Upcoming iPhone feature could put Android flagships to shame

With Face ID the new norm, it had been believed that Apple had discontinued the Touch ID feature. If a recent patent found by Patently Apple is anything to go by, then Apple is readying to re-introduce an advanced version of Touch ID on its future iPhones and this fingerprint recognition system will absolutely blow away its Android competitors as it is something that’s yet unseen in technology.

Apple has been granted a patent that’s called “Methods of biometric imaging of input surfaces” pertaining to their creation of an ‘acoustic imaging system.’ Patently Apple states, “More specifically, the acoustic imaging system may be configured to resolve an image of a fingerprint of a user contacting an input surface of an electronic device by mapping the ridges of the user’s fingerprint to the input surface.”

This imaging system features a number of acoustic transducers that when configured produce acoustic outputs which are not limited to mechanical waves, acoustic waves and pulses. The acoustic outputs are into the user input surface ‘in response to a signal from a controller.’

Commenting on this, Forbes claims that the acoustic waves are resonated from an iPhones display to produce a 3D map of the fingerprint. They state that this may appear similar to Samsung’s Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor but this is quite far from the truth as Apple’s implementation allows you to place your finger anywhere on the glass and not just a particular area. This, in the process, solves the greatest limitation of an in-display fingerprint sensor. Prior to Apple’s implementation in-display fingerprint scanners have never been intuitive because “you can’t feel where you have to touch.”

The report states, “Apple’s technology is also remarkably flexible. The company explains that it can employ multiple tomography techniques, such as reflection, diffraction and transmission to build a 3D map of your fingertip, while the acoustic imaging system can also monitor heart and respiration rates and blood oxygenation. The tech can even map a face, cheek or ear if users want more creative ways of unlocking their iPhones.”

Forbes goes on to add that Apple is definitely serious about bringing back Touch ID as they have mentioned it three times since December. While Face ID has proven to be successful, having dual biometric authentication like the combination of Touch ID and Face ID will give the Cupertino brand’s devices military-grade authentication.

If Apple does indeed implement this feature, then Android manufacturers will be playing catch-up once more.