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Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

appft.uspto.gov

11–20 of 33 posts

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#11
I've done a lot of work with heartbeat signatures, and this is a promising idea. Each person has a certain set of easily identifiable characteristics to their heartbeat, such as notches, and creating something like an FFT to create a signature could potentially be a great method of identifying a user.

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#12

I've done a lot of work with heartbeat signatures, and this is a promising idea. Each person has a certain set of easily identifiable characteristics to their heartbeat, such as notches, and creating something like an FFT to create a signature could potentially be a great method of identifying a user.

Are any of these identifiable characteristics really that invariable? What if someone starts exercising a lot, or loses 200 pounds, or starts taking medication that affects the heart/blood pressure, etc..?

I imagine being locked out of your account and trying to diagnostic your heart must be a pain...

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#13

I've done a lot of work with heartbeat signatures, and this is a promising idea. Each person has a certain set of easily identifiable characteristics to their heartbeat, such as notches, and creating something like an FFT to create a signature could potentially be a great method of identifying a user.

Are any of these identifiable characteristics really that invariable? What if someone starts exercising a lot, or loses 200 pounds, or starts taking medication that affects the heart/blood pressure, etc..? I imagine being locked out of your account and trying to diagnostic your heart must be a pain...

As with fingerprints, your password is always the primary authentication method. The fingerprint / heartbeat authentication support is there as an alternative; to be "cool", take longer than typing your password, and make it easier for intruders to access your device.

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#14

I've done a lot of work with heartbeat signatures, and this is a promising idea. Each person has a certain set of easily identifiable characteristics to their heartbeat, such as notches, and creating something like an FFT to create a signature could potentially be a great method of identifying a user.

why would it be better than say fingerprints ? Is it the fact that fingerprints, or retinal scan cannot be cheaply integrated into a mobile phone... while this can be?

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#15
post #5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe it would work perfectly - until you were panicky and the adrenaline affected your heart rhythm. Like during that sales demo, or when calling 911.

Does adrenaline really affect rhythm , or does it simply make your heart beat with the same rhythm, faster? I thought any change in heart rhythm was considered an arrhythmia.

I suspect arrhythmias are commoner than you think. A large proportion of us will suffer from one at some point in our lives.

Failure scenario: you're having a mild heart attack, but you can't call an ambulance because your phone doesn't recognize you!

(If this biometric is routinely used as a password-substitute, what are the odds that by the time you really need it, you've forgotten the password you used when you set up your account?)

Yes, a workaround for emergency services is feasible, but your average first half attack has a duration measured in hours, comes with a variety of symptoms the victim is unfamiliar with, and many folks' first response is to try to self-diagnose or ask someone about it, rather than to instantly realize "OMFG, I'm having a heart attack, ER now". Way to go if they're locked out of all the possible online sources of information that might tell them what's going on!

(And I really don't think Apple will be wanting to jump through the medical device certification hoops for OSX and the iPhone, given what the regulatory regime is like ...)

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#16
post #15
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does adrenaline really affect rhythm , or does it simply make your heart beat with the same rhythm, faster? I thought any change in heart rhythm was considered an arrhythmia.

I suspect arrhythmias are commoner than you think. A large proportion of us will suffer from one at some point in our lives. Failure scenario: you're having a mild heart attack, but you can't call an ambulance because your phone doesn't recognize you! (If this biometric is routinely used as a password-substitute, what are the odds that by the time you really need it, you've forgotten the password you used when you se…

Easy enough: require that any computer using biometrics (of any kind, not just this one) also have the guest account enabled.

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#19

I've done a lot of work with heartbeat signatures, and this is a promising idea. Each person has a certain set of easily identifiable characteristics to their heartbeat, such as notches, and creating something like an FFT to create a signature could potentially be a great method of identifying a user.

So if I came back from a long running am I still able to unlock my heartbeak signature protected device?

Re: Heart Rhythm as Password (Apple Patent Application)

#20

I've done a lot of work with heartbeat signatures, and this is a promising idea. Each person has a certain set of easily identifiable characteristics to their heartbeat, such as notches, and creating something like an FFT to create a signature could potentially be a great method of identifying a user.

why would it be better than say fingerprints ? Is it the fact that fingerprints, or retinal scan cannot be cheaply integrated into a mobile phone... while this can be?

No, it's because an evil person will cut off your finger in order to gain access. He can't rip out your beating heart and all the sanguine system so this is a much better biometric from a personal safety viewpoint.
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