EP4309059A1

EP4309059A1 - Multi-finger sensor

Info

Publication number: EP4309059A1
Application number: EP22714860.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Yves GOMEZ; Jérôme JOIMEL; Jérôme MICHALLON; Benjamin BOUTHINON
Original assignee: Isorg SA
Current assignee: Isorg SA
Priority date: 2021-03-19
Filing date: 2022-03-15
Publication date: 2024-01-24
Also published as: JP2024510660A; WO2022194865A1; US20240152591A1; KR20230158525A; EP4309058A1; WO2022194864A1; US20240169043A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device (100) comprising a fingerprint sensor (510) adapted to simultaneously acquire fingerprints from a plurality of fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4), preferably two to four fingers.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Multi-finger sensor

This application claims the priority of French patent applications 21/02767 and 21/02768 which will be considered as forming an integral part of this description within the limits authorized by law.

Technical area

This description generally relates to electronic devices. The present description relates more particularly to means and methods for controlling access, by a user of an electronic device, to one or more applications executed by this device.

Prior technique

[0002] Electronic devices such as smart mobile telephones or smartphones, touch pads, connected watches, etc. are known. capable of running one or more applications. Some of these applications may comprise access control guaranteeing in particular that confidential or secret data, for example banking data of a user of the device, can only be made accessible to third parties with the permission of the user.

Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to guarantee optimal protection of the confidential data of users of electronic devices, there is a permanent need to strengthen the means and methods of controlling access to the applications executed by these devices.

[0004] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of access control means and methods to one or more applications executed by a known electronic device.

[0005] One embodiment provides an electronic device suitable for executing at least one application comprising access control, in which a number of authentication means implemented by the access control can be configured according to a security level assigned to the application.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the authentication means comprise at least one biometric sensor.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the biometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor.

[0008]According to one embodiment, the fingerprint sensor is adapted to simultaneously acquire fingerprints of several fingers, preferably two to four fingers.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the fingers are part of the same hand.

[0010]According to one embodiment, a number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the fingerprint sensor is adjusted according to the level of security assigned to the application.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the authentication means or means comprise an access code.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the authentication means or means comprise a geolocation system.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the authentication means or means comprise a peripheral interacting with the device. According to one embodiment, the configuration of the number of authentication means implemented by the access control is performed by a user of the electronic device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the configuration of the number of authentication means implemented by the access control is performed by an application developer.

[0016] One embodiment provides a method comprising the step of setting, according to a security level assigned to at least one application adapted to be executed by an electronic device, a number of authentication means implemented by controlling access to said application.

[0017] One embodiment provides an electronic device comprising a fingerprint sensor adapted to simultaneously acquire fingerprints of several fingers, preferably two to four fingers, the sensor being located in or under a display screen of the device and occupying, preferably, a surface substantially equal to that of the display screen.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the fingers are chosen from among the fingers of two hands of the same user.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor is adjusted according to a level of security assigned to an application executable by the device.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the application has access to banking data of a user of the device.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor is further adjusted according to an amount of a money transfer made by the device. [0022] According to one embodiment, the number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor is configurable.

According to one embodiment, the setting is performed by a user of the electronic device.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the configuration is performed by an application developer.

One embodiment provides a method comprising the step of simultaneously acquiring, by a fingerprint sensor of an electronic device, fingerprints of several fingers, preferably two to four fingers.

Brief description of the drawings

These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments and modes of implementation made on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures, among which:

Figure 1 is a top view, schematic and partial, of an example of an electronic device of the type to which apply, by way of example, the embodiments and modes of implementation described;

[0028] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a step of an implementation mode of a method for setting up access control to an application;

[0029] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a variant of the step of Figure 2;

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates, schematically, another step of the mode of implementation of the process for setting the access control to the application; [0031] Figure 5 shows, schematically and in the form of blocks, authentication means in connection with the mode of implementation of the method of Figures 2 to 4;

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates, schematically, a mode of implementation of an authentication step;

Figure 7 schematically illustrates another mode of implementation of an authentication step;

[0034] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates yet another mode of implementation of an authentication step; and

Figure 9 schematically illustrates yet another mode of implementation of an authentication step.

Description of embodiments

The same elements have been designated by the same references in the various figures. In particular, the structural and/or functional elements common to the different embodiments and modes of implementation may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0037] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments and implementations described have been represented and are detailed. In particular, the software implementation of the access control methods described n is not detailed.

