KR20150120043A - Mobile apparatus including both touch sensing function and authenticatiing fuction - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a mobile apparatus in which a touch detecting sensor and a fingerprint authenticating sensor are combined. The mobile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a touch detecting sensor for detecting whether a subject or a finger is touched, by including a plurality of signal wires arranged in a predetermined pattern at an upper end of a display unit; an inactivating unit for surrounding the display unit; a substrate for covering the touch detecting sensor and the inactivating unit; a fingerprint recognition sensor which is formed on at least a portion of the inactivating unit, and generates a light-emitting fingerprint image based on a voltage or a pressure from the finger; and an image sensor which is located at a lower end of the fingerprint recognition sensor, and takes the fingerprint image.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a mobile device including both a touch sensing function and a fingerprint authentication function. [0002] MOBILE APPARATUS INCLUDING BOTH TOUCH SENSING FUNCTION AND AUTHENTICATING FUCTION [0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a mobile device capable of performing touch detection, and more particularly, to a mobile device capable of finger detection simultaneously with touch detection.

Since the conventional fingerprint recognition sensor has a separate hardware structure from the display, a separate space is required. As the mobile device becomes smaller and slimmer, the position and space of the fingerprint recognition sensor are restricted.

In addition, the conventional touch sensing technology and the fingerprint recognition technology are separately implemented and aim at individual functions for specific situations at the time of use. In the case of a mobile device including both a touch sensing function and a fingerprint recognition function, there is a problem that separate costs and efforts are required to separately develop and manufacture the mobile device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile device having both a touch sensing function and a fingerprint sensing function without restriction on the position and space of the mobile device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile device including: a touch detection sensor that detects whether a subject or a finger is touched by including a plurality of signal lines arranged in a predetermined pattern on a top of a display unit; An inert portion surrounding the display portion; A substrate covering the touch detection sensor and the inertial portion; A fingerprint recognition sensor formed on at least a part of the inactive portion and generating a fingerprint image to emit light based on the voltage or pressure from the finger; And an image sensor positioned at the lower end of the fingerprint recognition sensor to capture the fingerprint image.

Wherein the fingerprint recognition sensor comprises: a driving layer extending between the optical layer and the image sensor, the driving layer being adapted to apply driving signals through the signal wires; And an optical layer in which a plurality of phosphors are uniformly distributed by mixing with a colored material that blocks the inflow of external light, and the phosphors emit light in accordance with the electric field between the driving signal and the finger.

 The fingerprint recognition sensor includes an optical layer which is mixed with a coloring material that blocks the inflow of external light to form a plurality of phosphors uniformly distributed, and the phosphor emits light based on the pressure from the finger.

The fingerprint recognition sensor may further include a blocking wall for blocking light from the display unit between a boundary between the inactive unit and the display unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile device including: a touch detection sensor that detects whether a subject or a finger is touched by including a plurality of signal lines arranged in a predetermined pattern on an upper portion of a display unit; An inert portion surrounding the display portion; A substrate covering the touch detection sensor and the inertial portion; A fingerprint recognition sensor which is formed in the non-active portion and at least a part of the upper portion of the substrate, and generates a fingerprint image to emit light based on the voltage or pressure from the finger; And an image sensor positioned at the lower end of the fingerprint recognition sensor to capture the fingerprint image.

The mobile device according to the embodiments of the present invention has the effect that touch sensing and fingerprint recognition can be performed on a specific region or an entire panel region by implementing a fingerprint recognition sensor on a substrate that covers the touch screen without a separate physical button.

1 is a front view of a mobile device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of AA 'showing an embodiment of the mobile device shown in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view in AA 'direction showing another embodiment of the mobile device shown in Fig.
4 is an enlarged view of an enlarged portion X of FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view in the direction AA 'showing another embodiment of the mobile device shown in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view in the BB 'direction showing one embodiment of the inactive portion of FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view in the BB 'direction showing another embodiment of the inert portion of FIG.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

1 is a front view of a mobile device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile device 1 includes a display portion 10, an inactive portion 20, and the like.

The mobile device 1 described in the present invention may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a remote control, May be included. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless the configuration is applicable only to a mobile device.

The display unit 10 displays and outputs information processed in the mobile device. For example, when the mobile device is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with the call is displayed. When the mobile device 1 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received image or the UI and the GUI are displayed.

The display unit 10 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display 3D display).

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A typical example of the transparent display is a transparent LCD or the like. The rear structure of the display unit 10 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 10 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display portions 10 depending on the implementation of the mobile device 1. [ For example, in the mobile device 1, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart or arranged integrally on one surface, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When a display unit 10 and a sensor (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') for detecting a touch operation have a mutual layer structure (hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen'), It can also be used as an input device.

The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 10 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 10 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits corresponding data to a control unit (not shown). Thus, the control unit can know which area of the display unit 10 is touched or the like.

