Patent Description:
An electronic device, which is versatile, may store various types of personal information, and may have an authentication function using biometric information such as a fingerprint or an iris of a user as a means for financial transactions or personal authentication. The importance of authentication services is increasing for the protection of personal information when using financial transactions or authentication services. As the fingerprint sensor, at least one of a capacitive fingerprint sensor, a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, an optical fingerprint sensor, or an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor may be used. A conventional fingerprint sensor is disposed in an area exposed to the exterior of an electronic device, a button or an area of a housing to receive a user's fingerprint, and input from the button or one area of the rear housing may be unintuitive or may cause inconvenience to the user. Display areas of electronic devices are increasing in size, and for this purpose, the adoption of in-display fingerprint sensors that are capable of being recognized in front display areas is increasing.

An electronic device may include a fingerprint sensor in an active area of a display thereof. Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor may be disposed below the front cover and the display panel of the electronic device. When the fingerprint sensor and the touch screen panel (TSP) are constantly activated, the amount of power consumed by the electronic device may increase. An electronic device according to various embodiments normally maintains the touch panel and the fingerprint sensor in an inactive state so as to minimize power consumption.

<CIT> is part of the prior-art.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device according to various example embodiments may include: a housing including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face; a transparent plate defining the front face of the housing; a display panel disposed below the transparent plate; a fingerprint sensor disposed between the display panel and the rear face of the housing and configured to acquire biometric information about an external object within a specified proximity to the transparent plate; and a conductive pattern disposed adjacent to the fingerprint sensor and configured to detect whether the external object is within the specified proximity.

An electronic device according to various example embodiments may include: a housing including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face; a transparent plate having a first face defining the front face of the housing; a display panel including a touch panel and a plurality of pixels configured emit light towards the transparent plate, the display panel having a first face in contact with a second face of the transparent plate; a fingerprint sensor in contact with a second face of the display panel and configured to acquire biometric information about an external object within a specified proximity to the transparent plate; a flexible printed circuit board on which the fingerprint sensor is disposed; and a conductive pattern disposed on the flexible printed circuit board substantially surrounding the fingerprint sensor and configured to detect whether the external object approaches.

With an electronic device according to various example embodiments, the touch panel and the fingerprint sensor are activated when a user's finger approaches an area in which a fingerprint sensor is disposed, making it possible to minimize and/or reduce power consumption.

With an electronic device according to various example embodiments, instead of implementing an always-on-display (AOD), it is possible to activate the fingerprint recognition icon via the display based on a user's finger being located within a specified vicinity of the fingerprint sensor. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of electronic components for implementing the AOD, and thus it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device in a network environment according to an exemplary embodiment.

It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

Wherein, the "non-transitory" storage medium is a tangible device, and may not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device including a recognition sensor according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a display <NUM>, a display-driving IC (DDI) <NUM> configured to control the display <NUM>, a fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>, a fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM> configured to control the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>, a touch sensor <NUM>, a touch sensor IC <NUM> configured to control the touch sensor <NUM>, a touch screen panel (TSP) <NUM>, and a touch screen panel IC <NUM> configured to control the touch screen panel <NUM>. The display <NUM> may include pixels configured to emit light, and each of the pixels may emit light to transmit a content to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may receive, from a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) <NUM>, image data, or image information including an image control signal corresponding to a command for controlling the image data. At least some pixels of the display <NUM> may be driven based on a voltage value or a current value capable of driving the pixels to display information corresponding to the image data on the display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM> may be disposed below the display <NUM>, and may not be exposed to the outside. The fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM> may obtain biometric information, such as a fingerprint of an external object (e.g., a user's finger). The fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM> may, for example, and without limitation, include at least one of an optical fingerprint sensor, a capacitive fingerprint sensor, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, or the like. The fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM> may transmit biometric information obtained from the user to the processor <NUM> via the fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM>. The fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM> may receive a fingerprint recognition sensor activation or driving signal from the processor, and may control the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the touch sensor IC <NUM> may detect a touch input and/or a hovering input of the external object that is close (e.g., within a specified proximity, vicinity or distance) to the touch sensor <NUM> while transmitting/receiving a signal to/from the touch sensor <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> may be disposed as part of the display-driving IC <NUM> or the display <NUM>, and may be part of another component. The touch sensor <NUM> may include a conductive pattern, and may be disposed around (e.g., substantially surrounding) the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM> to sense the approach of the external object that is close to the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> may transmit a signal in response to the approach of the external object, detected by the touch sensor <NUM>, to the processor <NUM>.

