Apple Exploring Fingerprint Sensing MicroLED Displays Sans Touch ID

[MacRumors]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today granted Apple a patent that describes a display capable of reading a user's fingerprint without a dedicated Touch ID sensor (via AppleInsider). The patent is interesting given current rumors swirling around the iPhone 8, which is expected to do away with the home button and integrate Touch ID directly into the display, but perhaps more noteworthy is the patent IP's re-assignment from LuxVue, a little-known company acquired by Apple in 2014 that developed low-power microLED-based displays.

Titled "Interactive display panel with IR diodes", the patent details a touch display that uses specifically microLED-sensing technology, rather than the traditional active matrix hardware utilized by most consumer smartphones and tablets.

The technology replaces larger capacitive sensors with smaller infrared light emitters and sensors, which sit alongside the RGB LED display substrate or on a microchip mounted to the substrate. These "interactive pixel" formations can then be calibrated to perform any number of functions, including ambient light sensing, proximity detection, and notably complex touch detection, which works by bouncing infrared light off a user's finger and back to the sensing diodes.

In the latter operation, specific rows - or a whole portion of the display - scan for a user's finger, which generates a proximate positioning bitmap to inform the system of the target's location and immediate surround. Bitmaps can include data like the intensity of incoming light, enabling a deeper analysis of the object and its surface curvature - dark and bright spots corresponding to the ridges and grooves of a fingerprint, for example.

The patent describes a couple of embodiments for the technology, including a microLED display with a higher density of interactive pixels in certain areas of the screen, such as where a virtual home button may be located. Alternatively, said pixels may ramify throughout the display in sufficient number as to make fingerprint identification on any portion of the screen a possibility.

Apple has explored other systems for enhancing display fingerprint recognition in the past. As with all patents though, the standard qualification applies: Apple may deem the LuxVue invention surplus to its upcoming product requirements. However, on its own, the system goes to show that reliable fingerprint identification does not necessarily rest on Touch ID alone. With rumors suggesting Apple may incorporate iris scanning into the iPhone 8, the security implications of dropping Touch ID's focused capacitive drive ring altogether may not be so great after all.

Article Link: Apple Exploring Fingerprint Sensing MicroLED Displays Sans Touch ID

 

[Bane-Thunder]

So basically don't expect home button removed and fingerprint scanner imbedded in screen for the next iPhone.

And I wonder will Apple be brave enough to just do the iPhone 7S this year with no design changes as per usual cycle. Or will they skip the S model this year and drop the iPhone 8. Having the same design for a 4th iPhone in a row will hit sales hard.

 

[Sirious]

If Apple does so something like this in the next iPhone, does that mean it's the end of screen protectors?

 

[orbital~debris]

Sounds like it could be used in Watch, too.

Added security, beyond passcode lock & wrist detection.

It could also help make that device more independent from iPhone (i.e. this Touch ID variant could be set up independently, to allow payments for Apple Pay, without having to inherit details from an iOS device).

 

[gigapocket1]

If Apple does so something like this in the next iPhone, does that mean it's the end of screen protectors?

It shouldn't.. it should be able to see light thru an extra sheet of glass.

 

[RightMACatU]

Can't seem to put my finger on this... but I like it

 

[Nozuka]

Sounds like it could be used in Watch, too.

i agree. likely even before the iphone. this way they can test it in a smaller scale and a smaller display should be easier to produce too.

 

[monty77]

So basically don't expect home button removed and fingerprint scanner imbedded in screen for the next iPhone.

And I wonder will Apple be brave enough to just do the iPhone 7S this year with no design changes as per usual cycle. Or will they skip the S model this year and drop the iPhone 8. Having the same design for a 4th iPhone in a row will hit sales hard.

Has nothing to do with bravery, but market conditions, and they'll still sell by the million as history has taught us this.

There is no premium hardware/software/ecosystem that offers real competition to the iPhone, until that happens we're stuck with iterative updates. Something from MS is the only option really (Google aren't interested in quality over quantity and nobody else has deep enough pockets). After burning fingers in the mobile hardware arena before I cannot see them throwing the billions required to become a genuine contender at such a project. It's a shame, because most of the pieces are there app ecosystem aside.

 

[JackZah]

LuxVue, a little-known company acquired by Apple in 2014 that developed low-power microLED-based displays.

Would be interesting if Apple surprises with a mLED display, skipping the OLED generation. Foxconn's purchase of Sharp Display would indicate that Apple has a special display need. Very exciting on multiple fronts for Apple innovation in display technology and may be why they removed what would quickly become a legacy product from their product list, the thunderbolt display...

