Patent Description:
Generally, portable terminals such as a mobile terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, and the like adopt user interfaces through a key pad, a touch pad, and the like.

Recently, in order to support a communication service or an internet service using a portable terminal, wireless internet services such as a wireless broadband (WIBRO) and mobile communication services are commercialized, and operating systems such as Windows mobile, Android, and the like are adopted in the portable terminals such as mobile terminals, PDAs, and the like in order to support a graphical user interface (GUI).

Also, with the development of communication technology, portable terminals provide various supplementary services to users, and a GUI based operating system provides convenience in supplying supplementary services through portable electronic devices.

In addition, for easier use of electronic devices a pointing devices that are applied to electronic devices to move a pointer such as a cursor or input information or a command desired by the user by sensing a signal that changes based on movement of a finger which is an object are used.

In a pointing device, a sensor is adopted in order to sense a change of the finger and move a cursor (a pointer on a screen), and a dome switch or the like is also installed in order to select a menu or an icon on which the cursor is located.

Generally, fingerprint recognition technology is technology for processing user registration and an identification process to prevent security incidents, and is applied in network defense for individuals or groups, protection of content and data, and safe access of computers, mobile devices, and the like.

Recently, with the development of mobile technology, fingerprint recognition technology is applied to pointing device bio track pads (BTPs) which detect image data of fingerprints and perform pointer operations, and thus has come into wide use.

For the above fingerprint technology, a fingerprint sensor is applied as a sensor of a pointing device as a device configured to recognize a pattern of a fingerprint of a human finger, and fingerprint recognition sensors can be classified based on a sensing principle as optical sensors, electric (electrostatic capacitor type and conductive type) sensors, ultrasonic type sensors, and temperature sensing type sensors, and the fingerprint recognition of each type obtains fingerprint image data from the finger based on its operating principle.

In a pointing device including a fingerprint recognition sensor, package processes of various methods in each type are proposed, but since the electric sensor has individual parts including an integrated circuit, developing package technology is harder than for other types of sensors. A wafer level fan-out package process is proposed as a package technology of the fingerprint recognition sensor including the integrated circuit, but when the wafer level fan-out package process is used, a driving unit part of the integrated circuit is positioned close to a surface exposed to the outside. Thus, when the pointing device manufactured by the wafer level fan-out package process is used in an electronic device such as a button on which impact is applied periodically, damage of the driving device of the integrated circuit is unavoidable.

Also, in the wafer level fan-out package process, as an area of the pointing device is greater than that of the integrated circuit, efficiency of relocating I/O of the integrated circuit on the wafer is decreased, and thus a manufacturing cost is increased. Since the area of the integrated circuit of the pointing device is small, economic loss is great when the wafer level fan-out package process is used to realize a button shape of a predetermined size such as a home key of a smartphone.

Related art is <CIT> ("POINTING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE"). <CIT> discloses a fingerprint sensing circuit package, methods of use and methods of manufacture.

The present invention is directed to providing a fingerprint recognition device having an improved structure configured to be used as a mechanical button, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic device.

The present invention is directed to providing a fingerprint recognition device having an improved structure in which a driving unit of an integrated circuit has durability, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic device.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a fingerprint recognition device according to claim <NUM>.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a fingerprint recognition device according to claim <NUM>.

The fingerprint recognition device includes an integrated circuit electrically connected to at least one sensor electrode; a first circuit substrate disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit and on which the at least one sensor electrode is provided; a second circuit substrate electrically connected to the first circuit substrate and disposed under the integrated circuit; a molding layer provided under the first circuit substrate and surrounding the integrated circuit to protect the integrated circuit from the outside; and a connecting part electrically connecting the first circuit substrate to the second circuit substrate.

The first circuit substrate includes a structure in which a plurality of circuit layers are rearranged to transmit a signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode to the integrated circuit.

The at least one sensor electrode may be provided on a surface of the first circuit substrate which is exposed to the outside.

The at least one sensor electrode may be provided in the first circuit substrate and be adjacent to a surface of the first circuit substrate which is exposed to the outside.

Also, at least one signal transmission path may be formed on the first circuit substrate to transmit the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode to the integrated circuit, and the at least one signal transmission path may include a first circuit layer on which the at least one sensor electrode is disposed; a second circuit layer on which an electrode provided under the first circuit substrate is disposed; and a micro via electrically connecting the first circuit to the second circuit.

