Synaptics unveils new fingerprint sensor and anti-spoof technology

Synaptics Incorporated announced today that it has introduced an ultra-slim area-touch biometric fingerprint sensor designed to fit within small spaces, including the edge of smartphones or tablets.

The firm claims that the new version of its Natural ID FS4304 sensor is only 3.5mm wide and can be integrated into side-mounted buttons, such as volume rockers, ultimately eliminating the footprint and cost required of creating an additional cutout in the frame or glass. The new design also enhances the user experience by utilizing a natural finger resting location.

“Synaptics’ FS4300 is market-proven with over 50 million units shipped into mass production, and with this new ultra-slim format OEMs can differentiate by designing fingerprint into a variety of small spaces,” said Ritu Favre, senior vice president and general manager, Biometrics Product Division, Synaptics. “The rapid growth of secure fingerprint authentication across multiple markets, including China and mid- to lower-end smartphone models, is driving our leading portfolio of solutions.”

Synaptics also announced the addition of advanced anti-spoofing to its SentryPoint security suite. Synaptics SentryPoint technology provides a suite of advanced security features that help assure that PC users’ personal, biometric information remains safe. SentryPoint enables highly secure personal authentication for transactions which are commonly executed through intelligent devices such as smartphones and personal computers, and that are critical to banks; mobile and online payment services; and the prevention of consumer identity theft. Synaptics’ anti-spoof algorithms can differentiate contrived fingerprints and actual fingers.

A spoof is the presentation of a counterfeit biometric, and the quality of fingerprint spoofs can vary greatly while new techniques are being introduced regularly. Synaptics’ anti-spoof solution protects against these presentation attacks by focusing on liveness detection – examining fingerprint images and identifying features that determine liveness.

“Synaptics is acutely addressing the rapid growth in fingerprint sensor adoption and the rise in mobile payment platforms, by delivering SentryPoint to allay security concerns of identity theft,” said Anthony Gioeli, vice president of marketing, Biometrics Product Division, Synaptics. “The SentryPoint security suite is unmatched and provides assurances to both service providers and end users that only those authorized are executing transactions. Even if the host system is compromised by malware or other attacks, SentryPoint provides an added layer of protection for the user’s biometric data.”

In addition to new anti-spoof measures, the SentryPoint security suite delivers the industry’s only enrollment and match capacity that is embedded into the sensor itself. The system is fully isolated from the host processor, and includes other features, including: a cryptographic engine on the chip; a unique key generation module; TLS1.2 encrypted secure communications to the host; and a FIDO UAF authenticator.

The company will be demonstrating its products at the upcoming Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.

Article Topics

biometric liveness detection  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint authentication  |  fingerprint technology  |  Natural ID  |  spoof detection  |  Synaptics  |  touch sensor