What you need to know
- Huawei has patented a 3D fingerprint sensor for its smartwatches for both biometric ID and gesture controls.
- The patent suggests that users would be able to twist their finger (counter-)clockwise to adjust watch settings like volume and brightness.
- Smartwatches would also recognize multiple fingerprints in order to register different actions to specific fingers.
- Samsung and Apple previously patented smartwatch fingerprint sensors in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
Smartwatches with contactless payments universally rely on clunky PIN systems for security. Despite patents from Galaxy and Apple Watch for in-display fingerprint sensors or Touch ID built into a button, neither brand has implemented the idea. Now Huawei has a more intriguing fingerprint smartwatch patent, teasing a feature that may never come to fruition.
As reported by MySmartPrice via Wareable, Huawei’s patent details a three-dimensional “advanced optical fingerprint sensor” integrated into the AMOLED smartwatch display capable of recognizing fingerprints at any angle.
The patented concept by Huawei allows users to register multiple fingerprints and assign specific actions to each finger. For example, tapping a message with different fingers triggers various responses, such as calling the messenger.
Another patent image demonstrates the user twisting their index finger to “control volume and display brightness through gestures,” with the direction of the twist determining volume control.
While many smartwatches recognize gestures like finger pinches for shortcuts, the ability to long-press or twist specific fingers on the screen may feel more intuitive to some users. Recognizing multiple fingerprints also allows for setting preferences for various apps or actions.
Furthermore, users can now use payment apps without entering a PIN on a small watch screen, thanks to the Huawei watch prompting for a fingerprint authentication when initiating a payment app.
While Samsung first patented the concept of an under-display fingerprint sensor in 2018, the idea remained vague, including a potential under-display camera for an “iris scanner.” It appears unlikely that Samsung has immediate plans for fingerprint technology in the Galaxy Watch 8.
Apple’s 2022 Touch ID patent seemed more detailed, featuring a sensor integrated into the Side button for user authentication and transaction approval. However, Apple has not implemented this technology yet, despite its potential usefulness. A previous report in 2022 suggested Apple might incorporate the fingerprint sensor into the Apple Watch S7 crown, but this also remains unconfirmed.
Although Huawei’s patent is intriguing, it remains uncertain whether the Chinese brand will be the first to introduce this technology in its watches, especially considering its limited availability outside of Asia. Contactless payment users may need to continue using PIN codes for the time being, with hopes for a better alternative fading.
It’s also possible that Huawei may choose not to implement the 3D fingerprint sensor due to security concerns and previous issues with fingerprint recognition on Android phones.