The at least one signal transmission path may further include at least one third circuit layer disposed between the first circuit layer and the second circuit layer, and the micro via may electrically connect the first circuit layer, the at least one third circuit layer, and the second circuit layer which have a stacked structure.

In order to transmit the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode to the integrated circuit through the at least one signal transmission path, the electrode may be electrically connected to the integrated circuit through a connecting member.

The connecting member may include a solder bump.

The fingerprint recognition device of the present invention may further include an underfill resin layer formed between the integrated circuit and a lower surface of the first circuit substrate facing the integrated circuit in order to reinforce durability of the connecting member.

The second substrate may include a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid-flexible printed circuit board, and a rigid-flexible separated-connected printed circuit board.

The connecting part may include at least one among a through mold via and a solder ball which pass through the molding layer and electrically connects the first circuit substrate to the second circuit substrate.

The connecting part may be connected to the second circuit substrate through one of a gold-tin eutectic connection, an ACA/NCA connection, a solder connection, and a gold-gold connection.

Various colors may be realized on an upper portion of the first circuit substrate in order to improve esthetics for a user.

The first circuit substrate and the molding layer may include a ceramic or metal filler to reinforce durability.

A receiving recess recessed toward the integrated circuit is formed on a bottom surface of the molding layer, and the second circuit substrate is received in the receiving recess and separated from a structure disposed under of the molding layer.

The receiving recess and the second circuit substrate received in the receiving recess may be bent.

The receiving recess may be formed on a central portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer.

The receiving recess may be formed on a side portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer.

The receiving recess may be formed on one end portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer.

A connecting part protruding toward the structure or recessed toward the integrated circuit may be formed on the bottom surface of the molding layer to connect the molding layer to the structure.

The fingerprint recognition device may further include a fixing layer configured to fix the second circuit substrate to the receiving recess, and the fixing layer may be formed between the receiving recess and the second circuit substrate or formed under the second circuit substrate to face the structure.

The fixing layer may surround the second circuit substrate received in the receiving recess.

The fixing layer may include at least one among an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, and a urethane resin.

The fixing layer may be formed between the receiving recess and the second circuit substrate to cover a portion of the second circuit substrate.

At least one of a recessed portion and a punching portion may be formed on the second circuit substrate, and the at least one of the recessed portion and the punching portion may be filled by the molding layer.

The at least one of the recessed portion and the punching portion may be disposed under the integrated circuit and correspond to the integrated circuit.

The molding layer may surround the second circuit substrate.

The fingerprint recognition device may further include a reinforcing layer of metallic material disposed under the second circuit substrate or the molding layer.

There is also provided a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned fingerprint recognition device, including electrically connecting an integrated circuit to a first circuit substrate on which at least one sensor electrode is provided through a connecting member; and forming a molding layer configured to surround the integrated circuit on the first circuit substrate and protect the integrated circuit from the outside.

The first circuit substrate is formed by stacking a plurality of circuit layers.

Since a first circuit substrate including a plurality of circuit layers is used, a driving unit of an integrated circuit which is vulnerable to external impact is separated from the outside, and thus damage of the driving unit of the integrated circuit may be prevented.

Since a manufacturing process is simpler than a wafer level fan-out package process through which a fingerprint recognition device is manufactured, a manufacturing time is decreased, thereby being more economic.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fingerprint recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> and <FIG> are enlarged views illustrating parts of the fingerprint recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a fingerprint recognition device <NUM> includes an integrated circuit <NUM>, a first circuit substrate <NUM>, a second circuit substrate <NUM>, a molding layer <NUM>, and a connecting part <NUM>.

The first circuit substrate <NUM> includes at least one sensor electrode <NUM>. The at least one sensor electrode <NUM> senses an electrostatic signal derived from ridges and valleys of a fingerprint. The signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> may be transformed into an electric signal and amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and may be transmitted to a microcomputer of the fingerprint recognition device <NUM> through a connector such as the connecting part <NUM> or the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> is transmitted to the integrated circuit <NUM> electrically connected to the at least one sensor electrode <NUM>. The integrated circuit <NUM> performs an operation of calculating the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode <NUM>.

