Abstract:
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for recognizing a fingerprint, and an electronic device using the same. The electronic device includes: a key button, and a fingerprint recognition sensor unit that is installed at least one portion of the key button, wherein the fingerprint recognition sensor unit includes a circuit board, a fingerprint sensing unit that is installed on a first surface of the circuit board and senses a fingerprint, and a dome switch that is installed on a second surface of the circuit board.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application is related to and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Application Serial No. 10-2013-0108162, which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 9, 2013, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for recognizing a fingerprint, and an electronic device using the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, a variety of electronic devices including a portable electronic device, a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a Moving Picture Experts Group audio layer-3 (MP3) player, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), and an e-book reader have been provided for users, and the users can access various pieces of content while carrying the electronic devices. 
     More particularly, various pieces of personal information, particularly, financial information is often stored in the electronic devices. Loss of the electronic devices storing the user&#39;s personal information is more likely to lead to secondary damage on account of hacking of the financial information. While a security function using pattern recognition or a password is applied to the electronic devices to prevent it, this is also not free from the hacking. 
     In order to solve the problems, a user&#39;s inherent fingerprint is stored in the electronic devices through a fingerprint recognition apparatus, and when an unrecognized fingerprint is input to the electronic devices, access to the electronic devices is denied, thereby providing an excellent security performance as compared with conventional methods using the pattern recognition or the password. 
     SUMMARY 
     The fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device according to the related art includes a fingerprint recognition window such as a display apparatus of an electronic device, and cannot be used for functions other than the function of the fingerprint recognition. Namely, the fingerprint recognition apparatus according to the related art includes the fingerprint recognition window for fingerprint recognition by a user, and therefore, when the fingerprint recognition apparatus is installed in a small-sized electronic device, a degree of freedom of the installation is decreased. 
     Further, since the fingerprint recognition apparatus is mounted to the small-sized electronic device, the fingerprint recognition apparatus installed outside the electronic device is likely to be damaged when an external impact is applied, and an over-current or heat is generated on account of the damage. 
     Consequently, a fingerprint recognition apparatus that can be easily installed in the small-sized electronic device, can be used for other functions of the electronic device, and can prevent heating on account of the over-current caused by the damage can be beneficial. 
     To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object to provide a fingerprint recognition apparatus of an electronic device, wherein a fingerprint recognition sensor unit is installed in the electronic device to recognize a user&#39;s fingerprint and at the same time, to be used as a key (such as a home key, a side key, or the like), in which case a security function of the electronic device can be further improved by using the fingerprint recognition sensor unit for an additional security authentication function in addition to the existing security authentication function (such as pattern recognition or a password) of the electronic device, a degree of freedom of installation can be increased by installing the fingerprint recognition sensor unit at a location of the existing key, and in addition, the fingerprint recognition sensor unit can be used as a key of the electronic device. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fingerprint recognition apparatus of an electronic device, which can prevent heating of the fingerprint recognition apparatus. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fingerprint recognition apparatus of an electronic device, which can output a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition apparatus. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a circuit board, a fingerprint recognition sensor unit coupled to a first surface of the circuit board; and a key button coupled to a second surface of the circuit board and configured to transfer a signal to a controller when an external force is applied to the key button and determine that a push of the key button has occurred when the signal is transferred from the key button. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of recognizing a fingerprint in an electronic device is provided. The method includes: identifying an over-current in a fingerprint recognition sensor unit of a key button; interrupting power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit after identifying that the over-current has been generated; and outputting a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit. 
     As described above, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a fingerprint recognition sensor unit is installed in the electronic device to be used for an additional security authentication function in addition to the existing security authentication function (such as pattern recognition or a password) provided to the electronic device, so that security of the electronic device is maximized and thus a use performance of the electronic device can be improved. In addition, the fingerprint recognition sensor unit is configured as a key in the electronic device to be installed at a location of the existing key, so that a use performance of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit can be improved, a degree of freedom of installation for the fingerprint recognition sensor unit can be increased, and the fingerprint recognition sensor unit can also be used as a key of the electronic device. 
     Further, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the fingerprint recognition apparatus can be prevented from being heated due to a failure thereof. 
