Systems and Methods for Sensing Fingerprints Through a Display

Abstract

A fingerprint swipe sensor includes multiple fingerprint sensor lines disposed on a surface of an LCD covered on an opposite surface with motion sensing lines. The fingerprint swipe sensor also includes a controller coupled to the fingerprint sensor lines to capture a fingerprint image when a user's finger is swiped about the fingerprint sensor lines.

1 . A fingerprint swipe sensor, comprising:
 a plurality of fingerprint sensor lines disposed on a first surface of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) covered on an opposite surface with motion sensing lines; and   a controller coupled to the fingerprint sensor lines to capture a fingerprint image when a user's finger is swiped about the fingerprint sensor lines.   
     
     
         2 . A fingerprint swipe sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further coupled to the motion sensing lines to capture finger motion on the LCD. 
     
     
         3 . A fingerprint swipe sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingerprint sensor lines are disposed under a mask layer on the opposite surface of the LCD. 
     
     
         4 . A fingerprint swipe sensor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mask layer disposed on the opposite surface of the LCD, wherein the mask layer includes an indication of a fingerprint swiping area. 
     
     
         5 . A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen having a fingerprint swipe sensor, the LCD screen comprising:
 an LCD module configured to produce a visible display;   a motion sensor circuit located on a first surface of the LCD module;   a protective layer located above the motion sensor circuit and configured to durably receive a user's finger surface;   fingerprint sensor lines disposed on a second surface of the LCD module, wherein the second surface of the LCD module is opposite the first surface of the LCD module; and   a controller coupled to the fingerprint sensor lines to capture a fingerprint image when a user's fingerprint is swiped about the sensor lines.   
     
     
         6 . An LCD screen according to  claim 5 , further comprising an LCD controller coupled to the LCD module and configured to control the visible display of the LCD module. 
     
     
         7 . An LCD screen according to  claim 6 , wherein the LCD controller is further coupled to the fingerprint sensor lines and further configured to control the fingerprint sensor lines. 
     
     
         8 . An LCD screen according to  claim 5 , wherein the fingerprint sensor lines are disposed under a mask layer on the second surface of the LCD module. 
     
     
         9 . An LCD screen according to  claim 8 , wherein the mask layer includes an identification of a fingerprint swiping area. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling an LCD display device having motion circuitry and fingerprint sensor circuitry, the method comprising:
 providing a printed circuit board;   mounting an LCD controller on the printed circuit board;   mounting an LCD module above the printed circuit board;   applying motion sensor circuitry onto a first side of the LCD module;   applying a mask layer onto the first side of the LCD module; and   applying fingerprint sensor circuitry on a second side of the LCD module, wherein the second side of the LCD module is opposite the first side of the LCD module.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising mounting a user protective surface above the mask layer. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the LCD controller is configured to control the motion sensor circuitry and the fingerprint sensor circuitry. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising connecting the LCD controller to the motion sensor circuitry and the fingerprint sensor circuitry. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising mounting a fingerprint sensor controller on the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising connecting the LCD controller to the motion sensor circuitry and connecting the fingerprint sensor controller to the fingerprint sensor circuitry. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein applying fingerprint sensor circuitry on a second side of the LCD module includes bonding a fingerprint sensor to the second side of the LCD module using an optically clear adhesive.