Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device

• US 9,274,647 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2015
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony M., Hodge, Andrew Bert, Schell, Stephan V., Caballero, Ruben, Doroguskar, Jesse Lee, Zadesky, Stephen Paul, Sanford, Emery
• Primary Examiner(s): Gergiso, Techane
• Application Number:
  US14/873,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20160026329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 152 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1312 direct reading, e.g. contactless acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/165 using facial parts and geometric relationships
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/166 using acquisition arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/67 by interactive indications to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2358/00 Arrangements for display data security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 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 Class Codes: H04W 12/065 Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

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).

Claims

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 device which does not relate to authentication.

25. The device of claim 15, wherein the physical input element is a home button.

26. The device of claim 15, wherein the physical input element has a circular shape.

27. The device of claim 15, wherein a camera is located along at least a second axis on the surface of the device.

28. The device of claim 15, wherein a camera is located along at least a second axis on the surface of the device, the second axis 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.

29. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by 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, cause the electronic 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.

30. The medium of claim 29, wherein the physical input element is configured to be pressed by the user.

31. The medium of claim 29, wherein the physical input element is physically distinguished from a housing of the device.

32. The medium of claim 29, wherein the unlocked user interface is an application launch user interface that includes a plurality of application icons for launching different applications.

33. The medium of claim 29, wherein the lock screen comprises an instruction to place a finger on the physical input element to unlock the device.

34. The medium of claim 29, wherein receiving the input includes receiving an input to unlock the electronic device.

35. The medium of claim 29, 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.

36. The medium of claim 29, 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.

37. The medium of claim 29, wherein the instructions, when executed by the electronic device, further cause the electronic 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

38. The medium of claim 29, wherein the physical input element is usable by the user to provide input to the electronic device which does not relate to authentication.

39. The medium of claim 29, wherein the physical input element is a home button.

40. The medium of claim 29, wherein the physical input element has a circular shape.

41. The medium of claim 29, wherein a camera is located along at least a second axis on the surface of the device.

42. The medium of claim 29, wherein a camera is located along at least a second axis on the surface of the device, the second axis 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.