Meanwhile, a proximity sensor may be disposed in an inner area of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is wrapped by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of proximity sensors include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

 And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch & The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch. &Quot; The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The inactive unit 20 is an area surrounding the display unit 10 and refers to an area that is not recognized as a touch input even when the subject or the finger is in proximity to or in contact with the finger. The inactivity portion 20 may include a plurality of operation units that are mainly operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile device 1. [ The operation units may be implemented in the form of physical buttons or in the form of an electrostatic button rather than a button, formed in the lower part of the substrate so that the user may operate with a tactile impression.

 The fingerprint recognition sensor 100 may be included in at least a part of the inactive portion 20. 1, the non-active portion 20 is formed in a part of the lower end region of the display portion 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be formed on the side surface or the upper surface of the display portion 10. [ Are obvious to those skilled in the art.

Sectional view taken along the line A-A 'and a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B', respectively, of the mobile device 1 for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'of FIG. 1 illustrating an embodiment of the mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile device 1 includes a substrate 110, a display portion 10, a driving layer 130, and a fingerprint recognition sensor 100. The fingerprint recognition sensor 100 is formed on a part of the inertial portion 20 without overlapping with the display portion 150. [

The substrate 110 entirely covers the display portion 10 and the inactive portion 20 and is a protective layer formed of a transparent material such as a cover glass and a plastic (PC).

The driving layer 130 is disposed between the lower portion of the substrate 110 and the display portion 150 and includes a plurality of signal wires for applying a driving signal and receiving a response signal. At this time, the driving layer may be implemented as a single layer or multiple layers according to various known touch sensing techniques.

The inactive portion 20 may include the fingerprint recognition sensor 100 in at least a part of the area. The fingerprint recognition sensor 100 includes an optical layer 120 formed under the substrate 110 and a plurality of signal wirings arranged at the upper end of the display unit 150 for touch sensing to extend to the fingerprint recognition sensor 100 A layer 130, and an image sensor 140 for imaging the optical image.

The optical layer 110 is formed by uniformly mixing a plurality of phosphors and a colored material that interferes with external light. In one embodiment, the phosphor 125 is a material that emits light based on the formation of an electric field with a finger in accordance with application of a driving signal of a driving layer.

The colored material may be a material mixed with benzene, trimethyl-, titanium oxide, or the like in a predetermined ratio.

The driving layer 130 is positioned between the lower end of the optical layer 120 and the image sensor 130 and applies a driving signal to form an electric field with the subject or the finger. The driving layer 130 may be formed of a known material used as a transparent electrode such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or carbon nanotubes. At this time, the driving layer 130 may be formed as a driving layer of the fingerprint recognition sensor 100 by extending a plurality of signal wires for touch sensing. In this case, unlike the electrostatic-type fingerprint sensing method, since the interval between the signal lines is not narrowed, it is easy to implement and the process steps for patterning are reduced.

The image sensor 130 is located at the lower end of the optical layer 120 and the driving layer 130, and picks up an image of light generated by the phosphor when the electric field is formed. According to one embodiment, the image sensor may be a CMOS sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor. Or a phototransistor including a plurality of light receiving elements instead of the image sensor.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'of another embodiment of the mobile device shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, differences from FIG. 2 will be mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile device 1 includes a substrate 110 ', a display portion 10, a driving layer 131, and a fingerprint recognition sensor 100'. The fingerprint recognition sensor 100 'is formed on a part of the inertial part 20 without overlapping with the display part 150. [ At this time, the fingerprint recognition sensor 100 'is located at the top of the substrate 110', unlike FIG.

The fingerprint recognition sensor 100 'includes an optical layer 120', a driving layer 135 for fingerprint recognition, and a protective coating layer 170. At this time, the substrate 110 'may be etched by a predetermined thickness at the position of the fingerprint recognition sensor 100'.

The protective coating layer 170 covers the optical layer 120 'so that the fingerprint recognition sensor 100' is formed on the substrate top so that the optical layer 120 'is not damaged by external physical impact. According to various embodiments, the protective coating 170 may be applied or sprinkled with a coating material, or may be a thin transparent substrate (such as a plastic material).

A driving layer 135 for fingerprint recognition may be formed separately from the driving layer 131 for touch sensing between the lower end of the optical layer 120 'and the upper end of the substrate 110'.

An image sensor 140 'is located at the bottom of the substrate 110' of the fingerprint sensor area. The image sensor 140 'senses a light image generated in the optical layer 120' in consideration of a predetermined refractive index of the substrate 110. The image sensor 140 ' Or may be located on another plane. The mobile device may further include a blocking portion 160 of colored material between the image sensor 140 'and the display portion 150 to block interference of the light from the display portion 150. [

That is, since the fingerprint recognition sensor is implemented in a specific area (a part of the inactive part), it can be implemented in a part where no separate touch operation is required or in a panel area where detailed touch implementation is not required.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the X portion of Figs. 2 and 3 enlarged.

