IDEX gets fingerprint sensor patent license with Apple and AuthenTec

In 2007, IDEX was granted a license to certain key patents owned by UPEK Inc and they were later assigned to AuthenTec, acquired by Apple last year. Now, Apple and AuthenTec have verified IDEX’s licensing agreement through a notice of so-called “recordal” of the license to key patents in the field of fingerprint sensing, putting IDEX in an influential position.

The license agreement has now been recorded by the United States Patent and Trademark Office sanctioning that IDEA maintains its licensed rights to important early patents for fingerprint sensors.

According to the company, this puts it in an advantageous position to exploit the mass market potential of this technology for secure ID.

IDEX recently entered into an agreement with an unnamed Chinese technology company regarding a biometric ID program involving the company’s SmartFinger sensor. The contract is expected to be worth nearly US$6.3 million between 2013 and 2014.

Reported previously, the company recently announced the appointment of Hemant Mardia as the company’s new chief executive.

Fingerprint sensors are already making their way into many consumer devices though its anticipated this trend will continue. For example, the Biometric Research Group, Inc, expects that biometrics will become integrated within a wide number of mobile devices in the near future. Specifically, the group expects this integration will be driven by smartphone and tablet manufacturers.

Article Topics

fingerprint  |  fingerprint sensors  |  IDEX  |  patents