages already-manufactured components, avoiding the need for new dedicated hardware and thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingerprint sensor device serves itself by using its existing components for both fingerprint sensing and optical communication functions. The backlight plate and image sensor unit are already present in the device, eliminating the need for additional external components and simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are added for optical communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and integration difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The existing backlight plate, originally designed for fingerprint illumination, is repurposed as a communication light source. This eliminates the need to add separate light sources for optical communication, as the backlight plate can be modulated to carry communication signals while maintaining its original imaging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the communication light source function with the existing backlight plate structure. By combining these functions in a single component rather than adding separate elements, the integration difficulty is significantly reduced while maintaining full communication capability.
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 the realization of optical wireless communications, particularly planar array optical wireless communications, reducing costs and improving integration levels, while enabling efficient data transmission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
the backlight plate may be turned on and configured to emit lights with different optical characteristics representing coded information
Implementation Method 2
the image sensor unit may be adapted to sense external lights and convert the external lights to electrical signals carrying the coded information
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a fingerprint image sensor and a method for optical wireless communications using the same. The fingerprint image sensor includes: a backlight plate; an image sensor unit, disposed above the backlight plate; and a protection layer, disposed above the image sensor substrate; wherein the fingerprint image sensor is configured to operate at least in a transmitting mode and a receiving mode, where in the transmitting mode, the backlight plate is turned on and configured to emit lights with different optical characteristics representing coded information, and in the receiving mode, the backlight plate is turned off and the image sensor unit senses external lights and convert the external lights to electric signals. The present disclosure further provides methods for transmitting and receiving information using the fingerprint image sensor. Accordingly, the fingerprint image sensor can work as a transceiver to realize optical wireless communications.