Apple developing 'stealth' biometric security for iPhone

[AppleInsider]

Apple has developed a new technique that would hide a biometric reader inside an iPhone or a Mac and let owners lock down their systems with fingerprints or even facial recognition -- all without ever having to break from their usual routine.

Published for the first time this week, a patent filing for the process reveals that Apple wants to provide a more secure method for preventing unauthorized access to a whole device -- or private information on that device -- than current techniques like passcodes; however, it also wants to avoid taking up the owner's time with a separate scan or consuming extra space with a distinct reader.

The solution, the company suggests, would be to automatically use a sensor either hidden within the device or else repurposed from its usual role. Devices could recognize a fingerprint or finger vein pattern simply by waiting for the user to touch the display, which would hide the sensors on or behind the screen. A forward-facing camera could alternately look for retinal patterns or even recognize the facial features of owners when they're in the right position for use.

Notebooks could use the trackpad, palmrest and a webcam for a similar purpose.

Apple goes so far as to suggest the possibility of recognizing the user's distinctive voice or even 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.





As an alternative to biometrics, Apple further proposes using other, non-alphanumeric but also less obvious locks: in hardware, owners could get access by providing their voice to a microphone or tilting a device in certain directions.

On touch devices, users could place their fingers in a particular pattern on screen, make gestures or tap out a sequence. A more direct alternative to passcodes could also exist by making users match up shapes and colors through on-screen icons.



How likely it is any of the new inventions will appear isn't known. Even so, it's clear the processes were developed with the iPhone as a reference. Drawings included with the patent mostly show mockups of the handset's interface as it was when the patent was submitted in September of last year.

Also, heading up the list of inventors is "iPod father" Tony Fadell, who helped develop the original iPhone and left the company just two months after the application first reached the US Patent and Trademark Office, to be replaced by former IBM executive Mark Papermaster.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[ivan.rnn01]

Touch screens used by Apple are of extremely high precision. It's feasible.

[breeze]

Why would anyone else think of this? All the rest of the industry has to do is let Apple think develop and implement these cool developments and then - just copy....

Is there any doubt about who has all the cool?

[dstranathan]

Anyone know the app called "Terminal"? Perhaps Apple is working on their own version for the iPhone. Sweet.

[teckstud]

I prefer retina recognition a la Blade Runner myself, but this is a first step.

[striker_kk]

Apps named
Terminal
Block
Vrecord
.
.
.

Sounds Apple has lot more in their future versions coded already!!

[Gee4orce]

Hiding a fingerprint scanner under the 'slide to unlock' slider is genius.

[anantksundaram]

And, in other news, Microsoft......

Ugh.

[Paradym]

Originally Posted by striker_kk

Apps named
Terminal
Block
Vrecord
.
.
.

Sounds Apple has lot more in their future versions coded already!!

I noticed those too! VRecord is already coming, it seems, in 3.0. No idea what Block might be, but Terminal would be a fantastic add! The default home page on the iPhone is going to be filled up. I hope that Apple then allows users to remove default apps. (I know you can move them to a different screen, but that's only a workaround.)

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by anantksundaram

And, in other news, Microsoft......

Ugh.

Constantly bashing Miscrosoft is obviously your modus operandi but adds absolutely nothing to the discussion. You really need to get over it.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Constantly bashing Miscrosoft is obviously your modus operandi but adds absolutely nothing to the discussion. You really need to get over it.

And, in other news: For a change, teckstud takes time off to bash a poster rather than the iPhone!

Ugh....

[lenoleno]

voice dial
movies

[fabiopigi]

sorry guys, hate to disapoint you, but "blocks, terminal, vrecord and games" are from jailbroken iphone.

apple used, for some crazy reason, an iPhone that is jailbroken to make the drawings.
just check out image 4 and 5 from the patent

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...le&RS=AN/Apple

installer, a well known theme for summerboard, and even sbsettings
http://aiw2.uspto.gov:80/.DImg?Docid...&ImgFormat=tif

kinda funny.

apple saying, jailbreaking is bad and all stuff, and they still use it.

kind of emberassing to let that to the public without checking the drawings first

[Mr.Scott]

Just like Apple to come up with a whole lot of coolness! Amazing technology they have!

[realmike15]

i want an iphone that verifies my identity via a piss test... and also tells me if i'm good to drive.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

I love the part about "ear recognition"!

[dagamer34]

Originally Posted by dstranathan

Anyone know the app called "Terminal"? Perhaps Apple is working on their own version for the iPhone. Sweet.

Terminal was in the alpha builds of the iPhone OS 1.0. It's just not enable for consumers to use.

[ulfoaf]

Nice sci-fi story. Betcha we don't see this anytime soon.

[ulfoaf]

Originally Posted by realmike15

i want an iphone that verifies my identity via a piss test... and also tells me if i'm good to drive.

Good one! Blood pressure, my &$$! Plugin device!

