Wearable Fingerprint Sensor on Display Window Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, face challenges in integrating fingerprint recognition sensors due to size constraints, making it difficult to mount them on the front face and ensuring effective fingerprint recognition when worn on the wrist.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device design that incorporates a fingerprint recognition sensor on the flanges of a window, with light emission and reception units, allowing for invisible light emission and reception to facilitate secure fingerprint recognition without obstructing the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fingerprint recognition sensor is mounted on the front face of a wearable device, then fingerprint recognition capability is provided, but the device size increases and the user interface is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the fingerprint recognition sensor from the traditional front face (2D surface) to the side surface/flange of the display window, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the sensor to be integrated without occupying valuable front face real estate and without obstructing the display area, effectively resolving the space conflict while maintaining fingerprint recognition functionality
2Device complexity
If a fingerprint recognition sensor is mounted on the rear face of a wearable device, then device structure is simplified, but fingerprint recognition cannot be performed when worn on the wrist
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the sensor on the rear face or front face, the patent positions it on the side surface/flange of the display window. This intermediate position allows the sensor to remain accessible when the device is worn on the wrist, as users can still access the side surface for fingerprint placement while maintaining proper wrist positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The display window flange serves as an intermediary structure that hosts the fingerprint sensor. This flange acts as a mediator between the front and rear faces, providing a third mounting location that satisfies both structural simplicity and operational accessibility requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If light emission units are mounted on the front face, then fingerprint recognition is enabled, but light emission is visible and may cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission units are relocated from the front face to the side surface/flange of the display window. This spatial repositioning causes the emitted light to travel along the side surface rather than projecting forward, making it invisible or significantly less visible to users while maintaining the optical path needed for fingerprint recognition through the display
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
Enhances security for wearable devices by enabling reliable fingerprint recognition, expanding their use in payment and other secure applications while maintaining a compact and unobstructed user interface.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emission unit mounted adjacent to the first flange to emit light to a first region of the window
Implementation Method 2
at least one light reception unit mounted adjacent to the second flange to receive light reflected from the first region
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device that is mounted with a fingerprint recognition sensor is provided. The wearable device includes a housing including a first, a second face facing, and a third face facing, a support structure disposed between the first and second faces, a display disposed on the first face to be exposed, and including a window having a first flange and a second flange disposed to be opposite the first face, and a display module coupled to the window to face the second direction, the display being disposed on one face of the support structure, a printed circuit board disposed on another face of the support structure, at least one light emitter mounted adjacent to the first flange to emit light to a first region of the window, and at least one light receptor mounted adjacent to the second flange to receive light reflected from the first region.