The first circuit substrate <NUM> disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of circuit layers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are stacked. The plurality of circuit layers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in the first circuit substrate <NUM> may transmit the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> to the integrated circuit <NUM> disposed under the first circuit substrate <NUM> through a rearrangement process. Also, a driving unit (not shown) of the integrated circuit <NUM> which is easily damaged by external impact may be spaced from a surface of the first circuit substrate <NUM> that may be touched by a portion of a body of a user by a thickness of the plurality of circuit layers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> forming the first circuit substrate <NUM> , and thus may be protected from external impact.

In order to transmit the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> to the integrated circuit <NUM>, at least one signal transmission path <NUM> may be formed in the first circuit substrate <NUM>. The at least one signal transmission path <NUM> may include a first circuit layer <NUM>, a second circuit layer <NUM>, and a micro via <NUM>.

The at least one sensor electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the first circuit layer <NUM>, and at least one electrode <NUM> may be disposed on the second circuit layer <NUM> which is provided under the first circuit layer <NUM>. The first circuit layer <NUM> and the second circuit layer <NUM> may be electrically connected through the micro via <NUM>.

The at least one signal transmission path <NUM> may further include at least one third circuit layer <NUM>. The at least one third circuit layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first circuit layer <NUM> and the second circuit layer <NUM>. The first circuit layer <NUM>, the at least one third circuit layer <NUM>, and the second circuit layer <NUM> may have a stacked structure in a direction toward the integrated circuit <NUM>, and the micro via <NUM> electrically connects the first circuit layer <NUM>, the at least one third circuit layer <NUM>, and the second circuit layer <NUM>.

The first circuit layer <NUM>, the at least one third circuit layer <NUM>, and the second circuit layer <NUM> may be formed on a metal layer, and the micro via <NUM> may be formed through a resin layer <NUM>. In particular, the micro via <NUM> passes through the resin layer <NUM> and electrically connects the first circuit layer <NUM>, the at least one third circuit layer <NUM>, and the second circuit layer <NUM>.

The number of the plurality of circuit layers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in the first circuit substrate <NUM> may be counted with reference to the number of metal layers in which the first circuit layer <NUM>, the at least one third circuit layer <NUM>, and the second circuit layer <NUM> are provided.

The number of the plurality of circuit layers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is not limited to three.

The first circuit substrate <NUM> may include a ceramic or metal filler in order to reinforce durability, reinforce strength, compensate for a thermal expansion coefficient, and control a dielectric constant.

Various colors may be realized on an upper portion of the first circuit substrate <NUM> in consideration of design and improving esthetics for a user. In particular, various colors may be realized on the resin layer 29a disposed on the upper portion of the first circuit substrate <NUM> to improve esthetics for the user, and to cover the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> disposed in the first circuit substrate <NUM>.

The at least one sensor electrode <NUM> provided on the first circuit layer <NUM> may be provided in the first circuit substrate <NUM> and be adjacent to a surface of the first circuit substrate <NUM> exposed to the outside in order to contact the portion of the body of the user.

The second circuit substrate <NUM> is provided under the integrated circuit <NUM> and electrically connected to the first circuit substrate <NUM>. Thus, the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> is transmitted to the integrated circuit <NUM> through the at least one signal transmission path <NUM> formed on the first circuit substrate <NUM>, and the signal calculated by the integrated circuit <NUM> is transmitted to the second circuit substrate <NUM>. The signal transmitted to the second circuit substrate <NUM> may be transmitted to other electric parts through an output terminal (not shown) formed on one end portion of the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The second circuit substrate <NUM> may include a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid-flexible printed circuit board (a substrate including a rigid portion and a flexible portion), and a rigid-flexible separated-connected printed circuit board (a substrate formed by connecting a rigid printed circuit board to a flexible printed circuit board and including a rigid portion and a flexible portion).

The molding layer <NUM> is provided under the first circuit substrate <NUM> and protects the integrated circuit <NUM> from external impact and external environmental factors such as change of temperature, change of moisture, and the like. The molding layer <NUM> may surround the integrated circuit <NUM>.

In order to reinforce strength, compensate for a thermal expansion coefficient, and control a dielectric constant of the molding layer <NUM>, the molding layer <NUM> may include a ceramic or metal filler.

The connecting part <NUM> may electrically connect the first circuit substrate <NUM> to the second circuit substrate <NUM>. The connecting part <NUM> may include a through mold via configured to pass through the molding layer <NUM> and electrically connect the first circuit substrate <NUM> to the second circuit substrate <NUM>. The connecting part <NUM> may be filled with a conductive material such that the signal of the integrated circuit <NUM> is transmitted to the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The connecting part <NUM> may be connected to the second circuit substrate <NUM> through one of a gold-tin eutectic connection, an ACA/NCA connection, a solder connection, and a gold-gold connection. The solder connection may include throughhole soldering and hot bar soldering.