The touch screen panel IC <NUM> may control the touch screen panel (TSP) <NUM> to detect a touch input and/or a hovering input for a specific position by measuring, for example, a change in a signal (e.g., a voltage, a light amount, a resistance, a charge amount, etc.) for a specific position of the display <NUM>, and may provide information regarding the detected touch input and/or hovering input (e.g., a position, an area, a pressure, a time, etc.) to the processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the touch screen panel IC <NUM> may be included as a part of the display-driving IC <NUM> or the display <NUM>, or a part of another component (e.g., an auxiliary processor <NUM>).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include various processing circuitry and receive information detected by the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM>, and the touch screen panel <NUM>, and may control the display <NUM>, the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM>, and the touch screen panel <NUM> based on the signals transmitted from each of the sensors and other devices. The memory <NUM> may store information transmitted from the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM>, the touch sensor <NUM>, and the touch screen panel <NUM>, and may retransmit the stored information to the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store information to be displayed on the display <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when an external object, e.g., the user's finger, is detected by the touch sensor <NUM>, an icon (e.g., a fingerprint recognition icon) to be displayed on the display <NUM> may be included. The memory <NUM> may transmit/receive a signal to/from the processor <NUM>, and may directly transmit/receive a signal to/from the display-driving IC <NUM>, the fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM>, the touch sensor IC <NUM>, and the touch screen panel IC <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an example electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM> and a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may provide the external appearance of the electronic device. The front face of the housing <NUM> may be formed as the front plate <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include a rear face opposite the front plate <NUM>, and may have a side face <NUM> disposed between the front and rear faces. The front plate <NUM> may be defined as the front face of the housing, the rear face of the housing <NUM> may be formed as a rear housing, and the side face <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be formed as a side housing. The side housing and the rear housing may be formed separately, or the side housing and the rear housing may be integrally formed. In the housing <NUM>, the front and rear faces are spaced apart from each other and face each other with respect to the z-axis, and the side face <NUM> formed by the side housing surrounds a space formed between the front and rear faces of the housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, each of the housings may comprise the front face, the rear face, or the side face <NUM>, independently or at least partially in conjunction with each other. For example, when the front housing or the rear housing is formed in a curved shape, it may form a part of the side face <NUM>. The side housing may extend integrally from an end of the side face <NUM> substantially parallel to the front plate <NUM> so as to form the rear face of the housing.

According to an embodiment, the front plate <NUM> may be formed to be transparent, and the light or signals, expressed by the display device disposed therein, may pass through the front plate <NUM>. At least a portion of the front plate <NUM> may be defined as a fingerprint detection area. A fingerprint recognition sensor may be disposed below the fingerprint detection area <NUM>. The user may interact with the front plate <NUM> via a touch panel and a touch sensor included in the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may sense various inputs, such as a user's touch input to the front plate <NUM> or writing, drawing using a stylus, or the like, using, for example, an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) phenomenon. According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a hovering input approaching the fingerprint detection area <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> via a touch sensor, and a fingerprint recognition icon displayed in the fingerprint detection area <NUM> of the display may be recognized through the front plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint detection area <NUM> may, for example, and without limitation, be disposed on the central axis parallel to the y-axis of the electronic device <NUM>. In order to increase the convenience of the user, the fingerprint detection area <NUM> may be disposed in the lower area of the front plate <NUM>. The lower area may be a portion of the front plate <NUM> that is located away from the area in which various sensors (e.g., an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, or a camera) are located with respect to the y-axis. The fingerprint detection area <NUM> is not limited thereto, and may be formed in at least a portion of the front plate <NUM> at any of various positions thereof. A fingerprint sensor may be disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> below the fingerprint detection area <NUM> (e.g., in the -z-axis direction), and the fingerprint sensor may detect the user's fingerprint.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a front housing <NUM> (or a transparent member), a side housing <NUM>, a rear housing <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a battery <NUM> (e.g., the battery <NUM> in <FIG>), and an antenna <NUM> (e.g., the antenna module <NUM> of <FIG>). At least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, and a redundant description thereof may not be repeated here.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of panels interposed between the front housing <NUM> and the rear housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the plurality of panels may include a display panel <NUM> and a fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be stacked or attached below the front housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, a polarization layer may be interposed between the front housing <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The polarization layer may further include an electrode pattern formed on one face thereof in order to detect a touch. In the electronic device <NUM>, a touch panel may be added on the display panel so as to detect a touch of a user or an external object.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be attached to the lower portion of the display panel <NUM> at a position corresponding to the fingerprint detection area <NUM> when the front housing <NUM> is viewed from above (in the -z-axis direction). The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed to be offset from the center of the electronic device <NUM> in the -y-axis direction. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be configured to recognize the user's biometric information from the user's touch input and/or hovering input to the fingerprint detection area <NUM>.

