In May Apple Inc. was granted a patent for fingerprint ID based on ultrasonic biometrics for under the display and position on the backside on an iPhone as well. On June first Patently Apple posted a report titled "Rumor Claims that Samsung will Introduce Ultrasonic Fingerprint ID for their next-gen Galaxy S10. On July 26th, Digitimes posted a report titled "Samsung Galaxy S10 lineup likely to feature ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensors." This week the U.S. Patent Office published a patent application from Samsung that describes the use of a biometric sensor for a smartphone using ultrasonic technology.
Samsung believes the current methodologies for fingerprint biometrics is open to error and their patent focuses on the use of biometrics via ultrasonic technology.
Samsung's patent FIG. 4 below is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to an example embodiment. The biometric sensor #410 may be a sensor using an infrared light. The biometric sensors may include an optical image sensor, ultrasonic transmission/reception module, or electrostatic electrode pattern. According to an embodiment, the biometric sensor can also include an ultrasonic transmission/reception module.
Samsung displays two smartphone form factors using the in-display fingerprint scanner. One is traditional design while the second illustrates an edge-to-edge display form factor.
With reference to FIG. 5A, the electronic device #500 (smartphone may include a biometric sensor #520 (e.g., fingerprint sensor) for recognizing biometric information (e.g., fingerprint information) formed in at least one part of a display.
With reference to FIG. 5B, the electronic device #530 (smartphone) may include a biometric sensor #550 in at least one part of a display.
Samsung later notes that while their ultrasonic based fingerprint scanner is designed for under the display, in fact it could also be positioned and formed on a side or backside of the display or incorporated within a button anywhere on the phone.
According to various embodiments, the biometric sensor could be formed at another side of the display of the electronic device. Elastomers (e.g., sponge or rubber) could be formed between the biometric sensor and the display in order to relax an impact or protect an inflow of foreign materials between the biometric sensor and the display.
According to an embodiment, the biometric sensor may include an image sensor. For example, the image sensor can output light (e.g., visible light or infrared light) emitted by a light source (e.g., the display or an infrared light emitting diode (IR LED) to a user's fingerprint, and detect the light reflected by the users fingerprint.
Samsung filed their patent application on January 22, 2018 which was published by UPSTO on July 26th. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time – though rumors suggest ultrasonic biometrics will surface in Samsung's Galaxy 10 due in Q1 2019.
Patently Mobile presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. About Posting Comments: Patently Mobile reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
Comments