As it stands, fingerprint sensors on smartphones usually exists on the exterior of the phone, like we’ve seen in the iPhone and several other Android devices. It works and there really isn’t much issue about its placement, but could it be improved upon? As it turns out the answer is yes, thanks to a company called Sonavation.
The company has recently announced that they have hit a major milestone in their research in which they have placed a fingerprint sensor underneath a glass display, using ultrasound to scan for fingerprints to unlock the phone and for other security purposes. The announcement also notes that this was done by bonding it with Corning’s Gorilla Glass displays.
According to Sonavation, “This dramatic advancement in authentication technology will allow manufacturers to seamlessly integrate a 3D ultrasound biometric sensor into a smartphone or IoT device making it capable of capturing fingerprint data into the ridges and valleys.” The company also states that because of this, issues such as dirt or moisture will no longer be an issue with reading of the prints.
If this sounds familiar, it is because earlier this year Qualcomm announced Sense ID. Just like Sonavation’s solution, Sense ID will exist under the display of your smartphone so that it won’t be protruding. It will also rely on ultrasound to scan for prints, so in reality it really is just a race to see who will be able to convince more OEMs to use their technology.