Fingerprint sensors for mobile devices
First Claim
1. A display assembly for a user device, the display assembly comprising:
- a protective substrate;
touch circuitry located below the protective substrate that generates a signal responsive to a user interaction with the protective substrate;
a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel located below the touch circuitry;
a backlight assembly located below the LCD panel, wherein the backlight assembly includesa diffuser configured to diffuse light emitted toward the LCD panel,an optically clear adhesive layer disposed between the diffuser and a backlight, wherein the optically clear adhesive layer substantially eliminates an air clap between the diffuser and the backlight, andthe backlight configured to generate the light that illuminates the LCD panel; and
a fingerprint sensor located below the backlight assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments concern fingerprint sensors for mobile devices. By modifying one or more layers of a display assembly, a fingerprint sensor can be positioned directly beneath the display. For example, the air gap within the backlight structure could be replaced by an optically clear adhesive that allows waves emitted by a fingerprint sensor to properly propagate through the display assembly. In some embodiments, a fingerprint sensor is set within a recess in the display assembly. For example, a depression could be created in the protective substrate, and the fingerprint sensor could be set within the depression using an optically clear adhesive. The functionality of a fingerprint sensor could also be replicated by increasing the density of touch-sensing elements in certain areas of a display assembly that utilizes in-cell technology.
17 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A display assembly for a user device, the display assembly comprising:
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a protective substrate; touch circuitry located below the protective substrate that generates a signal responsive to a user interaction with the protective substrate; a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel located below the touch circuitry; a backlight assembly located below the LCD panel, wherein the backlight assembly includes a diffuser configured to diffuse light emitted toward the LCD panel, an optically clear adhesive layer disposed between the diffuser and a backlight, wherein the optically clear adhesive layer substantially eliminates an air clap between the diffuser and the backlight, and the backlight configured to generate the light that illuminates the LCD panel; and a fingerprint sensor located below the backlight assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A display assembly for a user device, the display assembly comprising:
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a protective substrate having an outward-facing side that is contacted by a user during an interaction with the display assembly, and an inward-facing side that includes a depression; a transparent fingerprint sensor that is set within the depression; touch circuitry located below the protective substrate that generates a signal responsive to a user interaction with the outward-facing side of the protective substrate; a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel located below the touch circuitry; and a backlight assembly located below the LCD panel, wherein the backlight assembly includes a diffuser configured to diffuse light emitted toward the LCD panel, and a backlight configured to generate the light that illuminates the LCD panel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A display assembly for a user device, the display assembly comprising:
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a protective substrate; an integrated display panel located below the protective substrate, wherein the integrated display panel is divided into a plurality of cells that each include display elements, touch-sensing elements that enable touch functionality, or a combination thereof, wherein of the plurality of cells includes a first cell having a first count of touch-sensing elements, and a second cell having a second count of touch-sensing elements, the second count being sufficient to simulate the functionality of a fingerprint scanner, and wherein the first count and the second count are different values; and a backlight assembly located below the integrated display panel, wherein the backlight assembly includes a diffuser configured to diffuse light emitted toward the integrated display panel, and a backlight configured to generate the light that illuminates the integrated display panel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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providing a user device having a processor and a display assembly that includes a protective substrate, an integrated display panel below the protective substrate, wherein the integrated display panel is divided into a plurality of cells that each include display elements, touch-sensing elements that enable touch functionality, or a combination thereof, and wherein the plurality of cells includes a first cell having a first count of touch-sensing elements, and a second cell having a second count of touch-sensing elements, the second count being sufficient to simulate the functionality of a fingerprint scanner, wherein the first count and the second count are different values, and a backlight assembly located below the integrated display panel and configured to illuminate the integrated display panel; enabling a user to interact with the user device by contacting the protective substrate; monitoring whether the user places a finger on at least a portion of the second cell; responsive to determining the finger was placed on at least a portion of the second cell, generating, by each touch-sensing element located within the second cell, a signal that is based on which part of the finger is directly above the corresponding touch-sensing element; transmitting the signals to touch circuitry for processing; and processing, by the touch circuitry, the signals to determine whether the finger matches a fingerprint stored in a memory accessible to the user device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification