Apple has recently secured a patent for ultrasonic pressure and touch sensors, which could pave the way for thinner and more advanced 3D Touch-enabled devices. This technology may also be the key to why Apple did not integrate in-display fingerprint recognition into the iPhone X. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent No. 9,772,721 to Apple, detailing a method of detecting input pressure through the transmission and detection of ultrasonic pulses. The system works by measuring how these pulses interact with a user's fingers or other objects.
The design allows for ultrasonic components to be arranged in rows or scattered in various configurations, enabling them to emit and receive sound waves. These pulses are first sent to areas on the screen where a user’s finger might make contact. As the waves pass through the sensing surface or input area, they reflect off the part of the finger or object in contact with the device. By analyzing the reflected signals, the system can determine the distance between the object and the sensor, which helps calculate the pressure applied.
Additionally, the system can use signal attenuation — the amount of pulse energy absorbed by the contacting object — to measure pressure intensity. For instance, when a finger presses harder, the surface becomes more compressed, absorbing more of the pulses. This data enhances the accuracy of pressure calculations. According to Apple's patent, this pressure-sensing array can work alongside other technologies, such as capacitive touch sensors, which can act as reflective surfaces.
Beyond detecting touch location, the capacitive layer can also capture multiple pressure-related parameters simultaneously. Importantly, the pressure-sensing technology can be placed either beneath or directly on the screen. If positioned on top, it can be made transparent or designed in a way that doesn’t interfere with the user’s view. This is different from Apple’s current approach, where 3D Touch sensors are stacked under the display, leading to a more complex internal layout.
The existing 3D Touch system relies on detecting subtle capacitance changes between the iPhone’s glass panel and a metal sensor embedded in the backlight. When the screen is pressed, the distance between the glass and the sensor decreases, causing a drop in capacitance. While this provides high accuracy, the design is complicated and takes up significant internal space. Another issue is that the iPhone X lacks an in-screen fingerprint sensor.
There were rumors suggesting Apple might have considered using a fingerprint reader for facial recognition, but it seems the company fully shifted its focus to Face ID. Some analysts believe the decision was due to technical challenges with 3D Touch, while insiders claim Apple had already committed to Face ID over a year ago. Whether Apple initially planned to integrate 3D Touch into the iPhone X or was redesigning the solution remains unclear.
In May, reports indicated that Apple used a thin film process to replace the traditional metal backlight sensor, significantly reducing the size of the sensor stack. Once the iPhone X was released, teardown analyses would reveal more details. However, today’s patent suggests a potential solution for under-the-screen fingerprint recognition, offering greater precision and durability compared to previous methods.
Whether Apple will fully adopt this technology and continue relying solely on Face ID remains to be seen. But with this new patent, Apple is clearly exploring new frontiers in touch and biometric technology.
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