 

[dampfnudel]

Has nothing to do with bravery, but market conditions, and they'll still sell by the million as history has taught us this.

There is no premium hardware/software/ecosystem that offers real competition to the iPhone, until that happens we're stuck with iterative updates. Something from MS is the only option really (Google aren't interested in quality over quantity and nobody else has deep enough pockets). After burning fingers in the mobile hardware arena before I cannot see them throwing the billions required to become a genuine contender at such a project. It's a shame, because most of the pieces are there app ecosystem aside.

Based on 6s sales in 2016, I think Apple would prefer not having a repeat with another 's' model downturn, especially with a three-year-old design, not a one-year-old design this time. I think this time in addition to the "cheaper alternative" 7s, a third model to upsell customers will be available.

 

[Appleaker]

I was hoping for a microLED rumor. I'm looking forward to seeing these in IOS devices and Macs but unfortunately Apple is likely putting them in the Apple Watch first.

 

[truthertech]

Has nothing to do with bravery, but market conditions, and they'll still sell by the million as history has taught us this.

There is no premium hardware/software/ecosystem that offers real competition to the iPhone, until that happens we're stuck with iterative updates. Something from MS is the only option really (Google aren't interested in quality over quantity and nobody else has deep enough pockets). After burning fingers in the mobile hardware arena before I cannot see them throwing the billions required to become a genuine contender at such a project. It's a shame, because most of the pieces are there app ecosystem aside.

Well, let's see what the last "iterative" update brought:

• New duo lens camera system
• New low light camera lens
• New HDR color screen
• New stereo speaker system
• Waterproofing
• New faster, more powerful chip
• New iOS
• Larger battery with Increased battery life
• Double base memory
• Double max memory
• New upgraded Front facing camera
• New Home button
• New lightning headphone plug
• New color choices

That's what I recall. Such improvement that it is selling at record numbers. If Apple could do that level of improvement every year, it would be amazing.

Looks like they will be continuing it with a bunch more iterative updates with the next iPhone, e.g., maybe new scanner, improved screen, better battery, more powerful chip, faster charging. Sounds familiar doesn't it. Indeed, that's all Apple has ever done with the iPhone, i.e., put out "iterative" updates. That's why they've sold over a billion of these devices.

I always ask the same serious question that goes unanswered: "What would a non-iterative update look like?" Circular versus rectangular? Produce holograms? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Avieshek]

Coming to Apple Watch first, iPhone in 2021 and MacBook on the year 2022.

 

[44267547]

I was hoping for a microLED rumor. I'm looking forward to seeing these in IOS devices and Macs but unfortunately Apple is likely putting them in the Apple Watch first.

Micro LED seems more logical for the Apple Watch (As rumored previously) because a smaller screen seems more of an appropriate fit. Plus, when you factor how new this technology is and the costs of the materials, the Apple Watch would be the first to see the expansion beyond the current OLED screen.

If all goes accordingly, perhaps the iPhone could see Micro-LED eventually. But I'm guessing that's at least four-five years out for the iPhone.

 

[dampfnudel]

Well, let's see what the last "iterative" update brought:

• New duo lens camera system
• New low light camera lens
• New HDR color screen
• New stereo speaker system
• Waterproofing
• New faster, more powerful chip
• New iOS
• Larger battery with Increased battery life
• Double base memory
• Double max memory
• New upgraded Front facing camera
• New Home button
• New lightning headphone plug
• New color choices

That's what I recall. Such improvement that it is selling at record numbers. If Apple could do that level of improvement every year, it would be amazing.

Looks like they will be continuing it with a bunch more iterative updates with the next iPhone, e.g., maybe new scanner, improved screen, better battery, more powerful chip, faster charging. Sounds familiar doesn't it. Indeed, that's all Apple has ever done with the iPhone, i.e., put out "iterative" updates. That's why they've sold over a billion of these devices.

I always ask the same serious question that goes unanswered: "What would a non-iterative update look like?" Circular versus rectangular? Produce holograms? Inquiring minds want to know.

Maybe a new design that could be upselled by Tim as a third option?

 

[joy.757]

This might be nice. I personally prefer the way Android does it, with a virtual home button. I just prefer to tap, rather than physically pressing a button.

