Foldable Device Fingerprint Sensors for Folded and Unfolded Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electronic devices, such as smartphones or laptops, face challenges in fingerprint authentication convenience and security due to the lack of fingerprint sensors when in a folded or unfolded state, as existing sensors are often limited to side surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of fingerprint sensors on a sensor mounting module disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the device's housings, allowing for fingerprint recognition in both states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If one capacitive fingerprint sensor is disposed on the side surface of the first housing or second housing, then the device structure is simple, but the convenience and security in use are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint sensor function is segmented across multiple physical sensors located on different surfaces (front and rear surfaces of housings). This allows the system to maintain simple individual sensor components while achieving comprehensive authentication coverage through distributed sensor placement, resolving the contradiction between operational convenience and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingerprint sensor arrangement transitions from a single-point side-surface location to a multi-surface distributed configuration. By adding spatial dimensionality to sensor placement (front surface, rear surface, and side surfaces), the system enhances authentication accessibility without requiring complex integrated sensor structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fingerprint sensors are mounted on the front and rear surfaces of the housing, then fingerprint recognition is enabled in both folded and unfolded states, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting module is designed as a universal component that accommodates multiple fingerprint sensors across different surfaces and configurations. This modular approach allows the same mounting structure to support various sensor arrangements for both folded and unfolded states, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fingerprint sensors and their mounting structures are combined into an integrated sensor mounting module. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate sensor assemblies into a unified component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to perform fingerprint recognition in multiple device states.
Data Source
Figure 1A
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Figure 2A
AI summary
A foldable electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include: a hinge module coupled at least in part between a first support member and a second support member; a first housing coupled at least in part to a first side of the hinge module by using the first support member; a second housing that is coupled at least in part to a second side of the hinge module by using the second support member and is configured to be unfolded and folded with the first housing by using the hinge module; a flexible display including a first display disposed on a first surface of the first housing, and a second display disposed on a third surface of the second housing; a sensor mounting module disposed in the first housing and the second housing across the inside of the hinge module; a first fingerprint sensor that is mounted on a first surface of the sensor mounting module and is disposed between the third surface of the second housing and the second display; and a second fingerprint sensor that is mounted on a second surface of the sensor mounting module and is disposed on a fourth surface of the second housing. Various other embodiments are possible.