Unless otherwise specified, when reference is made to two elements connected together, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when reference is made to two connected elements (in English "coupled") between them, this means that these two elements can be connected or be linked via one or more other elements. [0039] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc. ., unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orientation of the figures.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions “about”, “approximately”, “substantially”, and “of the order of” mean to within 10%, preferably within 5%.

Figure 1 is a top view, schematic and partial, of an example of an electronic device 100 of the type to which apply, by way of example, the embodiments and modes of implementation described.

In the example shown, the electronic device 100 is a mobile telephone, for example a smart mobile telephone or smartphone, comprising on the front face a display screen 102, preferably tactile. This example is however not limiting, the embodiments and modes of implementation of the present description applying more generally to any electronic device comprising a touch screen, for example touch tablets, connected watches, activity bracelets, etc. The screen 102 of the telephone 100 makes it possible for example to display, once the telephone 100 has been unlocked by a user, a welcome screen comprising icons for launching applications executable by the telephone 100. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the screen 102 more precisely displays a number n of icons 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n. The number n is an integer between 3 and 30, for example.

In this example, the icons 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n are distributed along a grid. Each icon 104-1, 104-2, 104-n allows for example to start or resume the execution of an application APP1, APP2, ... APPn. In a case where the screen 102 of the telephone 100 is tactile, the execution of each application APP1, APP2, ... APPn is for example launched or resumed by a short press, typically lasting less than one second, d a finger of the user on the screen 102 directly above the corresponding icon 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n.

The applications APP1, APP2, ... APPn can be installed on the telephone 100, for example stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) of the telephone 100. Alternatively, all or part of the applications APP1, APP2, . .. APPn are installed outside the telephone 100, for example stored on a server or cloud (“cloud”, in English).

In the example shown, the screen 102 also displays an icon 106 (MENU) allowing access to a configuration menu of the telephone 100. The configuration menu allows the user in particular to modify options relating to to the applications APP1, APP2, ... APPn executable by the telephone 100. By way of example, the settings menu also allows the user to configure and activate wireless communication functionalities of the telephone 100 with mobile telephone networks or with other electronic devices, to customize an appearance of a graphical interface of system software executed by the telephone 100, to adjust brightness and sound options, to configure messaging accounts, modify energy management profiles, etc.

Among the applications APP1, APP2, ... APPn executable by the telephone 100, certain applications include access control. Access control aims in particular to ensure that a person wishing to use an application has the rights or privileges required by this application. This makes it possible in particular to guarantee that personal, confidential or secret data used by the application can only be accessible to third parties with the consent of the user of telephone 100.

The access control is for example implemented prior to each launch or start of the application. Access control can also be implemented later by the application one or more times during its execution, for example when operations using personal, confidential or secret data of the user of telephone 100 are carried out.

[0048] By way of example, banking applications such as online payment and/or banking applications, secure messaging applications, medical or health applications, electronic safe applications, etc. usually include access control. In the case of an online banking application, access control is carried out, for example, when the application is launched, for example when the user starts the application to consult an account balance, as well as each beneficiary addition or money transfer operation, for example each contactless payment via telephone 100.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a step of an implementation mode of a method for setting up access control to an application, the application APP2 in the example shown.

In this example, the screen 102 displays a menu 202 for setting up the application APP2, the menu 202 being symbolized in FIG. 2 by a bubble pointing to the icon 104-2 of the application APP2. In the example shown, the menu 202 includes icons 204 (OPT1) and 206 (OPT2) allowing for example to configure various options of the application APP2, to uninstall the APP2 application from the memory of the phone 100, to move the 104-2 icon to the home screen grid, etc.

According to one mode of implementation, the menu 202 for setting up the application APP2 also includes an icon 208 (SECU) via which the user can access a menu for setting control parameters. application access APP2. An example of such a menu is described below in relation to figure 4.

[0052] By way of example, in the case where the screen 102 is touch-sensitive, the display of the menu 202 for setting up each application APP1, APP2, ... APPn results from a long press, for a duration typically greater than one second, of the user's finger on the screen 102 directly above the corresponding icon 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n.

[0053] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a variant of the step of Figure 2.

In this variant, the screen 102 of the telephone 100 displays a menu 302 (SECU MENU) from which the user can access the access control parameters of each of the applications APP1, APP2,... APPn. The menu 302 is for example a sub-menu of the configuration menu of the device 100 accessible by a short press on the screen 102 directly above the icon 106.

