Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Electronic device comprising sensor module for sensing pressure and transmitting and receiving ultrasound signal by using piezoelectric element
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Application No.: US17056461Application Date: 2019-06-04
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Publication No.: US11341765B2Publication Date: 2022-05-24
- Inventor: Bongjae Rhee , Chihyun Cho
- Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Applicant Address: KR Gyeonggi-do
- Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Current Assignee Address: KR Gyeonggi-do
- Agency: Cha & Reiter, LLC
- Priority: KR10-2018-0071634 20180621
- International Application: PCT/KR2019/006727 WO 20190604
- International Announcement: WO2019/245196 WO 20191226
- Main IPC: G06V40/13
- IPC: G06V40/13 ; G01L1/16 ; G06V10/147

Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device having a sensor module performing a plurality of functions, the electronic device comprising: the sensor module comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, a first signal terminal connected to the plurality of first electrodes, a second signal terminal, and a plurality of switches capable of selectively connecting at least some electrodes of the plurality of second electrodes to the second signal terminal; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to: in a state where the second signal terminal is connected to the at least some electrodes by means of the plurality of switches, detect a pressure inputted into the sensor module by means of the first signal terminal, by using at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements; on the basis of the pressure, in a state where the second signal terminal is connected to the at least some electrodes by means of the plurality of switches, output an ultrasound signal by using at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements by means of the first signal terminal; in a state where the second signal terminal is disconnected from the at least some electrodes by means of the plurality of switches, receive the ultrasound signal reflected to an external object, by using at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and generate biometric information on the external object, at least on the basis of the received ultrasound signal. Thus, when waiting for a user's fingerprint touch, the sensor module operates as a pressure sensor, and when a predetermined pressure due to the user's fingerprint touch is detected, the sensor module can operate as a fingerprint sensor. Various other embodiments are possible.
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