The first circuit substrate <NUM> and the integrated circuit <NUM> may be electrically connected through a connecting member <NUM>. In particular, in order to transmit the signal sensed from the at least one sensor electrode <NUM> to the integrated circuit <NUM> through the at least one signal transmission path <NUM>, the electrode <NUM> provided on the second circuit layer <NUM> may be electrically connected to the integrated circuit <NUM> through the connecting member <NUM>. The connecting member <NUM> may include a solder bump.

As shown in <FIG>, a receiving recess <NUM> recessed toward the integrated circuit <NUM> is formed on a bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>. The second circuit substrate <NUM> is received in the receiving recess <NUM> and spaced apart from a structure (not shown) disposed under the molding layer <NUM>.

When the fingerprint recognition device <NUM> is used as a mechanical button, the structure disposed under the molding layer <NUM> may include a dome switch (not shown).

When the fingerprint recognition device is used as the mechanical button , the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM> may come in contact with the structure disposed under the molding layer <NUM> or be pressed by the structure disposed under the molding layer <NUM>, and when the connecting part <NUM> or the second circuit substrate <NUM> comes in contact with the structure, the connecting part <NUM> or the second circuit substrate <NUM> may be damaged, and thus the second circuit substrate <NUM> may be outside of a lower pressure concentration portion (a portion at which the bottom surface of the molding layer comes in contact with the structure or a portion at which the molding layer is pressed by the structure disposed under the molding layer) <NUM> formed on the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM> and be received in the receiving recess <NUM>.

Generally, the lower pressure concentration portion <NUM> may be formed on a central portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>. The receiving recess <NUM> may be formed to pass through between the lower pressure concentration portions <NUM> formed on the central portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>. That is, the lower pressure concentration portion <NUM> may be disposed on a left side and a right side of the receiving recess <NUM>. Also, the receiving recess <NUM> may be outside of the lower pressure concentration portion <NUM> formed at the central portion and formed on a side portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>, or may be formed on one end portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>.

The lower pressure concentration portion <NUM> may be formed on an edge portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>. The lower pressure concentration portion <NUM> may be formed at various positions based on structures disposed under the molding layer <NUM>, and is not limited to the central portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM> or the edge portion of the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM>.

The receiving recess <NUM> may be bent and outside of the lower pressure concentration portion <NUM>, and the second circuit substrate <NUM> received in the bent receiving recess <NUM> may also be bent.

A connecting part (not shown) which protrudes toward the structure or is recessed toward the integrated circuit may be formed on the bottom surface of the molding layer <NUM> so that the structure (not shown) disposed under the molding layer <NUM> connected to the molding layer <NUM>.

The fingerprint recognition device <NUM> may further include a fixing layer <NUM>. In order to fix the second circuit substrate <NUM> to the receiving recess <NUM>, the fixing layer <NUM> may be formed between the receiving recess <NUM> and the second circuit substrate <NUM>. Also, the fixing layer <NUM> may be formed under the second circuit substrate <NUM> to face the structure (not shown) disposed under the molding layer <NUM>, and support the second circuit substrate <NUM> received in the receiving recess <NUM>. The fixing layer <NUM> may surround the entire second circuit substrate <NUM> received in the receiving recess <NUM>. Also, the fixing layer <NUM> may be formed between the receiving recess <NUM> and the second circuit substrate <NUM> to cover a portion of the second circuit substrate <NUM>. The fixing layer <NUM> may be formed in various shapes so that the second circuit substrate <NUM> may not be separated from the receiving recess <NUM>.

The fixing layer <NUM> may include at least one among an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, and a urethane resin.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a structure including an underfill resin layer in a fingerprint recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a fingerprint recognition device 1a may further include an underfill resin layer <NUM>. In order to reinforce durability of a connecting member <NUM> configured to electrically connect a first circuit substrate <NUM> to an integrated circuit <NUM>, the underfill resin layer <NUM> may be formed between a lower surface of the first circuit substrate <NUM> facing an integrated circuit <NUM> and the integrated circuit <NUM>. The underfill resin layer <NUM> may be formed to surround the connecting member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a structure including a coating layer in a fingerprint recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a fingerprint recognition device 1b may further include a coating layer <NUM>.

