Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9274647-B2
Application number	US-201514873023-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 1, 2015
Priority date	Sep 24, 2007
Publication date	Mar 1, 2016
Grant date	Mar 1, 2016

Abstract

This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, and a physical input element that is distinguished from the touch-sensitive display and is designated for user input, wherein the physical input element includes an embedded biometric sensor, and the physical input element is centrally located along at least one axis of a surface of the device, the surface being parallel to the touch-sensitive display:
displaying a lock screen on the touch-sensitive display;
receiving an input from a user using the physical input element with the embedded biometric sensor;
detecting identification information of the user as the input is received using the biometric sensor;
authenticating the user based on the identification information detected using the biometric sensor that is embedded into the physical input element; and
in response to authenticating the user based on the identification information detected with the biometric sensor that is embedded into the physical input element, replacing display of the lock screen with display of an unlocked user interface on the touch-sensitive display.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical input element is configured to be pressed by the user.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical input element is physically distinguished from a housing of the device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unlocked user interface is an application launch user interface that includes a plurality of application icons for launching different applications.

5. The method of claim 1 , including, after replacing display of the lock screen with display of an unlocked user interface:
displaying, on the touch-sensitive display, a respective user interface that includes an obscured version of first information;
while displaying the obscured version of the first information on the touch-sensitive display, detecting a finger input on the biometric sensor; and
in response to detecting the finger input on the biometric sensor:
in accordance with a determination that the finger input includes a fingerprint that matches a fingerprint of an authorized user, replacing display of the obscured version of the first information with an unobscured version of the first information; and
in accordance with a determination that the finger input does not include a fingerprint that matches a fingerprint of an authorized user, maintaining display of the obscured version of the first information on the touch-sensitive display.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lock screen comprises an instruction to place a finger on the physical input element to unlock the device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the input includes receiving an input to unlock the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor configured to detect features of the user's finger when the finger is stationary over the biometric sensor.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor configured to detect features of the user's finger when the finger is moving over the biometric sensor.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical input element is usable by the user to provide input to the electronic device which does not relate to authentication.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical input element is a home button.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical input element has a circular shape.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein a camera is located along at least a second axis on the surface of the device.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein a camera is located along at least a second axis on the surface of the device, the second axis being above the touch-sensitive display, and the physical input element is centrally located along the at least one axis on the surface of the device, the one axis being below the touch-sensitive display.

15. An electronic device, comprising:
a touch-sensitive display;
a physical input element that is distinguished from the touch-sensitive display and is designated for user input, wherein the physical input element includes an embedded biometric sensor, and the physical input element is centrally located along at least one axis of a surface of the device, the surface being parallel to the touch-sensitive display;
one or more processors;
a memory comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the device, cause the device to:
display a lock screen on the touch-sensitive display;
receive an input from a user using the physical input element with the embedded biometric sensor;
detect identification information of the user as the input is received using the biometric sensor;
authenticate the user based on the identification information detected using the biometric sensor that is embedded into the physical input element; and
in response to authenticating the user based on the identification information detected with the biometric sensor that is embedded into the physical input element, replace display of the lock screen with display of an unlocked user interface on the touch-sensitive display.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the physical input element is configured to be pressed by the user.

17. The device of claim 15 , wherein the physical input element is physically distinguished from a housing of the device.

18. The device of claim 15 , wherein the unlocked user interface is an application launch user interface that includes a plurality of application icons for launching different applications.

19. The device of claim 15 , wherein the lock screen comprises an instruction to place a finger on the physical input element to unlock the device.

20. The device of claim 15 , wherein receiving the input includes receiving an input to unlock the electronic device.

21. The device of claim 15 , wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor configured to detect features of the user's finger when the finger is stationary over the biometric sensor.

22. The device of claim 15 , wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor configured to detect features of the user's finger when the finger is moving over the biometric sensor.

23. The device of claim 15 , wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the device to:
after replacing display of the lock screen with display of an unlocked user interface:
display, on the touch-sensitive display, a respective user interface that includes an obscured version of first information;
while displaying the obscured version of the first information on the touch-sensitive display, detect a finger input on the biometric sensor; and
in response to detecting the finger input on the biometric sensor:
in accordance with a determination that the finger input includes a fingerprint that matches a fingerprint of an authorized user, replace display of the obscured version of the first information with an unobscured version of the first information; and
in accordance with a determination that the finger input does not include a fingerprint that matches a fingerprint of an authorized user, maintain display of the obscured version of the first information on the touch-sensitive display.

24. The device of claim 15 , wherein the physical input element is usable by the user to provide input to the electronic de

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Fadell Anthony M
• Hodge Andrew Bert
• Schell Stephan V
• Caballero Ruben
• Doroguskar Jesse Lee
• Zadesky Stephen Paul
• Sanford Emery

Classifications

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title

• G06F3/04817

  using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) · CPC title

• H04L9/3231

  Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina (network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861) · CPC title

• G06F21/32 Primary

  using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints · CPC title

• H04L63/08

  for authentication of entities (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32) · CPC title