Referring to Figures 2 and 4, or Figures 3 and 4, the X region is defined by the external light through the transparent substrate 110 " or the external light through the display portion 150 " And may further include a shield wall for blocking light interference.

The shield wall may be formed by etching a groove having a predetermined depth in the substrate 110 ", and then injecting a colored material that does not transmit the light. [0064] After the introduction of the colored material, ').

The shield wall shown in FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the X region of FIG. 3, but in the embodiment of FIG. 2, interference of light through the substrate may occur, so that a shield wall may be formed in the same manner

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'showing another embodiment of the mobile device shown in FIG. For convenience of description, differences from the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 3 will be mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fingerprint recognition sensor 200 may be positioned at the top of the substrate 110.

The fingerprint recognition sensor 200 includes a protective layer 170, an optical layer 125, and an image sensor 140. At this time, only the substrate exists between the optical layer 125 and the image sensor 140, and there is no drive layer including a plurality of signal wires.

The optical layer 125 includes a plurality of phosphors, and each of the phosphors emits light based on the pressure applied by the object or the finger. That is, since the degree of light emission varies depending on the ridges and ridges of the fingerprint, the fingerprint can be recognized. The phosphor in this embodiment may be a compound capable of piezoelectric polarization such as ZnO, GaN, InN, and CdS.

The mobile device may further include a blocking portion 160 as shown in FIG. 3 to block optical interference between the display area 10 and the fingerprint recognition sensor 200. [

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B 'of FIG. 1 showing one embodiment of the inactive portion.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 6, an optical layer is formed on the substrate 110, in which color materials and phosphors are uniformly mixed. Then, a driving layer is formed on the optical layer. When the signal lines of the driving layer for touch sensing are extended and implemented as a driving layer for fingerprint recognition according to an embodiment, the transparent electrode layer for the driving layer for touch sensing is patterned, And the optical layer can be patterned together. As a result, there is no need for a separate mask process for patterning, which can reduce process steps and reduce cost.

According to another embodiment, when the signal wires of the driving layer for touch sensing and the driving layer for fingerprint recognition are separated and implemented, the transparent electrode layer for the driving layer for touch sensing may be patterned, And the optical layer can be patterned together.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B 'showing another embodiment of the inactive portion of FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, a driving layer is first formed on a substrate.

When the signal wires of the driving layer for touch sensing are extended and implemented as a driving layer for fingerprint recognition according to an embodiment, a transparent electrode layer for the driving layer for touch sensing is patterned, and a driving layer for fingerprint sensing is also provided Patterning can be performed.

Forming an optical layer in which the colored material and the phosphors are uniformly mixed over the patterned driving layer.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and that those of ordinary skill in the art can readily understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

Furthermore, the foregoing description of the invention may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof, as described in the various embodiments described herein.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases, May be implemented by a control unit (not shown).

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that perform at least one function or operation. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. Further, the software code is stored in the memory unit and can be executed by the control unit.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

1: Portable electronic device
10:
20:
100: Fingerprint sensor
110: substrate
120: optical layer
130: conductive layer
140: Image sensor
150:

Claims (5)

A touch detection sensor for detecting whether a subject or a finger is touched by including a plurality of signal lines arranged at a top of the display unit in a predetermined pattern;
An inert portion surrounding the display portion;
A substrate covering the touch detection sensor and the inertial portion;
A fingerprint recognition sensor formed on at least a part of the inactive portion and generating a fingerprint image to emit light based on the voltage or pressure from the finger; And
And an image sensor positioned at the lower end of the fingerprint recognition sensor to capture the fingerprint image. The fingerprint recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fingerprint recognition sensor
A driving layer extending between the optical layer and the image sensor, the driving layer extending the plurality of signal wires and applying driving signals through the signal wires; And
And an optical layer which is formed by mixing with a coloring material that blocks the inflow of external light so that a plurality of phosphors are uniformly distributed and the phosphors emit light in accordance with electric field formation between the driving signal and the fingers. The fingerprint recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fingerprint recognition sensor
And an optical layer for forming a plurality of phosphors so as to be uniformly distributed by mixing with a coloring material that blocks the inflow of external light,
Wherein the phosphor emits light based on the pressure from the finger. The fingerprint recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fingerprint recognition sensor
And a blocking wall for blocking light from the display unit between a boundary between the inactive unit and the display unit. A touch detection sensor for detecting whether a subject or a finger is touched by including a plurality of signal lines arranged at a top of the display unit in a predetermined pattern;
An inert portion surrounding the display portion;
A substrate covering the touch detection sensor and the inertial portion;
A fingerprint recognition sensor which is formed in the non-active portion and at least a part of the upper portion of the substrate, and generates a fingerprint image to emit light based on the voltage or pressure from the finger; And
And an image sensor positioned at the lower end of the fingerprint recognition sensor to capture the fingerprint image.

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