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ApplePatent applicationSecurity & privacyInterest 6/10

Apple patents unlocking phones using eye tracking from a computer

Apple describes a system where a computer detects if a user is looking at a locked companion device, such as a phone. If the user looks at the phone and provides an input, like touching the screen, the computer tells the phone to unlock. If the user is not looking at the device, the phone stays locked even if an input is detected.

Why it mattersThis could make unlocking devices more secure by ensuring the person using the computer is the one interacting with the phone, preventing accidental or unauthorized unlocks.

In the filing’s own words

While a user is using an attention-aware device and while a companion device is in a locked state, an input is detected at the companion device. In response to the input being detected at the companion device and in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more unlock criteria is met, including a determination that attention of the user is directed to the companion device, where the attention of the user is detected by the attention-aware device, the companion device is caused to unlock. In response to the input being detected at the companion device and in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more unlock criteria is not met, the attention-aware device forgoes causing the companion device to unlock.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A 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: while a user is using the computer system and while a companion device is in a locked state, determining that an input has been detected at the companion device; and in response to determining that the input has been detected at the companion device: in accordance with a determination that a set of one or more unlock criteria is met, including a determination that attention of the user is directed to the companion device, wherein the attention of the user is detected by the computer system, causing the companion device to unlock; and in accordance with a determination that the set of one or more unlock criteria is not met, forgoing causing the companion device to unlock.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
DEVICES, METHODS, AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES FOR UNLOCKING A COMPUTER SYSTEM
Publication number
US20260267945A1
Application number
19437784
Filed
Dec 31, 2025
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
25

Classified under

G06F 21/31 Physics & computingG06F 3/012 Physics & computingG06F 3/013 Physics & computingG06F 3/0346 Physics & computingG06F 3/0481 Physics & computingG06F 3/04815 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.