Japan Display unveils flexible fingerprint sensor

 

Japan Display Inc. (JDI) has developed a capacitive-type flexible fingerprint sensor by integrating its capacitive-type glass-based fingerprint sensor technology and flexible display technology. JDI has been developing large-sized sensors and transparent sensors that enhance product design by taking further advantage of the features of glass-based fingerprint sensors currently being mass-produced. A very thin plastic, only several tens of microns thick, is used for the substrate on which the fingerprint sensor is formed, resulting in a flexible fingerprint sensor that is thin, lightweight, and that does not crack when bent.

In order to perform highly-reliable personal authentication with a smart card, it is necessary to mount a large-sized fingerprint sensor capable of detecting the entire fingerprint. However, a silicon fingerprint sensor is limited in sensor size in order to avoid cracking when bent. On the other hand, JDI's flexible fingerprint sensor can achieve a large area, which cannot be realised with a silicon fingerprint sensor, making it easier to enhance security.

Smart door locks and personally-authenticated IoT (Internet of Things) devices can be more easily designed with form-curved shapes by taking advantage of the flexibility of JDI's flexible fingerprint sensor, and can be made into products that have unique design features. Using a plastic substrate also prevents cracking of the substrate when dropped, making the flexible fingerprint sensor suitable for portable equipment.

Caption: A smart card with flexible fingerprint sensor (photo: Japan Display)