Given that in-display fingerprint readers are becoming more common in mobile phones, it's expected that this technology will spread to other types of devices. And if there's one manufacturer that could be the leader in this area, it's none other than Samsung . While it's true that the manufacturer is currently holding off on launching its first device with an in-display fingerprint reader, considering the rumors surrounding the Galaxy S10 and the latest patent discovered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office , it's clear that the Korean company will be making its move very soon.
A watch with an integrated fingerprint reader
Since smart watches have become tools with which to make payments and transactions, security has become a key element with which to guarantee the user experience. Many models on the market depend on the connection to the mobile phone or a simple code that we must enter on the small screen of the device, solutions that are not perfect and that are light years ahead of any based on biometric readings.
Given this limitation, incorporating a fingerprint reader into a watch is only a matter of time, and it seems the most suitable solution is to integrate it into the screen itself. This way, we wouldn't sacrifice the watch's design, and we'd even achieve greater independence from our phones. The idea, as shown in the patent, is to place a biometric sensor in the center of the screen that would only activate after receiving a specific pressure. This pressure-sensitive technology would be called "Touch Force" and would prevent false readings that could occur on such a small screen.
A technology for watches and phones
The interesting thing about the patent is that it describes the technology as a solution available for both smartwatches and mobile phones, so we might think that, if it includes an integrated fingerprint reader, the future Galaxy S10 will have this type of solution. There is talk that it would be compatible with LCD, LED, OLED, MEMS panels and even an electronic ink panel, so it could be a solution for all types of devices.
As always happens in these cases, these types of patents do not serve to confirm anything, since they could be simple ideas reserved as a more distant future. In fact, the idea of a smartwatch with an integrated fingerprint reader from Samsung has been around for several years, so we'll see if this time it's definitive.