Samsung might be developing an intriguing facial recognition technology. one that uses two under-display cameras. It is detailed in a patent application that Samsung sent to KIPRIS (Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service) in March 2021. The concerned paper was made available to the public last week and was published in a Dutch magazine.
The basic concept of facial recognition technology is really simple: take many pictures of the person from different angles so that you can better create a 3D model of their face and utilize that for authentication. However, Samsung specifically makes reference to using under-display cameras, which is intriguing in and of itself. The Korean firm has so far largely kept the technology to itself while experimenting with it on its Galaxy Fold range. Therefore, one hypothesis would be that Samsung is investigating this new dual UDC technology for its foldable phones.
While that may be the case, we think that facial recognition technology has broader applications and that the requirement for UDC cameras originates from the need to have the two cameras as far apart as feasible in order to capture the user from two separate views. The bottom of the phone, at the area where the under-display fingerprints are now located, may need to be equipped with a camera to accomplish that. perhaps maybe integrating the two into a single optical module.
There aren’t many specifics in the patent of facial recognition technology. The mockup does, however, depict a typical “slab” style phone with two UDC cameras—one on top and one at the bottom. Measuring pupil size is another topic covered in the patent. The concept is that a human’s pupil size should change based on the lighting. This could be used as an additional layer of protection to prevent the use of tools like photographs or masks to evade face authentication.
Although the concept is obviously intriguing, it should be highlighted that it is currently only a concept and neither a product nor any sign that one would exist. We’ll keep an eye out for any further developments, though.
