IP Library › Granted Patent US 12682032
Granted Patent B2
US 12682032 · App. 18/673,195 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Method and device for automatic authentication

Inventors: Thomas G. Salter (Foster City, CA); Rahul Nair (Santa Clara, CA)
Assignee: Apple Inc.
G06F21/32G06T7/20G06V40/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12682032
App. No.
18/673,195
Filed
May 23, 2024
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2433
USPC
726/2
Abstract

In one implementation, a method of authenticating a user is performed by a first device including a camera, an eye tracker, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The method includes obtaining, via the camera, an image of a physical environment. The method includes detecting, in the image of the physical environment, a second device. The method includes determining, using the eye tracker, a gaze of a user. The method includes determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device. The method includes, in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device, transmitting authentication credentials to the second device.

Claims (47)

1 . A method comprising:

at a first device including a camera, an eye tracker, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory:

obtaining, via the camera, an image of a physical environment;

detecting, in the image of the physical environment, a second device;

determining, using the eye tracker, a gaze of a user;

determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device;

determining that the second device is in a locked state requiring unlocking data to proceed to an unlocked state;

in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device and the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state, transmitting the unlocking data to the second device; and

in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device and the second device is not in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state, forgoing transmission of the unlocking data to the second device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating the user prior to transmitting the unlocking data to the second device.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising performing an eye scan of the user, wherein authenticating the user is based on the eye scan of the user.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving a passcode from the user, wherein authenticating the user is based on the passcode.

5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein authenticating the user is performed in response to determining that the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state.

6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein authenticating the user is performed in response to detecting the second device.

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein authenticating the user is performed in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unlocking data provides access to the second device.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state includes receiving a request for the unlocking data from the second device.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state includes detecting the second device displaying a lock screen in the image of the physical environment.

11 . A first device comprising:

a camera;

an eye tracker;

a non-transitory memory; and

one or more processors to:

obtain, via the camera, an image of a physical environment;

detect, in the image of the physical environment, a second device;

determine, using the eye tracker, a gaze of a user;

determine that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device;

determining that the second device is in a locked state requiring unlocking data to proceed to an unlocked state;

in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device and the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state, transmit the unlocking data to the second device; and

in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device and the second device is not in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state, forgo transmission of the unlocking data to the second device.

12 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are further to authenticate the user prior to transmitting the unlocking data to the second device.

13 . The first device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are further to perform an eye scan of the user, wherein the one or more processors are to authenticate the user based on the eye scan of the user.

14 . The first device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are further to receive a passcode from the user, wherein the one or more processors are to authenticate the user based on the passcode.

15 . The first device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are to authenticate the user in response to determining that the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state.

16 . The first device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are to authenticate the user in response to detecting the second device.

17 . The first device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors are to authenticate the user in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device.

18 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are to determine that the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state by receiving a request for the unlocking data from the second device.

19 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are to determine that the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state by detecting the second device displaying a lock screen in the image of the physical environment.

20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon which, when executed by one or more processors of a first device including a camera and an eye tracker, cause the first device to:

obtain, via the camera, an image of a physical environment;

detect, in the image of the physical environment, a second device;

determine, using the eye tracker, a gaze of a user;

determine that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device;

determining that the second device is in a locked state requiring unlocking data to proceed to an unlocked state;

in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device and the second device is in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state, transmit the unlocking data to the second device; and

in response to determining that the gaze of the user is directed to the second device and the second device is not in the locked state requiring the unlocking data to proceed to the unlocked state, forgo transmission of the unlocking data to the second device.

21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second device displays a lock screen in the locked state and a home screen in the unlocked state.