# US 2020/0050815 A1 · Touch-fingerprint complex sensor and electronic apparatus including the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0050815 A1 - Document ID: US20200050815A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/398,543 - Filed: 2019-04-30 - Published: 2020-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-10 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Seogwoo HONG; Jinmyoung KIM - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200050815A1 ## CPC - G06V 40/1306: {non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing} - G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display} - G06F 3/0416: {Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers} - G06F 3/044: by capacitive means - G06F 3/0443: {using a single layer of sensing electrodes} - G06F 3/0446: {using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes} - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A touch-fingerprint complex sensor is provided for detecting a touch and a fingerprint of a user, using a touch pad including a touch region and a fingerprint recognizing region. The touch-fingerprint complex sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes disposed on a substrate, and arranged in parallel in a first direction, a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the substrate, and arranged in parallel in a second direction crossing the first direction, and an insulating layer disposed between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. A cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than that at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the fingerprint recognizing region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A touch-fingerprint complex sensor for detecting a touch and a fingerprint of a user, using a touch pad including a touch region in which the touch is detected and a fingerprint recognizing region in which the fingerprint is detected, the touch-fingerprint complex sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes provided on a substrate, and arranged in parallel in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes provided on the substrate, and arranged in parallel in a second direction crossing the first direction; and an insulating layer provided between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, wherein a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at non-intersections around the intersections in the touch region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at non-intersections around the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is substantially same as a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein a mutual capacitance at the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is less than a mutual capacitance at the intersections in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, further comprising a step adjusting layer provided separately from the substrate or provided as a part of the substrate, wherein the cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than the cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the fingerprint recognizing region, based on a shape and a dimension of the step adjusting layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 5, wherein the step adjusting layer comprises a plurality of via holes, and wherein the plurality of via holes is provided at locations corresponding to the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of via holes has a diameter or a width less than or equal to 100 μm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 6, wherein the step adjusting layer is provided separately from the substrate, and disposed on the substrate, wherein the plurality of first electrodes is provided on the substrate and the step adjusting layer, wherein the insulating layer covers the step adjusting layer and the plurality of first electrodes, and wherein the plurality of second electrodes is provided on the insulating layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 5, wherein the step adjusting layer comprises a plurality of island pattern layers, and wherein the plurality of island pattern layers is provided at locations corresponding to the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and first parts of the plurality of second electrodes are provided on a first level, and wherein second parts of the plurality of second electrodes are provided on a second level different from the first level. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and first parts of the plurality of second electrodes are provided on the substrate, wherein the insulating layer is provided on the substrate, the plurality of first electrodes, and the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes, and comprises a plurality of openings respectively exposing portions of the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the step adjusting layer is provided on a portion of the insulating layer in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region, wherein second parts of the plurality of second electrodes are provided on the insulating layer and the step adjusting layer, and wherein each of the second parts of the plurality of second electrodes extends in the second direction and has a bridge structure of connecting the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes by being respectively connected to the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes through the plurality of openings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of openings is provided for each of the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 11, wherein two of the plurality of openings are provided for each of the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes, and wherein a center portion of a respective one of the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes is provided between each two of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein the insulating layer comprises an organic material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes comprises a plurality of rhombus shape pattern portions and a connecting portion provided between the plurality of rhombus shape pattern portions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes comprises a plurality of rhombus shape pattern portions and a connecting portion provided between the plurality of rhombus shape pattern portions, and another one of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes comprises a plurality of electrode lines, or each of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes comprises the plurality of electrode lines. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first electrodes comprises a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of first sub-electrodes provided between the plurality of first touch electrodes, wherein the plurality of second electrodes comprises a plurality of second touch electrodes and a plurality of second sub-electrodes provided between the plurality of second touch electrodes, and wherein each of the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes is regularly arranged. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 17, wherein at least two of the plurality of first touch electrodes are electrically-grouped as a first unit group, and wherein at least two of the plurality of second touch electrodes are electrically-grouped as a second unit group. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein the touch pad has a two-electrode structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are provided on one surface of the substrate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) An electronic apparatus comprising the touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 1. ### Claim 22 A touch-fingerprint complex sensor for detecting a touch and a fingerprint of a user, using a touch pad including a touch region in which the touch is detected and a fingerprint recognizing region in which the fingerprint is detected, the touch-fingerprint complex sensor comprising: a plurality of first electrodes provided on a substrate, and arranged in parallel in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes provided on the substrate, and arranged in parallel in a second direction crossing the first direction; an insulating layer provided between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes; and a step adjusting layer provided adjacent to the insulating layer, wherein a mutual capacitance at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the fingerprint recognizing region and a mutual capacitance at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region are different based on the step adjusting layer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22, wherein the mutual capacitance at the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is less than the mutual capacitance at the intersections in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22, wherein a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22, wherein a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at non-intersections around the intersections in the touch region. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22, wherein a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at non-intersections around the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is substantially same as a height difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at the intersections in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22, wherein the step adjusting layer comprises a plurality of via holes, and wherein the plurality of via holes is provided at locations corresponding to the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22, wherein the step adjusting layer comprises a plurality of island pattern layers, and wherein the plurality of island pattern layers is provided at locations corresponding to the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 28, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and first parts of the plurality of second electrodes are provided on a first level, and wherein second parts of the plurality of second electrodes are provided on a second level different from the first level. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) An electronic apparatus comprising the touch-fingerprint complex sensor of claim 22. ### Claim 31 A method of manufacturing a touch-fingerprint complex sensor for detecting a touch and a fingerprint of a user, using a touch pad including a touch region in which the touch is detected and a fingerprint recognizing region in which the fingerprint is detected, the method comprising: forming a step adjusting layer on a substrate; forming a plurality of via holes through the step adjusting layer; forming a plurality of first electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction, wherein the plurality of first electrodes in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is formed in the plurality of via holes and on the substrate, and the plurality of first electrodes in the fingerprint recognizing region is formed on the step adjusting layer; forming an insulating layer on the plurality of first electrodes, the step adjusting layer and the substrate; and forming, on the substrate, a plurality of second electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of via holes is formed at locations corresponding to the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 33 A method of manufacturing a touch-fingerprint complex sensor for detecting a touch and a fingerprint of a user, using a touch pad including a touch region in which the touch is detected and a fingerprint recognizing region in which the fingerprint is detected, the method comprising: forming, on a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction; forming, on the substrate, first parts of a plurality of second electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction crossing the first direction; forming an insulating layer on the plurality of first electrodes and the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes; forming, through the insulating layer, a plurality of openings respectively exposing portions of the first parts of the plurality of second electrodes; forming a step adjusting layer on a portion of the insulating layer in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region; and forming second parts of the plurality of second electrodes on the step adjusting layer and the insulating layer and through the plurality of openings to the first parts of the plurality of first electrodes, wherein a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region is greater than a cross-sectional distance between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes at intersections of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes in the fingerprint recognizing region. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein the step adjusting layer comprises a plurality of island pattern layers, and wherein the plurality of island pattern layers is formed at locations corresponding to the intersections in the touch region excluding the fingerprint recognizing region.