FINGERPRINT SENSOR AND INTEGRATABLE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY

• US 20120242635A1
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Validity Sensors Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Erhart, Richard Alexander, Nelson, Richard Brian, Wickboldt, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,274,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0338 Fingerprint track pad, i.e. fingerprint sensor used as pointing device tracking the fingertip image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04106 Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1329 Protecting the fingerprint sensor against damage caused by the finger

Abstract

A fingerprint sensor which includes a conductive layer which is incorporatable within an electronic display is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor also includes a controller coupled to the conductive layer to capture a fingerprint image and can further be adapted to control the display.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a sensor positionable within 1 mm of an uppermost surface of an electronic device display; and

a controller coupled to the sensor to capture a parameter of a fingerprint wherein the controller is positionable underneath a lower surface of the electronic device display;

further wherein the sensor is integrated into the electronic device display between a cover lens and a protective layer.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the electronic device display further comprises a touch sensor.

3. The sensor of claim 2 wherein the touch sensor is controllable by a touch sensor controller.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the controller is further coupled to a touch sensor.

5. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a mask layer having an upper surface adjacent the protective layer.

6. The sensor of claim 5 wherein a conductive layer is disposed on a bottom surface of a mask layer positioned on a lower surface of the protective layer.

7. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the mask layer further includes an indication of a fingerprint sensing area.

8. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the controller is a chip-on-flex.

9. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises at least one conductive layer.

10. The sensor of claim 9 wherein the conductive layer is selected from one or more of indium tin oxide, carbon nanotubes, metal nanowires, conductive transparent polymers and fine line metal.

11. The sensor of claim 9 wherein the conductive layer is a flexible material.

12. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising one or more of each of a planarization layer, an optical coating, an optically clear adhesive, a clear plastic film, and a hard coat.

13. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the protective layer is selected from the group comprising ultra thin glass and polyethylene terephthalate.

14. The sensor of claim 13 wherein a hard coating is applied to the protective layer.

15. The sensor of claim 2 wherein the fingerprint sensor further comprises a conductive layer and the touch sensor further comprises a conductive layer and further wherein the conductive layer of the fingerprint sensor and the conductive layer of the touch sensor are integrally formed.

16. An electronic display comprising:

an electronic display module configured to produce a visible display;

a protective layer located above the electronic display module and configured to durably receive a finger surface from a user;

a fingerprint sensor; and

a controller coupled to the fingerprint sensor to capture a fingerprint parameter when the finger is sensed.

17. The display of claim 16 further comprising a motion sensor for detecting a motion of a finger on the fingerprint sensor.

18. The display of claim 16 further comprising a presence detector for detecting a presence of a finger on the fingerprint sensor.

19. The display of claim 16 further comprising a display controller coupled to the display module and configured to control the visible display of the display module.

20. The display of claim 19, wherein the display controller is further coupled to the fingerprint sensor and further configured to control the fingerprint sensor.

21. The display of claim 16, wherein the fingerprint sensor further comprises a conductive layer disposed under a mask layer on the bottom surface of the protective layer.

22. The display of claim 21, wherein the mask layer includes an identification of a fingerprint sensing area.

23. The display of claim 16 wherein the controller is a chip-on-flex.

24. The display of claim 16 wherein the sensor comprises at least one conductive layer.

25. The display of claim 24 wherein the conductive layer is selected from one or more of indium tin oxide, carbon nanotubes, metal nanowires, conductive transparent polymers and fine line metal.

26. The display of claim 24 wherein the conductive layer is a flexible material.

27. The display of claim 16 further comprising one or more of each of a planarization layer, an optical coating, an optically clear adhesive, a clear plastic film, and a hard coat.

28. The display of claim 16 wherein the protective layer is selected from the group comprising ultra thin glass and polyethylene terephthalate.

29. The fingerprint sensor of claim 28 wherein a hard coating is applied to the protective layer.

30. The display of claim 16 further comprising a touch sensor.

31. The display of claim 30 wherein the fingerprint sensor further comprises a conductive layer and the touch sensor further comprises a conductive layer and further wherein the conductive layer of the fingerprint sensor and the conductive layer of the touch sensor are integrally formed.

32. A method of assembling an electronic display comprising:

providing a substrate;

mounting a display controller on the substrate;

mounting a display module above the substrate;

positioning a fingerprint sensor circuitry on an upper side of the display module, wherein the fingerprint sensor is positioned within 1 mm of an uppermost surface of the electronic display; and

applying a protective cover to the uppermost surface of the electronic display, wherein the protective cover is positioned over the fingerprint sensor circuitry.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of applying a mask layer between the protective cover and the display.

34. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of mounting a user protective surface above the mask layer.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the display controller is configured to control the motion sensor and the fingerprint sensor.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of connecting the display controller to the motion sensor and the fingerprint sensor.

37. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of mounting a fingerprint sensor controller on the substrate.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of connecting the display controller to the motion sensor circuitry and connecting the fingerprint sensor controller to the fingerprint sensor circuitry.