Samsung patents new biometrics system for Gear Fit Watch, Gear VR

Samsung recently filed a patent related to fingerprint authentication technology it is considering adding to a future version of its Gear Fit watch and possibly an iris scanner to be integrated into a future version of its Galaxy VR headset, according to a report by Patently Apple.

Earlier this month Samsung introduced its Note 7 with a new biometrics iris authentication option, powered by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, that was supported by several Samsung patents filed in the past few years.

The patent application shows that the Gear Fit device could potentially detect a wearing state of the wearable device based, for instance, on whether a fastener is properly fastened or not.

The fingerprint sensor/scanner could protect the device by authenticating the rightful owner. In addition, the Gear Fit may obtain biometric data of the user by measuring a pulse of a wrist.

The patent application also features an example diagram showing the operation of activating at least one function by obtaining biometric data, performed by a smart watch device such as the Gear Fit.

The diagram illustrates how the Gear Fit may apply a “Condition of Biometric Information” before performing a particular function.

Another diagram shows the example operation of activating at least one function by obtaining biometric data, performed by a glasses-type wearable device such as a future version of Samsung’s Gear VR headset.

The filing notes that the wearable device obtains at least one piece of the user’s biometric information, which may include a heart rate, an electrocardiography (ECG), a pulse, blood pressure, a temperature, an iris, sweat, eyes, an ultraviolet ray index, a retina, an artery, a vein, a skeleton, a face, and a motion.

Additionally, the wearable device may obtain more of the user’s biometric information after authenticating the user to turn on other device functions.

Meanwhile, the biometric information obtained from the user may vary depending on which body part is attached to the wearable device or the type of a sensor included in the wearable device.

It remains to be seen if Apple Watch 2 will introduce Touch ID before Samsung brings its new biometrics authentication option to market with any of its watches. Both companies are expected to unveil their new watch models this fall.

Previously reported, a newly published Samsung patent titled “Wearable Device and Method of Operating the Same” was filed on July 29, 2015 and published on February 4, 2016.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  fingerprint authentication  |  patents  |  Samsung  |  wearables