Embedded Authentication Systems in an Electronic Device

• US 20140112555A1
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony, Hodge, Andrew, Schell, Stephan, Caballero, Ruben, Dorogusker, Jesse Lee, Zadesky, Stephen, Sanford, Emery
• Granted Patent: US 9,250,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• 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. An electronic device, comprising:

a display;

a fingerprint sensor;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for

displaying, on the display, a respective user interface that includes an obscured version of first information;

while displaying the obscured version of the first information on the display, detecting a finger input on the fingerprint sensor; and

in response to detecting the finger input on the fingerprint 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 display.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

prior to displaying the respective user interface, receiving a request to display the respective user interface; and

in response to receiving the request, displaying the respective user interface.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for, while displaying the obscured version of the first information, displaying unobscured text in the respective user interface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the obscured version of the first information includes a plurality of separate information items that include obscured text.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the obscured version of the first information includes a blurred version of corresponding unobscured information.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the respective user interface is a user interface for displaying information about personal contacts of a user of the device; and

replacing display of the obscured version of the first information with the unobscured version of the first information includes providing access to the information about the personal contacts.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for, prior to detecting the finger input, displaying a notice instructing the user to authenticate before accessing the unobscured version of the first information.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the notice includes displayed instructions for the user to place a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein:

prior to detecting the finger input on the fingerprint sensor, one or more respective objects in the respective user interface are not selectable; and

the one or more programs include instructions for, in response to detecting the finger input on the fingerprint sensor;

in accordance with the determination that the finger input includes a fingerprint that matches a fingerprint of the authorized user, enabling selection of the one or more respective objects; and

in accordance with the determination that the finger input does not include a fingerprint that matches a fingerprint of an authorized user, forgoing enabling selection of the one or more respective objects.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is integrated into a button on the device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is integrated into the display.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the obscured version of the first information is a blurred version of the first information.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the obscured version of the first information is a hidden version of the first information.

14. A method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor and a display;

displaying, on the display, a respective user interface that includes an obscured version of first information;

while displaying the obscured version of the first information on the display, detecting a finger input on the fingerprint sensor; and

in response to detecting the finger input on the fingerprint 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 display.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor, cause the device to:

display, on the display, a respective user interface that includes an obscured version of first information;

while displaying the obscured version of the first information on the display, detect a finger input on the fingerprint sensor; and

in response to detecting the finger input on the fingerprint 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 display.