Fingerprint Sensor Subgroup Selection via Light Shielding Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fingerprint recognition efficiency on liquid crystal display screens is low due to the need to activate all fingerprint recognition sensors across the entire screen, leading to resource waste and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize light sensors to determine a shielding region covered by a user's fingers, selecting a subgroup of fingerprint recognition sensors within this region for activation, thereby reducing unnecessary sensor usage and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all fingerprint recognition sensors on the whole liquid crystal display screen are activated for fingerprint recognition, then complete fingerprint coverage is achieved, but fingerprint recognition efficiency is low and resource waste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition efficiencyVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the fingerprint recognition process into two stages: first using light sensors to detect the shielding region (segmentation of detection area), then activating only the fingerprint recognition sensors within that region. This segmentation principle resolves the contradiction by avoiding activation of all sensors while ensuring complete coverage of the finger area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection using light sensors before activating fingerprint recognition sensors. This preliminary action identifies the shielding region where the finger is located, allowing subsequent selective activation of only the necessary fingerprint recognition sensors, thereby improving efficiency and reducing resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If all fingerprint recognition sensors are activated across the entire screen, then no area is missed, but the scanning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition completenessVSAvoidscanning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection process into an initial light sensor detection phase followed by targeted fingerprint sensor activation. This segmentation maintains reliability by ensuring the finger area is fully covered while reducing scanning time by limiting active sensors to only those within the detected shielding region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light sensor detection serves as a preliminary action that quickly identifies the shielding region before fingerprint recognition begins. This preliminary step reduces the area requiring detailed scanning, thereby maintaining completeness while significantly reducing overall scanning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If uniform distribution of fingerprint recognition sensors is used, then coverage is comprehensive, but the number of sensors required is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor coverage areaVSAvoidnumber of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor activation based on the detected shielding region. Instead of requiring uniform distribution of sensors across the entire screen, only sensors within the identified shielding region are activated, reducing the total number of sensors needed while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the finger area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating sensor activation only in the region where the finger is detected (the shielding region). This approach reduces the overall sensor quantity required while ensuring high-density coverage exactly where needed for fingerprint recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 fingerprint recognition efficiency by selectively activating only the necessary sensors, reducing resource waste and improving the speed of the fingerprint recognition process.

Implementation Method 1

determining a shielding region consisting of positions of respective light sensors shielded by the fingers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3153989B1Fingerprint recognition method and apparatus, computer program and recording medium
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3153989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3153989B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3153989B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a fingerprint recognition method and apparatus, a computer program and a recording medium, belonging to the field of a liquid crystal display screen. The method is used in an electronic device comprising the liquid crystal display screen on which fingerprint recognition sensors and light sensors are distributed, and comprises: acquiring a fingerprint recognition command triggered by fingers of a user; determining a shielding region consisting of positions of respective light sensors shielded by the fingers after receiving the fingerprint recognition command; selecting a subgroup of fingerprint recognition sensors according to the shielding region; and controlling the selected subgroup of fingerprint recognition sensors to recognize fingerprints of the fingers. The disclosure can solve the problem of resource waste caused by the fact that all fingerprint recognition sensors on the whole liquid crystal display screen are controlled to recognize fingerprints, and achieves a resource saving effect.