Integrated Touch and Fingerprint Sensor Electrode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fingerprint sensors require additional space and resources, as they are separate from display devices, leading to increased costs and complexity in development and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A display device integrating both touch and fingerprint recognition capabilities, utilizing a sensor with first and second sensing electrodes that can switch between touch and fingerprint sensing modes, allowing for simultaneous touch and fingerprint detection and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fingerprint sensor is used, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fingerprint sensor and display device into a single integrated structure. The sensor is positioned between the upper and lower substrates of the display device, with sensing electrodes formed on the lower substrate and transparent electrodes on the upper substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate fingerprint sensor hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining fingerprint recognition functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device is designed to perform multiple functions: display output and fingerprint recognition. The sensing electrodes and transparent electrodes work together to detect both touch input and fingerprint patterns. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware structure to serve dual purposes, reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fingerprint sensor is used, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fingerprint sensor functionality into the display device structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate manufacturing processes for fingerprint sensors. The sensing electrodes are formed on the lower substrate during display device manufacturing, and transparent electrodes are applied to the upper substrate, allowing both components to be manufactured together in a single production line.
3Measurement precision
If all sensing electrodes are driven in fingerprint sensing mode, then fingerprint recognition accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic electrode driving where the sensing controller selectively activates different groups of sensing electrodes based on the detected touch state. In fingerprint sensing mode, all sensing electrodes may be driven for accurate recognition. In touch sensing mode, only certain electrode groups are activated. This dynamic adjustment optimizes fingerprint recognition accuracy while reducing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing controller periodically switches between different sensing modes and selectively drives electrode groups at different time intervals. During fingerprint recognition, all electrodes are driven; during normal touch sensing, only specific electrode groups are activated periodically. This periodic selective driving reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining fingerprint recognition capability when needed.
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
Enables a compact, cost-effective solution for both touch and fingerprint recognition, enhancing user experience and security by eliminating the need for separate hardware components.
Implementation Method 1
it is possible to obtain a fingerprint pattern by detecting a capacitive variation depending on valley and ridge shapes of a fingerprint of a user's finger surface when the user's finger surface contacts a capacitive sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept provides a display device including: a display unit including a plurality of pixels disposed on a display area; a display controller configured to control the display unit; a sensor including a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes disposed in the display area; and a sensor controller configured to recognize a touch of a user inputted into the sensor in a touch sensing mode and to recognize a fingerprint of the user inputted into the sensor in a fingerprint sensing mode, wherein the sensor controller changes a mode to the fingerprint sensing mode when no touch is inputted for a predetermined time period in the touch sensing mode and changes the mode to the touch sensing mode when authorization on a fingerprint inputted into the sensor is succeeded in the fingerprint sensing mode.