# US 12,216,754 B2 · User interfaces for authenticating to perform secure operations > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,216,754 B2 - Document ID: US12216754B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/732,222 - Filed: 2022-04-28 - Published: 2023-01-19 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-05-10 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Sung Chang Lee; Bowen Cheng; Yue Hang; Weiqi Pan; Yue Shen; Xiaoguang Yang; Xiaofeng Yu; Feng Zhang; Liang Zhao; Qiuji Zhao; Wendong Zhong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216754B2 ## CPC - G06F 21/34: involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards - G06F 21/32: using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints - G06V 40/70: Multimodal biometrics, e.g. combining information from different biometric modalities - G10L 17/24: the user being prompted to utter a password or a predefined phrase - G06F 2221/2117: User registration - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - G10L: SPEECH ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES OR SPEECH SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING ## Abstract The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for authentication, including providing authentication at a computer system in accordance with some embodiments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer system configured to communicate with one or more biometric sensors, one or more input devices, and an external accessory device, the computer system comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to unlock the computer system while the computer system is in a locked state; in response to receiving the request to unlock the computer system: in accordance with a determination that a first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied, wherein the first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied when a detected biometric feature detected in conjunction with the request to unlock the computer system is consistent with an enrolled biometric feature, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to an unlocked state; and in accordance with a determination that a second set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied without satisfying the first set of biometric identification criteria, wherein the second set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied when the detected biometric feature detected in conjunction with the request to unlock the computer system is partially consistent with the enrolled biometric feature, causing an output of a prompt that indicates that one or more interactions with the external accessory device can be used to unlock the computer system; and after causing the output of the prompt: in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state; and in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have not been detected, maintaining the computer system in the locked state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, the one or more programs further including instructions for: after transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to perform a secure operation; in response to receiving the request to perform the secure operation: in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied, performing the secure operation; and in accordance with a determination that the second set of biometric identification criteria are satisfied without satisfying the first set of biometric identification criteria, causing a second output of a second prompt that indicates that a second one or more interactions with the external accessory device can be used to perform the secure operation; and after causing the second output of the second prompt: in accordance with a determination that the second one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, performing the secure operation; and in accordance with a determination that the second one or more interactions with the external accessory device have not been detected, forgoing performing the secure operation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the second set of biometric identification criteria includes a criterion that is satisfied when a gaze of a user directed toward a predetermined portion of the computer system has been detected. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein: the computer system is in communication with a first output device; and causing the output of the prompt includes outputting the prompt via the first output device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein causing the output of the prompt includes transmitting one or more instructions that cause the external accessory device to output the prompt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is not a wearable device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the external accessory device is a wearable device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the enrolled biometric feature includes data corresponding to a face or a fingerprint. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions include a gesture on a touch-sensitive surface of the external accessory device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions include actuation of a hardware input element that is located on the external accessory device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions include a compressing gesture on the external accessory device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions include the computer system and the external accessory device transmitting data via a near-field communication protocol. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions include a first interaction that is detected by the one or more input devices of the computer system and a second interaction detected at the external accessory device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions is an interaction that is detected when a determination is made that the computer system and the external accessory device have physically touched. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactions include a motion gesture that is performed with the external accessory device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, the one or more programs further including instructions for: in accordance with a determination that the second set of biometric identification criteria and the first set of biometric identification criteria are not satisfied, maintaining the computer system in the locked state without causing the output of the prompt. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The computer system of claim 1, wherein, in accordance with the determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state includes: in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device satisfy a set of respective criteria, providing limited access privileges to a user of the computer system. ### Claim 18 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of a computer system that is in communication with one or more biometric sensors, one or more input devices, and an external accessory device, the one or more programs including instructions for: receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to unlock the computer system while the computer system is in a locked state; in response to receiving the request to unlock the computer system: in accordance with a determination that a first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied, wherein the first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied when a detected biometric feature detected in conjunction with the request to unlock the computer system is consistent with an enrolled biometric feature, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to an unlocked state; and in accordance with a determination that a second set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied without satisfying the first set of biometric identification criteria, wherein the second set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied when the detected biometric feature detected in conjunction with the request to unlock the computer system is partially consistent with the enrolled biometric feature, causing an output of a prompt that indicates that one or more interactions with the external accessory device can be used to unlock the computer system; and after causing the output of the prompt: in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state; and in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have not been detected, maintaining the computer system in the locked state. ### Claim 19 A method, comprising: at a computer system that is in communication with one or more biometric sensors, one or more input devices, and an external accessory device: receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to unlock the computer system while the computer system is in a locked state; in response to receiving the request to unlock the computer system: in accordance with a determination that a first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied, wherein the first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied when a detected biometric feature detected in conjunction with the request to unlock the computer system is consistent with an enrolled biometric feature, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to an unlocked state; and in accordance with a determination that a second set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied without satisfying the first set of biometric identification criteria, wherein the second set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied when the detected biometric feature detected in conjunction with the request to unlock the computer system is partially consistent with the enrolled biometric feature, causing an output of a prompt that indicates that one or more interactions with the external accessory device can be used to unlock the computer system; and after causing the output of the prompt: in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state; and in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have not been detected, maintaining the computer system in the locked state. