Samsung patent application reveals fingerprint swipe shortcuts coming to its future phones

posted by Luis D. / Oct 27, 2016, 6:54 PM

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It looks like fingerprint gestures aren't hot just for Google, which built a fingerprint notification swipe inside the Pixel phones. Apparently, Samsung is working on such an implementation of its own, as these patent applications reveal.

The patent drawings describe a fingerprint scanner sensitive to swipe gestures. Swiping up opens the browser, swiping left calls the contact list, and swiping right opens up the message app. It's a simple, but convenient bit of functionality that's bound to make it into Samsung's future smartphones.

The patent application was submitted a year and a half ago, which means there's a good chance that the technology is ready to ship – especially since Google and Huawei already have phones that do something similar with their fingerprint scanners. Perhaps the Galaxy S8 and its rumored optical fingerprint sensor will be the first to introduce the technology.

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via GalaxyClub.nl (Translated)

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13 Comments

1. irossdrummer

Posts: 371; Member since: Jan 17, 2015

On a galaxy s3?! Fake..

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 7:02 PM 1

2. Macready

Posts: 1830; Member since: Dec 08, 2014

Pantent drawings often (in fact, almost always) use old or existing models, because the design is usually fully irrelevant for functional patents.

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 7:13 PM 0

3. bossman

Posts: 264; Member since: Jan 27, 2016

They use old designs for people won't steal their new ones.

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 7:39 PM 4

6. sissy246

Posts: 7129; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

It's a drawing of a phone . I don't see anywhere that the drawing is a s3. It's just a drawing of a phone.

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 8:36 PM 2

4. joevsyou

Posts: 1093; Member since: Feb 28, 2015

These types of patents shouldn't exist. Also i can dig it.

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 7:58 PM 0

13. yoghibawono

Posts: 240; Member since: May 04, 2016

Thanks to apple though. Samsung now diligently patented almost every new features before get backstabbed again.

posted on Oct 28, 2016, 6:24 AM 1

5. drahcir02

Posts: 102; Member since: Mar 03, 2016

Why not implement shortcut base on each finger. e.g Thumb = Message, index = contacts

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 8:12 PM 1

9. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

it's easier to just open contact with your thumb than maneuvering your index to FPscanner...

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 10:51 PM 0

7. MrElectrifyer

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

As stated, google has already implemented this with the Pixel, so, why is a patent still granted? The patent system really needs reformation. Hopefully Samsung won't ever use it to hypocritically sue anyone...

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 9:41 PM 0

8. ibend

read again... "The patent application was submitted a year and a half ago" I guess they cant sue them, since their device is already released before samsung's patent granted.. or because Pixel use different patent..

posted on Oct 27, 2016, 10:47 PM 1

10. ibend

and meizu also already use this FP gesture function.. that's why most of their new phone only has one button.. (but yeah, nobody care about that brand, lol...)