Biometric Approval Control for Sensor-Triggered Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack the ability to ensure appropriateness of performing predetermined processing based on sensor signals, as they do not request user approval before executing actions.

Innovation Solution

An approval system that includes biometric authentication devices to verify user authorization before performing processing based on sensor signals, using biometric information to confirm eligibility for specific actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If predetermined processing is performed automatically based on sensor signals, then response speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to ensure appropriateness of processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidappropriateness of processing
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication of the sensor device before executing predetermined processing. The management device stores authentication information in advance and verifies it when a sensor signal is received, ensuring the sensor device is authorized to trigger the action. This preliminary check resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast response while ensuring processing appropriateness through pre-established trust relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If user approval is requested before performing processing, then reliability of processing is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to additional approval steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing approvalVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service authentication where the sensor device automatically proves its authority to perform predetermined processing by presenting stored authentication information. This eliminates the need for manual user approval while maintaining reliability, as the authentication mechanism autonomously verifies whether the sensor device is authorized to trigger specific actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If biometric authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization verificationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses authentication information that is copied or replicated between the management device and sensor device. The management device generates authentication information and provides it to authorized sensor devices, which then use this copied information to prove their authority. This approach achieves strong authorization verification without requiring complex biometric hardware in each sensor device, maintaining simplicity while ensuring security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4036769B1Approval system
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4036769B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4036769B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4036769B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an approval system includes an information processing apparatus and a biometric authentication device. The information processing apparatus includes a first interface and a first processor. The first processor is configured to: receive a sensor signal; when a state satisfying a predetermined condition related to data indicated by the sensor signal occurs, transmit an approval request signal to the biometric authentication device; and perform the countermeasure processing when an approval response signal is received from the biometric authentication device. The biometric authentication device includes a second interface, a storage unit, a biometric sensor, a second processor. The second processor is configured to: cause the biometric sensor to acquire the biometric information when the approval request signal is received; and transmit the approval response signal when the biometric information acquired by the biometric sensor and the biometric information stored in the storage unit are identified with each other.