Xiaomi Mobile Software has acquired a utility model patent for an improved version of the side-mounted fingerprint sensor that will cover the frame and angular areas of the phone (via IT Home).
Side-mounted fingerprint scanners are typically limited to the power button of devices, which are usually quite tiny. Compared to rear-mounted fingerprints, the surface is area is significantly smaller, meaning accuracy may be reduced and chances of misreads are higher.
The patented fingerprint tech looks to be aiming at addressing this shortcoming by extending the sensor’s width, thereby improving efficiency. A smaller surface area also meant the sensor only captured a small portion of the finger during authentication, increasing the chances of false positives. This too should get better once the patent turns into reality.
The need for such a solution has become greater as phones turn slimmer each year, leaving less and less space on the edge. One can argue that OEMs could simply switch to the under-display fingerprints instead, but the tech is generally much more expensive and is thus not a viable enough option for cheaper offerings.
Or the trusty rear fingerprint scanner could simply be resurrected. But that unfortunately doesn’t seem to be an option anymore as smartphone OEMs have silently declared it out of date.
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