In the example shown, the menu 302 includes icons 304-1, 304-2, ... 304-n allowing the user to access application access control settings menus respectively APP1, APP2, ... APPn executable by the telephone 100. Each menu accessible from one of the icons 304-1, 304-2, ... 304-n is for example identical to the menu accessible from the icon 208 of menu 202 associated with each icon 104-1, 104-2, ... 104-n of the home screen as explained previously in relation to FIG. 2.

The access control settings menu for each application APP1, APP2, ... APPn executable by the device 100 is preferably accessible either by implementing the step in FIG. 2 or by the implementation of the step in Figure 3. This gives the user more flexibility to access the access control settings Alternatively, the access control settings menu of each application APP1, APP2, ... APPn is accessible only by implementing one or other of the steps respectively described in relation to Figures 2 and 3.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another step in the mode of implementation of the access control setting method for the application APP2.

[0058] Figure 4 illustrates more precisely an example of menu 402 (APP2 - SECU PARAMS) for setting the access control to the APP2 application displayed by the screen 102 of the telephone 100. The menu 402 is for example accessible, at the choice of the user, from the icon 208 of the menu 202 of the application APP2 (FIG. 2) or from the icon 304-2 of the menu 302 (FIG. 3).

In the example represented, the menu 402 comprises a list of elements 404-1 (VERIF1), 404-2 (VERIF2) and 404-3 (VERIF3). Each element 404-1, 404-2, 404-3 symbolizes at least one authentication means associated with the access control of the application APP2. In this example, each element 404-1, 404-2, 404-3 of the menu 402 comprises a switch making it possible to activate or deactivate the authentication means associated with this element. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the authentication means VERIF1 and VERIF2 are activated while the authentication means VERIF3 is deactivated. In this example, the access control to the application APP2 implements the means VERIF1 and VERIF2, but not the means VERIF3. Thus, each time the application APP2 exercises access control, the means authentication VERIF1 and VERIF2 are implemented. The order in which the activated authentication means (VERIF1 and VERIF2, in this example) are implemented by the access control is for example configurable by the user by moving vertically, in the orientation of figure 4 , the elements 404-1 and 404-2 with respect to each other, as symbolized by a double arrow in FIG. 4. By way of example, in the orientation of FIG. 4, the means of The authentication corresponding to the elements located at the top of the list are implemented before the means of authentication corresponding to the elements located at the bottom of the list.

The activation and deactivation of each authentication means implemented by the access control to the application APP2 are for example each conditioned by obtaining a prior authorization. By way of example, any change in state of the switch of one of the elements 404-1, 404-2, 404-3 can be subjected to a prior authentication process, for example by entering a code personal or biometric identification of the user of the telephone 100. This prevents one or more means of authentication from being activated or deactivated without the knowledge of the user. As a variant, the deactivation or activation of an authentication means is subject to prior authorization.

According to one mode of implementation, the access control to the APP2 application implements a configurable number of authentication means. This number is for example chosen by a user of the telephone 100. Alternatively, this number can be determined by a developer of the application APP2, the user then for example not having the possibility, in this case, of reducing or modifying it.

The configuration of the number of authentication means implemented by the access control of the application APP2 is preferably carried out according to a level of security assigned or attributed to the application APP2.

[0064] In general, the level of security assigned to each application is, for example, defined according to an estimate of the damage that would be caused to the user by an undesirable or accidental communication, to one or more third parties, of personal data accessible by the application, possibly followed by an exploitation of this data by the third party or parties. By way of example, any application having a right of access to confidential or secret user data such as banking data, postal address, medical data, encrypted messages, private photographs and/or videos, etc.

In the example shown, the menu 402 includes another element 406 (+) allowing the user to add one or more additional means of authentication for the implementation of access control to the application. APP2. As with the activation and/or deactivation of an authentication means already present in the menu list 402, the addition of a new authentication means to this list may be subject to prior authorization. The addition of a new means of authentication can also be accompanied by a configuration step if this means of authentication is not or has not already been used by the application APP2 or by the one of the other phone 100 apps.

[0066] Although this has not been illustrated in FIG. 4, provision can be made for at least one of the elements 404-1, 404-2 and 404-3 can be deleted from the list by the user and/or by an APP2 application developer.

[0067] Although a mode of implementation of a method for configuring access control to the application APP2 has been described above in relation to FIGS. 2 to 4, this mode of implementation can be transposed to the configuration of the access control of all or part of the other applications executable by the telephone 100.

