When we think of finger prints,we think of criminals, or at least that’s what the plethora of crime scene tv shows have made us to believe. However, Sony has recently been awarded a patent that uses similar technology it plans to use in computer mice to set certain types of preferences for users (especially elderly users). The new technology would capture the image of the user’s blood vessels in the palm (on touch of the mouse), and compare the information obtained with preregistered blood vessel pattern information. If there is a match, the user is authenticated. After authentication,  preferences like monitor contrast, size of text etc. will be automatically set, instead of the user having to go through a complex set of manual operations.

However, this is not the only use of the patent. Sony plans to use this technology even in the toilet. On the turn of the door knob, the system would not only capture an image of the blood vessel but also the wrinkles on the hand to determine the age of the person. After authenticating the person by matching the information obtained with the information in its database, another set of preferences would initiate – the toilet seat would lift automatically, and the angle of the bidet would be set as per the user’s preference. The system also controls the nozzle setting to set the appropriate water pressure for cleaning the hip. If the user is determined to be a child or an elderly person, the water pressure would be set to lower than the default water pressure. If the user is middle generational, the water pressure does not change and stays at its default setting.

Now how cool is this technology? Very, I think! Sony filed for this patent in 2009 but was recently awarded the claim, thanks to a backed up US patent system. To read more about the patent in greater technical detail, hit the source link!

Can you think of this technology being used in other scenarios?

Source: USPTO via Engadget