Prototype under development
The first prototype Heatcore Labs is bringing to completion represents the technology the industry has been waiting for, the “Anywhere on Display” technology, made possible by the groundbreaking Active Thermal patents.
Anywhere on Display
A phone reads your finger in one small spot.
Heatcore Labs is developing the whole screen as the sensor.
- Active thermal sensing covers the full display, not one spot.
- A finger is read wherever it lands — no target to find.
- A larger read area means more ridge data from every touch.
An optical sensor lights the finger from below and captures the reflected light with a small camera under the display. This example illustrates a local sensing area.
An ultrasonic sensor sends sound pulses and measures the returning echoes to distinguish ridges and valleys. This example illustrates a local sensing area.
Active Thermal measures changes in heat transfer. Four contact points illustrate the Anywhere on Display development goal of sensing across a wider area.
Illustrative layouts. Sensing area varies by design.
What changes when the contact area grows
A fixed sensing zone gives the user a specific place to touch. The Anywhere on Display programme explores a larger sensing area, so an authentication prompt could sit beside the action it confirms.
Authenticate in context
A payment app could ask for a fingerprint near the confirmation button, so the user can verify the action where they are already interacting.
What the prototype explores
The development programme focuses on fingerprint capture area, display integration and placement of the authentication prompt. Multi-finger input is a potential direction for further exploration.
Two fingers, or three
One finger opens an app. The most sensitive things can ask for two or three at once — all from the same hand, read wherever the fingers land.
From contact to match
Contact anywhere on the display.
A low power heat pulse is applied to the finger in contact.
The response corresponding to the ridge pattern is measured.
Anti-spoofing confirms live skin, then the template matches.
Possibilities
Open an app with a finger, anywhere on the display.
Two or three fingers for the most sensitive apps.
Built on or within OLED and TFT LCD display layers.
Low power heat pulses, with anti-spoofing built in.
Timeline
Smartphone is the entry point, not the ceiling.
Same core architecture is portable to other segments:
- Automotive (console/dashboard access)
- Access control (doors, locks, building entry)
- Industrial / POS (equipment authentication)
- Wearables / smart watches and tablets
The patents we hold for this project
Biometric sensor comprising oxide semiconductor, biometric sensor on display, and methods of making and using the same
- Granted
- 18 Nov 2025
- Claims
- 24
- Filed
- 12 May 2025
- Granted
- 6 Jan 2026
- Claims
- 29
- Filed
- 12 May 2025
- Granted
- 1 Jul 2026
- Claims
- 29
- Filed
- 13 May 2025
Our first idea to be ready as patented prototype and demo.