     Further, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a failure of the fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device is recognized, and a message informing a user of the failure of the fingerprint recognition apparatus is output, thereby enhancing user convenience. 
     Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a fingerprint recognition apparatus of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a home key of the fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating a home key of the fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view illustrating an in-use status of the fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view illustrating an in-use status of the fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a fingerprint recognition sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a process through which a power supply interruption unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure interrupts power; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a process through which a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure outputs a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a screen on which a message informing of a failure of a fingerprint recognition sensor unit is output according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 10 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged electronic device. Various embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. Meanwhile, the present disclosure is not restricted or limited by the various example embodiments. An identical reference numeral represented in the drawings may denote a member that performs a substantially identical function. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a fingerprint recognition apparatus of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Configurations of the fingerprint recognition apparatus of the electronic device  1  according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to  FIG. 1 . The fingerprint recognition apparatus  10  can include a fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  and a power supply interruption unit  701  (as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ). The power supply interruption unit  701  can be configured on a circuit board  21 . 
     The fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can be installed in the electronic device. The fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can be configured to recognize a user&#39;s fingerprint and at the same time can be configured as a key of the electronic device  1 . More particularly, the key can be configured as a home key or a side key of the electronic device  1 . The fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can also be configured as another key of the electronic device in addition to the home key or the side key. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a home key installed on a front surface of the electronic device can be described as an example of the key. 
     Although the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  located on the front surface of the electronic device can be described as an example, the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  is not limited thereto. Namely, the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can be installed on a rear surface or side surface in addition to the front surface of the electronic device  1 , and can also be installed at various locations of the electronic device  1 . 
     A fingerprint sensing unit  22  can be configured with any one of a swipe type or an area type fingerprint sensing unit. The fingerprint sensing unit  22  can also be configured with another type sensor, which senses a user&#39;s fingerprint, as well as the swipe type or the area type fingerprint sensing units. 
     The swipe type fingerprint sensing unit can be configured to sense a user&#39;s fingerprint when a user&#39;s finger glides on the sensing unit, and the area type fingerprint sensing unit can be configured to sense a user&#39;s fingerprint when a user touches his finger to the sensing unit. 
     In an embodiment, the swipe type fingerprint sensing unit can be employed for the fingerprint sensing unit  22 . 
     The fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can be installed at a location of the existing home key, and at the same time, can additionally be used as a home key so that the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  10  can be easily installed in the electronic device  1  and can perform a security function as well as an original function of the home key of the electronic device  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can also include a dome switch  23 , a key positioning part  24 , and the circuit board  21 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fingerprint recognition apparatus  10  can also include a home-key deco part  30 , or a poron part  40 . Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the key positioning part  24  can include a home-key positioning recess  1   a  or pressing part  24   a.    
     The electronic device  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include all information and communication equipment, multimedia equipment, or application equipment, including a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a Moving Picture Experts Group audio layer-3 (MP3) player, a navigation system, a game machine, a notebook computer, a net-book computer, an advertising board, a television (TV), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a smart phone, as well as all mobile communication terminals and portable communication equipment that can operate based on communication protocols corresponding to various communication systems. 
     Hereinafter, configurations of the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  will be described more specifically below. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating a home key of the fingerprint recognition apparatus  10  of the electronic device  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating a home key of the fingerprint recognition apparatus  10  of the electronic device  1  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can include a circuit board  21 , the fingerprint sensing unit  22 , or a dome switch  23 . The circuit board  21  can be disposed between the fingerprint sensing unit  22  and the dome switch  23  to be electrically connected with the fingerprint sensing unit  22  or the dome switch  23  which will be described below. The fingerprint sensing unit  22  can be installed on a front surface of the circuit board  21  to detect a user&#39;s fingerprint. The dome switch  23  can be installed on a rear surface of the circuit board  21  to be used as the home key. A key positioning part  24  can be disposed below the dome switch  23  and can support the dome switch  23  such that the dome switch  23  can be pressed according to a push of the fingerprint sensing unit  22 . 
     A pressing part  24   a  can be formed on the key positioning part  24 . The pressing part  24   a  can face the dome switch  23 , and press the dome switch  23  when the fingerprint sensing unit  22  is pushed. 