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, the one or more programs further including instructions for: after transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to perform a secure operation; in response to receiving the request to perform the secure operation: in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied, performing the secure operation; and in accordance with a determination that the second set of biometric identification criteria are satisfied without satisfying the first set of biometric identification criteria, causing a second output of a second prompt that indicates that a second one or more interactions with the external accessory device can be used to perform the secure operation; and after causing the second output of the second prompt: in accordance with a determination that the second one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, performing the secure operation; and in accordance with a determination that the second one or more interactions with the external accessory device have not been detected, forgoing performing the secure operation. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the second set of biometric identification criteria includes a criterion that is satisfied when a gaze of a user directed toward a predetermined portion of the computer system has been detected. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein: the computer system is in communication with a first output device; and causing the output of the prompt includes outputting the prompt via the first output device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein causing the output of the prompt includes transmitting one or more instructions that cause the external accessory device to output the prompt. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the computer system is not a wearable device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the external accessory device is a wearable device. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the enrolled biometric feature includes data corresponding to a face or a fingerprint. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions include a gesture on a touch-sensitive surface of the external accessory device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions include actuation of a hardware input element that is located on the external accessory device. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions include a compressing gesture on the external accessory device. ### Claim 30 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions include the computer system and the external accessory device transmitting data via a near-field communication protocol. ### Claim 31 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions include a first interaction that is detected by the one or more input devices of the computer system and a second interaction detected at the external accessory device. ### Claim 32 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions is an interaction that is detected when a determination is made that the computer system and the external accessory device have physically touched. ### Claim 33 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the one or more interactions include a motion gesture that is performed with the external accessory device. ### Claim 34 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, the one or more programs further including instructions for: in accordance with a determination that the second set of biometric identification criteria and the first set of biometric identification criteria are not satisfied, maintaining the computer system in the locked state without causing the output of the prompt. ### Claim 35 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein, in accordance with the determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state includes: in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device satisfy a set of respective criteria, providing limited access privileges to a user of the computer system. ### Claim 36 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: after transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a request to perform a secure operation; in response to receiving the request to perform the secure operation: in accordance with a determination that the first set of biometric identification criteria is satisfied, performing the secure operation; and in accordance with a determination that the second set of biometric identification criteria are satisfied without satisfying the first set of biometric identification criteria, causing a second output of a second prompt that indicates that a second one or more interactions with the external accessory device can be used to perform the secure operation; and after causing the second output of the second prompt: in accordance with a determination that the second one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, performing the secure operation; and in accordance with a determination that the second one or more interactions with the external accessory device have not been detected, forgoing performing the secure operation. ### Claim 37 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the second set of biometric identification criteria includes a criterion that is satisfied when a gaze of a user directed toward a predetermined portion of the computer system has been detected. ### Claim 38 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein: the computer system is in communication with a first output device; and causing the output of the prompt includes outputting the prompt via the first output device. ### Claim 39 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein causing the output of the prompt includes transmitting one or more instructions that cause the external accessory device to output the prompt. ### Claim 40 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the computer system is not a wearable device. ### Claim 41 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the external accessory device is a wearable device. ### Claim 42 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the enrolled biometric feature includes data corresponding to a face or a fingerprint. ### Claim 43 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions include a gesture on a touch-sensitive surface of the external accessory device. ### Claim 44 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions include actuation of a hardware input element that is located on the external accessory device. ### Claim 45 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions include a compressing gesture on the external accessory device. ### Claim 46 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions include the computer system and the external accessory device transmitting data via a near-field communication protocol. ### Claim 47 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions include a first interaction that is detected by the one or more input devices of the computer system and a second interaction detected at the external accessory device. ### Claim 48 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions is an interaction that is detected when a determination is made that the computer system and the external accessory device have physically touched. ### Claim 49 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more interactions include a motion gesture that is performed with the external accessory device. ### Claim 50 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: in accordance with a determination that the second set of biometric identification criteria and the first set of biometric identification criteria are not satisfied, maintaining the computer system in the locked state without causing the output of the prompt. ### Claim 51 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein, in accordance with the determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device have been detected, transitioning the computer system from the locked state to the unlocked state includes: in accordance with a determination that the one or more interactions with the external accessory device satisfy a set of respective criteria, providing limited access privileges to a user of the computer system.