The company's patent application, which was published on Thursday, shows how the iPhone's display can be used as a fingerprint sensor for additional security. July 18, 2013 5:38 AM PDT A look at Apple's finger-sensing patent. (Credit: Apple/USPTO) Apple's iOS-based devices and maybe even Macs, could eventually come with support for a fingerprint sensor directly on the display. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Thursday published a patent application Apple filed with its offices on January 17. The patent describes a technology in which a sensor is used to trace a person's finger and determine, based on that, if they have proper credentials. Apple's patent application doesn't go as far as including the security features that might come with it on the software side, but it's clear what the technology is designed to do. Related stories Apple and the fear of flopping Smartphone shipments to hit 1.5 billion in 2017 iPhone shipments hit at least 29 million last quarter, says analyst Apple delaying iPhone 5S due to switch in screen size? Google Maps 2.0 for iOS launches with support for iPads Biometric technology has, of course, been in place for years on devices. Many enterprise computers, in fact, come with a fingerprint sensor that allows users to access their computers and certain protected files. If a person's finger doesn't match up with what's been stored on the PC, they cannot gain access to the device. Apple's technology is slightly different than those embodiments. Rather than use an attached hardware sensor, like most PCs do, Apple's patent application allows users to place their fingers on a touch display. The company's technology then analyzes the finger on a pixel-by-pixel basis to determine if it's a match with the owner's. Apple's patent application is the just the latest in a long line of fingerprint-sensing technology the company has brought to the USPTO. So far, however, none of those technologies have made their way to the iPhone or iPad. As with other companies, Apple often files for patents on technologies that never see the light of day. It's possible this one might join that group. (Via Patently Apple)
The company's patent application, which was published on Thursday, shows how the iPhone's display can be used as a fingerprint sensor for additional security.
A look at Apple's finger-sensing patent.
(Credit: Apple/USPTO)
Apple's iOS-based devices and maybe even Macs, could eventually come with support for a fingerprint sensor directly on the display.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Thursday published a patent application Apple filed with its offices on January 17. The patent describes a technology in which a sensor is used to trace a person's finger and determine, based on that, if they have proper credentials. Apple's patent application doesn't go as far as including the security features that might come with it on the software side, but it's clear what the technology is designed to do.
Related stories
- Apple and the fear of flopping
- Smartphone shipments to hit 1.5 billion in 2017
- iPhone shipments hit at least 29 million last quarter, says analyst
- Apple delaying iPhone 5S due to switch in screen size?
- Google Maps 2.0 for iOS launches with support for iPads
Biometric technology has, of course, been in place for years on devices. Many enterprise computers, in fact, come with a fingerprint sensor that allows users to access their computers and certain protected files. If a person's finger doesn't match up with what's been stored on the PC, they cannot gain access to the device.
Apple's technology is slightly different than those embodiments. Rather than use an attached hardware sensor, like most PCs do, Apple's patent application allows users to place their fingers on a touch display. The company's technology then analyzes the finger on a pixel-by-pixel basis to determine if it's a match with the owner's.
Apple's patent application is the just the latest in a long line of fingerprint-sensing technology the company has brought to the USPTO. So far, however, none of those technologies have made their way to the iPhone or iPad. As with other companies, Apple often files for patents on technologies that never see the light of day. It's possible this one might join that group.
(Via Patently Apple)
