Samsung could use in-display fingerprint sensors on smartwatches reveals patent

Samsung may be playing catch with Chinese smartphone manufacturers when it comes to implementing an in-display fingerprint scanner on a smartphone. But the company may be ahead of the curve when it comes to implementation of sensors for smartwatches. [caption id=“attachment_5670971” align=“alignnone” width=“980”] Diagram of the in-display sensor from the Samsung patent. Image: SlashGear[/caption] As per a report by SlashGear, a new patent filed by the company last year reveals the places Samsung could use in-display fingerprint sensors on, including a smartwatch. The patent filed with the USPTO in Q2 2018 reveals that the sensor is capable of detecting touches of a certain degree of pressure which the company refers as “force touch”. The sensor will detect the ‘force touch’ only with a specified area which is the lower portion of the display. The patent document also hints that Samsung may use this technology in both smartphones and smartwatches. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy flagship, touted as the Galaxy S10 is **expected to feature** an optical in-display fingerprint scanner which is said to be far more accurate and reliable when compared to existing sensors. If Samsung is indeed planning to launch a Galaxy smartwatch with an in-display fingerprint scanner, it will very likely be the same sensor being developed for the Galaxy S10 smartphone. These patents are never a confirmation that Samsung is actually working on a device to use it. However, it’s interesting that the company is at least thinking of the idea of using an in-display authentication system on a smartwatch.