Isorg collaborates with Precise Biometrics on turnkey fingerprint sensor for smartphone industry
Isorg (Limoges, France), a pioneer in Organic PhotoDetectors (OPDs) and large area image sensors, announces further details on the company’s collaboration with Precise Biometrics, a leader in fingerprint verification software, on a new Fingerprint on Display (FoD) solution for the mobile industry.
While increasing resolution unquestionably remains a major trend within the display industry – such as 4K displays – there is also convergence towards POL-less (polarizer-less) technology. As a direct consequence of this trend, the lower display transmittance means traditional CIS (CMOS Image Sensor) fingerprint sensing technology encounters performance issues. The high efficiency of Isorg’s OPD technology, one of its key strengths, allows it to reach far superior performance even under these challenging system requirements.
Another key advantage of Isorg’s modules is their thinness – under 300µm. This permits smartphone makers to provide more space to integrate the battery and other components, compared to competitive sensor solutions. High-end smartphones with curved displays or even foldable smartphones remain compatible with the modules that can also be manufactured on flexible substrates.
“Over the course of the past few months, the teams of both Isorg and Precise Biometrics have engaged in developing solutions for smartphone OEMs and display makers to build next generation products. Improved integration of sensor and display capabilities will allow for new user experiences. Precise’s software competency complements our OPD technology stack and is instrumental in providing optimal biometric performance in line with current and future customer requirements,” said Dieter May, CEO of Isorg.
Thanks to its disruptive organic image sensor technology, Isorg has developed large-area fingerprint modules that are commercially available in different sizes from 20x30mm² up to full-display versions. The complete module not only contains the organic image sensor, but also the necessary optical layers, in addition to its proprietary ASIC ReadOut IC (ROIC). Full-display modules create an enhanced user-experience, allowing authentication by applying the fingertip in any position across the entire screen. Moreover, it allows for multifinger authentication, which massively increases the level of security.
Based on this mature hardware solution, Isorg is moving forward to ease integration for smartphone makers. It is soliciting Precise Biometrics’ expertise in fingerprint development and optimisation algorithms to bring an industry-leading solution to the mobile market.
This collaboration will mainly focus on image processing optimisation, taking into account the specifics of Isorg’s hardware performance, and enhancing matching quality by fine tuning Precise’s algorithms and integrating anti-spoofing features.
“It is positive to see the investments in this industry, with new sensor vendors and technologies being introduced to address future authentication needs by fingerprint biometrics. We are very pleased that Isorg has selected us as its software provider; this reinforces our position as the leading independent algorithm provider for any type of fingerprint sensor technology within the mobile space,” said Patrick Höijer, CEO of Precise Biometrics.
This cost-efficient solution is targeting major smartphone OEMs. Thanks to advanced discussions already held with them and an established supply-chain to scale production volume rapidly, Isorg is confident of seeing a significant product ramp-up in the next 9-15 months.
Caption: Smartphone solution combines Isorg’s hardware expertise with Precise Biometrics’ software leadership in fingerprint authentication for the mobile industry (photo: Isorg)