Microsoft patented fingerprint authentication

Image from patent

Microsoft has patented a new way to authenticate users for touch-screen devices. Authorization will take place using a pre-recorded gesture. In this case, the company's technology will be based on the individual subtleties of finger movements - pressing force, angles of movement and distances.

Smartphones are taking on more and more functions, from  unlocking doors and  managing a bank account to  opening cars  - and the functions of protection against unauthorized access are lagging behind this frantic progress.

Complex passwords are by definition difficult to remember and enter, simple passwords are easy to peek or pick up, the fingerprint can be taken from the device itself, and the screen lock gestures, common now, it is easy to peek and then repeat - or try to guess the remaining trace on the screen.



Microsoft decided that it was important to record not only the gesture itself, but also how it was performed. To increase the accuracy and uniqueness of the gesture, it is assumed that it will need to be performed immediately with four fingers - all but the thumb.

The patent says that the device will record and then analyze the exact location of the fingers, the angles between them, the length of the fingers and other biometric information. In addition, the exact size of the area of ​​contact of the finger with the screen and the force of pressing are recorded.

The patent explains that to record a secret gesture, you will need to repeat it several times, and during this process the device will have to record all the necessary data.

The company claims that this approach can be incorporated into any device, including even Kinect - however, in this case, you will have to act not only with your fingers, but with your whole body.


Dance of Authentication

The obvious questions that arise after reading a patent may be as follows. Still, man is not an android; entering a few numbers is one thing, but just repeating some tricky gesture is another. What about the case when the user is, say, drunk? Okay, the plus of such a system is that he will not call the former - well, if you need to call an ambulance or find a way home?

And if a person is sick? Broke his arm? How then to be without: “Bro, look, I have it written on my smartphone”? It turns out that repeating such a gesture will not work, not only with bad intentions, but also at the request of the owner of the smartphone?

Well, let's not forget about the milling machine. They are always forgotten. They did not even have a professional holiday.