We're One Step Closer to the Dream of a Touch ID Display
It looks like we're one step closer to seeing an iPhone launch not with a Touch ID Home button, but with a Touch ID display. Because a recently published Apple patent describes such a product: one that would allow users to tap their iPhone's display in order for a more accurate fingerprint scanner to read their fingerprint.
According to a number of new patents (via Patently Apple), Apple is indeed marching onward with the development of a Home button-free Touch ID system for iOS. The ideal concerns an iPhone which can be unlocked using a fingerprint sensor built into the handset's screen, rather than into a dedicated physical button. It's actually the third patent we've seen concerning such a system. Patently Apple explains:
Apple's newly granted patent covers their invention relating to a man-machine interface device comprising of an electronic display apparatus that is capable of presenting graphic text, images, icons, and other data typically shown on a screen, while further including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus. More importantly, the controller unit is capable of controlling data flow between the display apparatus, the finger touch sensor region and the electronic device, and for calculating finger touch locations based on a fingerprint image generated by the transparent finger touch sensor region. It can receive text from the electronic device, which is intended for presentation on the display apparatus, or conversely send a fingerprint image to the electronic device, among other functions.
However, Apple's patent also describes a more accurate mode of fingerprint scanning, too.
It talks about optical, capacitive, and ultrasonic scanning: the latter technology, which uses ultrasound waves to read a fingerprint, is far more accurate but at the same time less common. Apple's patent explains how an ultrasonic fingerprint reader could work in its iPhone or iPad, suggesting that Apple is also focusing on developing Touch ID in this area.
Touch ID is so far available on the iPhone and iPad, and it links with Apple Pay and a series of third-party applications to make all areas of its user's life more secure. It's a great technology, and on the iPhone 6s, the second-generation Touch ID module is faster than ever. That being said, further innovation in this area would be welcome: building the sensor into an iPhone's screen is an interesting prospect, and it could pave the way for some interesting uses.
Of course, we'll keep you posted with further information as we receive it.
