Ultra-Scan Corporation

In the late 1980s, a company called Ultra-Scan Corporation was founded in Buffalo, New York, with a focus on identity management. It became a pioneer in a new form of security: high-accuracy, ultrasonic fingerprint identification. While other methods existed, Ultra-Scan developed hardware and software that used sound waves to map the unique ridges and valleys of a fingerprint, offering a more robust and secure method of verification. The company built out its product line with offerings like the UltraTouch fingerprint readers and specialized software, targeting markets that required high security, such as government, healthcare, and financial institutions. It didn't stop at just fingerprints; Ultra-Scan developed software that could combine multiple biometric identifiers, like voice, iris, and facial recognition, into a single, more secure system. This forward-thinking approach attracted venture capital funding and strategic partnerships. The pivotal moment in the company's journey came in March 2013. Qualcomm, a giant in the mobile technology world, acquired Ultra-Scan Corporation. The acquisition was a strategic move for Qualcomm, which was looking to integrate this advanced biometric technology directly into mobile devices, paving the way for the fingerprint sensors that are now standard on smartphones around the globe.