The side housing <NUM> may include a support <NUM> integrally formed therein or formed by a separate member coupled thereto. The front housing <NUM> may be coupled to one face of the support <NUM>, and a printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to the rear face of the support <NUM>. A processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>), memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> in <FIG>), and/or an interface (e.g., the interface <NUM> in <FIG>) may be mounted (or disposed) on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The processor may include various processing circuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, at least one of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processor, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, a communication processor, a dedicated processor, or the like. The memory may include, for example, and without limitation, a volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, or the like. The interface may include various circuitry, such as, for example, and without limitation, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface, or the like. The interface may electrically or physically connect, for example, the electronic device <NUM>, to an external electronic device, and may include, for example, and without limitation, a USB connector, an SD card/an MMC connector, an audio connector, or the like.

The battery <NUM> may be a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM> and may include, for example, and without limitation, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, a fuel cell, or the like. At least a portion of the battery <NUM> may be disposed to be substantially flush with, for example, the printed circuit board <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed within the electronic device <NUM>, or may be disposed to be detachable from the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, an opening (or a housing slot) <NUM> may be formed in at least a portion of the support <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may, for example, be used as a space capable of accommodating the swelling of the battery <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> may be disposed between the rear housing <NUM> and the battery <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may include, for example, and without limitation, a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna, or the like. The antenna <NUM> may perform short-range communication with, for example, an external electronic device, or may transmit/receive power required for charging to/from the external device in a wireless manner. In another embodiment, an antenna radiator may be further included in a portion of the side housing <NUM> and/or the support <NUM> to form an antenna structure together with the antenna <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating an example printed circuit board on which a fingerprint sensor module is mounted according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example electronic device including a fingerprint sensor module according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a display <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor module (e.g., including a fingerprint sensor) <NUM>, and a printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may include a transparent plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> in <FIG>) and a display panel (e.g., the display panel <NUM> in <FIG>). On the front face of the display <NUM>, the transparent plate <NUM>, to which the light emitted from the display panel <NUM> is transmitted, may be disposed. The fingerprint sensor module <NUM> may be disposed on the rear face of the display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor module <NUM> may include a fingerprint sensor <NUM> and a fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor module <NUM> may be disposed between the printed circuit board <NUM> and the display <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor module <NUM> may recognize biometric information of the user who is within a specified proximity to, or in contact with, the transparent front plate <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor module <NUM> may use, for example, and without limitation, an optical fingerprint sensor, a capacitive fingerprint sensor, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor <NUM>, or the like, in order to detect an external object that is close (e.g., within a specified proximity, vicinity, distance, etc.) to the front plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may, for example, and without limitation, include an optical module, or may include an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver. When using the optical fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may acquire an image of a fingerprint using an optical sensor such as, for example, and without limitation, a CCD/CMOS, a photodiode, or the like. When using the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may acquire fingerprint information by converting a fingerprint image reflected by an ultrasonic wave into an electrical signal. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may transmit the acquired fingerprint image or fingerprint information to the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> may transmit the biometric information such as the acquired fingerprint image or fingerprint information to a processor mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM> to perform an authentication operation and/or to control the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a conductive pattern <NUM> (e.g., including a pattern of conductive material that may be disposed in various configurations, including, for example, one or more lines of conductive material) may be disposed to surround or substantially surround the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The conductive pattern <NUM> may be used as a touch sensor (e.g., the touch sensor <NUM> in <FIG>). The conductive pattern <NUM> may detect an external object (e.g., the user's finger) approaching the fingerprint detection area (e.g., the fingerprint detection area <NUM> in <FIG>). The conductive pattern <NUM> may detect touch and/or hovering of the external object based on a change in a signal (e.g., a voltage, a light amount, a resistance, a charge amount, etc.) with respect to the conductive pattern <NUM> when the external object approaches the fingerprint detection area <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>, and the conductive pattern <NUM>, which are components of the fingerprint sensor module <NUM>, may be connected to a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) to be connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> may be connected to each other via the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> including a signal line, and the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> may also be connected to each other via a terminal <NUM> formed at an end of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor module <NUM> and the processor are electrically connected to each other via the flexible printed circuit board, and thus the processor may receive a signal from the fingerprint sensor module <NUM>, or may control the fingerprint sensor module <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in the internal space of the electronic device <NUM>. An electronic component for driving the electronic device <NUM>, such as a processor, may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. A power connector <NUM> for supplying power to the electronic device and a sound output terminal <NUM> may be mounted below the printed circuit board <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example arrangement of an example fingerprint sensor and conductive pattern according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a display <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and a conductive pattern <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a transparent plate <NUM> (e.g., the front plate <NUM> in <FIG>) may transmit at least one kind of light displayed on the display panel <NUM>. The transparent plate <NUM> may be include, for example, and without limitation, at least one of glass and a polymer material such as, for example, and without limitation, polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), or the like. According to an embodiment, the transparent plate <NUM> may include a multilayer structure of various materials.

