LG Electronics Inc. has filed a patent related to iris-scanner technology to the World Intellectual Property Organization agency, an indication that the South Korean smartphone maker may adopt an iris scanner for its next flagship smartphones.

Here is the description of the patent, filed in 01.06.2017 by LG Electronics, and published last week:

"Disclosed are a mobile device and controlling method thereof. The present invention includes a memory configured to register a first iris image, an illumination sensor configured to sense an external illuminance of the mobile device, a display configured to emit a light from a preset region, a camera configured to detect either a second iris image or a pupil image, and a controller configured to control the memory, the illumination sensor, the camera and the display and control the display to display a message for guiding a change of an eye according to the external illuminance sensed by the illumination sensor, wherein the message for guiding the change of the eye is changed according to the sensed external illuminance."

The move suggested that LG Electronics may adopt iris-scanner technology for its upcoming flagship, presumably the LG G7.

Iris scanners are considered to provide tougher security than fingerprints. Samsung Electronics first included an iris scanner in its Galaxy Note 7 phablet released last year.

LG Electronics said it cannot provide details on the smartphones to be released next year.