A new patent filed by Apple has detailed several security measures that an iOS-based device, for example an iPhone or iPad, could employ to disable access to sensitive information or features.
Currently, if an iOS device falls into the wrong hands the only security feature it has is a four-digit lock-code, and that's only if the feaure has been enabled by the owner. The new patent, entitled Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device, would take a different approach to identify who is using the device.
This approach could include using voice print analysis, photo analysis, and even heartbeat analysis to detect tell-tale signs of unauthorised use, like a rapid heartbeat, or face and voice detection to compare the features of the current user to the features of the device's owner.
In theory, if an iPad detects that it is being accessed by an unauthorised user, it could shut down or remove access to sensitive information. Accoring to the patent, when an unauthorized user is detected, "various safety measures can be taken", which can include alerting the real owner via text, email or voice message.
You can see the full patent here (heavy traffic seems to be causing intermittent server problems so there's also a PDF of the patent attached to this post).
Currently, if an iOS device falls into the wrong hands the only security feature it has is a four-digit lock-code, and that's only if the feaure has been enabled by the owner. The new patent, entitled Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device, would take a different approach to identify who is using the device.
This approach could include using voice print analysis, photo analysis, and even heartbeat analysis to detect tell-tale signs of unauthorised use, like a rapid heartbeat, or face and voice detection to compare the features of the current user to the features of the device's owner.
In theory, if an iPad detects that it is being accessed by an unauthorised user, it could shut down or remove access to sensitive information. Accoring to the patent, when an unauthorized user is detected, "various safety measures can be taken", which can include alerting the real owner via text, email or voice message.
You can see the full patent here (heavy traffic seems to be causing intermittent server problems so there's also a PDF of the patent attached to this post).