User identification in cell phones based on skin contact

A method, comprising:

• determining, by a system comprising at least one processor, that a mobile device is not being used including determining the mobile device is not being actively used and determining that the mobile device is not being passively used, wherein the determining includes analyzing user touch data that is received from a set of skin conductivity sensors located on a rear surface of the mobile device;
• identifying, by the system, an identity of a user that last used the mobile device based on measurement information recorded by a thermal sensor on the mobile device;
• and
• initiating, by the system, a display time-out of the mobile device that is customized for the user, based in part on a preference associated with the identity, and in response to the determining.

A non transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a system to perform operations, comprising:

• receiving sensor data from a set of skin conductivity sensors located on a rear surface of a portable electronic device;
• analyzing the sensor data to determine that the portable electronic device is not being passively used;
• determining an identity of a user that last utilized the portable electronic device based on measurement information recorded by a thermal sensor on the portable electronic device;
• and
• initiating a display screen time-out the portable electronic device that is customized for the user, based in part on a preference associated with the identity and in response to the analyzing.