The coating layer <NUM> may be provided on an upper portion of a first circuit substrate <NUM>. Various colors and patterns may be formed on the coating layer <NUM>. The various patterns or shapes formed on the coating layer <NUM> may be displayed on the coating layer <NUM> through at least one among printing, carving, and a laser process. Also, the various patterns or shapes may be attached on the coating layer <NUM> in the form of a sticker. A display method of the patterns or the shapes is not limited to the above embodiments.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing a fingerprint recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the method of manufacturing the fingerprint recognition device includes electrically connecting an integrated circuit to a first circuit substrate on which at least one sensor electrode is provided through a connecting member (P1), forming a molding layer configured to surround the integrated circuit on the first circuit substrate of a plurality of layers to protect the integrated circuit from the outside (P2), forming a connecting part having one end portion contacting the first circuit substrate of the plurality of layers (P3), and electrically connecting the first circuit substrate of the plurality of layers to the second circuit substrate so that the other portion end of the connecting part is in contact with the second circuit substrate.

The molding layer is formed using a mold. In particular, after electrically connecting the integrated circuit to the first circuit substrate on which at least one sensor electrode is provided through the connecting member, the mold is covered and the molding layer is formed. By molding after forming a receiving recess on the mold, the receiving recess configured to receive the second circuit substrate is formed on a bottom surface of the molding layer.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fingerprint recognition device according to another embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure in which a recess part is formed on a second circuit board of the fingerprint recognition device according to another embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure in which a punching part is formed on the second circuit board of the fingerprint recognition device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure in which a reinforcing layer is formed in the fingerprint recognition device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, any repetitive description of <FIG> will be omitted. Also, un-described numerical references will be understood with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, a fingerprint recognition device <NUM> may include an integrated circuit <NUM>, a first circuit substrate <NUM>, a second circuit substrate <NUM>, a molding layer <NUM>, and a connecting part <NUM>.

The first circuit substrate <NUM> disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of circuits <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are stacked.

The second circuit substrate <NUM> is provided under the integrated circuit <NUM> and electrically connected to the first circuit substrate <NUM>. Thus, a signal sensed by at least one sensor electrode <NUM> is transmitted to the integrated circuit <NUM> through at least one signal transmission path <NUM> formed on the first circuit substrate <NUM>, and a signal calculated by the integrated circuit <NUM> is transmitted to the second circuit substrate <NUM>. The signal transmitted to the second circuit substrate <NUM> may be transmitted to another electric part through an output terminal (not shown) formed on one end portion of the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

At least one of a recess part <NUM> and a punching part 31a may be formed on the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The recess part <NUM> that is recessed more away from the first circuit substrate <NUM> may be formed on the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The recess part <NUM> may be disposed under the integrated circuit <NUM> to correspond to the integrated circuit <NUM>.

Alternatively, the punching part 31a may be formed on the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The punching part 31a may be disposed under the integrated circuit <NUM> to correspond to the integrated circuit <NUM>. Since the punching part 31a is formed on the second circuit substrate <NUM>, the second circuit substrate <NUM> may be non-continuously disposed under the integrated circuit <NUM>.

Alternatively, both of the recess part <NUM> and the punching part 31a may be formed on the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

In order to reinforce strength, the molding layer <NUM> may be filled in the recess part <NUM> and the punching part 30a. That is, the molding layer <NUM> formed of a rigid material may be filled in the recess part <NUM> and the punching part 31a disposed under the integrated circuit <NUM> and the strength of the fingerprint recognition device <NUM> may be reinforced.

The molding layer <NUM> is provided under the first circuit substrate <NUM>, and protects the integrated circuit <NUM> from external impact and external environmental factors such as change of temperature, change of moisture, and the like. The molding layer <NUM> may surround the integrated circuit <NUM>.

The molding layer <NUM> may surround the second circuit substrate <NUM> as well as the integrated circuit <NUM> to protect the second circuit substrate <NUM> from external impact and external environmental factors such as change of temperature, change of moisture, and the like. Thus, the molding layer <NUM> may be disposed above and below the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

In an example, which is not encompassed by the claimed invention, the receiving recess <NUM> may be omitted.

The connecting part <NUM> may include at least one among a through mold via and a solder ball configured to pass through the molding layer <NUM> and electrically connect the first circuit substrate <NUM> to the second circuit substrate <NUM>.

