Fingerprint Sensor Finger Placement Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in properly positioning and swiping their fingers over fingerprint sensors due to the need for precise alignment and speed, which impedes the adoption of electronic fingerprint sensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A fingerprint sensing system that includes a finger position sensor to detect the user's finger placement relative to the image sensor, providing visual and audible feedback to assist the user in aligning their finger correctly and initiating a swipe, using a combination of capacitive sensing and display technologies to guide the user through the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a swiped finger technique is used to acquire fingerprint images, then the system can be compact and low-cost, but users struggle to position and swipe their fingers correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system provides real-time visual guidance on the sensor surface to show users the correct finger placement position and swipe direction. This feedback loop helps users understand how to properly position and move their fingers during the acquisition process, directly addressing the ease of operation challenge while maintaining the compact capacitive sensing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by first detecting finger contact and then providing guidance indicators before the actual fingerprint acquisition swipe occurs. This preliminary guidance ensures users are properly positioned and understand the required motion pattern before data collection begins, improving operational ease without adding significant system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If users must maintain precise finger placement and swipe speed, then high-quality fingerprint images can be acquired, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time visual feedback on the sensor surface indicating the user's current finger position relative to the optimal placement zone and showing the desired swipe direction. This continuous guidance enables users to maintain precise positioning and appropriate swipe speed more easily, achieving high-quality images without excessive operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes or varying visual intensities on the sensor surface to indicate different states such as correct finger placement, proper swipe direction, and optimal swipe speed. These visual cues make it easier for users to understand what is required for high-quality image acquisition, reducing the perceived difficulty of the operation.
3Reliability
If the system provides real-time feedback on finger placement, then user experience improves and acquisition accuracy increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor surface multi-functional by using it both for fingerprint capacitive sensing and for providing visual feedback guidance to users. The same physical sensor area serves dual purposes: detecting fingerprint features during acquisition and displaying positioning guidance before acquisition, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the feedback display function with the fingerprint sensing function by overlaying visual guidance information on the sensor surface itself. This consolidation of functions into a single component reduces the need for separate display hardware, improving acquisition reliability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
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 system effectively assists users in acquiring high-quality fingerprint images by providing real-time feedback on finger placement, reducing errors and improving user experience, thereby enhancing the reliability and adoption of fingerprint sensing technology.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive fingerprint sensing using a swiped finger technique is disclosed in International Publication No. WO 02/47018
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor to sense ridge peaks and ridge valleys of a fingerprint on a moving finger
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assisting a user of a fingerprint sensing system includes sensing a position of a user's finger relative to a swiped fingerprint image sensor, and providing to the user, in response to the sensed finger position, an indication of finger placement relative to the fingerprint image sensor. The indication of finger placement may include a display on a computer monitor of actual finger placement and desired finger placement. The fingerprint sensing system may include an image sensor to sense a fingerprint on a swiped finger, a finger position sensor to sense the position of the finger relative to the image sensor, and processing apparatus to provide the indication of finger placement to the user.