According to an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may include a base substrate <NUM>, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer <NUM> disposed on the base substrate <NUM>, and a pixel layer <NUM> (or an organic light-emitting layer), to which a signal voltage is applied from the thin film transistor layer <NUM>. The thin film transistor layer <NUM> may include an active layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode, an interlayer insulating layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and may transmit a signal required for driving the pixel layer <NUM>. The pixel layer <NUM> may include a plurality of display elements, for example, light-emitting diodes. The pixel layer <NUM> may be defined as an area in which a plurality of organic display elements formed on the thin film transistor layer <NUM> are disposed. The display panel <NUM> may further include any suitable components, such as a thin film encapsulation layer encapsulating the pixel layer <NUM> and a back film for supporting the base substrate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, an adhesive member (e.g., a sticker or an adhesive) may be used to mutually attach the transparent plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> and to mutually attach respective layers included in the transparent plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The adhesive member may include, for example, and without limitation, a double-sided adhesive film, a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film, an optically clear adhesive resin (OCR), or the like.

According to an embodiment, a black coating layer may be included such that the inside of the electronic device (e.g., the fingerprint sensor <NUM>) is not visible through the transparent plate <NUM> and the non-driven transparent display panel <NUM> when the user views the transparent plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed below the laminate of the transparent panel <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be attached to the display panel <NUM> by an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may, for example, and without limitation, be an optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer, or the like. The adhesive layer may be formed of a material, in which an image of the external object <NUM> transferred to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> or signals used when the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the external object interact with each other are not distorted.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The face of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, in which the receiver is oriented, may be disposed adjacent to the display panel <NUM>, and the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in a direction facing the display panel <NUM>. The flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be spaced apart from the display panel <NUM> by the height of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a conductive pattern <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed inside the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> or on the surface of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed inside the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, or may be printed on the surface of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. In the conductive pattern <NUM>, when an external object <NUM> approaches the fingerprint detection area (e.g., the fingerprint detection area <NUM> in <FIG>) of the transparent plate <NUM>, the current or voltage flowing in the conductive pattern <NUM> may change. In order to increase the sensitivity for detecting an external object approaching the fingerprint detection area <NUM>, the conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed close to the display panel <NUM>. In order to reduce the distance between the display panel <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed to be in contact with the rear face of the display panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in order to increase the efficiency with which an external object <NUM> approaching the fingerprint detection area (e.g., the fingerprint detection area <NUM> of <FIG>) is detected, the conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed surrounding and adjacent to the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

The operation of the fingerprint sensor module of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may, for example, be as follows. When an external object <NUM> such as a finger approaches the fingerprint detection area, a touch and/or hovering of the external object <NUM> may be detected by measuring a change in a signal such as a voltage or a current in the conductive pattern <NUM>. When detecting the external object <NUM>, the electronic device may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. For example, when an approach or a touch of an external object with respect to the fingerprint detection area may be detected by the conductive pattern <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be activated to perform a biometric authentication operation via a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>) or a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, when the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is activated, in order to recognize valleys <NUM> and peaks <NUM> of the user's finger fingerprint, the ultrasonic sensor may generate ultrasonic waves towards the transparent plate <NUM>, receive a reflected wavelength, and form an image using electrical pixels. The optical sensor may image the fingerprint detection area of the transparent plate <NUM> on the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and may acquire a fingerprint image.

The electronic device <NUM> may perform a security-related authentication function based on the fingerprint image. For example, the processor may receive an output fingerprint image, or may receive a fingerprint image from a fingerprint sensor <NUM> processor. The processor may compare the received fingerprint image with a reference image to perform fingerprint authentication. The reference image may be stored in advance by an authenticated user of the electronic device, and may include an image of the fingerprint of the authenticated user, an image registered for setting fingerprint registration, or the like. The reference image may be stored in a secure area of the memory <NUM> included in the electronic device.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating an example fingerprint sensor module according to an embodiment.

Referring to <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor module <NUM> may include a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, a conductive pattern (e.g., including a pattern of conductive material) <NUM>, and a flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be similar to the fingerprint sensors <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and may be disposed inside the electronic device to be in contact with the rear face of the display.

