Google Facial Recognition Patent: Users May Be Able To Make A Face Instead Of Entering A Password
As we've seen this week with Motorola's password tattoos and pills announcement and Apple's fingerprint scanner rumor, tech companies are seeking out new ways to enable users to easily access their devices and accounts without having to remember a phrase or code. With Google's facial recognition patent, published online Tuesday, it appears the corporation has devised its own alternative.
According to the U.S. patent, first filed in June 2012, Google's facial recognitionmethod would require users to make a predetermined facial gesture that would then be scanned and compared to a previously captured photo for authentication. Each time a device asks for identification, the user would have to make a face that includes movement of an eye, eyebrow, mouth area, forehead area or nose.
Suggested gestures range from a "wink" or "eyebrow movement" to a "nose wrinkle" or "tongue protrusion."
While facial recognition authentication is nothing new, Google's requirement for a user to make a unique gesture seems to be a new attempt to thwart unauthorized users from accessing devices that don't belong to them. Google's patent even notes how some of the techniques could prevent "prevent erroneous authentication caused by spoofing."
Even though
Like Alphanumeric and cross passwords were not enough
Even though
Like Alphanumeric and cross passwords were not enough