Biometric Authentication Distribution in Ad Hoc Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary devices in wireless ad hoc networks lack reliable authentication methods due to constraints such as small form factors and cost considerations, leading to inconvenient and potentially insecure transaction processes.

Innovation Solution

A method where a primary device in the network performs biometric authentication and shares a primary authentication value with secondary devices, which can then perform additional authentication using lower reliability sensors, combining these values to create a final authentication value for secure transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If secondary devices use less reliable biometric sensors (motion-based, facial image) due to form factor and cost constraints, then device portability and affordability are improved, but authentication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice form factorVSAvoidauthentication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines authentication values from multiple devices (primary device with sophisticated sensors and secondary device with simpler sensors) to create a composite authentication decision. The secondary device receives authentication data from the primary device and merges it with its own sensor data, allowing the system to maintain high authentication reliability while using compact secondary devices with less sophisticated sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If secondary devices perform standalone authentication using local sensors, then authentication speed and convenience are improved, but security risk increases due to lower sensor reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidsecurity reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The primary device acts as an intermediary that bridges the secondary device and the authentication system. The secondary device performs quick local authentication using simpler sensors, while the primary device with more sophisticated sensors verifies and validates these authentication attempts, ensuring security without compromising the convenience of rapid local authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If secondary devices require concurrent primary device authentication for transactions, then security is improved, but operational convenience deteriorates due to additional authentication steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidtransaction convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication using the primary device's sophisticated sensors before the secondary device is needed for transactions. Once authenticated, the secondary device can independently complete transactions using its own authentication value combined with the pre-validated primary device authentication, eliminating the need for concurrent authentication and improving transaction convenience while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3215973B1Distributing biometric authentication between devices in an ad hoc network
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3215973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3215973B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3215973B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One feature pertains to biometric authentication of a user between devices. In one aspect, an ad hoc personal wireless network may include a primary device and one or more secondary devices using grouping policies such proximity policies and other permissions. The primary device shares a biometric authentication value of a user with the one or more secondary devices. Each secondary device may then perform additional authentication of the same user using a relatively low reliability biometric sensor such as a digital camera for facial recognition, a microphone for voice recognition or an accelerometer for gesture recognition. The secondary authentication results may be combined with the biometric authentication score/level from the primary device to form a final authentication score/level of the secondary device, which is used to authenticate the user of the secondary device for one or more transactions such as consumer purchases, secure content access, or secure control.