Integrated Fingerprint Touch Sensor Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fingerprint sensing devices in existing technologies require additional space and resources as they are implemented as separate elements from touch sensing units, leading to increased costs and manufacturing efforts.
Innovation Solution
A fingerprint/touch sensor design that integrates both fingerprint sensing and touch sensing regions on a shared touch panel, utilizing a touch pad with overlapping sensing lines and a routing unit to route signals to a combined integrated circuit for processing, allowing for simultaneous fingerprint and touch sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fingerprint sensing device is implemented as a separate element from touch sensing unit, then fingerprint sensing function is achieved, but additional space and manufacturing costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fingerprint sensing device and touch sensing unit into a single integrated sensor that can perform both fingerprint authentication and touch sensing functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate constituent elements and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it acts as both a fingerprint sensing device for personal authentication and a touch sensing unit for detecting user interactions, thereby eliminating the need for additional separate components
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate fingerprint sensing device is used, then fingerprint authentication is enabled, but additional integrated circuits and components are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple integrated circuits into a single integrated sensor that houses both fingerprint sensing and touch sensing capabilities, reducing the total number of discrete integrated circuits and components required in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor provides universal functionality by enabling both personal authentication through fingerprint sensing and general touch interaction detection within a single component, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function
3Ease of operation
If separate touch sensing unit and fingerprint sensing device are implemented, then both functions work independently, but physical separation reduces appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate touch sensing unit and fingerprint sensing device into a unified integrated sensor structure, eliminating physical separation between the regions while maintaining the ability for both functions to operate independently through the shared sensor array
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 integrated design reduces the number of required integrated circuits, enhances appearance by eliminating physical separation between sensing regions, and lowers manufacturing and operational costs by sharing components.
Implementation Method 1
a fingerprint pattern is sensed by detecting a change of electrostatic capacitance according to a shape of valleys and ridges of a fingerprint when a surface of a person's finger touches a conductive detection pattern
Implementation Method 2
a fingerprint pattern is sensed by detecting a change of electrostatic capacitance according to a shape of valleys and ridges of a fingerprint
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are fingerprint/touch sensors and electronic devices including the same. A fingerprint/touch sensor includes: a touch pad; a touch sensing element including a plurality of first touch sensing lines extending in a row direction and a plurality of second touch sensing lines extending in a column direction, different from the row direction, and intersecting the first touch sensing lines, the touch sensing element forming a touch region on the touch pad; a fingerprint sensing element including a plurality of first fingerprint sensing lines extending in the row direction and a plurality of second fingerprint sensing lines extending in the column direction and intersecting the first fingerprint sensing lines, the fingerprint sensing element forming a fingerprint sensing region on the touch pad; a routing unit configured to route signals generated from the touch sensing element and the fingerprint sensing element; and an integrated circuit configured to sense a touch or a fingerprint by processing the signals transmitted from the routing unit.