The user can preferably personalize, individually, the number of authentication means implemented by the access control to each application executable by the telephone 100. An advantage of this personalization of the number of authentication means Authentication is that it allows the user to increase this number to strengthen access control. The user can for example also customize, individually, the nature of the authentication means implemented by the access control to each application. This makes it possible, for example, to replace an authentication means with another, more robust authentication means, so as to reinforce access control. The user data accessible by the applications APP1, APP2, . . . APPn of the telephone 100 thus benefit from increased protection.

[0069] Figure 5 shows, schematically and in the form of blocks, authentication means in connection with the mode of implementation of the method of Figures 2 to 4.

In FIG. 5, a block 500 (CTRL) symbolizes the access control to an application, for example the application APP2 of the telephone 100.

According to one embodiment, the access control 500 implements at least one biometric type authentication means 502 (BIO). The means of authentication biometric is preferably chosen from:

- a sensor or system 504 (FACE) for facial recognition;

- another sensor or system 506 (IRIS) of iris recognition;

- yet another sensor or system 508 (PALM) for recognizing a palm of the hand;

- yet another fingerprint recognition sensor or system 510 (FP);

- yet another sensor or system 512 (VEINS) for recognizing a network of veins of a hand or part of a hand; and

- yet another voice recognition sensor or system 514 (VOICE).

The sensors or systems 504, 506 and 508 for facial recognition, iris recognition and recognition of a palm of the hand comprise, for example, at least one image sensor located on the front face of the telephone 100.

The sensors or systems 510 and 512 for recognizing fingerprints and for recognizing a network of veins comprise, for example, at least one image sensor. This image sensor is for example located on the side of the front face of the telephone 100. According to one embodiment, the image sensor is integrated in or under the screen 102 of the telephone 100. Alternatively, the image sensor images is located on the side of the rear face of the telephone 100 or on the edge of the telephone 100. The sensor or system 514 for voice recognition comprises for example at least one microphone of the telephone 100.

According to one embodiment, the fingerprint recognition sensor or system 510 can acquire the fingerprint of a single finger 510-1 (1F), or acquire successive or simultaneous imprints of two fingers 510-2 (2F), three fingers 510-3 (3F) or four fingers 510-4 (4F) of the same hand. As a variant, although this has not been represented in FIG. 5, provision could be made for the sensor or system 510 to be able to successively or simultaneously acquire the fingerprints of five fingers of the same hand.

The access control to the APP2 application can also implement at least one digital type authentication means 516 (NUM). The digital authentication means is chosen for example from:

- a two-dimensional code 518 (2D CODE), for example a two-dimensional barcode of the type designated by the expressions “flashcode”, “datamatrix” or “QR code”;

- an unlocking scheme 520 (LOCK SCH) comprising for example a set of points displayed by the screen 102 of the telephone 100, all or part of these points being intended to be touched or connected according to an order generally predefined by the user; and

- a confidential or personal code 522 (PIN CODE), for example a numeric or alphanumeric code comprising at least four characters.

The code 518 is for example photographed by an image sensor located at the rear of the telephone 100 then processed by an algorithm executed by a microprocessor of the telephone 100. As a variant, the code 518 can be photographed by a image sensor located on the front face of the telephone 100, for example by the fingerprint sensor located in or under the screen 102 of the telephone 100.

[0077] Although this has not been represented in FIG. 5, it is also possible to provide another digital type authentication means 516 comprising a reading, by the telephone 100, of a near-field communication tag (“ Near-Field Communication” - NFC, in English), or NFC tag. The access control to the APP2 application can also implement at least one means of authentication of another type 524 (MISC). This means of authentication is chosen for example from:

- A peripheral 526 (EXT) external to the telephone 100, for example another electronic device communicating with the telephone 100; and

- a geolocation system 528 (GEO), for example based on a GPS communication module of the telephone 100.

The geolocation system 528 makes it possible, for example, to prohibit access to certain applications, or to certain functionalities of the applications, when the telephone 100 is located outside at least one geographical perimeter. This perimeter is for example defined by the user. This advantageously makes it possible, for example, to block access to the user's personal data in the event of theft of the telephone 100.

The elements 404-1, 404-2 and 404-3 of the menu list 402 of FIG. 4 each correspond, for example, to one or more means of authentication among the means 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 , 514, 518, 520, 522, 526 and 528 of Figure 5.

[0081] In the case where the access control 500 is exercised by an application having a high level of security, for example an application having access to banking data, a minimum number of authentication means, certain authentication means and/or certain types of authentication means can be imposed for example by an application designer.

