KR20170104723A - Fingerprint sensor apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A fingerprint sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fingerprint sensor which has first to n^th receiving electrodes arranged in the first layer of a substrate, first through m^th transmitting electrodes arranged in the second layer of the substrate, first to k^th ground electrodes arranged in the second layer of the substrate alternately with the first to m^th transmitting electrodes, and a signal line arranged in the third layer of the substrate and connected to the first to m^th transmitting electrodes; and a signal processing circuit which drives the fingerprint sensor and detects a fingerprint based on capacitance from the first to m^th transmitting electrodes crossing the first to n^th receiving electrodes. The signal processing circuit grounds the transmitting electrode which is not driven among the first to m^th transmitting electrodes while the first to m^th transmission electrodes are driven in a time division method by using a driving signal, to block noise from flowing into the first to n^th receiving electrodes. The isolation of the fingerprint sensor can be improved.

Description

[0001] FINGERPRINT SENSOR APPARATUS [0002]

The present invention relates to a fingerprint sensor device.

Usually, the fingerprint sensor device can be applied to an electronic device and performs a function of detecting a fingerprint of a person. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, importance of security has been increasing in all devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, etc., so that fingerprint sensor devices are employed in electronic devices, The security of functions is being strengthened.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] A fingerprint sensor device is a field of upper body recognition technology, and can be classified into an optical system, a high frequency (RF) system, and a capacitive system according to its operation principle.

Here, the capacitive fingerprint sensor device may include a fingerprint sensor and an integrated circuit (IC) for driving and detecting the sensor.

On the other hand, due to the nature of the fingerprint recognition algorithm, the area of the fingerprint sensor is inversely proportional to the false rejection rate (FRR). That is, if the area of the fingerprint sensor is increased, the recognition error can be reduced. Accordingly, although the fingerprint sensor needs to be made large, there is a problem that the integrated circuit (IC) must be made small due to the manufacturing cost problem.

Generally, a fingerprint sensor is classified into a substrate-type fingerprint sensor and a silicon-type fingerprint sensor according to the structure.

A fingerprint sensor of a conventional substrate type includes a first layer in which a receiving electrode is disposed, a second layer in which a transmitting electrode is disposed, a third layer in which a ground layer is disposed, and a third layer in which an IC (Integrated Circuit) And a substrate structure having four layers.

Such a four-layer substrate structure is generally fabricated in a PCB process so that both sides are symmetrical based on a core layer.

Such a fingerprint sensor having a four-layered substrate structure has a limitation in reducing the height thereof, and thus acts as an element that hinders slimming of electronic devices such as mobile phones.

For example, the position of the fingerprint sensor applied to the mobile phone can be arranged in a wide variety of positions, but when the fingerprint sensor is disposed at a position having a home button, the fingerprint sensor is positioned below the home button In this case, since the position of the home button overlaps with the micro USB connector, the fingerprint sensor may cause the thickness of the mobile phone to increase. When the micro USB connector is connected to the micro USB connector, There is a technical problem that the thickness of the housing must be made thin or the thickness of the fingerprint sensor should be made thin because the micro USB can not be changed because it is a standardized structure.

The following prior art documents do not disclose a solution to the above-mentioned conventional technical problem.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2012-0018710

An embodiment of the present invention provides a fingerprint sensor device that manufactures an electrode structure disposed on a substrate of a fingerprint sensor with a structure advantageous to a thin shape and drives the fingerprint sensor to improve isolation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are provided first to nth receiving electrodes arranged in a first layer of a substrate, first to mth transmitting electrodes arranged in a second layer of the substrate, A fingerprint sensor having first to kth ground electrodes arranged in a second layer of the substrate alternately with the transmission electrodes, and a signal line arranged in a third layer of the substrate and connected to the first to m th transmission electrodes; And a signal processing circuit for driving the fingerprint sensor and detecting fingerprints based on the capacitances from the first to the m-th transmitting electrodes crossing the first to the n-th receiving electrodes. Wherein the signal processing circuit grounds the transmission electrodes that are not driven among the first to m th transmission electrodes while driving the first to the m-th transmission electrodes in a time division manner by using the driving signal, A fingerprint sensor device is proposed which blocks the noise of the third layer from flowing into the first to n < th > receiving electrodes.