     The pressing part  24   a  can be formed of a pressing protrusion. The pressing protrusion protrudes from a top surface of the key positioning part  24 , and contacts a bottom surface of the dome switch. The pressing part  24   a  can be formed of other types of protrusions in a convex form in addition to the above-described pressing protrusion. 
     In this way, the pressing part  24   a  can protrude from the key positioning part  24  such that the pressing part  24   a  presses the dome switch  23  and at the same time, the dome switch  23  can be electrically connected to an electrical contact (not illustrated) provided on the circuit board  21 , thereby generating a signal. The generated signal can be applied to a controller of the electronic device  1  to be used as a function of the home key of the electronic device  1 . 
     A pressing part according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described more specifically with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating a pressing part  24   a  according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pressing part  24   a  can protrude from a bottom surface of the dome switch  23 , and can contact a top surface of the key positioning part  24 . 
     That is, the pressing part  24   a  does not protrude from the key positioning part  24  but from the dome switch  23 . When the fingerprint sensing unit  22  is pushed, the pressing part  24   a  can apply pressure to the dome switch  23  such that the dome switch  23  is pressed. 
     Accordingly, as the pressing part  24   a  protrudes from the dome switch  23 , a function of the pressing part  24   a  can be improved and the home key of the electronic device can be more effectively used. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a home-key deco part  30  can be installed on a front surface of the fingerprint sensing unit  22 . A poron part  40  can be installed on a front surface of the home-key deco part  30  to obstruct humidity introduced into the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20 . 
     In addition, a coating layer (not illustrated) can be provided on a surface of the fingerprint sensing unit  22  and configured to maintain fingerprint recognition detection of the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  and at the same time, to make an external appearance of the fingerprint sensing unit  22  appealing. Namely, the coating layer (not illustrated) can be formed of an Ultraviolet (UV) coating layer, and can be formed of various color coating layers. 
     Accordingly, the surface of the fingerprint sensing unit  22  can have various colors through the coating layer. 
     Further, the coating layer can have a thickness of 50 μm to maintain a capability to recognize a user&#39;s fingerprint. The coating layer can have a thickness of 50 μm or larger, or 50 μm or smaller, as long as the capability to recognize the user&#39;s fingerprint can be maintained. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a guide part  22   a  can be formed on a surface of the fingerprint sensing unit  22  such that the recognition of the user&#39;s fingerprint can be easily performed. The guide part  22   a  can be formed in a shape of a concave recess. The guide part  22   a  can guide a user&#39;s finger for acquisition of a user&#39;s fingerprint image. 
     That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a central portion of the guide part  22   a  can be recessed toward the fingerprint sensing unit  22 , so that the fingerprint sensing unit  22  can detect the user&#39;s fingerprint even when the user&#39;s finger is inclined with respect to a center line of the fingerprint sensing unit  22 , as well as when the user&#39;s finger is aligned with the center line. 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the guide part  22   a  can make the user&#39;s fingerprint detected at various angles, thereby preventing the fingerprint sensing unit  22  from misrecognizing the fingerprint, and improving a function of the fingerprint recognition apparatus. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the fingerprint recognition apparatus and an operation of a circuit will be described more specifically. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in an assembly process of the fingerprint recognition apparatus  10 , the fingerprint recognition apparatus  10  can be configured with the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  installed in the electronic device  1 , or the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  can include the circuit board  21 , the fingerprint sensing unit  22 , and the dome switch  23 . The fingerprint sensing unit  22  can be installed on the front surface of the circuit board  21 , or the dome switch  23  can be installed on the rear surface of the circuit board  21 . The dome switch  23  can be installed on a front side of the key positioning part  24 . At this time, the dome switch  23  can be installed to correspond to the pressing part  24   a  formed on the key positioning part  24 . The home-key deco part  30  can be installed on the front surface of the fingerprint sensing unit  22 , or the poron part  40  can be installed on the front surface of the home-key deco part  30 . The fingerprint recognition apparatus  10  assembled as described above can be mounted to a home-key positioning recess  1   a  formed on the front surface of the electronic device  1 . 
