LG Innotek Creates Under Glass Fingerprint Sensor for Smartphones

LG Innotek has created an under glass fingerprint sensor module which allows mobile phone users to simply place their finger on the cover glass of the phone to unlock it.

Previous ‘button type’ modules required you to press a finger on a raised square or circular button for your fingerprint to be read exactly. That is why the sensor was usually mounted on the front, rear or side buttons of a smartphone.

The new module not only gives designers more freedom, but can even enhance the ruggedness of the phone by making it more waterproof for example. 

LG Innotek cut a shallow furrow of 0.01 inches (0.3mm) thick on the lower backside of the cover glass and installed the fingerprint sensor inside of it.

With this module, the sensor is not exposed to the outside of the device, so manufacturers can produce a sleeker smartphone.

High-strength cover glass protects the sensor and prevents it from coming in direct contact with water or damage from scratches.

LG Innotek developed a proprietary adhesive to be used to attach the sensor to the glass. The adhered side of the sensor and glass is only 0.0098inches (0.25mm) thick, but can endure an impact of a 4.6 oz (130grams) steel ball dropped from 7.9 inches (20cm).

LG Innotek expects that demand for fingerprint recognition technology will dramatically increase due to the expansion of the mobile payment market. Market research firm, IHS, reports that approximately 499 million fingerprint sensors were sold globally in 2015 and thus number is expected to increase to 1,600 million units in 2020.

The new module has a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0.002%.

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