Integrated Optical Sensor for Compact Fingerprint and Ambient Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors, such as fingerprint, ambient light, and proximity sensors, are typically manufactured and integrated independently, leading to complex structures, increased costs, and reduced miniaturization potential due to shared components, complex manufacturing processes, and lack of correlated information sharing.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical sensor with a transparent substrate and multiple pixel cell array regions for ambient light, fingerprint, and proximity sensing, sharing a unified power source, communication interface, and light source, allowing for a compact and simplified structure with coordinated functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors (fingerprint, ambient light, proximity) are integrated into a single device, then functionality and application value are enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fingerprint sensor, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor into a single integrated optical sensor device. Multiple pixel cell array regions are integrated on one transparent substrate, sharing common components including light source, power source, communication interface, and signal processing circuits, thereby achieving multi-functionality while managing complexity through unified architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical sensor employs a universal light source and photodetector system that serves multiple sensing functions. The same hardware infrastructure supports fingerprint detection, ambient light measurement, and proximity sensing, allowing one device to perform multiple roles that traditionally required separate sensors
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple independent sensors are manufactured separately, then each sensor can be optimized independently, but production costs and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process integrates formation of multiple pixel cell array regions (first for proximity, second for fingerprint, third for ambient light) into a single unified process flow on the same transparent substrate. This combined manufacturing approach reduces total production time and cost compared to fabricating separate sensors, while maintaining optimization capabilities through region-specific design parameters
3Measurement precision
If focusing optical components (lens, prism) are added to achieve fingerprint focus, then sensing precision is improved, but device thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional focusing optical components (lens, prism) from the fingerprint sensing path. Instead of using external focusing elements that increase thickness, the design extracts the focusing function and integrates it directly into the pixel cell array structure itself, achieving precise fingerprint detection without adding significant device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional focusing approach using lenses and prisms to a two-dimensional planar pixel array configuration. By arranging photodetectors in a flat array on the transparent substrate, the system achieves fingerprint focus through spatial distribution in the plane rather than through optical path length in the third dimension, thereby reducing overall device thickness
4Reliability
If separate components (power sources, communication interfaces) are provided for each sensor, then each sensor can operate independently, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated optical sensor consolidates power sources, communication interfaces, and signal processing circuits into shared common components. All three sensor functions (fingerprint, ambient light, proximity) draw power from and communicate through the same infrastructure, reducing component quantity and device complexity while maintaining operational reliability through unified system control
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 integrated optical sensor achieves a simple and compact structure, reduced production costs, and enhanced application value by enabling coordinated operation and information sharing among sensor functions, facilitating miniaturization and efficient manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
The photosensitive device 102 can generate electric current which is proportional to the intensity of the received visible lights 101
Implementation Method 2
incident lights 202, generally infrared lights, are emitted from a light source 201 of the proximity sensor. Then the incident light 202 reach an object 203 and be reflected there, generating reflected lights 204
Implementation Method 3
a finger with fingerprints should be put on an optical lens and irradiated by a built-in light source which is disposed on a bottom of the optical sensor. Lights emitted from the light source reach a triangular prism on which refractions of the lights occur and refracted lights will be generated
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated optical sensor and methods for forming and using the same is provided. The integrated optical sensor comprising: a light source; a transparent substrate, having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; a first pixel cell array region, located on the first surface and adapted to receiving lights emitted from the light source and reflected by an external object; a second pixel cell array region, located on the first surface and adapted to receiving lights emitted from the light source and reflected by the fingerprint; and a third pixel cell array region, located on the first surface and adapted to receiving visible lights from outside. The integrated optical sensor has simplified structures, the forming method thereof has improved processes, and the using method thereof has more applications. Besides, production costs may be reduced.