Synaptics bundles facial recognition with fingerprint sensor

Synaptics reports having integrated facial recognition technology into its Natural ID fingerprint sensor for use on laptops, tablets and smartphones. The company claims to be able to integrate more biometric authentication methods into the sensor in the future.

Synaptics has teamed up with KeyLemon, which specializes in facial recognition, to combine the techniques. Synaptics calls its technology multi-factor biometric fusion engine. The fingerprint recognition could distinguish real from fake fingers and also facial recognition with anti-spoofing tools, among other things by monitoring the combination of eye blinks and head movements.

The combination of the techniques means, for example, that users have an authentication alternative if, for example, they wear gloves and want to log in with their smartphone. Synaptics won’t give details about the technology, but with its Natural ID fingerprint sensor, the storage of print patterns and the comparison of the pattern with the finger is done in the sensor itself, separate from the rest of the system. This improves security. Synaptics has probably now also moved the storage of facial patterns to this separate system, among other things.

Synaptics acquired a fingerprint sensor manufacturer in 2013. Lenovo and Sharp, among others, use Synaptics’ Natural ID sensors. The sensors also work under glass.