Fingerprint Sensor Touch Surface Resolution Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld electronic devices typically cannot accommodate both high-resolution fingerprint recognition and touch input pads due to limited surface area, with touch pads often having low resolution and interpretive algorithms, and fingerprint devices having high resolution, making simultaneous use impractical.
Innovation Solution
A touch surface with distinct touch input and fingerprint resolution portions, where the fingerprint resolution portion can operate in either fingerprint or touch input mode, with adjustable sampling rates to accommodate both functions on a handheld device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution fingerprint sensor is used, then fingerprint recognition capability is improved, but the surface area occupied increases, leaving insufficient space for a touch pad
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in high-resolution fingerprint recognition mode and in lower-resolution touch input mode. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate touch pad and fingerprint sensor areas, resolving the space conflict while maintaining both functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the fingerprint sensor by adjusting the sampling rate. When full fingerprint resolution is needed, the sensor operates at high sampling rate; when touch input is sufficient, it operates at lower sampling rate. This parameter adjustment allows the same hardware to serve different purposes, optimizing space utilization
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate touch pad and fingerprint sensor are provided, then both functions are available, but the device complexity increases and surface area is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in high-resolution fingerprint recognition mode and in lower-resolution touch input mode. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate touch pad and fingerprint sensor areas, resolving the space conflict while maintaining both functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the touch pad function and fingerprint sensor function into a single hardware component. The fingerprint sensor area serves dual purposes: detailed fingerprint capture when needed, and general touch input detection when sufficient, thereby combining two previously separate functions into one unified system
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for input and fingerprint recognition on a handheld electronic device includes (1) a touchscreen having a touch resolution portion and a fingerprint sensor distinct from the touch resolution portion; and (2) a data processor coupled to the touchscreen. The touch resolution portion has a touch resolution for detecting a touch input on the touch surface. The data processor is configured to selectively operate the fingerprint sensor in one of a fingerprint resolution mode for sensing a fingerprint on said touch surface and a touch input mode for detecting the touch input on said touch surface.