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Samsung introduces iris scanner to phones

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In this July 28, 2016, photo, Jonathan Wong of Samsung's Knox Product Marketing, shows the iris scanner feature of the Galaxy Note 7, in New York. Samsung releases an update to its jumbo smartphone and virtual-reality headset, mostly with enhancements rather than anything revolutionary during a preview of Samsung products. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Samsung firstly patented new approach to iris scanning and now introduced it to their new Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.  This technology in Samsung approach allows to protect access to device and data on it in a very convenient way and at the same time it is very secure.

Similarly, to earlier mentioned on the Koźmiński Tech Blog (http://techblog.kozminski.edu.pl/2015/10/30/eyeball-password/) this technology uses the human eye in order to identify authorized person. The difference is in its by far smaller size, lower price, and improved security.

Based on the presentation from past month held in London scanning process takes a second and require a user to look with both eyes open straight on the phone from 25 to 35 cm distance.

The device captures image of the face and iris this ensures even greater security.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner consists of IR LED and Iris camera. The Iris camera utilizes a special filter to receive reflected image of an iris achieved by illuminating it with IR LED light. The infra-red light ensures very good range for iris scanning which is not affected by color or ambient light which is typical in traditional technology.GalaxyNote7_Feature_Iris_Main_Final_3_2

Captured image is extracted and digitalized in order to compare it to digitalized pattern. If it matches the encrypted code grants the access. Thanks to this (a rather common move used for example by apple in its fingerprint scanning) no image of the actual iris is stored on the device and because of it cannot be taken from the device. This makes it more secure and protects the privacy of user as none of his photos are being used only digitalized patterns.

Based on Samsung description of sensor “iris scanning requires fewer trials and results in fewer false acceptance than fingerprint scanning”.

The technology will be used to grant access to the device, protect programs and data on the dedicated folder, will enable quick login into websites (using Samsung Pass on Samsung Internet Browser). Moreover, Samsung is also establishing partnerships with major banks in order to provide payment options using their biometric authentications utilizing iris scanning.

How do you fill about iris scanning method proposed by Samsung? Do you see it totally replacing fingerprint scanning in very near future?

Sources:

https://news.samsung.com/global/in-depth-look-keeping-an-eye-on-security-the-iris-scanner-of-the-galaxy-note7http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-note-7-iris-scanner-works-706979/

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