Will The iPhone 8 Feature Fingerprint Technology To Make Emergency Calls Easier?

It's something that might come from the mind of James Bond's tech scientist "Q." Apple appears to be close to an iPhone feature that allows users to discreetly contact emergency services through a fingerprint touch when faced with a potential attacker.

According to a patent application published Tuesday, commands are entered into the device with a "touch processing module" which would analyze which finger was used and the timing and cadence of finger sequences.

These sequences, when performed correctly or with the correct finger, would trigger an emergency 9-1-1 call. While not all of Apple's patented products are included in their products, this feature could be a key selling point for the upcoming iPhone, which is rumored to be released in September or October.

READ: iPhone 8 Release Date Delay: Analyst Says To Stop Worrying About Launch Rumors

The abstract described the patented invention as "a touch processing module that processes touch screen input to determine... that the user intends for execution of a particular command."

The particular command would be needed to be synched up with the user's individual fingerprint, and then the application would "analyze the data to determine if the input was entered with a particular finger or finger sequence," or "acquire timing data from the user’s entry of a plurality of inputs and analyze the timing data to determine if the touch screen input was entered with a particular timing or cadence."

The device would recognize the finger and initiate the application with use of a specific finger or a specific password tapped in time. Another feature would measure the amount of force applied to the device and unlock the application.

When the command is activated, "the phone would provide the users' location to responders, and could also live stream audio or video from the iPhone. The system could also be used to activate other types of mobile command, according to the patent," according to a Tuesday report by CNBC.

READ: iPhone 8 Final Design: Power Button Might Double As Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor

One of the main features of the patent is the application's ability to remain undetected to the casual observer or attacker. While calling from a locked screen is already an available feature on most phones, the patent stated that this feature could be "readily apparent to someone watching."

If an attacker requires the user to unlock or use the phone, the user can appear to be complying with their attacker while secretly calling 9-1-1, and the owner of the phone can use unusual combinations based on their fingerprints, which would be registered on the phone.

This includes like "pinky-ring-pinky" to look like they are unlocking their phone while also calling the police, the patent said.

The technological innovation would build on ideas already explored in other Apple products such as Apple's SOS feature. This feature was added last year to the Apple Watch and boasted of a better system to support emergency calling and display such as the wearer's name, date of birth, weight, height, blood type, and whether they are an organ donor is presented.