According to an embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a portion connected to the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and may extend from the area connected with the fingerprint sensor <NUM> to be connected to the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>. The flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may extend from the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> to be connected to a connector <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> may transmit/receive a signal from/to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> via the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> may control the fingerprint sensor <NUM> via the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, and may transmit biometric information such as a fingerprint image or data transmitted from the fingerprint sensor <NUM> to the processor via the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The connector <NUM> of the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to a main printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>). The processor mounted on the main printed circuit board and the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> may be electrically connected via the connector <NUM>, and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM> may transmit biometric data to the processor via the connector <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be formed of a flexible material, and may be formed as a conductive film pattern such as a copper film on, for example, a polyimide film, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In the flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, a portion connecting the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> to each other may be bendable or flexible. Thus, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> may be disposed at respective different heights from the rear face of the display.

According to an embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a conductive pattern <NUM>. The conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed along the circumference of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and may surround or substantially surround the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to the fingerprint detection area (e.g., the fingerprint detection area <NUM> of <FIG>), and may detect an external object such as the user's finger approaching the fingerprint detection area <NUM>. When an external object is detected in the fingerprint detection area <NUM>, a signal generated from the conductive pattern <NUM> may be transmitted to the fingerprint sensor IC <NUM>, the processor, a separately existing touch sensor IC (not illustrated), or the like, via the flexible printed circuit board. Where the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is in an inactive state, when the external object may be detected as approaching based on the signal of the conductive pattern <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be activated. Where the processor is in an inactive state or in a standby state, when the external object approaches the fingerprint detection area, the processor may wake up.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in which an auxiliary touch pattern is included in an opaque area located at the lower end of the electronic device according to various embodiments, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the example electronic device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, a conductive pattern <NUM>, and a first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a display panel <NUM> may be stacked below the front plate <NUM>. An opaque area <NUM> may be an inactive area in which no pixel of the display panel <NUM> exists, and the remaining area except for the opaque area <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> may be an active area that transmits information via the display panel <NUM>. A portion of the front plate <NUM> may be an opaque area <NUM> in which the inside of the electronic device is not visible. The opaque area <NUM> may be formed at an edge of an active area that transmits information via the display panel <NUM>. The opaque area <NUM> may be formed by printing opaque ink on the front plate <NUM> or by applying an opaque material to the front plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be deactivated in the standby state of the electronic device <NUM>, and may be activated in the state in which the processor is in the wake-up state or in the state in which the electronic device is in use. An external object approaching the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be detected using the conductive pattern <NUM> formed around the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed only around the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and thus the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be activated only when an external object reaches the fingerprint detection area. For example, in the case in which the electronic device <NUM> is in the standby state, when an external object is detected via the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the user intends to unlock the same using the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in order to quickly activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM>. The first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed to be biased more towards the side face of the housing than towards the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be disposed on the rear face <NUM> of the opaque area <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. When the user's finger approaches the fingerprint detection area from the lower side of the electronic device, the electronic device <NUM> may identify that the external object approaches the fingerprint detection area based on a signal relating to a change in current or voltage in the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM>. The first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM> before the external object approaches the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and thus it is possible to quickly perform the authentication operation.

According to an embodiment, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> including the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be connected to a display flexible printed circuit board <NUM> extending from the display panel <NUM>. The first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be controlled via a separate integrated circuit, and may be controlled by a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), a fingerprint recognition sensor IC (e.g., the fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), a display-driving IC (e.g., the display-driving IC <NUM> in <FIG>) or a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>). The display flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may accurately determine the intention of the user based on the manner in which the user's finger approaches the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>. For example, based on the time difference from detection of the user's finger in the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> to detection of the user's finger in the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM> when the movement time of the user's finger is shorter than a predetermined time, and the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state when the movement time of the user's finger is longer than the predetermined time. According to another embodiment, when an external object is detected via the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> but the external object is not detected via the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may be set to maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in an inactive state, and when an external object is detected via the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may be set to activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. According to another embodiment, when an external object is not detected via the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> and is detected only in the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in which auxiliary touch patterns are included in opaque areas located in side faces of the electronic device according to various embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the inside of the electronic device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, a conductive pattern <NUM>, and second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM>.

A portion of the front plate <NUM> may be an opaque area <NUM> in which the inside of the electronic device is not visible. The opaque area <NUM> may be formed at an edge of an active area that transmits information via the display <NUM>. The opaque area <NUM> may be formed by printing opaque ink on the rear face of the front plate <NUM> or by applying an opaque material to the rear face of the front plate <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in order to quickly activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, each of the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may include a second auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM>. The second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> may be disposed on opposite sides of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> so as to be spaced apart from each other. The second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> may be disposed in the opaque area <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, wherein the opaque area <NUM> may surround the active area <NUM>. The second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> including the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> disposed in the opaque area <NUM> may be connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>. When the user's finger approaches the fingerprint detection area from a lateral side of the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify that the external object approaches the fingerprint detection area based on a signal relating to a change in current or voltage in the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM>. The second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM> before the external object approaches the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and thus it is possible to quickly perform the authentication operation.

