This will allow biometric authentication to be used to unlock the device as well as to make purchases.
According to information found in the latest patent, Apple is exploring the idea of adding Touch ID to the Apple Watch along with a camera that will be located below the display surface.
Apple Watch with Touch ID and under-screen camera. The company has registered interesting patents
The company has applied for a patent called “Electronic device with a button biometric sensor system.” The patent says Touch ID, which is Apple’s term for a fingerprint scanner, could be built into the side button on the watch. This will allow biometric authentication to be used to unlock the device as well as to make purchases.
Another patent, titled “Dual Stage Display Electronic Devices,” says the company plans to lay out the display panels in layers, adding a camera and flash that will only be visible when needed.
The first layer contains pixels for displaying images, and the outer layer can become transparent or block light when needed.
Apple’s under-display camera technology could potentially be used with iPhones and iPods, but the patent only mentions the Apple Watch.
