Background Biometric Setup for Seamless Fingerprint Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often find biometric security setup processes cumbersome and time-consuming, leading to procrastination or avoidance, and existing systems require user-initiated setup processes that may not be convenient or user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

A 'hidden' setup process for biometric security services, such as fingerprint identification, is automatically initiated by the user device without user request, capturing fingerprint samples during normal device usage and generating a template in the background, allowing for seamless activation of biometric authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional biometric security setup process is used, then user control and confirmation are maintained, but the setup process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup process convenienceVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary fingerprint sampling and template generation actions before the user actually needs to use biometric authentication. The setup process is initiated automatically in the background without requiring user initiation, and fingerprint samples are collected during normal device usage rather than during a dedicated setup session.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically initiating the biometric setup process without user intervention. The device autonomously determines when to sample fingerprints, processes the samples to generate templates, and manages the activation state, requiring the user only to provide their finger when prompted by system notifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automatic background setup is implemented, then setup time is reduced, but user privacy and control may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup efficiencyVSAvoiduser consent reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where users receive notifications about the setup status and can provide input to influence the process. Users are informed when fingerprint sampling is occurring, can view collected samples, and have the ability to accept or reject the generated template, maintaining ongoing control throughout the automated process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the setup process based on user responses and system state. It transitions from automatic sampling to user confirmation stages, allowing the level of automation to vary depending on user preferences and contextual factors, rather than following a rigid automated or manual path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If multiple fingerprint samples are collected during background operation, then authentication accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint template accuracyVSAvoidsetup process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates multiple copies of fingerprint samples during normal operation and processes these copies to generate a more accurate composite template. Rather than requiring a single perfect sample, the system collects multiple instances and synthesizes them into a robust authentication template that accounts for variations in finger placement, pressure, and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3259701B1Biometric setup that runs in the background
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3259701B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3259701B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3259701B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium having instructions to invoke a setup of a fingerprint identification service of the user device, wherein the setup automatically sets up the fingerprint identification service without receiving a request from a user to set up the fingerprint identification service, capture, via the fingerprint reader, a fingerprint sample of the user of the user device; store the fingerprint sample; determine whether to generate a fingerprint template; generate the fingerprint template based on a determination to generate the fingerprint template; store the fingerprint template; provide a notification to the user that indicates that the fingerprint identification service can be activated; receive a request to activate the fingerprint identification service from the user; and activate the fingerprint identification service based on the request to activate the fingerprint identification service.