Newly published Samsung patent shows smart watch with in-display biometrics

A patent application filed in the U.S and Korea by Samsung shows plans for a new hybrid smartwatch featuring an in-display biometric fingerprint or iris sensor, Patently Mobile reports.

Samsung’s patent (PDF via LetsGoDigital) was filed in both Korea and the U.S., and recently published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It describes a watch which may include analog-style hands beneath a transparent touchscreen.

While Apple and Samsung have been competing on biometric technology for their mobile devices, biometric authentication is not built into the Apple Watch, and has only recently reached consumer wearables in devices like the Motiv ring.

Patently Mobile notes that CNET reported in October that a source attending Samsung’s 2018 OLED forum said Samsung is developing a phone with “an in-screen fingerprint sensor, a speaker built into the screen, vibrations that come from the screen and an under-panel sensor. That last feature would let Samsung put a front-facing camera or iris scanner under the display.”

Samsung has recently had several patent applications relating to in-display biometrics published. The latest speculation about Samsung’s forthcoming flagship Galaxy S10 smartphone line is that it will not include 3D facial recognition.

Article Topics

fingerprint sensors  |  iris recognition  |  patents  |  Samsung  |  wearables