Apple Patents Collecting Biometric Information Based on Unauthorized Device Use
Apple applied for a patent earlier this year on collecting biometric information of an unauthorized device user. The obvious application is taking a copy of the fingerprint and photo of someone using a stolen smartphone.
Note that I have no opinion on whether this is a patentable idea or the patent is valid.
EDITED TO ADD (9/13): There is potential prior art in the comments.
Drone • August 29, 2016 6:52 AM
“Note that I have no opinion on whether this is a patentable idea or (if) the patent is valid.”
Hmmm… After just a few moments of thought:
Should not be patentable on the merits: The concept has repeatedly been in practice for years prior to the patent date reported, and not just for mobile phones. For example, I remember seeing this concept put into use as part of more than one commercial vehicle tracking system.
Is the Apple Patent valid? Gee dunno – does prior art no longer matter in the (increasingly corrupt and dysfunctional) U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?