A patent for iPhone biometric sensors
The patent application watch continues with another application from Apple for the iPhone, this time for a biometric sensor for the popular Apple mobile platform.
This patent application indicates that Apple has an interest in biometric applications for the iPhone and similar devices, such as the iPod Touch, especially for user authentication purposes. Most patent filings are for small incremental improvements in products. Others, like this one, seem to suggest changes of greater magnitude.
As the utility and power of small mobile devices like the iPhone grow, so does the need for securing the information that exists on the device. It is not difficult to see a time when such devices will slip into our pockets, but still be capable of (and likely to be) carrying critical business and personal information. Without good authentication tools, that could spell disaster.
This patent application is extremely interesting in light of the expected introduction, in June, of new iPhone hardware. Although the application shows embedded biosensors in a number of types of computers, one of the illustrations shows a sensor embedded in an eerily iPhone-like device. The patent application is not limited to the iPhone, and includes examples of biosensors embedded in notebook trackpads and specific keys on a keyboard.
Apple would prefer that biometric or other types of authentication not require too many extra steps, so to make things easier, they suggest hiding embedded biometric sensors in locations where users already touch the devices, according to an ars technica article. In the case of the iPhone, the slider for the unlock control that appears when the phone is awakened would seem to be the perfect place for such an imbedded sensor of fingerprints.
The patent application in question does not limit itself to fingerprint recognition, either. It also contains examples of embedded biosensors being used for facial feature recognition and retinal scanning. It seems likely that these biometric uses are further off into the future than fingerprint recognition. Although no one really expects to see such a sensor in this year’s new iPhone, biometrics could be an iPhone reality before we know it.
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March 31st, 2009
Hi there,
I found your blog http://www./iphonetouch.blorge.com/ very interesting.My name is Dennis Peterson,a community member at Patents dot Com(a comprehensive free patent search engine).Will like to talk(through email) to you,is this the right time to talk about or should we talk during weekends ?
Regards,
Dennis Peterson
E-dennisptrson@gmail.com