Apple applies for patent for ultrasonic under-screen fingerprint recognition, which is accurate enough to replace Touch ID

[[201617]]

According to AppleInsider on August 29 Beijing time, on Tuesday local time, the US Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent for acoustic fingerprint imaging technology, which is accurate enough to replace the current Touch ID optical fingerprint sensor, boosting the credibility of rumors that the iPhone's physical Home button is "running out".

US Patent No. 9,747,488, called "Active Sensing Element of Acoustic Wave Imaging System," describes a method for collecting biometric data - specifically fingerprints - through ultrasonic transmission and detection technology.

Apple's patent diagram for under-screen fingerprint imaging technology

Once processed, the collected fingerprint image can be used to authenticate the user, much like Touch ID. Unlike Apple's current fingerprint scanning hardware, acoustic imaging technology does not require optical contact with the object being evaluated, meaning that ultrasonic sensors can be placed under operating components, such as a display.

Apple said in the patent application that traditional acoustic imaging systems have many limitations. For example, driving piezoelectric components requires higher power. Apple estimates that the driving voltage of piezoelectric components is between 0-100 volts, and the sensing system voltage requirement is between 0-3.3 volts.

It is unclear whether Apple intends to use this acoustic imaging technology in its products. Earlier this year, there were rumors that Apple was considering using an under-screen fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 8. The under-screen fingerprint sensor will replace the iPhone's iconic Home button and make more room for the full screen. Recently, insiders said that Apple has canceled plans to integrate Touch ID in the next generation of iPhones.

Apple applied for this acoustic imaging patent technology in August 2015.