Under-screen Optical Sensor Module for Fingerprint Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fingerprint sensors in mobile devices are often separate from the display screen, requiring additional space and compromising on spatial image resolution due to the need for compactness, while also facing limitations in security and user convenience with password-based authentication systems.
Innovation Solution
An optical fingerprint sensing technology that integrates an optical sensor module underneath the display screen, utilizing the display screen's light to capture and detect the fingerprint pattern, eliminating the need for a separate sensor area and enhancing security with live finger detection and anti-spoofing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate fingerprint sensor is used, then fingerprint sensing function is achieved, but device area increases and spatial resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fingerprint sensing function with the display screen by integrating an optical sensor module underneath the display. The display screen serves dual purposes: displaying information and providing illumination for fingerprint sensing. This merging eliminates the need for a separate sensor area while maintaining high spatial resolution through the optical imaging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the display interface and the light source for fingerprint authentication. The optical sensor module underneath the display captures reflected light to detect fingerprint patterns, making the display system universal and eliminating the need for dedicated sensor space.
2Reliability
If password authentication is used, then user authentication is achieved, but security is reduced and user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/password-based authentication system with a biometric optical sensing system. Instead of requiring users to remember and input passwords, the system uses an optical sensor to capture and verify fingerprint patterns, providing both enhanced security through biometric authentication and improved user convenience through contactless or minimal-contact sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the authentication parameter from knowledge-based (password) to biometric-based (fingerprint patterns). By detecting optical properties of the fingerprint such as ridge and valley patterns, the system achieves higher reliability in authentication while improving ease of operation as users simply need to place their finger on the screen.
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 solution provides a compact, high-resolution fingerprint sensing system that enhances security by integrating fingerprint scanning directly into the display screen, reducing the footprint of fingerprint sensors and improving user authentication with live finger detection and anti-spoofing features.
Implementation Method 1
a display panel structure having a plurality of light emitting display pixels, each pixel operable to emit light for forming a portion of a display image
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor module located below the display panel structure to receive light that is emitted by at least a portion of the light emitting display pixels of the display structure and is returned from the top transparent layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Devices and optical sensor modules are provided for provide on-screen optical sensing of fingerprints by using a under-screen optical sensor module that captures and detects returned light that is emitted by the display screen for displaying images and that is reflected back by the top surface of the screen assembly.