Apple has filed a patent application for a light sensor located on the bottom of the case of Apple Watch which would allow the identification of the user through the characteristics of the wrist. The idea, assuming it can be reflected in reality, therefore establishes the foundations of a new authentication system that could take the name of Wrist ID .

The basic idea is quite simple: the sensor would take care of detecting and analyzing the characteristics and details of an area hit by a special illuminator. The particular arrangement and conformation of the veins would be unique for each individual , as if it were fingerprints, the which would allow Apple Watch to ensure that it is worn by its rightful owner. It is a technology that has already been seen on LG’s G8 ThinQ smartphone.

Idea for “Wrist ID”: wrist veins as fingerprints

Currently the Apple Watch authentication system is based on a PIN , which must be entered every time the watch is removed and replaced. A more transparent authentication system to the user could be an interesting feature for a device of this kind and capable of improving its user experience, for example even for those activities in which user authentication is fundamental as is the case. of the Apple Pay payment system.

Although the underlying idea may be captivating, it is good to keep in mind that a practical implementation of this concept could run into problems that are difficult to solve. For example, Apple Watch sensors currently have some problems functioning correctly in the presence of tattoos in the wrist area, and it is therefore possible that an authentication system such as the one described in the patent may not operate adequately in the case of tattooed skin.

In any case, it is interesting to note that Apple is exploring the possibility of implementing alternative authentication methods to the simple PIN even for a device like Apple Watch. After all, Apple has significantly focused on biometric authentication technologies in other devices such as iPhone, iPad and MacBook laptops : an evolution in this direction also for Apple Watch seems, even if difficult, quite obvious.