New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Apple Obtains Touch ID-Related Patents From Biometric Security Firm Privaris

Friday June 26, 2015 10:07 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
iPhone 6 Touch IDApple has been working to acquire the intellectual property assets of Charlottesville, Virginia-based biometric security firm Privaris, according to CNN. Privaris recently transferred 26 of its 31 patents to the iPhone maker, including 4 patents in December 2012 and dozens more in October 2014.

The patents are primarily related to fingerprint and touchscreen technology that could lead to Touch ID improvements on future devices. Last February, well-informed KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told investors that the next iPhone will have an improved Touch ID with reduced errors.
"For example, one of Privaris' patents covers the ability to use a touchscreen and fingerprint reader at the same time. Another invention of Privaris' could allow you to open a door with your iPhone by scanning your fingerprint and holding your phone up to a reader, similar to how you pay for items with Apple Pay."
While the transferred patents have fueled acquisition rumors, the Privaris website has not been updated since 2010 and seemingly none of the company's senior executives or other employees have updated their LinkedIn profiles with positions at Apple.

Accordingly, it is more likely that Privaris has scaled down or went out of business and Apple has acquired the company's patent portfolio and other intellectual property. However, the possibility of an acquisition cannot be entirely ruled out.

Privaris, which reportedly raised $29 million in funding, developed a lineup of PlusID personal biometric devices to access computers, networks, websites, software, VPNs, secured printers and online apps.

The company has also offered several other products and services related to access control systems, fingerprint authentication, biometric computer security, biometric security software and access cards, all technologies that fall within the realm of Touch ID.

Update: MacRumors has heard Privaris essentially shut down roughly five years ago, so this certainly appears to be a patent portfolio purchase rather than a full acquisition of Privaris by Apple.

Tags: Apple, Touch ID, Privaris
[ 46 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
AngerDanger
39 months ago
Products based on patents acquired from Privalis are not for everyone. Ask your doctor if Privalis is right for you. Women whose babies are pregnant or nursing should not use Privalis.
Rating: 29 Votes
Avatar
soupcan
39 months ago
"For example, one of Privaris' patents covers the ability to use a touchscreen and fingerprint reader at the same time."

Home button-less iPhone 7 anyone?
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
Thunderhawks
39 months ago

What ever happened to the guy that invented the wheel?


The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was a genius.

Sid Caesar ('http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sid_caesar.html')
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
bergert
39 months ago
dear Tim,
Where is the iMac with TouchID button for logon ?
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
Thunderhawks
39 months ago

dear Tim,
Where is the iMac with TouchID button for logon ?


Dear Bergert,

We are working on it and it will be very thin.
Tim
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
prowlmedia
39 months ago
Every time Macrumors mentions "KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Ku"....Somewhere a Kitten Dies.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
B4U
39 months ago

Products based on patents acquired from Privalis are not for everyone. Ask your doctor if Privalis is right for you. Women whose babies are pregnant or nursing should not use Privalis.

Wait...the babies are pregnant? That is kinda wrong...:rolleyes:
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
ActionableMango
39 months ago

It may be that if you push the middle of the screen hard, it can act as the home button


That will lead to "pushed-middle-too-hard-and-cracked-screen-gate".
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
Piggie
39 months ago

Yep, been thinking that for ages. I think the next big thing they can do is have "wall to wall" screen and no buttons on the front. It may be that if you push the middle of the screen hard, it can act as the home button, or similar...


Great thought, and I'd love it, and wanted such a thing since even before the 1st iPhone was launched.

However we have one rather large problem, and that's Apple.

Apple LOVES Bezels.

Loves BIG Bezels.

Other companies are working hard to make bezels thinner and thinner, but Apple still stays in the past.
It's a shame :(
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
jpgr15
39 months ago

well-informed KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo


Yes, well-informed. I nearly forgot.
Rating: 1 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]