Future iPhones may use behavior recognition and learning tools to protect against theft

Posted:
in General Discussion edited July 2014
An Apple invention published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office on Thursday describes a method by which an iPhone can set off an alert or automatically lock the device based on detected changes in user behavior.

Touch ID


According to Apple's patent application for "Generating notifications based on user behavior," an iPhone or other mobile product employs behavior recognition techniques to determine whether the current user is the device owner. When usage patterns don't match those of the owner, an alert, notification or system action is triggered.

The system relies on pattern recognition and learning to parse out unusual behavior. Any form of input or interaction with the device can be put compiled for behavior data acquisition, including system data like location, motion sensor data, and input gesture patterns. Other data like grammar, vocabulary and even keyboard orientation preferences may be stored for later recall and analysis.

Apple's invention constantly monitors user behavior, comparing it to historical data known to be associated with a device owner. For example, an iPhone's accelerometer generates data about a user's gait, then compares that information with data stored either onboard or on a remote server. Analysis may also take place offsite on a pattern learning server.




As can be expected from a sensor-laden device in constant contact with a user -- much of the time spent in use -- a lot of information is generated. Everything from common misspellings of words to routine device interactions to frequently used phrases, a device harvests a wide plurality of personal information.

Due to the privacy concerns, the behavior learning server can be programmed by the user to ignore certain types of behavior like location preferences. In these cases, generalizations and relative positioning replace granular data, protecting individuals from intrusive analysis.

To help ease computational stress, the pattern learning server is able to group behavior classifications and data into clusters instead of analyzing and comparing each action separately. These clusters of behaviors are compared against one another and data must fall within predefined thresholds to continue normal operation.




If a threshold is breached, meaning unusual behavior has been detected, the recognition server may transmit a signal to remotely lock the device until a user verifies themselves via password or some other form of trusted identity like Touch ID credentials.

Alternatively, the server can send out a notification to a third-party device, or another mobile phone owned by a different party. An example offered in the application is that of a care worker receiving a notification when an elderly device owner falls or exhibits behavior indicative of incapacitation.

It is unclear if Apple will deploy a behavior learning feature in a future version of iOS, though the latest iOS 8 beta builds do not currently support such functionality. Due to growing concerns over data privacy, even if the technology were to one day roll out, the breadth of measured behaviors would likely be narrowed and users would almost certainly have to manually opt-in to the feature.

Apple's behavior learning patent application was first filed for last January and credits Gregory T. Lydon and Sylvain Rene Yves as its inventors.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    " For example, an iPhone's accelerometer generates data about a user's gait, then compares that information with data stored either onboard or on a remote server. "

    So if I break my leg, then not only do I have to deal with trying to ambulate with crutches under my arms. I suddenly also have to enter my password every few minutes.

    I wonder what Apple's implementation would actually be. They tend to get it right; if it's not right immediately (Apple Maps), then they silently adjust it until it works very well (Apple Maps).

    Brent
  • Reply 2 of 15
    malaxmalax Posts: 1,598member
    This will be an excellent way to guard against (or at least retroactively detect) mind control or possession. But the alerts should probably go to a loved one or the authorities instead of the compromised individual.
  • Reply 3 of 15
    Think about this in the context of Wearables. Very useful data. Remember, Apple is all about removing the complexity from technology. They are essentially trying to automate authentication/ two-factor authentication.
  • Reply 4 of 15
    hill60hill60 Posts: 6,992member

    Why bother with a patent.

     

    Samsung will just copy it, tie it up in the courts while mysterious unknown parties move to invalidate it and make millions while waiting for a court based decision.

  • Reply 5 of 15
    airnerdairnerd Posts: 693member

    So what I hear when I read this is "Apple is going to expand on its tracking and storing your common locations, and now will track and store your location, your habits, how you walk, etc". 

     

     

    Just make sure to also give me a way to turn all that tracking junk off. 

  • Reply 6 of 15
    malaxmalax Posts: 1,598member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by airnerd View Post

     

    So what I hear when I read this is "Apple is going to expand on its tracking and storing your common locations, and now will track and store your location, your habits, how you walk, etc".

     

     

    Just make sure to also give me a way to turn all that tracking junk off.


    I think you're confusing Apple with Google.  Apple is the company who implemented biometrics with specific controls to keep everything encrypted on the device and completely at the option of, and under the control of, the user.

