Currently used to deliver security features to the iPhone and iPad, Apple’s fingerprint recognizing Touch ID, first introduced on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, may bring added functionality to the home button on future iOS devices. The iPhone maker filed a patent Thursday with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that details using Touch ID to add functionality to the home button, such as the ability to navigate content and applications based purely on finger movement, and more.

The main idea set forth in the patent application is to use Touch ID to enable other functionality in the home button over and above using fingerprint recognition for unlocking a device or to authorize Apple Pay transactions and app purchases via iTunes.

In addition to security via Touch ID, the home button on an iPhone currently performs only three other functions: holding the home button down the activate Siri, double press it to view a list of open apps, or press it once to return to the home screen.

Patent language is often complicated and difficult to make sense of, but thankfully Apple included a number of drawings detailing specific use cases for the extended functionality that helps clarify its intent.

One example shows how pressing down or holding the home button could launch the search function from the home screen. Another shows how the fingerprint sensor in the home button can improve gameplay; instead of swiping and tapping the screen – and obscuring the screen view – players can perform actions directly from the home button.

The application also describes how the fingerprint sensor could replace on-screen multi-touch gestures or multiple button presses commonly used to access and navigate between multitasking applications.

Yet another application of fingerprint sensing in the home button is to lock the display orientation – in either landscape or portrait mode – based on the orientation of the user’s fingerprint on the home button.

The patent also describes using haptic feedback to help users learn how to use the new home button functions correctly – presumably it will give you a buzz if you’re doing it wrong.

Apple’s application doesn’t stop at the iPhone and iPad though. It also includes the possibility of including fingerprint sensors in peripherals such as a Touch ID-equipped smart mouse or trackpad.

Photo credit: Microsiervos Geek Crew, Flickr, CC BY 2.0