[Magic_Al]

If they put a DNA test in a iPhone it verges on being a Star Trek tricorder. I guess Apple can patent speculation?

[pixelcruncher]

They should tie this into DRM. Tie purchases to a biometric signature and whammo, your software and media are safely yours and yours alone. No matter which machine you went to (iPhone, Macbook, AppleTV), all you would have to do is authenticate your DNA (maybe a blood sample, maybe an oral swab) and you can watch your movies, listen to your music, and run your apps. ;-)

[Brian Green]

Considering that we are now living in a police state (The US anyway) where your laptop can be seized at the border as well as your cellphone (and by border we actually mean anywhere within 100 miles of the border according to the PATRIOT Act), we're getting to the point where we need some very serious lockdown security measures that the government folks can't bypass. Every additional security feature Apple can implement to thwart our devices from being compromised, even by people who have serious tech, is a good thing.

I don't carry around sensitive trade secrets, multi-million dollar patent information, or secure database information, but I know there are people out there that do, and need to make sure the Feds, or anyone else for that matter can not under any circumstances compromise that data.

One thing I'd love to see implemented is a panic setting whereby someone in a crisis situation can entirely erase data securely right then and there. Having been a prior military contractor, I know of several instances where this would have been an amazing feature to have.

[mrjoec123]

Originally Posted by pixelcruncher

They should tie this into DRM. Tie purchases to a biometric signature and whammo, your software and media are safely yours and yours alone. No matter which machine you went to (iPhone, Macbook, AppleTV), all you would have to do is authenticate your DNA (maybe a blood sample, maybe an oral swab) and you can watch your movies, listen to your music, and run your apps. ;-)

You're actually suggesting that I should have to give a blood sample every time I wanted to use my computer? That's a little extreme, isn't it? I think I'll stick with a password.

[mitchell_pgh]

Great idea for those that need the extra security, but there are a number of situations where I would want anyone/everyone to be able to use my phone.

Example: Emergencies

I'm guessing they would make an emergency button so the phone could call 911?

[quinney]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I love the part about "ear recognition"!

Originally Posted by pixelcruncher

They should tie this into DRM. Tie purchases to a biometric signature and whammo, your software and media are safely yours and yours alone. No matter which machine you went to (iPhone, Macbook, AppleTV), all you would have to do is authenticate your DNA (maybe a blood sample, maybe an oral swab) and you can watch your movies, listen to your music, and run your apps. ;-)

Originally Posted by Brian Green

Considering that we are now living in a police state (The US anyway) where your laptop can be seized at the border as well as your cellphone (and by border we actually mean anywhere within 100 miles of the border according to the PATRIOT Act), we're getting to the point where we need some very serious lockdown security measures that the government folks can't bypass. Every additional security feature Apple can implement to thwart our devices from being compromised, even by people who have serious tech, is a good thing.

I don't carry around sensitive trade secrets, multi-million dollar patent information, or secure database information, but I know there are people out there that do, and need to make sure the Feds, or anyone else for that matter can not under any circumstances compromise that data.

One thing I'd love to see implemented is a panic setting whereby someone in a crisis situation can entirely erase data securely right then and there. Having been a prior military contractor, I know of several instances where this would have been an amazing feature to have.

Spy/gangster/border agent manual entry:
If subject is using an iPhone, confiscate the iPhone and both of the subjects ears
and eyes.

[DHKOsta]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Great idea for those that need the extra security, but there are a number of situations where I would want anyone/everyone to be able to use my phone.

Example: Emergencies

I'm guessing they would make an emergency button so the phone could call 911?

That's an excellent point. Actually, I find it annoying that the iPhone isn't currently capable of making an emergency call in the first stage of charging a fully depleted battery. It's a little concerning to me because I run my iPhone down really often. I actually keep my old Nokia charged for this exact reason.

[8CoreWhore]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Constantly bashing Miscrosoft is obviously your modus operandi but adds absolutely nothing to the discussion. You really need to get over it.

Constantly defending Miscrosoft is obviously your modus operandi but adds absolutely nothing to the discussion. You really need to get over it.

[ivyleaf]

Yes that's cool, but nowhere near as cool as the phone calling all my clients when it thinks I'm late for the meeting

[8CoreWhore]

Originally Posted by mrjoec123

You're actually suggesting that I should have to give a blood sample every time I wanted to use my computer? That's a little extreme, isn't it? I think I'll stick with a password.

Sheesh! And I'll have to upgrade my 1Password App to 1blooddrop.

[plokoonpma]

Originally Posted by Brian Green

Considering that we are now living in a police state (The US anyway) where your laptop can be seized at the border as well as your cellphone (and by border we actually mean anywhere within 100 miles of the border according to the PATRIOT Act), we're getting to the point where we need some very serious lockdown security measures that the government folks can't bypass. Every additional security feature Apple can implement to thwart our devices from being compromised, even by people who have serious tech, is a good thing.