     When a user, in this state, places a user&#39;s finger on the fingerprint sensing unit  22  of the fingerprint recognition sensor module  20  and glides the finger from top to bottom or from bottom to top of the fingerprint sensing unit  22 , the fingerprint sensing unit  22  can detect the user&#39;s fingerprint. The fingerprint sensing unit  22  can generate a fingerprint image by imaging the detected fingerprint, and can transmit the generated fingerprint image to the controller of the electronic device. The controller can compare the transmitted fingerprint image with a user&#39;s fingerprint stored in advance, and can recognize the user based on the result of the comparison. Hereinafter, an operation of the electronic device will be described with reference to  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the electronic device can include a controller  601 , a display unit  603 , an input unit  605 , a memory unit  607 , a power supply unit  609 , or a fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 . 
     The input unit  605  can include keys for inputting number and character information and function keys for setting various functions. The display unit  603  can display an image signal on a screen, and can display data that the controller  601  requests to output. When the display unit  603  is implemented with a capacitive or pressure sensitive touch screen, the input unit  605  can include minimum keys set in advance, and the display unit  603  can substitute some of key input functions of the input unit  605 . 
     The memory unit  607  can include a program memory and data memory. The program memory can store a booting system and an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as ‘OS’) for controlling a general operation of the electronic device, and the data memory can store various data generated during the operation of the electronic device. The power supply unit  609  can include a battery that supplies electrical power to various components of the electronic device according to the control of the controller  601 , and can perform a function of applying the electrical power output from the battery to the various components. 
     The fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611  can perform a function of recognizing a fingerprint input by a user. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611  can include a fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  and a power supply interruption unit  701 . The fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  can also include a fingerprint sensor included in the fingerprint sensing unit  22  and a related circuit. 
     The fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  can recognize a fingerprint input by a user to generate a fingerprint image. The power supply interruption unit  701  can include a power line  705  connected with the power supply unit  609 , a power line  707  connected with the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , a control line  709  through which a signal can be outputted to the controller  601 , and a control line through which a signal can be received from the controller  601 . The power lines  705  and  707  can correspond to lines for supplying electrical power to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . 
     The power supply interruption unit  701  can interrupt supply of power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit when an over-current is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit. For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can measure a current of the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can measure a current in the power line  707 , which is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . 
     The power supply interruption unit  701  can identify whether the measured current value is a predetermined reference value or higher. The predetermined reference value can refer to a value that has been determined to identify whether an over-current is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  due to damage of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . For example, the predetermined reference value can be 100 mA. 
     When the measured current value is the predetermined reference value or higher, the power supply interruption unit  701  can transmit a power supply interruption signal to the controller  601 , and thus the power supply interruption signal representing that supply of power to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  can be interrupted. For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can transmit the power supply interruption signal to the controller  601  through the control line  709 . 
     The power supply interruption unit  701  can interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can switch off the power line  707  through which the power is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , by using a switch, and thus can interrupt the power. 
     The controller  601  can perform a function of controlling an overall operation of the electronic device. For example, the controller  601  can identify whether the power supply interruption signal is received from the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 . For example, the controller  601  can receive the power supply interruption signal through the control line  709 . 
     When the power supply interruption signal is received, the controller  601  can interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 . For example, the controller  601  can switch off the power line  705  by using a switch to interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . As another example, the controller  601  can switch off the power line for supplying electrical power to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  and the power supply interruption unit  701 , and thus can interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 . 
     An electronic device  1001  including a controller (such as controller  601  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) and a fingerprint recognition unit (such as fingerprint recognition unit  703  illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) can generate a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , and may output the generated message. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can display a popup window including a text informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit. As another example, electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can output a message informing of the failure of a fingerprint recognition sensor unit through a sound processing unit (not illustrated). 
     The electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can identify whether a function of fingerprint recognition is requested to be executed. The function of the fingerprint recognition can be executed for security of the electronic device. For example, the function of the fingerprint recognition can be requested when the electronic device enters a standby status from a sleep status according to a user&#39;s request, or when a specific application is executed by a user. The specific application can refer to a high security application, and for example, can be an application related to electronic finance or personal information. 
     When the function of the fingerprint recognition is requested to be executed, the electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can generate a message informing of a failure of a fingerprint recognition sensor unit, and can output the generated message. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can display a popup window  1003  including a text informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit. As another example, the electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can output a message informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit through a sound processing unit (not illustrated). 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a process through which a power supply interruption unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure interrupts power. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in step  801 , a power supply interruption unit  701  can measure a current value of power applied to a fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , and thereafter can proceed to step  803 . For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can measure a current in a power line  707 , which can be applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . 