  • Reply 7 of 15
    iaeeniaeen Posts: 588member
    airnerd wrote: »
    So what I hear when I read this is "Apple is going to expand on its tracking and storing your common locations, and now will track and store your location, your habits, how you walk, etc". 


    Just make sure to also give me a way to turn all that tracking junk off. 

    Due to the privacy concerns, the behavior learning server can be programmed by the user to ignore certain types of behavior like location preferences. In these cases, generalizations and relative positioning replace granular data, protecting individuals from intrusive analysis.

    Emphasis mine.
  • Reply 8 of 15
    robin huberrobin huber Posts: 3,949member
    If it works without false positives, this is what I am looking for. As I said in a post yesterday, Touch ID is too fiddly and global for me. Not worried about someone who steals my phone using it to make calls or texts before I brick it. If I could put my brokerage and banking apps only behind theTouch ID wall and leave non-sensitive ones open, I would again use it.
  • Reply 9 of 15
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,033member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Robin Huber View Post



    If it works without false positives, this is what I am looking for. As I said in a post yesterday, Touch ID is too fiddly and global for me. Not worried about someone who steals my phone using it to make calls or texts before I brick it. If I could put my brokerage and banking apps only behind theTouch ID wall and leave non-sensitive ones open, I would again use it.

    As I mentioned yesterday, I also noted that Touch ID was annoyingly forgetful of my fingerprints in the early months of iOS 7. Today, that is no longer the case. You should give it another shot rather than continue complaining about something that has been widely reported as fixed.

     

    Touch ID isn't really global, it's just very basic, with no support for third-party apps in iOS 7. That is supposedly changing in iOS 8, although it'll be up to the individual developer to enable such functionality. 

     

    Even if only used for screen unlocking, it's still quite handy. Some use it for iTunes and App Store purchases as well, although I have not enabled that feature.

  • Reply 10 of 15
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    " For example, an iPhone's accelerometer generates data about a user's gait, then compares that information with data stored either onboard or on a remote server. "

    So if I break my leg, then not only do I have to deal with trying to ambulate with crutches under my arms. I suddenly also have to enter my password every few minutes.

    I wonder what Apple's implementation would actually be. They tend to get it right; if it's not right immediately (Apple Maps), then they silently adjust it until it works very well (Apple Maps).

    Brent

    Not if your Health app has been informed about your current medical condition. ????
  • Reply 11 of 15
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,275member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Brent McAnulty View Post



    " For example, an iPhone's accelerometer generates data about a user's gait, then compares that information with data stored either onboard or on a remote server. "



    So if I break my leg, then not only do I have to deal with trying to ambulate with crutches under my arms. I suddenly also have to enter my password every few minutes.



    I wonder what Apple's implementation would actually be. They tend to get it right; if it's not right immediately (Apple Maps), then they silently adjust it until it works very well (Apple Maps).



    Brent



    C'mon. If you broke your leg, you would be able to reset or undo the learning for that attribute.

  • Reply 12 of 15
    tribalogicaltribalogical Posts: 1,182member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Brent McAnulty View Post



    " For example, an iPhone's accelerometer generates data about a user's gait, then compares that information with data stored either onboard or on a remote server. "



    So if I break my leg, then not only do I have to deal with trying to ambulate with crutches under my arms. I suddenly also have to enter my password every few minutes.



    I wonder what Apple's implementation would actually be. They tend to get it right; if it's not right immediately (Apple Maps), then they silently adjust it until it works very well (Apple Maps).



    Brent

     

    I imagine that any changes significant enough to trigger an ID confirmation, such as a major alteration to gait (broken leg, whatever),  wouldn't result in a recurring "nag" (having to enter your password every few minutes). That's historically more of a Microsoft technique... :P

     

    This appears to be a 'learning system', so once you confirm it's you (complete with that new gimpy gait), it'll adjust. At least, that's how I would expect it to behave, coming from Apple...  For example: If you broke your leg, there'd be enough threshold to trigger a Touch ID confirmation of identity. Once you input that, you've confirmed that the 'new' gait and you are still one and the same.

     

    You might get another trigger once your leg healed and your gait 'normalized', but then again, that might be too gradual to be a trigger...

     

    I would be deeply surprised if Apple released tech like this that "nagged" for a password every few minutes... 

  • Reply 13 of 15
    georgeip5georgeip5 Posts: 225member
    Very nice.
  • Reply 14 of 15
    Seems very creepy how much data is stored on behavior and where it sent out to remoting on usage patterns
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