New Lenovo ThinkPad’s Power Button Features Synaptics Fingerprint Sensor

Synaptics’ new line of Selene fingerprint sensors will be featured in Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 notebook. The ultra-thin Selene sensors boast a unique oval shape and will be built into the ThinkPad’s power button to authenticate users when they turn on their computer.

The Selene module is a complete hardware and software solution that can perform all of the functions associated with biometric authentication. That covers everything from image capture all the way through to matching. The fully encapsulated Match-in-Sensor solution has its own microprocessor and firmware, and is isolated from the rest of the rest of the PC. As a result, the user’s biometric data remains safe even if the rest of the device gets compromised.

Lenovo’s Power-on Touch Fingerprint Reader will allow users to turn on the computer and log in with a single press of the power button. Synaptics’ Selene module is FIDO certified, and is compatible with the Microsoft Secure Bio standard. It can also be placed on the outer edge of a notebook if manufacturers are looking for a different form factor.

“The Selene solution enables convenient biometric authentication and wake-up with one touch of a finger,” said Lenovo Engineer and Executive Director of System Innovation and Commercial Product Development Yasumichi Tsukamoto. “From an industrial design standpoint, the small form-factor provides us with the flexibility to further reduce the profile of our devices and make more efficient use of the real estate on the body of the notebook.”

“Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon is considered to be among the most secure notebooks in the industry, so it speaks volumes that Synaptics is the provider of this critical security feature,” added Synaptics SVP and PC and Peripherals GM Saleel Awsare.

Lenovo previously installed Synaptics fingerprint sensors in its ThinkPad X1 Tablet and Lenovo Yoga Book devices, though it opted for a Crossmatch sensor for its ThinkPad T490 Healthcare Edition back in 2019. The news reflects the growing interest in fingerprint sensors in the broader PC market.

Synaptics, meanwhile, recently completed its acquisition of Broadcom’s wireless IoT portfolio.

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March 22, 2021 – by Eric Weiss