Future Samsung phones might scan your fingerprint as you enter your PIN

Last updated: October fourth, 2019 at 12:05 UTC+01:00

A patent application filed by Samsung, and published in South korea this week, shows how the phone maker wants to use its in-display fingerprint sensor to verify information technology is you entering that Pivot or password.

This year, Samsung has launched a plethora of phones with a fingerprint sensor built into the display. Still, equally useful as that is, many users just continue to use their preferred old school authentication methods, such equally PIN, password or pattern. Futurity devices, however, might let you use both, as GalaxyClub points out.

Samsung patent: Combining fingerprint sensor and Pivot

Before this week, a patent application was published in South korea (Electronic Device Comprising Fingerprint Sensor And Method Of Operating Thereof,PDF) that offers a glimpse into Samsung's user authentication plans. The patent describes a device that scans your fingerprint while y'all use any of the other unlock methods, verifying it really is you lot that enters the required information.

samsung patent two factor authentication fingerprint pin

Several methods are described to accomplish this. For case, the devices might force you to affect the fingerprint scanner past placing one of the required digits over the sensor. Too, multiple sensors could exist used to browse your print while you lot enter your information. The 3rd, nigh natural method, even so, uses a much larger sensor that covers a large portion of the display. Such a sensor will exist able to scan your print no affair the code, countersign or pattern you enter.

Interestingly, we recently saw rumors almost Samsung seeking a larger fingerprint sensor for the upcoming Galaxy S11. Even so, we exercise not want to jump to conclusions here, every bit information technology remains notoriously hard to predict if and when patented ideas will become reality. Furthermore, while the Milky way S11 is probable to accept a larger sensor, information technology is as well articulate that sensors covering a significant portion of the display will not be set for mass apply in 2020.