In the solution of this task, one of several concepts described in the following detailed description is provided. The subject matter of the present invention is not intended to identify the core or essential technology of the claimed subject matter, but merely one of the claimed subject matter is described, each of which is specifically set forth in the following detailed description.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrode structure disposed on a substrate of a fingerprint sensor is formed in a structure favorable to a thin shape, and the fingerprint sensor is driven so as to improve isolation, have.

1 is an external perspective view of an electronic device having a fingerprint sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a top view of a fingerprint sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a sectional view taken along line C1-C1 of the fingerprint sensor device of FIG.
4 is a view showing an arrangement structure of a transmission electrode and a ground electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an explanatory diagram of a transmission electrode and a driving signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram of the configuration of an advisory sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, in each embodiment of the present invention, the structure, shape, and numerical values described as an example are merely examples for helping understanding of the technical matters of the present invention, so that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited thereto. It should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments of the present invention may be combined with one another to form various new embodiments.

In the drawings referred to in the present invention, components having substantially the same configuration and function as those of the present invention will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter, 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 an external perspective view of an electronic device having a fingerprint sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display device 11 for outputting a screen and touch input, an input unit 12, and an audio unit 13 for audio output .

2) may be formed integrally with at least one of the display device 11 and the input 12 and may be configured to release the sleep mode of the electronic device 10, The user can detect the fingerprint for authentication of the operation such as turning on.

For example, when the fingerprint sensor device is formed integrally with the display device, the fingerprint sensor must have a light transmittance that is high enough to transmit the screen displayed by the display device, Substrate and an electrode of a conductor line having a fine line width.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a fingerprint sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line C1-C1 of the fingerprint sensor device of FIG.

1, 2 and 3, a fingerprint sensor device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a fingerprint sensor 200 and a signal processing circuit 300.

2 and 3, the fingerprint sensor 200 includes first to nth receiving electrodes YE, YE1 to YEn, n being a natural number of 1 or more, (XEm, m is a natural number of 1 or more and less than n), first to kth ground electrodes (GE, GE1 to GEk, k are natural numbers of 1 or more and less than n), and a signal line .

The substrate 100 may include a first substrate 101 (FIG. 3) and a second substrate 102 (FIG. 3).

First to nth receiving electrodes YE and YE1 to YEn may be disposed on a first layer LY1, which is a first surface (e.g., an upper surface) of the first substrate 101. [

The first to the m-th transmitting electrodes (for example, the first layer) are formed in the second layer LY2, which is in contact with the second surface (e.g., lower surface) of the first substrate 101 and the first surface And first to kth ground electrodes GE, GE1 to GEk may be disposed in the second layer LY2 alternately with the first to the m th transmission electrodes XE, . A signal line SL may be disposed on a third layer LY3 that is a second surface (e.g., a lower surface) of the second substrate 102, and the signal line SL may be disposed on the third layer LY3, And may be connected to the transmitting electrode XE.

The signal processing circuit 300 may be mounted on the third layer LY3 and various components or elements may be mounted on the third layer LY3. The signal processing circuit 300, the electrodes, And the like can be formed.

For example, the plurality of transmission electrodes XE, the plurality of reception electrodes YE, and the plurality of ground electrodes GE may be formed to have substantially the same width, but are not limited thereto.

In another example, in order to increase the sensing sensitivity, the transmitting electrode XE may include a width wider than the width of the ground electrode GE. Alternatively, the ground electrode GE may include a width wider than the width of the transmission electrode XE in order to enhance isolation between the first layer and the third layer of the substrate.

The signal processing circuit 300 drives the fingerprint sensor 200 and generates a signal based on the capacitances from the first to the m-th transmitting electrodes XE crossing the first to the n-th receiving electrodes YE The fingerprint can be detected by fingerprinting.

For example, the signal processing circuit 300 may drive the first through m th transmission electrodes XE in a time-division manner by using the driving signal Sdr, and during this driving, For the isolation between the first layer LY1 and the third layer LY3, it is possible to ground the transmission electrodes that are not driven among the first to m th transmission electrodes XE.

