Samsung’s scrolling and folding devices patent details multi-factor biometric authentication

Samsung recently filed its 47th patent relating to a flexible display / foldable / scrollable invention, according to a report by Patently Apple.

The company’s latest patent application for a foldable device provides this overview: “A foldable device includes: a display; a touch panel configured to detect a touch input; a sensing interface configured to detect an angle of the foldable device; and a controller configured to activate the display unit when the angle detected by the sensing unit as the foldable device is unfolded is equal to or greater than a first angle, and activate the touch panel when the angle detected by the sensing unit is equal to or greater than a second angle.”

Samsung is also working on integrating security biometric authentication features into the design, as the foldable or scrollable devices won’t be able to physically unfold or scroll out until this feature has been implemented

The company said the biometric information will include fingerprint and iris information, as well as potentially including other biometric information like voice, face, palm line, vein distribution, retina, and movement pattern, such as walking style information, ECG information, and/or palm print information.

In the patent application, Samsung includes a diagram of an example in which the fingerprint recognizing sensor is disposed in an edge display surface s5. In another example, the edge display surface s5 may be provided at one corner surface of the foldable device or may be exposed even when the foldable device is folded and/or unfolded.

The edge display surface s5 may also be a display region provided on an extending line of a display surface externally shown while the foldable device is in its unfolded state and curved at a predetermined angle.

The diagram illustrates that when user authentication has successfully been performed through fingerprint recognition while the foldable device is in its unfolded state to within a predetermined angle range, the foldable device unlocks and displays the pre-set wallpaper.

Another diagram illustrates an example in which the iris recognizing camera is disposed on an upper housing rear surface s7 of the foldable device. In addition, the fingerprint recognizing sensor may be disposed on a lower housing top surface side region s6.

In another example, the patent explains that user authentication may be performed while the foldable device is folded.

For example, fingerprint authentication being performed when the user contacts a finger on the fingerprint recognizing sensor while the foldable device is folded, or the foldable device may obtain the user’s iris image through the iris recognizing camera and perform iris authentication.

Aside from the foldable mobile devices being used as smartphones and tablets, Samsung explains that they could also be categorized as mobile TVs, navigation devices and more.

Previously reported, the new Samsung Notebook 9 PC line features a built-in fingerprint sensor from Fingerprint Cards (FPC), enabling secure sign in with a single touch.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  mobile device  |  multifactor authentication  |  patents  |  Samsung