The fingerprint recognition device <NUM> may further include a reinforcing layer <NUM>.

The reinforcing layer <NUM> may be disposed under the second circuit substrate <NUM> to improve durability of the fingerprint recognition device <NUM>.

The reinforcing layer <NUM> may be disposed under the molding layer <NUM>.

The reinforcing layer <NUM> may include a metal. The metal may include steel use stainless (SUS).

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing a fingerprint recognition device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the method of manufacturing the fingerprint recognition device includes connecting an integrated circuit to a first circuit substrate on which at least one sensor electrode is provided through a connecting member (R1), forming a connecting part having one end portion contacting the first circuit substrate of a plurality of layers (R2), electrically connecting the first circuit substrate of the plurality of layers to the second circuit substrate to be in contact with the other end portion of the connecting part to the second circuit substrate (R3), and forming a molding layer configured to surround the integrated circuit and the second circuit substrate on the first circuit substrate of the plurality of layers to protect the integrated circuit from the outside (R4).

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fingerprint recognition device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, a fingerprint recognition device 1c may include an integrated circuit 10a, a first circuit substrate 20a, a connecting member 60a, and a molding layer 40a. In <FIG>, any description concerning the same parts described above may be omitted.

Since the integrated circuit 10a is a structural unit configured to calculate and process the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode 21a, the integrated circuit 10a is electrically connected to the at least one sensor electrode 21a.

The first circuit substrate 20a may be disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit 10a, at least one signal transmission path 23a may be disposed thereinside, so that the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode 21a may be transmitted to the integrated circuit 10a. The first circuit substrate 20a has a structure in which a plurality of circuit layers rearranged to transmit the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode 21a to the integrated circuit 10a are stacked, and may include a rigid-flexible printed circuit board and a rigid-flexible separated-connected printed circuit board.

The at least one sensor electrode 21a may be provided in the first circuit substrate 20a and be adjacent to a surface of the first circuit substrate 20a.

The first circuit substrate 20a may be bent with two facing portions between which the integrated circuit 10a is interposed. In particular, one end portion of the first circuit substrate 20a may be received in a receiving recess 70a formed on a bottom surface of the molding layer 40a provided under the first circuit substrate 20a to protect the integrated circuit 10a from the outside. An output terminal (not shown) may be provided on the one end portion of the first circuit substrate 20a received in the receiving recess 70a, and the signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode 21a may be transmitted to other electronic device. Since the first circuit substrate 20a provided above and below the integrated circuit 10a is integrally formed, a connecting part configured to electrically connect the first circuit substrate 20a provided on and under the integrated circuit 10a may be omitted.

The integrated circuit 10a and the first circuit substrate 20a may be electrically connected by the connecting member 60a. The connecting member 60a may be provided between the integrated circuit <NUM> and the first circuit substrate 20a disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit 10a. The connecting member <NUM> may include a solder pump.

As shown in <FIG>, a fingerprint recognition device 1d may include an integrated circuit 10b, a first circuit substrate 20b, a connecting member 60b, and a molding layer 40b. In <FIG>, any description concerning the same parts described above may be omitted.

The first circuit substrate 20b is disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit 10b, and at least one signal transmission path 23b configured to transmit a signal sensed by at least one sensor electrode 21b to the integrated circuit 10b may be formed in the first circuit substrate 20b.

In order to protect the integrated circuit 10b from the outside, the molding layer 40b may be provided under the first circuit substrate 20b and surround the connecting member 60b configured to electrically connect the integrated circuit 10b to the first circuit substrate 20b and the integrated circuit 10b.

One end portion of the first circuit substrate 20b may be bent away from the integrated circuit 10b along the molding layer 40b. When the one end portion of the first circuit substrate 20b is bent away from the integrated circuit 10b, an additional receiving recess (not shown) may not be formed on a bottom surface of the molding layer 40b.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing the fingerprint recognition devices of <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the method of manufacturing the fingerprint recognition device includes connecting an integrated circuit to a first circuit substrate on which at least one sensor electrode is provided through a connecting member (S1), and forming a molding layer configured to surround the integrated circuit on the first circuit substrate and protect the integrated circuit from the outside (S2).

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a portion of the electronic device shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a body in a bar shape. However, the body of the electronic device <NUM> is not limited to the bar shape, but bodies of various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and the like which are relatively movably combined may be applied.

