Optical Fingerprint Sensor 3D Authentication via Multi-Directional Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fingerprint sensors face challenges in distinguishing between actual finger contact and printed fingerprint images, leading to potential counterfeiting risks, as they rely solely on light reflection differences without confirming the three-dimensional nature of the fingerprint.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a light source, fingerprint sensor, and processor that irradiates light onto a fingerprint recognition area, generates images from both the irradiation direction and remaining areas, and analyzes these images to determine if the detected object is three-dimensional, thereby confirming the authenticity of the fingerprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fingerprint sensor uses only light reflection difference to identify fingerprints, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but the reliability is poor because it cannot distinguish between real finger and printed fake fingerprints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by capturing images from multiple directions (irradiation direction and remaining area direction) instead of relying solely on light reflection intensity. This dimensional change allows the system to detect the three-dimensional shape characteristics of the fingerprint, enabling distinction between real fingers and flat printed fakes without adding complex hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the fingerprint recognition area into two distinct imaging zones: one for capturing images in the light source irradiation direction and another for capturing images from the remaining area direction. This segmentation allows independent analysis of different optical characteristics, with the first area providing shape information and the second area providing complementary verification data.
2Reliability
If additional hardware is added to confirm three-dimensional fingerprint shape, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing display screen serve multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface display and the light source for fingerprint illumination. By controlling specific pixel regions of the display to emit light, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated illumination hardware, reducing manufacturing complexity while enabling multi-directional imaging for enhanced security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own display screen as the light source for fingerprint illumination, making the device self-sufficient. The display pixels that would normally show content are repurposed to provide structured light patterns for fingerprint capture, eliminating dependency on external or additional lighting components.
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 approach enhances fingerprint recognition security by confirming the three-dimensional nature of the fingerprint without additional hardware, ensuring accurate authentication and preventing counterfeiting.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fingerprint sensor is configured to use only the difference in the amount of light reaching each pixel of the fingerprint sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a light source, a fingerprint sensor, a memory configured to record an image of a reflected light detected when the light source is turned on, and a processor configured to operatively coupled to the light source, the fingerprint sensor, and the memory, wherein the light source may form an irradiation area on a display surface by light irradiation to a display, the irradiation area may include a fingerprint recognition area formed on the display, at least one surface may match the fingerprint recognition area or at least one vertex coincides, and the matched area may form a first area. The memory may store instructions allowing the processor to irradiate light in a designated direction using the light source, obtain a first image and analyze the first image to distinguish whether the object detected by the fingerprint sensor is flat or three-dimensional.