Patent Filing Describes Our Biometric Security Future

Lonnie Lazar ()

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Apple filed for patents last September that suggest the company may be working on biometric security technology together with optical and voice recognition software to enhance traditional password security for its devices.

According to a report published for the first time this week, the patent filing describes methods for embedding sensors beneath touchscreens and trackpads to recognize fingerprints and vein patterns; device cameras and microphones would authenticate retinal patterns or facial features and recognize a user’s distinctive voice. There is even a suggestion of collecting DNA samples to recognize a user’s genetic sequence. Biometrics could also be context-sensitive and detect the shape of a user’s ear before allowing a call to go through, for example.

Makes that neural interface revolution seem a little more likely, doesn’t it?

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About the author

Lonnie Lazar

Lonnie Lazar is a writer-musician-web designer-attorney. He writes about Apple for Cult of Mac and Mac|Life, and about VoIP and telecommunications for Voxilla. Follow Lonnie on Twitter @LonnieLazar, join the Cult of Mac on Facebook, and find Lonnie's photos on Flickr.

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Posted in Apple, News |

  • Darcy Taranto

    Did you notice the terminal app?
    And what is Blocks?

  • http://ochyming.wordpress.com Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira

    Apple patents are getting creepier each day!

    Looks like they have a bunch of creative people playing all day.

  • imajoebob

    Apple appears to be forward-thinking, not necessarily in philosophical harmony with the technology. In fact, if Apple finds these concepts as intrusive as many of us (d0), their patents may actually hold the implementation back. Realistically there has to be a tipping point where the licensing fees will force Apple’s hand or create economic impetus to develop rival systems, but it could delay it.

    Personally, I refuse to do any biometric identification, down to the electronic signature pads. Once any of this info is stored by a single device, it’s stored everywhere. How do you claim it’s not your signature on a deed transferring your house to the next Stanford or Madoff? They have a document with your signature, finger print and retina scan. You’ll have to pay dearly to prove you didn’t sign it over.

    The simplest defense is not participate. When Home Depot requires an electronic signature, I just get creative, using everything from Barney Rubble to Sarah Palin (insert your own “cartoon character” joke here). When I sign bank or legal documents I carry my trusty “non-repro blue” pen. It’s invisible to many scanners. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best I can do.

    Once they start requiring biometrics for voting I quit. Yes, it’s reactionary, but also necessary. I don’t care if it’s as innocuous as your iPod. Fight this any way you can, or both your security and democracy dies with it.

  • David

    Cool but unnecessary for daily function. Not worth an upgrade from my 3g.