Move over, fingerprints: Samsung patents palm-scanning

by Preslav Kateliev / Dec 01, 2017, 4:58 AM

Our bodies have plenty of parts, which are formed uniquely to each individual — fingerprints, irises, ear auricles, our actual faces, palm lines, the list goes on. And phone manufacturers seem to be capitalizing on these like crazy to offer us a crazy variety of unlocking methods, with finger unlock, iris unlock, and face unlock being packed all together in some devices.

Samsung seems to be dabbling in adding an extra biometric scan — palm recognition. The difference here is that it's not going to be used for unlocking your phone, but merely for password hints.

Move over, fingerprints: Samsung patents palm-scanning

So, Sammy has filed a patent that describes a phone feature, which scans the user's palm lines after a picture was taken with the phone's camera. Then, if you happen to forget your password, you can use the camera to take a snap of your hand and verify your identity to the phone. If recognized properly, the device will show you different letters of your password, scattered across the palm lines you just pictured.

Yeah, that sounds a bit weird and a bit too complex. And it does raise questions whether someone would be able to use your phone if they manage to force you to open your palm. What's wrong with regular password hints, where we type out a riddle that only we can answer? It's a curious patent for sure, and we'll see if it ever gets implemented into tech.

source: Patentscope via SamMobile

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24 Comments

1. AVVA1

Posts: 228; Member since: Aug 01, 2017

Uhm...palm reading :3

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 5:44 AM 3

2. Papa_Ji

Posts: 838; Member since: Jun 27, 2016

"And it does raise questions whether someone would be able to use your phone if they manage to force you to open your palm...." I think it's much difficult than scanning someone face (Apple's Face ID).

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 5:54 AM 15

4. KRT55

Posts: 11; Member since: Mar 30, 2016

What if you don't want to open your face though?

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 6:32 AM 1

20. gamehead unregistered

Cant the same argument be used for the fingerprint

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 12:27 PM 1

13. gigicoaste

Posts: 446; Member since: Feb 21, 2016

Nice to see companies are trying to innovate even if will maybe never end up on a device. I prefer this over fashionable brands or ego boosters.

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 7:55 AM 1

14. bucky

Posts: 3776; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

lol you call this innovation?

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 8:18 AM 0

26. Sammy_DEVIL737

Posts: 1529; Member since: Nov 28, 2016

I guess you might be having a new innovative idea about unlocking a device.

posted on Dec 02, 2017, 7:44 AM 0

18. BuffaloSouce unregistered

And glass cleaning supply stocks will soar...people already cried about the FPS on the back because of smudges on the camera lens but think a whole palm print on the front is okay

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 10:53 AM 0

22. HansP

Posts: 542; Member since: Oct 16, 2011

It helps to read a story you're commenting on....

posted on Dec 01, 2017, 1:37 PM 0

23. HansP

It does sound silly, at first. But, I think it seems like the intent is to use the natural lines in your palm to "hide" the clues by making them look like lines in your hand to anyone who doesn't know what to look for.