Backup Biometric Template for Anonymous Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems often require individuals to sacrifice anonymity to access sensitive information, making it difficult to balance privacy and accuracy in authentication processes, especially when biometric data is unavailable or compromised.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating and enrolling backup biometric information, which includes a backup biometric template, public key, and private key, distributed among entities to enable anonymous authentication, allowing access to privacy-sensitive information while maintaining patient anonymity, even if the original biometric data is not available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication systems are used, then access to sensitive information is enabled, but anonymity and privacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidprivacy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a backup biometric template that is a copy of the original biometric data. This backup template is stored separately and can be used for authentication if the original biometric data is unavailable or compromised, thereby maintaining privacy while ensuring reliable access to sensitive information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing the backup biometric template and associated cryptographic keys before the original biometric data becomes unavailable. This allows for seamless authentication continuity without requiring re-collection of biometric data, thus maintaining both accuracy and privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If backup biometric information is stored, then authentication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication availabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup biometric template serves multiple functions: it provides authentication capability when original data is unavailable, enables privacy-preserving access to sensitive information, and can be used for re-identification if needed. This multi-functionality justifies the added system complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single backup mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of cryptographic encryption and key management between the backup biometric template and the authentication process. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a standardized interface for handling backup authentication, making the complexity manageable and scalable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9213818B2Anonymous authentication using backup biometric information

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 PARTNET INC

AI summary

A method for performing anonymous authentication by an electronic device is described. The method includes obtaining biometric data. The method also includes enrolling biometric information based on the biometric data. The method also includes generating backup biometric information based on the biometric data. The backup biometric information includes a backup biometric template. The method also includes generating a backup public key and a backup private key. The method also includes enrolling the backup biometric information. Enrolling the backup biometric information includes distributing the backup biometric template, the backup public key and the backup private key among different entities.