 

[monty77]

Well, let's see what the last "iterative" update brought:

• New duo lens camera system
• New low light camera lens
• New HDR color screen
• New stereo speaker system
• Waterproofing
• New faster, more powerful chip
• New iOS
• Larger battery with Increased battery life
• Double base memory
• Double max memory
• New upgraded Front facing camera
• New Home button
• New lightning headphone plug
• New color choices

That's what I recall. Such improvement that it is selling at record numbers. If Apple could do that level of improvement every year, it would be amazing.

Looks like they will be continuing it with a bunch more iterative updates with the next iPhone, e.g., maybe new scanner, improved screen, better battery, more powerful chip, faster charging. Sounds familiar doesn't it. Indeed, that's all Apple has ever done with the iPhone, i.e., put out "iterative" updates. That's why they've sold over a billion of these devices.

I always ask the same serious question that goes unanswered: "What would a non-iterative update look like?" Circular versus rectangular? Produce holograms? Inquiring minds want to know.

Let's be honest, there's a lot of fluff in that list, not to mention items that make Apple more money (more expensive memory options, killing the headphone cable to sell more BT options)

A real upgrade would look like:

- Tangibly better battery life
- Edge to edge screen, lose the bezels where possible, shring the overall device (the 6+ is a little ridiculous for the screen size)
- New screen tech (OLED) is long overdue
- More robust case materials

No need for holograms, I would rather my watch did that ;-)

 

[truthertech]

Let's be honest, there's a lot of fluff in that list, not to mention items that make Apple more money (more expensive memory options, killing the headphone cable to sell more BT options)

A real upgrade would look like:

- Tangibly better battery life
- Edge to edge screen, lose the bezels where possible, shring the overall device (the 6+ is a little ridiculous for the screen size)
- New screen tech (OLED) is long overdue
- More robust case materials

No need for holograms, I would rather my watch did that ;-)

You lost the forum as soon as we got to the list of iPhone 7 improvements "was a lot of fluff."

 

[monty77]

You lost the forum as soon as we got to the list of iPhone 7 improvements "was a lot of fluff."

I wasn't attempting to get the forum onside, just my opinion.

I'll go through them:

• New duo lens camera system - Seems cool, I'll give them that one and appears to be executed well
• New low light camera lens - All cell phone cameras suck in low light, it's still poor
• New HDR color screen - Can't see the difference myself, nor mention of this, is this + only?
• New stereo speaker system - Moot in a cell phone, not going to get much in the way of channel seperation
• Waterproofing - Useful, although behind other manufacturers
• New faster, more powerful chip - Iterative, happens every generation
• New iOS - SW, not HW
• Larger battery with Increased battery life - Nothing tangible in the real world
• Double base memory - About time
• Double max memory - At optional cost
• New upgraded Front facing camera - Again, playing catch up
• New Home button - Goes along with waterproofing surely as it doesn't serve any other function?
• New lightning headphone plug - Helps them sell BT headphones, no benefit to most people surely? As a headphone connector lightning is pretty unfit for purpose (bulk/complexity/standardisation)
• New color choices - Wonderful

...I'm a huge iPhone fan, but that's not a great list once you remove the 'fluff' really is it?

 

[truthertech]

I wasn't attempting to get the forum onside, just my opinion.

I'll go through them:

• New duo lens camera system - Seems cool, I'll give them that one and appears to be executed well
• New low light camera lens - All cell phone cameras suck in low light, it's still poor
• New HDR color screen - Can't see the difference myself, nor mention of this, is this + only?
• New stereo speaker system - Moot in a cell phone, not going to get much in the way of channel seperation
• Waterproofing - Useful, although behind other manufacturers
• New faster, more powerful chip - Iterative, happens every generation
• New iOS - SW, not HW
• Larger battery with Increased battery life - Nothing tangible in the real world
• Double base memory - About time
• Double max memory - At optional cost
• New upgraded Front facing camera - Again, playing catch up
• New Home button - Goes along with waterproofing surely as it doesn't serve any other function?
• New lightning headphone plug - Helps them sell BT headphones, no benefit to most people surely? As a headphone connector lightning is pretty unfit for purpose (bulk/complexity/standardisation)
• New color choices - Wonderful

...I'm a huge iPhone fan, but that's not a great list once you remove the 'fluff' really is it?

Nope, you're still struggling here, when you describe this as "fluff." You sound intelligent and not a troller, so I am guessing some sort of flu or other illness is throwing you off your game. Have some chicken soup, take a good decongestant with plenty of fluids and get back to us in a few days. Good healing to you.