In this case, among the first to m th transmission electrodes XE, the transmission electrodes that are not driven are grounded, so that the grounded transmission electrode can perform the isolation function together with the first to kth ground electrodes .

As described above, among the first to m th transmitting electrodes XE, the transmitting electrode that is not the driving object is grounded, so that the noise of the third layer can be blocked from flowing into the first to nth receiving electrodes.

4 is a view showing an arrangement structure of a transmission electrode and a ground electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, the first to mth transmitting electrodes XE are connected to the first to kth ground electrodes GE, GE1 to GEk and I: J (where I and J are natural numbers of 1 or more) As shown in FIG.

For example, the first to mth transmitting electrodes XE may be arranged in a 1: 1 alternation with the first to kth ground electrodes GE, GE1 to GEk. That is, each of the first to kth ground electrodes GEk may be disposed between each of the first to m th transmitting electrodes XE.

In another example, the first to the m-th transmitting electrodes XE may be alternately arranged in 1: 2 alternating, 1: 3 alternating with, or 2: 1 Can be arranged alternately.

5 is an explanatory diagram of a transmission electrode and a driving signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the driving signal Sdr may include first through m-th driving signals Sdr1 through Sdrm in a time division manner.

Each of the first to m-th driving signals Sdr1 to Sdrm may include a driving period T1, T2, ..., Tm and a non-driving period, which are located at different times.

For example, each of the first to m-th driving signals Sdr1 to Sdrm may include a high level voltage in the driving period T1, T2, ..., Tm, The non-driving period of each of the signals Sdr1 to Sdrm may include a ground level voltage.

6 is a block diagram of the configuration of an advisory sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the advisory sensor device includes a fingerprint sensor 200 and a signal processing circuit 300, as described above.

The signal processing circuit 300 may include a driver 310 and a signal processor 320.

The driver 310 may generate the first to m-th driving signals Sdr (Sdr1 to Sdrm) to be supplied to the first to mth transmitting electrodes XE of the fingerprint sensor 200. [

The signal processor 320 detects a fingerprint on the basis of a detection signal Sdet for detecting a capacitance from the first to the m-th transmission electrodes XE crossing the first to the n-th reception electrodes YE can do.

As described above, each of the first to m-th driving signals Sdr1 to Sdrm may include a high level voltage in the driving period T1, T2, ..., Tm.

For example, if the first driving period is T1, the second driving period is T2, the third driving period is T3, and the m-th driving period is Tm among the driving periods, the first driving signal Sdr1 is the first The second driving signal Sdr2 includes a high level voltage in the driving period T1 and the second driving signal Sdr2 includes a high level voltage in the second driving period T2 and the third driving signal Sdr3 includes a high- Level voltage at the driving period T3 and the m-th driving signal Sdrm may include a high-level voltage at the m-th driving period Tm.

Accordingly, when the first transmission electrode XE1 is driven by the first driving signal Sdr1, the remaining second to mth transmission electrodes XE2 to XEm are at the ground level, and the second driving signal When the second transmission electrode XE2 is driven by the second driving signal Sdr2, the remaining first transmission nation XE1 and the third to mth transmission electrodes XE3 to XEm are at the ground level, and the third driving signal Sdr3 The third and fourth transmission electrodes XE1 to XEm may be grounded when the third transmission electrode XE3 is driven by the first transmission electrode XE1 and the second transmission electrode XE2.

Meanwhile, the signal processor 320 includes a plurality of detection circuits for detecting a signal corresponding to a capacitance change from the first to the n-th receiving electrodes YE and YE1 to YEn, a plurality of detection circuits A microcontroller (MCU) for detecting a fingerprint based on a signal from the ADC, a selection circuit (MUX) for selecting a detection signal of the selection circuit (MUX) . ≪ / RTI >

7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of a driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7A, when the first transmission electrode XE1 is driven by the first driving signal Sdr1, the remaining second to mth transmission electrodes XE2 to XEm are grounded .

Referring to FIG. 7B, when the second transmission electrode XE2 is driven by the second driving signal Sdr2, the remaining first transmission nation XE1, the third through m th transmission electrodes XE3 To XEm may be at ground level.

