LG Innotek, a subsidiary of LG Electronics, today unveiled a fingerprint sensor module that works from under a smartphone’s cover glass. All fingerprint scanner used in today’s smartphone are integrated into the home or power button of the handset, but LG’s latest fingerprint sensor module can be placed under the cover glass of the device. The whole cover glass will not recognise your fingerprint though. As LG mentions, the fingerprint scanner is installed on the lower backside of the cover glass by cutting a shallow furrow of 0.3mm. This way the sensor is protected from outside elements, and it will also allow OEMs to create sleeker looking designs. The OEM can also indicate the fingerprint recognising area through patterns or design of the handset. LG says a benefit of using this type of fingerprint sensor is that it will easily allow OEMs to make their phones waterproof. LG says that to increase the durability of the sensor and for better impact absorption, it has also developed a proprietary adhesive that it is using to attach the sensor to the glass. This leads to the 0.25mm thick sensor and glass combo to absorb impacts of a 130grams steel ball being dropped from 20cm. With the smartphone market expanding and fingerprint scanner becoming more common in them, the company plans on securing new customer for its new fingerprint sensor.
