Creepy Heartbeat Recognition Coming To The iPhone?

[Michael Essany]

We've all heard of voice recognition, finger print sensors, and even retina scans, but the latest security feature that could become the next big thing is a wee but creepier - and maybe also a bit cooler - than other user-detection methods. According to a patent application from you know who, the folks in Cupertino may be tinkering with the prospect of an embedded iPhone security feature that would essentially "lock out" anyone's who's "cardiac signal" doesn't match that of the iPhone's owner or other authorized user.

According to our friends at Patently Apple:

Apple's first high-end enterprise quality biometric security system patent surfaced back in March of 2009 and with today's patent, Apple takes a giant leap forward in biometric security.

The Apple patent in question - dubbed the "Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor" - effectively provides a functionality by which a unique iPhone sensor detects a user's heartbeat on contact with the device. And somehow - don't ask me to explain this part - the "biometric data" can be ingested by the iPhone to determine if your identity matches that the of the device's authorized user(s). Here's how the patent application puts it: "The durations of particular portions of a user's heart rhythm, or the relative size of peaks of a user's electrocardiogram (EKG) can be processed and compared to a stored profile to authenticate a user of the device."

For years, Apple has had its finger on the "pulse" of the smartphone industry, but this development certainly takes the cake. So sophisticated is the technology in development that the iPhone would be sensitive to far more than just the detection of a heartbeat. In fact, the patent explains that the sensor in question is intelligent enough to analyze the personalized characteristics of one's heartbeat, looking for subtle factors and other nuances that can distinguish an unauthorized user from an authorized one.

Naturally, it doesn't seem likely the this extraordinary feature will be in place for the launch of the 4th generation iPhone, which could be rolled out in a matter of weeks. But Apple is obviously gearing up for the future and endeavoring to delve deep into the heart - pun intended - of biometric data and its use in their revolutionary smartphone.

Image via Patently Apple

[MetallicaFan1991]

Hardly any of the things Apple patent come true, yawn.

[bagek]

Guess it'll be even more difficult to check my e-mail while getting it on

[Maarten16]

creepy indeed

[dstaysniak]

What kind of drugs are these people taking? A cell phone is for the purpose of making CALLS. What if a person in cardiac distress is trying to call for help and because their heart pattern is different than normal it won't let them make that emergency phone call. Please, get your heads out of your rear ends !!

[monadzback]

So if you're having a heart attack and your heart is out of sync, you can't call 911?

[tudtran]

I don't know about all that heartbeat recognition crap. But Apple could make a build in heart rate monitor for NIKE+. That would be perfect add on. I just spend $200 last march on a Polar heart rate monitor.

[chris102192]

fail... dont go jogging and try to unlock your phone to change songs...

[moon#pie]

I figured it out! This is why apple got rid of all the bikini apps! Otherwise people would get locked out of their iPhone due to the change in heart beat while using it!

[rampagebegins]

Guess it'll be even more difficult to check my e-mail while getting it on

second

[billmilo]

poppycock

[the french bum]

That's a crock of ****. So what? If you end up with an intermittent bundle branch block or your PR interval widens you'll get locked out of your phone? I call bull ****. Cardiac rhythms change with age, diet and medications. There is not way that a phone can ever take an accurate ECG, standard, "easi" or 12 lead.

This is a crock.

[knguyen]

Imagine what if we have different types of "cardiac signals" and the phone can recognize them all. Signal when we're exercising and it automatically turns on Pandora or iPod. One when we're in trouble and it calls 911 for us. Or one when we're doing it and Whitney Houston starts playing. Now that's a bad *** phone.

[slayorktc]

I have faith in apple. I'm sure if a biometric security system is going to be implemented they have already thought about the posts like above (or at least now they are). Also, a simple settings "on/off" option will be there as well.. Bring on the new technology.

[TheDirtyDiddler]

I doubt it. I'm sure it has something to do with fitness.

[GregTheWang]

No more FML when I'm taking a difficult dump

[JacquesChirac]

yea, this is nonsense. There's no such thing as a "cardiac signal". It'd be used for measuring heart rate during exercising or something.

[magusxxx]

This is only cool if I can play King Crimson in the background.

If it's Don Johnson, I'll pass. :P

[whereswaldo]

one question, if you are having a heart attack and need to call someone, will it lock you out?

[caleb9707]

I figured it out! This is why apple got rid of all the bikini apps! Otherwise people would get locked out of their iPhone due to the change in heart beat while using it!

haha you make me laugh for the first time today! +1