Faster face biometrics rumored, Apple’s optical under-display fingerprint efforts continues

Apple’s biometric Face ID may be getting a speed boost for the iPhone 12, according to a leak reported by AppleInsider reports.

A Twitter account that AppleInsider says is operated by Max Winebach suggests that a “dynamic zoning algorithm” will ship with the forthcoming device to enable the Face ID biometric capture process to be completed several fractions of a second faster for authentication and device unlocking.

The report also indicates that the iPhone’s zoom capabilities will be significantly upgraded, with improved distance and quality, including a 10-times digital zoom. The feature compiles frames taken at different zoom levels and a combination of optical zooming and cropping, with an algorithm aligning and sharpening the image.

A rumored redesign of the TrueDepth camera system is not included in the new smartphones, according to the report.

Apple’s ambition to continue innovating the smartphone fingerprint space is also continuing, as a U.S. patent application for an optical biometric fingerprint sensing system from the company has been published.

The filing on a ‘sensing system for detection of light incident to a light emitting layer of an electronic device display’ describes a Micro LED display with a light emitting layer around or within an active display layer and an array of photodetectors. The light sensing system could also be used as an ambient light sensor.

The patent was originally filed in April of last year.

Apple has also had patent applications for large-area under-display fingerprint scanners published and for under-display optical fingerprint sensing granted recently.

Article Topics

Apple  |  biometric sensors  |  Face ID  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint recognition  |  patents  |  research and development  |  smartphones  |  Touch ID