Fingerprint sensor with integrated LEDs

UPEK unveiled its TouchLight technology which integrates light emitting diodes (LEDs) for user prompting and feedback directly into the company’s broadly adopted fingerprint sensors.

As touch-based interfaces transform the computing user experience, fingerprint sensors represent a “smart” touch interface that actually recognizes unique individuals and authorized users. With TouchLight technology, users can now get intuitive prompting and feedback, such as inviting the user to swipe their finger or indicating whether the user is authorized or not, directly from the fingerprint sensor itself. Users can also enjoy the “cool” factor of colored lights synchronized with their cutting edge biometric technology.

Integration of TouchLight technology directly into the fingerprint sensor packaging simplifies mechanical integration and complexity for manufacturers of notebook PCs, netbooks, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), mobile phones, and other electronic devices who want to add LED-based feedback.

UPEK’s offering includes both LEDs integrated into the fingerprint sensor packaging itself as well as multiple drivers for support of external LEDs, giving OEMs mechanical design flexibility. Hardware integrators also benefit from the flexibility to program the full spectrum of colors and dimming patterns to create a customized brand experience.

TouchLight has been already designed in by several top-tier PC OEMs and will be available to the public in selected notebook PCs starting in the summer of 2009.