“Qualcomm has demonstrated a working under-display fingerprint reader, lending confidence to the idea that Apple will have its own version ready for the iPhone 8,” Ben Lovejoy writes for 9to5Mac. “So far, the idea of embedding a fingerprint reader into the display of a device has been the stuff of patents and promises. The sensor demonstrated by Qualcomm works under 800 micrometers of glass… It can also work through metal.”
“CNET notes that the sensor can do more than read a fingerprint,” Lovejoy writes. “Since the new fingerprint sensors will use ultrasonic scanning, they’ll also be able to pick up a person’s heartbeat and blood flow as an extra measure of security… Qualcomm’s timings suggest that the technology will appear in the first Android phones from early next year, meaning Apple could be first to market if the iPhone 8 does indeed have the rumored embedded fingerprint reader. The sensor uses ultrasonic imaging, which Apple has previously described as ‘the most accurate finger-scanning technology.’ Apple has at least two patents on its approach to this.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple will lead here, as usual.
SEE ALSO:
Apple has been in talks with BOE which patented displays with integrated fingerprint recognition – May 25, 2017
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
So maybe Apple could “frand” Qualcomm for the patents it has in this field??
And of course Qualcomm’s special FRAND means taxing the device and all it’s components as well as how many times the user takes a dump, breathes or consumes food while using devices. Then a royalty on how much gas is used in a year transporting said devices. Royalties on the clothing and purses where these devices are stowed. Etc., etc., etc..
I think that’s a fair dinkum deal.
Do we have any indication that QC submitted them for inclusion into a standard? FRAND is not automatic and given.
To the best of my knowledge there is no industry “standard” for fingerprint reader techology or, at least, fingerprint readers located under glass. Without a standard, there are no standard-essential patents. Even with a standard, the standards organization must agree on incorporating patented technologies into the standard and the terms upon which the patents must be made available (thus FRAND).
Not only that, but a patent holder can opt to not submit their patent for o inclusion to any standard and be completely free to charge whatever they want to whoever they want. Of course they will lose potential benefit of being incorporated into the standard, but that is a business decision.
What amazes me, is that everyone doubts Apple can develop a new technology secretly, but when some other company does it publicly, it suddenly gives a a bit of hope that Apple can do it too. In reality, Apple has many patents already and has been working on it a long time.
MDN….. lol. They’re not much a leader but do things better, sometimes