     In step  803 , the power supply interruption unit  701  can identify whether the measured current value is a predetermined reference value or higher. The predetermined reference value can refer to a value that has been determined to identify whether an over-current is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  due to damage of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . For example, the predetermined reference value can be 100 mA. 
     If the measured current value is the predetermined reference value or higher, the power supply interruption unit  701  can proceed to step  805 , and if the measured current value is not the predetermined reference value or higher, the power supply interruption unit  701  can repeatedly perform the step  801 . 
     In step  805 , the power supply interruption unit  701  can transmit, for example, to a controller  601 , a power supply interruption signal representing that supply of the power to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  has been interrupted, and thereafter can proceed to step  807 . For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can transmit the power supply interruption signal to the controller  601  through a control line  709 . 
     In step  807 , the power supply interruption unit  701  can interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . For example, the power supply interruption unit  701  can switch off the power line  707  through which the power is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , by using a switch, and thus can interrupt the power. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a process through which a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can output a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in step  901 , a controller  601  can identify whether a power supply interruption signal is received from a fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 . For example, when the controller  601  is connected with a power supply interruption unit  701  of the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611  through a control line  709 , the controller  601  can receive the power supply interruption signal through the control line  709 . Here, the power supply interruption signal can refer to a signal representing that power applied to a fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  has been interrupted. 
     If the power supply interruption signal is received, the controller  601  can proceed to step  903 , and if the power supply interruption signal is not received, the controller  601  can proceed to step  901 . 
     In step  903 , the controller  601  can interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 , and thereafter can proceed to step  905 . For example, the controller  601  can switch off a power line  705 , through which the power is applied to the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 , by using a switch, thereby interrupting the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . As another example, the controller  601  can switch off a power line for supplying electrical power to the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  and the power supply interruption unit  701 , and thus can interrupt the power applied to the fingerprint recognition sensing unit  611 . 
     In step  905 , the controller  601  can generate a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , output the generated message, and then can proceed to step  907 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the electronic device  1001 , via a controller, (such as control  601  illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) can display a popup window including a text informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . As another example, the electronic device  1001 , via a controller, can output a message informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  through a sound processing unit (not illustrated). 
     In step  907 , the controller  601  can identify whether a function of fingerprint recognition is requested to be executed. The function of the fingerprint recognition can be executed for security of the electronic device. For example, the function of the fingerprint recognition can be requested when the electronic device enters a standby status from a sleep status according to a user&#39;s request, or when a specific application is executed by a user. The specific application can refer to a high security application, and for example, can be an application related to electronic finance or personal information. 
     If the function of the fingerprint recognition is requested to be executed, the controller  601  can proceed to step  909 , and if the function of the fingerprint recognition is not requested, the controller  601  can repeatedly perform the step  907 . 
     In step  909 , the controller  601  can generate a message informing of a failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , and can output the generated message. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the electronic device  1001 , via a controller can display a popup window  1003  including a text informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 . As another example, a controller  601  can output a message informing of the failure of the fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703  through a sound processing unit (not illustrated). 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a screen on which a message informing of a failure of a fingerprint recognition sensor unit is output according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an electronic device  1001  can display a popup window  1003  including a text informing of a failure of a fingerprint recognition sensor unit  703 , in a case in which a power supply interruption signal is received, or a function of fingerprint recognition is requested to be executed after the power supply interruption signal is received. 
     The fingerprint recognition apparatus and method of the present disclosure may be implemented as a computer readable code in a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all the types of recording devices in which data readable by a computer system are stored. As for such a recording medium, for example, a ROM, a RAM, an optical disc, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, a hard disc, or a non-volatile memory may be used, and a medium implemented in a type of carrier wave (for example, transmission through the Internet) may also be included in such a recording medium. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may be stored with codes which are distributed in computer systems connected by a network such that the codes can be read and executed by a computer in a distributed method. 
     It is apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that the above-described fingerprint recognition apparatus and method of the present disclosure are not restricted by the above-described embodiments and drawings, and various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.