6, 7A and 7B, a transmission electrode that is not a drive target among a plurality of transmission electrodes is grounded, and the transmission electrode in this grounded state is connected to the first to kth ground electrodes The isolation function between the first layer and the third layer of the substrate can be improved.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the transmission electrode and the ground electrode can be disposed in the same layer, so that the electrode structure disposed on the substrate of the fingerprint sensor can be manufactured in a structure advantageous to a thin shape. By driving the sensor so as to improve the isolation, it is possible to manufacture a thin structure while satisfying the required performance.

100: substrate
YE, YE1 to YEn: first to nth receiving electrodes
XE, XE1 to XEm: first to mth transmitting electrodes
GE, GE1 to GEk: first to kth ground electrodes
SL: Signal line
200: fingerprint sensor
300: signal processing circuit
310: Driver
320: Signal Processor

Claims (10)

First to n-th receiving electrodes arranged in a first layer of the substrate, first to m-th transmitting electrodes arranged in a second layer of the substrate, and first to m- A fingerprint sensor having first to kth ground electrodes disposed on the second layer, and a signal line disposed on the third layer of the substrate and connected to the first to m th transmitting electrodes; And
A signal processing circuit for driving the fingerprint sensor and detecting fingerprints based on the capacitances from the first to the m-th transmitting electrodes crossing the first to the n-th receiving electrodes; Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the signal processing circuit grounds the transmission electrodes that are not driven among the first to m th transmission electrodes while driving the first to m th transmission electrodes in a time division manner by using a driving signal, And blocks the noise from flowing into the first to the n-th receiving electrodes.
The plasma display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first to m-
Wherein the first to kth ground electrodes are alternately arranged in I: J (where I and J are natural numbers of 1 or more).
The plasma display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first to m-
Wherein the first to kth ground electrodes are arranged in a 1: 1 alternating manner with the first to kth ground electrodes.
2. The method of claim 1,
First to m < th > driving signals in a time division manner,
Wherein each of the first to m-th driving signals includes a driving period and a non-driving period, the driving period including a high level voltage, and the non-driving period including a ground level voltage Fingerprint sensor device.
The signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit
A driver for generating the driving signals to be supplied to the first to m th transmitting electrodes of the fingerprint sensor; And
A signal processor for detecting a fingerprint on the basis of detection signals for detecting electrostatic capacities from the first to the m-th transmission electrodes crossing the first to the n-th reception electrodes;
And the fingerprint sensor device.
First to n-th receiving electrodes disposed in a first layer of the substrate, first to m-th transmitting electrodes arranged in a second layer of the substrate, and first to m- 1 < st > to k < th > ground electrodes, a fingerprint sensor disposed in a third layer of the substrate and having signal lines connected to the first to m < th > And
A signal processing circuit for driving the fingerprint sensor and detecting fingerprints based on the capacitances from the first to the m-th transmitting electrodes crossing the first to the n-th receiving electrodes; Lt; / RTI >
The signal processing circuit
Division-type driving signals are supplied to the first to m-th transmission electrodes, and for the isolation between the first layer and the third layer of the substrate, among the first to m-th transmission electrodes, And grounded by the ground level of the drive signal.
The plasma display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first to m-
(I and J are natural numbers equal to or greater than 1) I of the first to k-th ground electrodes.
The plasma display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first to m-
Wherein one finger electrode is disposed adjacent to one of the first to k-th grounding electrodes.
7. The method of claim 6,
First to m < th > driving signals in a time division manner,
Wherein each of the first to m-th driving signals includes a driving period and a non-driving period, the driving period including a high level voltage, and the non-driving period including a ground level voltage Fingerprint sensor device.
7. The signal processing circuit according to claim 6, wherein the signal processing circuit
A driver for generating the driving signals to be supplied to the first to m th transmitting electrodes of the fingerprint sensor; And
A signal processor for detecting a fingerprint on the basis of detection signals for detecting electrostatic capacities from the first to the m-th transmission electrodes crossing the first to the n-th reception electrodes;
And the fingerprint sensor device.

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