Recent Apple patent filing speaks of stealth biometric security on iPhone, other insane insanity

Recent patent fillings by Apple that AppleInsider has dug up point to the company adding several new methods of insuring the security of its devices for users. The new filings cite biometric authentication methods that would excite Ethan Hunt -- including installation of a hidden sensor behind the screen that would recognize the user's fingerprint when touched, and / or a front-facing camera for retinal recognition. The filing also suggests further possibilities, such as the device being capable of recognizing the user's voice, or collecting DNA samples for recognition via genetic code. We've heard plenty of semi-speculative tech tales in the past, so we always take this stuff with a grain of salt, but Apple seems to be moving forward at least into the research phase of such endeavors. To the future we go! There's one more fantastic scribble after the break, hit the read link for more details.

[UnixSystemsEngineer Posted Mar 28th 2009 12:20AM]

Fingerprint readers usually work well for me except when I've just washed my hands (ie, they're still slightly damp no doubt)...

Retina/Iris scanning works flawlessly for me, but I have some coworkers for whom it simply won't work at all.

[Levi Posted Mar 28th 2009 12:41AM]

If the DNA thing wasn't a joke, maybe it was a finger pricker for diabetes peoples.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 28th 2009 1:08AM]

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
ENGADGET, PLEASE FIX THIS STUPID HALF-BROKEN FORUM!!! COMMENTS ARE NEVER PROPERLY THREADED!! YOUR AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM DOESN'T SEND OUT EMAILS - I'VE CREATED MULTIPLE USERS ON DIFFERENT DOMAINS AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION!! EVEN YOUR "CONTACT US" EMAIL DOESN'T WORK!! IT KEEPS SAYING "EMAIL INVALID" EVEN THOUGH ITS THE ONE I USE TO LOG INTO THE FORUM!! I CAN"T EVEN POST UNLESS I USE MY AOL LOGON!! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A "PREVIEW COMMENT" OR "MY PROFILE" BUTTON!! THIS SYSTEM IS UNWORTHY OF A MAJOR BLOG SITE!!!
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[WKCptton Posted Mar 28th 2009 1:19AM]

I would like to retract my horsesh*t comment and resubmit a b*stards comment. With the way that Apple abuses the patent office, there is no telling what they have submitted to have 'waiting in the wings' in order to block a legitimate patent filing.
KevinC

[Ridgecity Posted Mar 28th 2009 2:02AM]

Is that Gameboy in there?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 28th 2009 2:32AM]

So it cant multitask, but it has biometric security? wow.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 29th 2009 10:36AM]

. . . remembering Gattacca . . . (sigh)

[superhobo Posted Mar 28th 2009 4:15AM]

How can they patent stuff that others have used for decades?

Screw Apple.

[WKCptton Posted Mar 28th 2009 4:31PM]

I looked the patent up. It isn't any other than an idea. There is no technology associated with it, no Apple invented X. Let me repeat, THERE IS NO 'INVENTION'. Part of the patent is the CONCEPT that you pick up your phone and it authenticates you on the sly. Finger print (or whatever) scanner on the side that you would normally touch instead of a 'designated' fingerprint scanner area.

I'm sure they tossed retinal scanner and dna just to cover their bases.

Of course, it is still absurd...patenting the LOCATION of a biometric device???

I didn't read the whole thing so who is to say what else is in there but that was the jist that I gleaned.

Here is the abstract:
"This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). "

and a link to one of the filings: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=2&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=Anthony.IN.&s2=Fadell&OS=IN/Anthony+AND+Fadell&RS=IN/Anthony+AND+Fadell

[fais Posted Mar 28th 2009 6:11PM]

I was thinking a fingerprint scanner would be a good idea having to type in a passcode can be a bit annoying.

p.s there is probably a joke about iohone taking semen samples and fanboys im not going to make!

[ISO25600 Posted Mar 28th 2009 6:38PM]

One of Sharps phones and fujitsus phone have fingerprint recognition. The Sharp phone has an optical D-pad and then a fingerprint scanner below it. So instead of the optical D-pad, touchscreen (not worth a patent). Also there is face recognition unlocking done in Japan too. It would be neat to see this stuff here, but not worthy of a patent