Segmented Acoustic Fingerprint Imaging System
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-precision biometric sensors for electronic devices face challenges in maintaining image quality and efficiency due to smaller sensing components, which are prone to signal distortion and increased power consumption, making it difficult to integrate them into small form factor devices with limited resources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a segmented acoustic fingerprint imaging system that uses a substrate with transducers arranged in arrays to propagate plane waves and capture acoustic reflections, allowing for high-quality image capture by analyzing electrical signals from subarrays and assembling them into a single image, while reducing the need for complex circuitry and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If smaller sensing components are used to achieve high precision, then measurement precision is improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to lower signal amplitude and increased susceptibility to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the sensing array into multiple independent subarrays, where each subarray can be independently controlled and processed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision with smaller components while improving signal quality through multiple independent signal sources that can be combined to reduce noise impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines signals from multiple subarrays to form the complete biometric image. By merging signals from multiple smaller sensing components, the system achieves the signal quality and amplitude characteristics of larger sensors while maintaining the precision benefits of smaller, densely arranged components.
2Volume of moving object
If smaller sensing components are used, then device size is reduced, but power consumption increases due to advanced signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensing array into independent subarrays with dedicated control circuits, the system reduces the processing burden on any single component. Each subarray can be processed independently and in parallel, reducing overall power consumption compared to processing signals from a single large array.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic activation of subarrays rather than continuous operation of the entire array. Subarrays can be activated in sequences or patterns, reducing average power consumption while maintaining image quality through temporal integration of multiple subarray measurements.
3Volume of moving object
If smaller sensing components are used, then device complexity increases due to more intricate circuitry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing array is divided into multiple independent subarrays, each with its own control and readout circuits. This segmentation simplifies the overall circuitry by breaking down complex array control into multiple simpler, identical subarray control units that can be manufactured and integrated more easily.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple identical subarray modules are used throughout the sensing array. Each subarray is a copy of the same standardized design, which simplifies manufacturing, testing, and integration compared to designing and implementing a single complex large-scale circuit.
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 enables high-quality fingerprint imaging with reduced power consumption and simplified circuitry, capable of producing images of sufficient quality for security applications in small form factor devices, overcoming the limitations of smaller sensing components and environmental interference.
Implementation Method 1
Each transducer can be configured to generate an acoustic output (e.g., pulse, wave, and so on) into the substrate in response to an electronic activation pulse
Implementation Method 2
The imaging system can direct an acoustic plane wave toward the interrogation surface and thereafter monitor for and obtain an acoustic reflection (e.g., echo) from the interrogation surface
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic imaging system can include an array of transducers in acoustic communication with a substrate configured to receive a subject for imaging. The transducers can independently or cooperatively send an acoustic pulse into the substrate toward the subject. In many examples, a number of adjacently-positioned transducers are activated substantially simultaneously so as to generate a plane wave into the substrate. After the plane wave has had an opportunity to propagate through the substrate, reflect from the top surface, and propagate through the substrate again, the electrical signals can be obtained from the transducers and an image of the subject can be assembled. In many embodiments, the plurality of transducers can be driven and read in groups such as non-intersecting (disjoint) sets or subarrays.