Integrated Touch and Fingerprint Sensor Input Processor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in efficiently managing and integrating touch sensors and fingerprint recognition sensors, leading to increased production costs and hardware inefficiencies, as well as difficulties in preventing damage to the cover glass and electrostatic discharge.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design that integrates a touch sensor and a fingerprint recognition sensor using a single input processor and flexible circuit board, allowing for unified management and processing of inputs, while also incorporating a support structure to prevent cover glass damage and electrostatic discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate processing units and circuit boards are used for touch sensors and fingerprint recognition sensors, then each sensor can be independently managed, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent sensor managementVSAvoidmultiple processing units and circuit boards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the touch sensor and fingerprint recognition sensor into a single integrated sensor structure where both sensor types share common components including the cover glass, adhesive layer, and processing unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate processing units and circuit boards while maintaining the ability to independently detect and process both touch and fingerprint inputs through a unified sensor array.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can detect touch inputs, fingerprint patterns, and combinations thereof. The single processing unit is capable of handling both touch sensor signals and fingerprint recognition sensor signals, making the system universal in its input detection capabilities while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate sensors and processing units are used, then sensor functionality is maintained, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidproduction costs and manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensor types and their processing units into a single integrated assembly. The touch sensor and fingerprint recognition sensor are positioned adjacent to each other and share common structural elements including the cover glass, adhesive layer, and processing unit, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs compared to assembling separate sensor modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor assembly provides universal input detection capabilities, supporting both touch-based interactions and fingerprint recognition through a single manufactured unit. This multi-functional design allows the device to maintain versatile sensor functionality while being produced as a single integrated component rather than multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional sensor mounting structures are used, then sensor integration is achieved, but cover glass damage and electrostatic discharge risks remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor integrationVSAvoidcover glass damage and electrostatic discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an electrostatic discharge protection layer between the adhesive layer and the processing unit to prevent electrostatic damage before it can occur. Additionally, the integrated structure distributes mechanical stress across the entire sensor assembly including the cover glass, adhesive layer, and sensor components, providing beforehand cushioning against cover glass damage during assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electrostatic discharge protection layer as an intermediary component between the adhesive layer and the processing unit. This intermediate layer acts as a mediator that prevents electrostatic discharge from reaching and damaging the sensitive processing unit while maintaining the structural integrity of the integrated sensor assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10614202B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an input sensing module that detects at least two inputs and a processor that controls the electronic device to perform a function corresponding to an input received through the input sensing module, wherein the input sensing module includes at least one fingerprint recognition sensor, at least one touch sensor, and an input processor electrically connected to the at least one fingerprint recognition sensor and the at least one touch sensor and that processes an input received from the at least one fingerprint recognition sensor or the at least one touch sensor and that transfers the input to the processor.