I don't carry around sensitive trade secrets, multi-million dollar patent information, or secure database information, but I know there are people out there that do, and need to make sure the Feds, or anyone else for that matter can not under any circumstances compromise that data.

One thing I'd love to see implemented is a panic setting whereby someone in a crisis situation can entirely erase data securely right then and there. Having been a prior military contractor, I know of several instances where this would have been an amazing feature to have.

Thats a crazy law but at least I dont have to worried about it since I don't live there or plan to visit.
But actually those technologies are nothing for law enforcement to brake in on any Apple Hardware that could be released with the new security measures. The US Government has your finger prints and Pictures. Face Recognition... Can't be more advance than iphoto's and I think it must use it to allow the activation of such feature.

I had problem to teach iPhoto who was really me, after confirm about 200 pics iPhoto finally recognized me...

[PeterLobl]

Originally Posted by Brian Green

Considering that we are now living in a police state (The US anyway) where your laptop can be seized at the border as well as your cellphone (and by border we actually mean anywhere within 100 miles of the border according to the PATRIOT Act), ...
One thing I'd love to see implemented is a panic setting whereby someone in a crisis situation can entirely erase data securely right then and there. Having been a prior military contractor, I know of several instances where this would have been an amazing feature to have.

come on man!! a "police state"... really ?!?

compared to what?? the way the US "used to" be? or to wonderful places such as Eastern Europe in 1957 or even Russia or China today?

and is your point to imply that the government (aka the people who vote) does not need these added measures, harsh or not?

I do agree with the panic erase idea.. though theft by the dudes on the corner look much more ominous to me.. (hey why do they have those white earpieces?... and those shiny badges.. hmmmm)

[iVlad]

wow i think Apple is working on making jailbreaking legal. All their drawings are of jailbroken iPhone

[8CoreWhore]

... Apple gets sued for millions in dry cleaning expenses as users fumble to sign in to their iPhones.

[pixelcruncher]

Originally Posted by mrjoec123

You're actually suggesting that I should have to give a blood sample every time I wanted to use my computer? That's a little extreme, isn't it? I think I'll stick with a password.

That's why I think the oral swab is the best way to go. Microsoft is pushing for urine sample, but the studios fear its way too easy to pass around to friends.

[bladerunner]

Originally Posted by PeterLobl

come on man!! a "police state"... really ?!?

compared to what?? the way the US "used to" be? or to wonderful places such as Eastern Europe in 1957 or even Russia or China today?

and is your point to imply that the government (aka the people who vote) does not need these added measures, harsh or not?

I do agree with the panic erase idea.. though theft by the dudes on the corner look much more ominous to me.. (hey why do they have those white earpieces?... and those shiny badges.. hmmmm)

The Telecoms have been given immunity from prosecution for Tapping your Phone Lines
Your Mobile can be Tracked
Your Web Surfing and E-Mail can and has been turned over to the NSA... Thanks AT&T
Marketers can track you thanks to "Deep Packet" inspection.
Your Laptop and Mobile can be Searched and Seized at any Border...

I suppose added security to a mobile device is a good thing- but kinda wots the point if the minute you use your device your data's security is compromised - see above

Oh and recently A Federal Judge has ordered Google to turn over to the nice Folks at Viacom
a Database containing the Names and IP#s of everyone who has ever watched a YouTube Video....

[lilgto64]

While I agree that Apple usually does a better job of implementing such technologies in a very user-centric way - IBM Thinkpads have had a "fingerprint" scanner for years - an IBM notebook that I setup for a customer 6 months ago uses the built in camera for facial recognition as an option for windows login. Apple has had voice recognition for login on the Mac OS - at least they did until OS X - biometrics in general has been around for some time -maybe not in a slim hand held package. DNA recognition seems a bit far-fetched - at least with technology available today that would fit inside the iPhone.

Hmm, if the next iPhone has better CPU etc - and with the 3.0 software expanded APIs will we see a super cluster built from iPhones?

[macosxp]

"Hey dude, can I check out something on your MacBook?"

"Sure! No problem!"

"Whoa! Hey, dude....."

[Adjei]

Originally Posted by ivyleaf

Yes that's cool, but nowhere near as cool as the phone calling all my clients when it thinks I'm late for the meeting

And which phone does that?

[talkshowonmute]

the part about the finger scanner is totaly possible I could see that happening fairly soon. the ear check just seems pointless, same with all the other possibilities.

but stealth finger scanner as a security feature and log in thing for your computer is COOOL.

[marik]

The best implementation of this on laptops/desktops I think would be to place it within the items that are used to start up the computer, e.g embedding fingerprint scanners into the power button, or into that area where you lift up the screen to wake the laptop. This, I think, is best, because it doesn't add anything to the things the user must do to use the computer.

Hurry Apple, before someone implements this before you do!


-marik