Samsung Granted Patent for Under Screen Fingerprint Sensor
Samsung�s effort to develop an under-screen fingerprint sensor is an open secret. As early as Spring 2017, shortly before the release of the Galaxy S8, the Seoul, South Korea-based was developing a fingerprint sensor that could be embedded in a smartphone screen. It reportedly tried to build one for the Galaxy Note 8 but, but couldn�t overcome key technical limitations. But if a new patent is any indication, Samsung hasn�t given up on the idea.
On Tuesday, the company was granted a patent for an under-screen fingerprint scanner by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It describes a 12 pressure point-sensor sandwiched between cover glass and a display panel, and accompanying software that unlocks applications depending on who�s using the smartphone.
Historically, Android smartphone manufacturers have placed fingerprint sensors either below phone displays (see: Lenovo�s Moto G5 Plus) or on the rear cover (Samsung�s Galaxy S8 Plus). In July, though, Vivo partnered with Qualcomm to prototype under-display technology that the company had been working on for the better part of a year. The new scanner passes ultrasonic signals through an OLED panel up to 1200 ?m thick to read the contours of a fingerprint, obviating the need for direct skin contact.
As impressive as Qualcomm�s solution is, though, it isn�t as fast as traditional capacitive fingerprint scanners, and it requires an OLED panel in order to work properly. If Samsung�s sensor solves those problems, it might just give it a leg up on the competition.
Via: GSM Arena Source: World Intellectual Property Organization
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