Motorola’s new patent appears to be rollable with multiple fingerprint sensors

Motorola presented its rollable concept device in 2023 and we’ve seen more developments in this area in recent months, with larger manufacturers getting involved. A new patent from Motorola suggests new details about the company’s rollable Rizr concept. The Lenovo brand seems to be planning to integrate multiple fingerprint sensors throughout the display of the rollable smartphone. This allows users to unlock the device by touching part of the screen.

Rollable phone with full-screen fingerprint detection could be in the works

Motorola has applied for one patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a phone with a rollable display and full-screen fingerprint detection. The patent titled “Managing consistent fingerprint-on-display (FOD) location on a rollable device with multiple fod sensors” shows a device similar to Motorola’s rollable Rizr smartphone design. The US patent published on November 5 is listed with the patent number “12135587B1”.

Motorola’s design integrates multiple fingerprint sensors across the entire screen. This allows the device to be unlocked from any part of the screen. Currently, fingerprint sensors are limited to specific areas on a smartphone. According to the diagrams shared by the publication, at least the finger area is available in both a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. “When retracted, both fingerprint scanners are aligned with FOD areas for use while facing the front or rear of the flexible screen. While extended, the front fingerprint scanner is aligned with the second FOD area while facing the flexible screen to look”.

Motorola demonstrated its rollable Rizr concept at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023. It has a 5-inch display that expands to 6.5 inches at the touch of a button. The part of the screen that isn’t used when rolled up wraps around the bottom and slides up over the back panel at the back.

In addition to Motorola, brands such as Vivo, Transsion Holdings, TCL and Samsung are working on rollable phones.