Rumors have been rife that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is poised to house an iris scanner, with reports confirming that the Korean camera module maker Patron is set to supply it.
Now, a new Samsung patent sheds light on how the iris scanner will function on the S-Pen-equipped Galaxy Note 7 phablet from Samsung. The Samsung trademarks are for "Galaxy Iris" and "Galaxy Eyeprint."
Previous reports have suggested that Samsung has been working in tandem with the lndustry Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University, to develop next-gen iris scanning technology. Now, a new Samsung invention with a patent pending has popped on the USPTO, according to a Patently Mobile report.
This patent, the publication says, shows off a "new kind of triple-camera system to accommodate iris scanning."
"In various embodiments, the iris recognition system employs three lenses to capture the image signal, and then checks the iris of the user based on the image generated as well as other information," notes the Samsung patent filing.
How Will The Samsung Iris Technology Work On The Galaxy Note 7?
The patent reveals that the system will deploy multiple cameras. These cameras will initially capture the Galaxy Note 7 users' eyes, followed by their face. Three lenses will be used to ensure that the iris, which the system is scanning, matches the recorded image in its memory. It is possible that the infrared rays — controlled possibly by an App Processor — will be beamed on the user's eyes.
The iris scanner's first lens — possibly a zoom lens — will essentially have two narrower field lenses. These will focus on the eyes of the user. The second lens, by comparison, will have a wider field view so that it can easily capture the user's face. This lens will likely be a short focal length lens.
What happens if the scanner is unable to recognize the eyes or face of a Galaxy Note 7 user? A voice message will ask the users to try again.
For the uninitiated, an iris scanner can be deployed to unlock the device as well as verify the user's identity to initiate mobile payments. The use of biometrics in mobile devices is becoming increasingly popular with many OEMs embedding a fingerprint scanner and face unlock technologies in their devices.
However, the use of an iris scanner in a smartphone is a relatively newer territory, and Samsung may be among the first few to give shape to the technology in its Galaxy Note 7. In February, HP also revealed that its Elite x3 smartphone would have iris recognition security. The Chinese company TCL Corporation has also revealed its plans of releasing a smartphone that has an iris scanner in India on July 4.
The Galaxy Note 7 is poised to debut on Aug. 2.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr
