Under-Display Fingerprint and Force Sensor Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile terminals face challenges in integrating fingerprint recognition sensors and force sensors as under-display types without increasing thickness, limiting bezel reduction and fingerprint recognition accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal design that incorporates a fingerprint recognition sensor and a force sensor as under-display types, with the force sensor having a polygonal ring shape and measuring pressure through capacitance or resistance changes, while the fingerprint sensor recognizes fingerprints using reflected light from an OLED pixel module, and provides haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a fingerprint recognition sensor and force sensor are implemented as under-display types, then the bezel can be reduced and the display area enlarged, but the thickness of the terminal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensor is positioned to surround the side surface of the fingerprint recognition sensor, creating a nested configuration where the fingerprint sensor is inserted into a sensor insertion space formed by perforating the light non-transmitting layer. This nesting allows both sensors to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall thickness increase while maintaining both functions underneath the display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The force sensor is designed with a polygonal ring shape that surrounds the side surface of the fingerprint sensor, transitioning from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change allows the force sensor to detect pressure applied to the display while the fingerprint sensor remains positioned below it, enabling both functions within a compact vertical profile.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If a fingerprint recognition sensor is disposed at a different position (rear surface), then the force sensor can be implemented as under-display type, but the fingerprint recognition accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunder-display force sensor implementationVSAvoidfingerprint recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Both the fingerprint recognition sensor and force sensor are integrated underneath the display at the same location, merging their functions into a single under-display assembly. The force sensor surrounds the fingerprint sensor, allowing both sensors to work simultaneously at the optimal position for fingerprint recognition while maintaining the under-display configuration for haptic feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate positions are used for force sensor and fingerprint sensor, then each sensor can be optimized for its function, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor function optimizationVSAvoidsensor arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force sensor is positioned to surround the side surface of the fingerprint recognition sensor, creating a nested configuration where the fingerprint sensor is inserted into a sensor insertion space formed by perforating the light non-transmitting layer. This nesting allows both sensors to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall thickness increase while maintaining both functions underneath the display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 simultaneous fingerprint recognition and haptic feedback without increasing the terminal's thickness, improving user experience by providing accurate fingerprint detection and tactile feedback without protrusions.

Implementation Method 1

including an OLED pixel module emitting light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from OLED: Organic Light-emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

when the light emitted from the OLED pixel module is reflected by a user finger, the reflected light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

measuring pressure through capacitance or resistance changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance change: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

measuring pressure through capacitance or resistance changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive change: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3651004B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3651004B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3651004B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP3651004B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Disclosed is a mobile terminal including a display unit configured to display an image and including an OLED pixel module emitting light and a light non-transmitting layer formed therebelow, a fingerprint recognition sensor configured to recognize a user fingerprint by receiving, when the light emitted from the OLED pixel module is reflected by a user finger, the reflected light, a sensor insertion space formed by perforating a part of the light non-transmitting layer, the fingerprint recognition sensor being inserted into the sensor insertion space, and a force sensor disposed to surround a side surface of the fingerprint recognition sensor and to provide haptic feedback when pressure is applied to the force sensor.