Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
New Apple Patent Describes Fingerprint Sensor That Could Work Through Display
The United States Patent and Trademark Office today granted Apple a patent that describes a Touch ID sensor which could effectively detect and read a user's fingerprints through other components of the smartphone, "such as display stacks and touch screens" (via AppleInsider). While going unspecified, the technology aligns with the current rumors for the iPhone 8, which is expected to eliminate the Home Button for good and integrate various pieces of the smartphone directly into the display, including Touch ID.
Described in the new patent, there are many reasons Apple is looking to integrate Touch ID into the iPhone's screen, "not the least of which is an interest in avoiding assigning valuable surface space exclusively to an component that may only be used briefly during the process of identifying the user." But the company still had to face multiple issues when building the new technology, namely a "blurring of the electric field" that brought about a loss of resolution of the fingerprint images as they were being transferred through the space between the Touch ID sensor and the iPhone's screen.
To combat the gap between where the user places their finger, and the technology reading the fingerprint data under the display, Apple's patent proposes the use of electrostatic lenses, which are described as including "one or more patterned conductive layer(s)." In an example laid out by the patent, the position, relative voltage, and shapes of the patterned conductive layer or layers can be altered to shape the electric field specifically associated with the user's fingerprint, and the information can be held "in the region between the contact surface of the capacitive fingerprint sensor and the array of capacitive sensing elements."
Apple's patent aims to reduce the spread of a fingerprint's electric field using electrostatic lenses
The collected data would help improve the resolution of the user's fingerprint, despite the distance between the Touch ID sensing module and the place on the iPhone display where they place their finger. In the patent, Apple notes that the specific setting and location for these electrostatic lenses depend on the "geometry of the consumer electronics device and the effects of any intervening components," but touchscreens and display stacks are mentioned by name multiple times.
As is usual with patents, it is unclear whether the electrostatic lens technology will show up in any future Apple device at all, much less one set to debut in less than a year, but its descriptive ability to fuel one of the iPhone 8's biggest rumors is interesting all the same. Apple appears to have been working on the patent for a few years now, since it was originally filed on September 9, 2014, with inventor credit going to Jean-Marie Bussat.
Described in the new patent, there are many reasons Apple is looking to integrate Touch ID into the iPhone's screen, "not the least of which is an interest in avoiding assigning valuable surface space exclusively to an component that may only be used briefly during the process of identifying the user." But the company still had to face multiple issues when building the new technology, namely a "blurring of the electric field" that brought about a loss of resolution of the fingerprint images as they were being transferred through the space between the Touch ID sensor and the iPhone's screen.
To combat the gap between where the user places their finger, and the technology reading the fingerprint data under the display, Apple's patent proposes the use of electrostatic lenses, which are described as including "one or more patterned conductive layer(s)." In an example laid out by the patent, the position, relative voltage, and shapes of the patterned conductive layer or layers can be altered to shape the electric field specifically associated with the user's fingerprint, and the information can be held "in the region between the contact surface of the capacitive fingerprint sensor and the array of capacitive sensing elements."
The collected data would help improve the resolution of the user's fingerprint, despite the distance between the Touch ID sensing module and the place on the iPhone display where they place their finger. In the patent, Apple notes that the specific setting and location for these electrostatic lenses depend on the "geometry of the consumer electronics device and the effects of any intervening components," but touchscreens and display stacks are mentioned by name multiple times.
As is usual with patents, it is unclear whether the electrostatic lens technology will show up in any future Apple device at all, much less one set to debut in less than a year, but its descriptive ability to fuel one of the iPhone 8's biggest rumors is interesting all the same. Apple appears to have been working on the patent for a few years now, since it was originally filed on September 9, 2014, with inventor credit going to Jean-Marie Bussat.
Tag: patent
[ 183 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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38 months ago
I just don't know how they're going to make an all-display phone look good.
Looks pretty gorgeous to me! And that's just a mockup. :D
38 months ago
Just further confirms what's coming soon. No bezels, no home button, touch ID in the screen... it's gonna be tough to wait for this to be released.
38 months ago
The 7 Home button is the equivalent of power-steering for a car—we all still see a steering wheel. Explain how a no home button design plays out on the display. I'm using Notes, how do I get to the Home screen? Explain it in a detailed manner. "A virtual Home button" is not a detailed explanation btw. How is it used?
Maybe wait for Apple's implementation instead of demanding forum members how a product that hasn't been released yet functions?
38 months ago
Maybe wait for Apple's implementation instead of demanding forum members how a product that hasn't been released yet functions?
I'd rather discuss what's being suggested than simply eat potato chips. I'm curious.
38 months ago
The iPhone 7 will go down in history as Apples worst iPhone ... :eek:
By far fastest with best camera and industry-leading real-world water resistance = worst iPhone. Interesting.
38 months ago
Definitely agree. I was only trying to say that it'll probably take them a couple of iterations to perfect the design.
I agree! Personally I think Apple are going to spend an extra year making the design and the 7S will be released next year instead. The big redesign will be 2018 (IMO).
38 months ago
I like this. The new home button took a brief adjustment to get used to the haptic push but now it feels entirely natural. I powered my phone off the other day and was caught off guard when I pressed the home button and didn't feel it "press". I'm ready for a completely virtual home button with TouchID all being part of a truly edge to edge screen. I guess I should clarify, I don't want the screen to go all the way to the edges, maybe 2-3 millimeters short so my fingers don't accidentally press things while holding the sides of the phone, but much smaller bezels, particularly top and bottom.
38 months ago
Skipping the 7 and ready for the 8. When can I pre-order? :D
You can start lining up at the Apple Store 2 weeks from now. ;-)
iPhone 8 will be "the" new benchmark of smartphone, just like the first iPhone! I can't wait.
38 months ago
I also fail to see how you replace the Home button virtually?
Well the iPhone 7's home button is already half way there. It's not a physical button any more. It's the next logical evolution.
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