Qualcomm enhances fingerprint security using ultrasonic sound waves

Fingerprint scanning is gradually becoming the de facto standard of securing mobile devices. More manufacturers are starting to adopt fingerprint unlocking on their flagship models as it offers greater sense of security that’s easy to set up and use. Most fingerprint scanners today are capacitive based, which leaves some room of being copied if one has a high resolution image of your fingerprint. To take biometric security to the next level, Qualcomm has announced Sense ID, a 3D based fingerprint scanning technology that utilises ultrasonic sound waves.

This allows a higher detail capture within the outer layers of the skin which recognises more characterisics than normal scanners. With a deeper scan, this makes it tougher for possible spoofs or hacking. Furthermore, the ultrasonic scanner works with smart phones of various body materials, such as plastic, steel, aluminium and sapphire. So this means, smart phone makers can discreetly fit a fingerprint security feature without deliberately putting a physical scanner or fitting one into a physical home button.

Since it is a 3D scan, Sense ID would still work even when fingers are contaminated with sweat or condensation. So there should’t be any issues unlocking your phone while having a finger licking good meal. In terms of availability, Sense ID 3D fingerprint technology, will first be introduced on the latest Snapdragon 810 and Snapdragon 425 processors, and eventually it would be copatible with the rest of the Snapdragon 400, 600 and 800 family. Qualcomm says that you can find smart phones launched in the H2 2015 to carry Sense ID.

Watch the intro below below and you can read more about Sense ID over here.