There's many ways to unlock a smartphone. In the past, it was just typing in a secret code, but now there are swipe patterns, fingerprint entry and even face scans. However, Microsoft still thinks there is a safer way to unlock a smartphone, and it requires more than just one finger, Tech Radar reports.

Microsoft has filed to patent a way to unlock smartphones combining fingerprints, finger placement and movement to unlock the phone. The unlocking method will capture finger placement, length between each finger, angle between fingers and more.

This means users will be able to create their own unique finger placement as well as move their fingers in a method only they will remember.

Unlike a four digit PIN number, the security of this new method is highly secure. Users will not have to fear that someone is looking over their shoulder while the type in a simple four-digit number. Instead, they will place their fingers on the screen and wiggle them. It would be very difficult for someone to recreate this process exactly. 

Microsoft is hesitant on putting a fingerprint sensor on their smartphones, citing the cost.

"Other devices employ a dedicated fingerprint reader for authentication. The fingerprint reader can add considerably to the overall cost of the device and require dedicated real-estate on the device," the patent reads.

Instead of having a dedicated fingerprint sensor, Microsoft phones might have another way of identifying fingers placed on the screen such as a pressure-detecting screen. 

Smartphones might not be the only devices that Microsoft plans to use this new unlocking system with. In the patent, there is mention of the system working with the Xbox One Kinect unit. Instead of placing their fingers on the screen, Xbox One players would perform a unique gesture to the Kinect camera.