Google Explores Improved Security in Face Unlock Patent

When Google pushed out face unlock security feature on Android, many lambasted the feature as fickle and inadequate. It now seems that the search giant had been working on improving the feature by adding more security measures to it. This is manifest in a new face unlock patent application.

The problem with face unlock feature is that it can easily be manipulated. For instance, you can unlock the security measure by waving a photo of the user in front of it. To counter this, Google has tried to implement more aspects to it. For instance, in Android 4.1, users are also required to blink in front of the camera to undo face unlock. This is done to ensure that the user is not a photograph but a real human being.

A new patent application by Google envisions even better methods of improving the face unlock feature. For instance, the application talks about coupling face unlock with certain pre-configured measures. Movements such as raising eyebrows or smiling can then be used, in conjunction with face unlock, to ensure that the real user is unlocking the device.

Moreover, the patent also speaks about the use of two different frames. This will essentially help the device recognize when a photograph or a video clip is being used to fool it. A 3D ‘range finder’ can also be used to ensure that the person smiling or waving at the device is a 3D object, not a part of a 2D video or a photograph. Such measures certainly seem promising in that they can truly render face unlock far more secure.