[0082] Figure 6 illustrates, schematically, a mode of implementation of an authentication step. FIG. 6 more specifically illustrates an example in which two means of authentication are implemented simultaneously by the access control to an application of the telephone 100. In the example shown, the screen 102 of the telephone 100 indicates to the user that an iris recognition, symbolized in FIG. 6 by an eye displayed on the screen 102, and a fingerprint recognition, symbolized in FIG. 6 by two fingerprints 602 of fingers displayed on the screen 102, are simultaneously required. The fingerprint sensor 510 is preferably located in or under the screen 102 of the telephone 100. In the example shown, the sensor 510 occupies a lower part, in the orientation of FIG. 6, of the telephone 100.

To accomplish the authentication step illustrated in FIG. 6, the user can for example hold the telephone 100 in his left hand, the screen 102 facing him, while placing two fingers, for example the index and the middle finger of his right hand, on the 510 sensor.

The fact of simultaneously performing an iris recognition and a fingerprint recognition advantageously improves the security of the access control.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates another mode of implementation of an authentication step.

According to this mode of implementation, during the authentication step, the user is invited to place four fingers 702-1, 702-2, 702-3 and 702-4 of the same hand 704 , for example the index, middle, ring and little fingers of his right hand, on the screen 102 of the telephone 100. The fingerprints of the four fingers 702-1, 702-2, 702-3 and 702 -4 of the user's hand 704 are preferably acquired simultaneously, preferably to a few milliseconds or tens of milliseconds, by the sensor 510.

According to one embodiment, the sensor 510 is located in or under the screen 102. In addition, the sensor 510 occupies preferably an area substantially equal to an area of the screen 102 of the telephone 100. Alternatively, the sensor 510 occupies an area approximately 30% less than the area of the screen 102 of the telephone 100. In general, the sensor 510 is in this case adapted to simultaneously acquire fingerprints of several fingers, preferably two to four fingers, chosen from the fingers of the same hand of the user. As a variant, the fingers whose fingerprints are simultaneously acquired by the sensor 510 are chosen from among the fingers of two hands of the user. According to this variant, the user's two-inch fingerprints are preferably acquired.

According to one mode of implementation, a number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor 510 is adjusted according to the level of security of the application. By way of example, the sensor 510 is configured to simultaneously acquire two fingerprints for a first application having a low level of security while the sensor 510 is configured to simultaneously acquire four fingerprints for a second application having a high level of security. , for example greater than the security level of the first application.

[0090] Furthermore, when the application is for example suitable for making money transfers, for example contactless payments or bank transfers from one account to another, the number of fingerprints acquired simultaneously by the sensor 510 preferably increases according to a desired money transfer amount.

[0091] By way of example:

- for an amount less than a first sum of money, for example €50, a single fingerprint is required to validate the transfer;

- for an amount between the first sum of money and a second sum of money greater than the first sum of money, for example €100, two fingerprints are simultaneously required to validate the transfer;

- for an amount between the second sum of money and a third sum of money greater than the second sum of money, for example €250, three fingerprints are simultaneously required to validate the transfer; and

- for an amount greater than the third sum of money, four fingerprints are simultaneously required to validate the transfer.

In order to indicate to the user the number of fingerprints to be acquired, several finger positioning zones are for example displayed on the screen 102. These zones are, in FIG. 7, symbolized by dotted circles it being understood that, in practice, the screen 102 may display a symbol or an image other than a dotted circle. Preferably, the screen 102 displays a number of zones identical to the number of fingerprints to be acquired simultaneously by the sensor 510 in order to invite the user to place the appropriate number of fingers on the screen 102. However, because the sensor covers a large part of the screen 102 of the telephone 100, the user is not forced to place his fingers directly above the dotted circles for his fingerprints to be correctly acquired. As a variant, the screen 102 can display an image symbolizing a hand and presenting a number of raised fingers corresponding to the number of fingerprints to be acquired simultaneously by the sensor 510.

[0093] The fact of providing for the simultaneous acquisition of the fingerprints of the four fingers 702-1, 702-2, 702-3 and 702-4 of the same hand 704 of the user advantageously makes it possible to benefit from a means of more robust authentication than in the case of fingerprint acquisition of a single finger of the hand 704 and only in the case of successive acquisition of several fingers of one hand. This makes it possible to reinforce the access controls implementing this means of authentication. The user data accessible by the applications APP1, APP2, . . . APPn of the telephone 100 thus benefit from enhanced protection.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates yet another mode of implementing an authentication step.

