Validity Sensors

The firm's core business involved providing these security solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for integration into smartphones, tablets, and notebook PCs. Its business model centered on the design and subsequent sale of these sensors through distributors across Asia, including China, Japan, and Taiwan. Validity's technology was engineered to support functions like user authentication, mobile payments, and touch-based navigation. The company's product portfolio was highlighted by its LiveFlex® fingerprint sensor technology, which utilized high-frequency RF imaging to capture fingerprint images from the live layer of the finger. This technology allowed for flexible applications, including under-glass sensors and thin palm-rest designs for Ultrabooks.

The market for biometric solutions saw a surge in interest following Apple's introduction of Touch ID, which increased consumer and OEM demand for similar security features in other devices. This growing demand positioned Validity as a key player for Android and other platforms. A significant milestone in the company's history occurred on November 7, 2013, when it was acquired by Synaptics Inc., a major developer of human interface solutions. The acquisition, valued at up to $255 million, was a strategic move by Synaptics to enter the rapidly expanding biometrics market and enhance its portfolio of touch-based technologies. Following the acquisition, Validity Sensors began operating as a subsidiary of Synaptics, and its technology was integrated into Synaptics' product line, notably securing a major design win with Samsung for its Galaxy S5 smartphone.