QUALCOMM Incorporated
Fingerprint sensor configured for avoidance of latent fingerprints

Abstract:

A method may include prompting a user to place their finger within a given sub-region of a fingerprint sensing surface and then obtaining the user's fingerprint. The given sub-region may be selected based on a determined or estimated probability that the given sub-region contains a latent fingerprint. As examples, the given sub-region may be determined randomly, pseudo-randomly, or based on information in a log of historical touch and/or fingerprint locations. The method may further involve tracking which sub-regions of the fingerprint sensing surface may potentially have latent fingerprints. The method may involve prompting the user to wipe one or more sub-regions of the fingerprint sensing surface when more than a predetermined fraction of the fingerprint-sensing surface has been used to obtain fingerprint images.