Micro-slit Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor for Compact Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fingerprint identification components in mobile devices occupy excessive space, leading to a poor user experience due to their large size.

Innovation Solution

A micro-slit fingerprint collection region with multiple fingerprint collection modules, each comprising a resonance transmitter and sensor, transmits and receives resonance signals to and from a user's fingerprint texture, allowing for efficient fingerprint collection while minimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a fingerprint identification component uses a large area collection region, then fingerprint collection accuracy is improved, but the device occupies excessive space and reduces user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint collection accuracyVSAvoidspace occupied by fingerprint identification component
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional optical fingerprint sensing to ultrasonic fingerprint sensing, utilizing acoustic wave propagation in a different physical dimension. The ultrasonic sensor array emits acoustic waves that penetrate and reflect off the fingerprint ridge structure, enabling accurate fingerprint capture in a much smaller physical footprint compared to optical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical measurement system with an ultrasonic acoustic system. Instead of using light to detect fingerprint patterns, the invention uses ultrasonic waves to interact with the fingerprint structure, fundamentally changing the physical mechanism from optical to acoustic while achieving both compact size and accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple sensors are arranged in a large array, then fingerprint detection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor array complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic sensor array is divided into multiple independent sensor elements arranged in a linear or two-dimensional configuration. Each sensor element can be independently controlled to emit and receive ultrasonic waves at different positions, allowing the system to scan and map the entire fingerprint area by sequentially activating different sensor segments rather than requiring a densely packed continuous array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic scanning mechanisms where the ultrasonic sensor array can electronically steer and focus acoustic beams without physically moving the sensors. By dynamically adjusting the timing and phase of ultrasonic wave emission from different sensor elements, the system can selectively probe different regions of the fingerprint, reducing the need for a static large-scale sensor array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively reduces the space occupied by the fingerprint identification component, enhancing user experience by enabling accurate fingerprint collection within a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the fingerprint collection modules includes a resonance transmitter and a resonance sensor. The resonance transmitter is configured to transmit a resonance signal to a fingerprint texture of a user. The resonance sensor is configured to receive the resonance signal after being reflected by the fingerprint texture.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3451227B1Electronic device and fingerprint collection method
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3451227B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451227B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451227B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a fingerprint identification component, an electronic device, and a fingerprint collection method. The fingerprint identification component includes a micro-slit fingerprint collection region and a plurality of fingerprint collection modules arranged in the micro-slit fingerprint collection region. Each of the fingerprint collection modules includes a resonance transmitter and a resonance sensor. The resonance transmitter transmits a resonance signal to a fingerprint texture of a user. The resonance sensor receives the resonance signal after being reflected by the fingerprint texture of the user to collect or identify the fingerprint texture of the user. The fingerprint identification component defines a micro-slit fingerprint collection region. A plurality of fingerprint collection modules are arranged in the micro-slit fingerprint collection region. The resonance transmitter is configured to transmit a resonance signal to a fingerprint texture of a user. The resonance sensor is configured to receive the resonance signal after being reflected by a fingerprint texture of the user. Such that a fingerprint image of the user is generated based on the reflected resonance signal. Thereby the fingerprint identification component can collect the fingerprint texture of the user. A space occupied by the fingerprint identification component is effectively reduces, thereby improving the user experience.