According to this mode of implementation, during the authentication step, the user is invited to use a peripheral 800, for example a connected watch as illustrated in FIG. 8, to carry out the access control. A fingerprint sensor (not shown) is for example integrated into a display screen 802 of the watch 800. The screen 102 of the telephone 100 displays for example a graphic (APP2-VERIF1) comprising a diagram inviting the user to consult the watch 800. In addition, the screen 802 of the watch 800 displays for example a symbol 804 representing a fingerprint so as to encourage the user to place a finger on the screen 802 of the watch 800.

By way of example, the fingerprint captured by the watch 800 is compared with one or more reference fingerprints, or minutiae, previously recorded by the user. The reference fingerprint(s) are for example stored in a memory of the watch 800, the comparison then being performed independently of the telephone 100. Alternatively, the reference fingerprint(s) are stored in the memory of the telephone 100, the fingerprint fingerprint captured by the watch 800 then being for example transmitted by secure wireless communication to the telephone 100 for comparison with this or these reference fingerprints. If the fingerprint acquired by the watch 800 corresponds to one of the reference fingerprints stored in the watch 800 or in the telephone 100, access to the application is for example authorized.

[0097] Although this has not been shown, the connected watch 800 can implement one or more means of authentication among those listed in relation to FIG. 5.

An advantage of this mode of implementation is that access control requires bringing together several devices, in this case the telephone 100 and the watch 800. In the event of loss or theft of the telephone 100 alone or of the watch 800 alone, the user data accessible by the applications of the telephone 100 are thus better protected.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates yet another mode of implementing an authentication step.

According to this mode of implementation, during the authentication step, the user is invited to photograph a two-dimensional barcode 902 to validate the access control. In this example, the barcode 902 is printed or engraved on a token 904. The screen 102 of the telephone 100 displays for example a graphic (APP2-VERIF2) comprising a diagram encouraging the user to photograph the barcode 902 of the token 904.

[0101] An advantage of this mode of implementation is that the access control requires bringing together several objects, in this case the telephone 100 and the token 904. In the event of loss or theft of the telephone 100 alone or of the token 904 alone, the user data accessible by the applications of the telephone 100 are thus better protected.

[0102] Various embodiments, modes of implementation and variants have been described. The skilled person will understand that certain features of these various embodiments, implementations and variations could be combined, and other variations will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the embodiments and modes of implementation described are not limited to the authentication means listed in this description.

[0103] In addition, the person skilled in the art is able to provide, for the access control of an application, any combination of authentication means, implemented successively or simultaneously, depending for example on the level of security of the app. The possible combinations are not limited to those detailed in this description.

Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments, modes of implementation and variants described is within the reach of those skilled in the art based on the functional indications given above. In particular, the implementation of the various sensors and/or elements contributing to the access control of each application is within the abilities of those skilled in the art based on the indications of this description.

Claims

1. Electronic device (100) comprising: a display screen (102); and a fingerprint sensor (510), located in or below the display screen, and adapted to simultaneously acquire fingerprints of several fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4) , preferably two to four fingers.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (510) occupies a surface substantially equal to that of the display screen (102).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4) are part of the same hand (704).

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4) are selected from fingers of two hands (704) of the same user.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which a number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor (510) is adjusted according to a security level assigned to an application (APP1, APP2, APPn ) executable by the device (100).

6. Device according to claim 5, in which the application (APP1, APP2, APPn) has access to banking data of a user of the device (100).

7. Device according to claim 6, in which the number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor (510) is further adjusted according to an amount of a money transfer carried out by the device (100).

8. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor is configurable.

9. Device according to claim 8, in which the parameter setting is carried out by a user of the electronic device (100).

10. Device according to claim 8, in which the parameter setting is carried out by a developer of the application (APP1, APP2, APPn).

11. Method comprising the step of simultaneously acquiring, by a fingerprint sensor (510), located in or under a display screen (102), of an electronic device (100), fingerprints of several fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4), preferably two to four fingers.

12. Method according to claim 11, in which the sensor (510) occupies a surface substantially equal to that of the display screen (102).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, in which the fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4) form part of the same hand (704).

14. Method according to claim 11 or 12, in which the fingers (702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 702-4) are chosen from fingers of two hands (704) of the same user.

15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, in which a number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor (510) is adjusted according to a security level assigned to an application (APP1, APP2, APPn ) executable by the device (100).

16. Method according to claim 15, in which the application (APP1, APP2, APPn) has access to banking data of a user of the device (100).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the number of fingerprints simultaneously acquired by the sensor (510) is further adjusted based on an amount of a money transfer performed by the device (100).