All-in-one glass fingerprint recognition module in which sensor is not exposed to outside is developed. Because only glass is seen from outside, it seems that it will be useful for developing Smartphones with more sleek design.
LG Innotec (CEO Park Jong-seok) made an announcement on the 1st that it has developed all-in-one glass fingerprint recognition module that has a fingerprint recognition sensor built inside of tempered glass.
Previously, fingerprint recognition modules that are in shape of a circle or a square were exposed outside of Smartphones. They were made in such a way so that a finger and a sensor can be touched to activate fingerprint recognition.
However LG Innotec hid sensor behind of tempered glass. It made a holm with depth of 0.3mm behind of bottom of tempered glass and attached sensor in there.
By applying ultra-fine manufacturing technology and combined methods of construction, fingerprints can now be sensed even when tempered glass is touched.
Because sensors are not exposed to outside, this module can be used to improve design of Smartphones. Because tempered glass covers up this module, it is also advantageous in designing waterproof and dustproof Smartphones. This module also can reduces possibilities of having sensors damaged from exterior impact.
“Although we carved off part of tempered glass‘s backside to attach this sensor, we still secured high intensity by applying special polymer material that absorbs exterior impact to a place where these two parts meet.” said a representative for LG Innotec. “Even when ball bearing, which weighs about the same as a Smartphone at 130g, is dropped from 20cm high, it does not break.”
Company added that it strengthened security of this module so that a possibility of wrongly recognizing fingerprint is practically zero as it is 0.002%. Tempered glass can be applied to any phones regardless of brands. LG Innotec co-developed fine workmanship technology with its partner.
LG Innotec is planning to actively secure new customers as it sees that demands for fingerprint recognition will rapidly increase. According to a market research company called IHS, 499 million fingerprint recognition modules were shipped last year and this number will be increased by three times to 1.6 billion in 2020.
Staff Reporter Yun, Kunil | benyun@etnews.com