# US 12,217,396 B2 · Method and apparatus for restoring image of fingerprint sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,217,396 B2 - Document ID: US12217396B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/812,455 - Filed: 2022-07-14 - Published: 2023-03-30 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-28 - Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Display Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Kyoung Hun Been; Mi Young Kim; Jin Woo Kim; Byeong Kyu Jeon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12217396B2 ## CPC - G06T 5/50: using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction - G06V 40/1306: {non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing} - G06V 40/1394: {using acquisition arrangements} - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract A method for restoring an image of a fingerprint sensor is described. The method includes capturing, by the fingerprint sensor, a fake fingerprint image from a fake fingerprint; calculating a phase of the fake fingerprint from the fake fingerprint image; capturing a plurality of target fingerprint images at measurement times by a fingerprint sensor disposed on a rear side of a display panel; applying the calculated phase to each of the acquired target fingerprint images; and combining information from each of the plurality of target fingerprint images to generate a final fingerprint image. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for restoring an image of a fingerprint sensor, the method comprising: capturing, by the fingerprint sensor, a fake fingerprint image from a fake fingerprint; calculating a phase of the fake fingerprint from the fake fingerprint image; capturing a plurality of target fingerprint images at measurement times by a fingerprint sensor disposed on a rear side of a display panel; applying the calculated phase to each of the plurality of acquired target fingerprint images; and combining information from each of the plurality of target fingerprint images to generate a final fingerprint image. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein in the capturing of the plurality of target fingerprint images, a polarization layer is further included on the display panel, and a first coupling member between the polarization layer and the display panel is further included. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein in the capturing of the plurality of target fingerprint images, a cover window is further included on the polarization layer; and a second coupling member between the cover window and the polarization layer is further included. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein in the capturing of the plurality of target fingerprint images, a protective layer between the display panel and the fingerprint sensor is further included, and a third coupling member between the polarization layer and the display panel is further included. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein in the capturing of the plurality of target fingerprint images, a metal plate between the protective layer and the fingerprint sensor is further included, and a fourth coupling member between the metal plate and the protective layer is further included. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor compares an transmitted ultrasonic wave incident upward from the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor with a fingerprint ultrasonic wave reflected from a fingerprint to recognize the fingerprint. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the calculated phase to each of the plurality of acquired target fingerprint images corrects a phase of each of the plurality of target fingerprint images. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the applying the calculated phase to each of the plurality of acquired target fingerprint images comprises: synthesizing magnitudes of the target fingerprint images. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the combining information from each of the plurality of target fingerprint images comprises: obtaining an average of the target fingerprint images. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the applying the calculated phase to each of the plurality of target fingerprint images comprises: complementing magnitudes of the target fingerprint images. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement times are spaced at a regular interval. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement times are spaced at an irregular interval. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for restoring an image of a fingerprint sensor, comprising: an image acquiring unit configured to capture a fake fingerprint image from a fake fingerprint; a phase calculating unit configured to calculate a phase of the fake fingerprint from the fake fingerprint image; a target fingerprint image acquiring unit configured to capture target fingerprint images at measurement times by a fingerprint sensor disposed on a rear side of a display panel; and a phase applying unit configured to apply the calculated phase to each of the acquired target fingerprint images. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a final fingerprint image generator, configured to generate a final fingerprint image from the target fingerprint images after the calculated phase is applied to each of the acquired target fingerprint images. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the final fingerprint image generator synthesizes the target fingerprint images. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the final fingerprint image generator obtains an average of magnitudes of the target fingerprint images. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the final fingerprint image generator complements magnitudes of the target fingerprint images. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the measurement times of the capturing of the target fingerprint images are spaced at a regular interval by the target fingerprint image acquiring unit.