The body includes a casing forming an external shape. The body may include a front casing <NUM>, a rear casing <NUM>, and a battery cover (not shown). Various electric parts are installed in a space formed between the front casing <NUM> and the rear casing <NUM>. At least one middle casing may be additionally disposed between the front casing <NUM> and the rear casing <NUM>.

The casing may be formed by ejecting synthetic resin or to include metal such as stainless steel (STS), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), and the like.

A display module <NUM>, a sound output part <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, a user input part <NUM>, a microphone (not shown), an interface (not shown), and the like may be disposed on the body of the electronic device, mainly the front casing <NUM>.

The display module <NUM> covers most of a main surface of the front casing <NUM>. The sound output part <NUM> and the camera <NUM> are disposed in an area adjacent to one end portion among both end portions of the display module <NUM>, and the user input part <NUM> and the microphone (not shown) are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end portion. The user input part <NUM>, the interface (not shown), and the like may be disposed on side surfaces of the front casing <NUM> and the rear casing <NUM>.

The user input part <NUM> may be operated to receive a command configured to control an operation of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include a plurality of manipulating units (not shown). The manipulating units may be referred to as manipulating portions, and may use any tactile method of manipulation through a tactile sense of a user.

A home key <NUM> including a fingerprint recognition device (not shown) may be formed in the user input part <NUM>. At least one sensor electrode is provided in the fingerprint recognition device, and the at least one sensor electrode senses a difference (an electrostatic signal) in capacitance generated by a difference in electric characteristics between valleys and ridges of a fingerprint. The electrostatic signal may be transformed into an electric signal and amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and transmitted to a microcomputer of the electronic device <NUM> through a connector such as a printed circuit board (not shown).

A fingerprint recognition device 1e may be used as the home key <NUM> itself without an additional packaging process.

A curved surface may be formed at a periphery of the fingerprint recognition device 1e through a numerical process.

In order to perform the numerical process, the fingerprint recognition device 1e is disposed on an additional structure (not shown). For an effective numerical process, in order to fix the fingerprint recognition device 1e to the additional structure, a fixing part (not shown) may be formed on a bottom surface of the fingerprint recognition device 1e. In particular, the fixing part may be formed on a bottom surface of a molding layer of the fingerprint recognition device 1e, and may have a shape protruding toward the additional structure or recessed toward the inside of the fingerprint recognition device 1e.

The fingerprint recognition device may be used to support a user identification mode using an electric field, a capacitor, a thermistor, and the like.

The user identification mode is a mode configured to perform user identification by bringing a portion of a body such as a finger in contact with a fingerprint recognition sensor. For example, when the user puts his or her finger on the fingerprint recognition device, the fingerprint recognition sensor provided on the fingerprint recognition device recognizes the fingerprint of the user, compares it with previously stored fingerprint data, and verifies whether the corresponding user is a legitimate user who has permission to perform control authority or access content.

The fingerprint recognition device may be provided on any device requiring a user identification process. For example, electronic devices such as an information terminal, a smartphone, a gaming device, a PMP, a tablet PC, a camera, and the like, a medical device, or an ATM may be included.

Claim 1:
A fingerprint recognition device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an integrated circuit (<NUM>) electrically connected to at least one sensor electrode (<NUM>);
a first circuit substrate (<NUM>) disposed on an upper portion of the integrated circuit (<NUM>), and on which the at least one sensor electrode (<NUM>) is provided;
a second circuit substrate (<NUM>) electrically connected to the first circuit substrate (<NUM>) and disposed under the integrated circuit (<NUM>);
a molding layer (<NUM>) provided under the first circuit substrate (<NUM>) and configured to surround the integrated circuit (<NUM>) to protect the integrated circuit (<NUM>) from the outside, wherein the molding layer (<NUM>) is formed using a mold;
a connecting part (<NUM>) electrically connecting the first circuit substrate (<NUM>) to the second circuit substrate (<NUM>); and
a receiving recess (<NUM>) recessed toward the integrated circuit (<NUM>) and formed on a bottom surface of the molding layer (<NUM>);
characterised in that the first circuit substrate (<NUM>) comprises a structure in which a plurality of circuit layers are rearranged to transmit a signal sensed by the at least one sensor electrode (<NUM>) to the integrated circuit (<NUM>) ;
wherein the second circuit substrate (<NUM>) is received in the receiving recess (<NUM>) and separated from the bottom surface of the molding layer (<NUM>).