A newly registered patent filed this week by Apple indicates that traditional iPhone security measures such as passwords, fingerprints, iris scans and face and voice recognition may soon be replaced by heart rate monitoring technology.
As reported by Apple Insider, Apple is developing a method to unlock devices simply by holding an iPhone, activating exterior sensors, or via a signal from an Apple Watch that continuously monitors heart rate.
According to Apple Insider, the patent leverages the uniqueness of each person’s heart rate and vascular activity, akin to fingerprints or iris patterns. With current capabilities, devices like the Apple Watch, as well as smartwatches from Samsung and Garmin, can monitor heart rates. This biometric information could quickly verify identity, eliminating the need for slower and less reliable identification methods.
Although advanced smartwatches can currently unlock devices like computers, they still require an access code, making the process cumbersome. By using an ECG (electrocardiogram) test while wearing the watch, immediate unlocking could be achieved without a password. Heart data could effectively replace traditional security measures.
Presently, conducting an ECG with Apple Watches and similar devices involves activating an app and pressing buttons for an extended period. In Apple Watches, sensors on the back and the side button complete an electrical circuit.
Apple's patent allows for similar functionality directly on the iPhone, enabling heart monitoring by simply holding the device, turning the smartphone's exterior into a surface for tracking the heart's electrical activity.
The patent also explores using ECG data to detect the user's mood. Apple envisions measuring heart characteristics during workouts, enabling the device to play music that matches the heartbeat rate. This means faster-paced songs could play during strenuous activities, while slower tunes could accompany moderate exercises.