According to an embodiment, the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> including the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> may be connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>. Each second auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be controlled via a separate integrated circuit, and may be controlled by an electronic component of the electronic device <NUM>, such as a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), a fingerprint recognition sensor IC (e.g., the fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), a display-driving IC (e.g., the display-driving IC <NUM> in <FIG>) or a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>). The fingerprint sensor module including the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be connected to the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may accurately determine the intention of the user based on the manner in which the user's finger approaches the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be activated by determining the user's intention based on the movement time or a detection order of an external object between the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example electronic device in which a plurality of additional touch patterns are included in opaque areas of the electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include an active area <NUM> and an opaque area <NUM> of the front plate, a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, a conductive pattern <NUM>, a first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, and second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM>. The first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>. The second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>. Descriptions redundant with the descriptions of the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may not be repeated here.

According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in an area corresponding to the opaque area <NUM> formed at the lower end of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the internal area of the electronic device <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may be disposed in an area corresponding to the opaque area <NUM> formed at opposite sides of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the internal area of the electronic device <NUM>. The first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a first auxiliary conductive pattern (e.g., the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG>), and the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may include respective second auxiliary conductive patterns (e.g., the second conductive patterns <NUM> in <FIG>). The first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected to the display flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, and the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may be connected to the printed circuit board of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be an in-display fingerprint recognition sensor disposed in the active area <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the lower side of the electronic device <NUM> when viewed from the front side of the electronic device <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the central axis parallel to the long side of the electronic device <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be activated in order to acquire biometric information, such as the user's fingerprint. When the electronic device is in a standby state or when the processor is in an inactive state, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be in an inactive state, and may be activated when the user actually intends to use the same.

According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may detect the user's finger approaching from the lower side of the electronic device <NUM>, and the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may detect the user's finger approaching from a lateral side of the lower end of the electronic device <NUM>. The conductive pattern <NUM> may detect whether the user's finger is close to (e.g., within a specified proximity, vicinity, distance, etc. of) the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, where the electronic device <NUM> is in the standby state, when an external object is detected via the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the user intends to unlock the same using the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in order to quickly activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may include a first auxiliary conductive pattern (e.g., the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG>). When the user's finger approaches the fingerprint detection area from the lower side of the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify that the external object approaches the fingerprint detection area based on a signal relating to a change in current or voltage in the first auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> included in the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> including the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM> before the external object approaches the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, making it possible to quickly perform the authentication operation.

According to an embodiment, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> including the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be connected to the display flexible printed circuit board <NUM>. The first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> may be controlled via a separate integrated circuit, and may be controlled by a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), a fingerprint recognition sensor IC (e.g., the fingerprint recognition sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), a display-driving IC (e.g., the display-driving IC <NUM> in <FIG>), or a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>).

According to various embodiments, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> may detect an external object approaching from the lower side of the electronic device <NUM>, and the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> may detect the user's finger approaching from a lateral side of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may accurately determine the intention of the user based on the manner in which the user's finger approaches the first auxiliary conductive pattern included in the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>. For example, based on the time difference from detection of an external object by the first auxiliary conductive pattern included in the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> to detection of the external object by the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM> when the movement time of the external object to the conductive pattern <NUM> is shorter than a predetermined time, and the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state when the movement time of the external object to the conductive pattern <NUM> is longer than the predetermined time. According to another embodiment, when an external object has been detected via the first auxiliary conductive pattern but the external object is not detected via the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state. When an external object is detected via the first auxiliary conductive pattern and the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the active state. According to still another embodiment, when an external object is not detected via the first auxiliary conductive pattern and is detected only in the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may accurately determine the intention of the user based on the manner in which the user's finger approaches the second auxiliary conductive patterns included in the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> and the conductive pattern <NUM>. For example, based on the time difference from detection of an external object by the second auxiliary conductive patterns included in the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> to detection of the external object in the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state when the movement time of the external object to the conductive pattern <NUM> is longer than a predetermined time.

According to another embodiment, when an external object, moving to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> from a lateral side of the electronic device <NUM>, is detected via the second auxiliary conductive pattern included in the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> but the external object is not detected via the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state. When an external object is detected via the second auxiliary conductive patterns and the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may be set to activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. According to still another embodiment, when an external object is not detected via the second auxiliary conductive pattern included in the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> and is detected only in the conductive pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the inactive state.

According to various embodiments, using the conductive pattern <NUM>, the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM>, and the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may cause the fingerprint sensor <NUM> to detect an external object and may quickly activate the fingerprint sensor <NUM> so as to perform an authentication operation. According to various embodiments, when an external object is detected by at least one of the first auxiliary conductive pattern included in the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> or the first auxiliary conductive pattern included in the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards while the external object approaches the conductive pattern <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be activated.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example biometric authentication process of an electronic device according to various embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example operation of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, an external object <NUM> (e.g., a user's finger) may be detected via a touch pattern (e.g., the touch sensor <NUM> in <FIG>, the conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG>, the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG>, and the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> in <FIG>). When an external object <NUM> moves to the fingerprint detection area <NUM> included in the electronic device <NUM>, the external object <NUM> may be detected using a voltage or a current that changes in the touch pattern. When the touch pattern detects an external object, the touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>) may transmit a sensing signal to the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>).

According to an embodiment, in operation <NUM>, the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) may be woken up based on the sensing signal, and the fingerprint recognition sensor (e.g., the fingerprint recognition sensor <NUM> of <FIG> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) may be activated. When the touch pattern detects the external object <NUM> while the fingerprint recognition sensor and the processor are in the inactive state or the standby state, the fingerprint recognition sensor and the processor are activated if the fingerprint sensor is necessary in the authentication operation, thereby reducing the amount of power consumed by the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in operation <NUM>, when the fingerprint sensor is activated, a fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> may be displayed on a display <NUM>. The fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> may be stored in memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> in <FIG>), a touch sensor IC (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM> in <FIG>), or a display-driving IC (e.g., the display-driving IC <NUM> in <FIG>), and when the external object <NUM> is detected via the touch pattern, the stored fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> may be displayed on the display <NUM>. According to various embodiments, operation <NUM> may be performed simultaneously with operation <NUM>, and the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> may be displayed on the display <NUM> prior to operation <NUM>, depending on whether the external object <NUM> is detected.

According to an embodiment, in operation <NUM>, the external object <NUM> may move onto the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM>, and the fingerprint may be confirmed in the state in which the external object <NUM> is spaced apart from the display <NUM>. When the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> is touched on the front plate (the front plate <NUM> in <FIG>) on the display <NUM>, it is possible to confirm the fingerprint.

According to various embodiments, in the case in which the fingerprint is spaced apart from the display <NUM>, on which the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> is displayed, and is confirmed, the electronic device may perform an unlocking operation <NUM> when the user touches the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM>. When the fingerprint is confirmed by touching the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM>, the electronic device may perform the unlocking operation simultaneously with confirming the fingerprint.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may detect, via the conductive pattern, whether the external object <NUM> is approaching in the state in which the display <NUM> is turned off. When the external object <NUM> is detected, the electronic device <NUM> may display the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> on the display <NUM> and may activate the fingerprint sensor to perform the authentication operation. Via the conductive pattern, the electronic device <NUM> may shorten the authentication operation time by quickly activating the fingerprint sensor when the user intends to use the fingerprint sensor, and reduce power consumption by deactivating the fingerprint sensor in the standby state.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to various example embodiments may include: a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> in <FIG>) including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face; a transparent plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> in <FIG>) defining the front face of the housing; a display panel (e.g., the display panel <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed below the transparent plate; a fingerprint sensor (e.g., the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in <FIG> or the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed between the display panel and the rear face of the housing and configured to acquire biometric information about an external object within a specified proximity of the transparent plate; and a conductive pattern (e.g., the conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG>) comprising a conductive material disposed adjacent to the fingerprint sensor and configured to detect whether the external object is within the specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>, or the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>) on which the fingerprint sensor and the conductive pattern are disposed.

According to various example embodiments, the conductive pattern may be provided on a surface of the flexible printed circuit board, or may be provided inside the flexible printed circuit board.

According to various example embodiments, the conductive pattern may be disposed along an edge of the fingerprint sensor to surround at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the conductive pattern may include a band shape corresponding to an edge of the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, at least a portion of the conductive pattern may be spaced apart from the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the display panel may have a rectangular shape, and a central axis parallel to a long edge of the display panel and a center of the fingerprint sensor may substantially coincide with each other.

According to various example embodiments, distances from the fingerprint sensor to two short edges of the display panel may be different from each other.

According to various example embodiments, the transparent plate may include an active area configured to transmit light emitted from the display panel, and an opaque area (e.g., the opaque area <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed along an edge of the active area, and the electronic device may further include at least one auxiliary flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG> or the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed in an area adjacent to the fingerprint sensor and including a touch pattern.

According to various example embodiments, the opaque region may include a first area having a first length, a second area disposed parallel to the first area, a third area extending from one end of the first area to one end of the second area and having a second length, and a fourth area substantially parallel to the third area and extending from a second end of the first area to the second end of the second area, and the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>) is disposed in the second area adjacent to the fingerprint recognition sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include a second auxiliary flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>) and a third auxiliary flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>), each of which is disposed in one of the third area and the fourth area adjacent to the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) electrically connected to the conductive pattern, the fingerprint sensor, and the display panel, wherein the conductive pattern is configured to detect whether the external object (e.g., the external object <NUM> in <FIG>) is within a specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor, and the display panel is configured to activate the fingerprint sensor, the processor, and a fingerprint recognition icon (e.g., the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> in <FIG>) based on detecting whether the external object is within the specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the fingerprint recognition icon may be displayed at a position corresponding to the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the fingerprint sensor may be at least one of an optical fingerprint sensor, a capacitive fingerprint sensor, or an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, the fingerprint sensor may be in contact with the display panel.

According to various example embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) may include: a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> in <FIG>) including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face; a transparent plate (e.g., the front plate <NUM> in <FIG>) having a first face defining the front face of the housing; a display panel (e.g., the display panel <NUM> in <FIG>) including a touch panel (e.g., the TSP <NUM> in <FIG>) and a plurality of pixels configured to emit light towards the transparent plate, the display panel having a first face in contact with a second face of the transparent plate; a fingerprint sensor (e.g., the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in <FIG> or the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) in contact with a second face of the display panel and configured to acquire biometric information about an external object within a specified proximity of the transparent plate; a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>, the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>, or the flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>) on which the fingerprint sensor is disposed; and a conductive pattern (e.g., the conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG>) comprising a conductive material disposed on the flexible printed circuit board surrounding at least a part of the fingerprint sensor and configured to detect whether the external object is within a specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor.

According to various example embodiments, a fingerprint recognition icon (e.g., the fingerprint recognition icon <NUM> in <FIG>) may be displayed on the display panel at a position corresponding to the fingerprint recognition sensor when the external object (e.g., the external object <NUM> in <FIG>) approaches an area in which the conductive pattern is located.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) electrically connected to the fingerprint sensor, the conductive pattern, and the display panel, and based on the fingerprint recognition icon being activated, the processor may be activated.

According to various example embodiments, the external object may be a finger of a user, and the processor may be configured to control the electronic device to: recognize the fingerprint of the user using the fingerprint sensor, determine whether the user is an authorized user based on the fingerprint of the user, and unlock the electronic device based on the determination.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include: at least one auxiliary flexible printed circuit board (e.g., the first auxiliary flexible printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG> or the second auxiliary flexible printed circuit boards <NUM> in <FIG>) including an auxiliary conductive pattern (e.g., the first auxiliary conductive pattern <NUM> in <FIG> or the second auxiliary conductive patterns <NUM> in <FIG>) configured to determine whether the external object is within a specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor. The transparent plate may include an active area configured to transmit light emitted by the pixels, and an opaque area provided along an edge of the active area, and the at least one auxiliary flexible printed circuit board may be disposed in an area corresponding to the opaque region on the second face of the transparent plate.

Methods according to various example embodiments described in the disclosure may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

The at least one program may include instructions that cause the electronic device to perform the methods according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

The programs (software modules or software) may be stored in non-volatile memories including a random access memory and a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a Compact Disc-ROM (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), or other type optical storage devices, or a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, any combination of some or all of the memories may form a memory in which the program is stored.

In the above-described example embodiments of the disclosure, a component included in the disclosure is expressed in the singular or the plural according to a presented example embodiment. However, the singular form or plural form is selected for convenience of description suitable for the presented situation, and various example embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to a single element or multiple elements thereof. Further, either multiple elements expressed in the description may be configured into a single element or a single element in the description may be configured into multiple elements.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face and a side face (<NUM>) disposed between the front and rear faces;
a transparent plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a first face defining the front face of the housing (<NUM>);
a display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a plurality of pixels configured to emit light towards the transparent plate (<NUM>, <NUM>), the display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a first face in contact with a second face of the transparent plate (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a flexible printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), on which are disposed:
a fingerprint sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in contact with a second face of the display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to acquire biometric information about an external object within a specified proximity of the transparent plate (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a conductive pattern (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a conductive material surrounding at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to detect whether the external object is within a specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
at least one auxiliary flexible printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including an auxiliary conductive pattern (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed to be biased more towards the side face of the housing (<NUM>) than towards the fingerprint sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to determine whether the external object is within a specified proximity of the fingerprint sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the fingerprint sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is activated based on the movement time or a detection order of an external object between the auxiliary conductive pattern (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the conductive pattern (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).