Biometric Authentication System with Sensor Trust Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current identification methods are vulnerable to fraud and lack reliable verification techniques, especially in high-security environments, due to the ease of altering or forging identification records and the risk of identity theft, which necessitates a more secure and accurate method for authenticating individuals based on their unique biometric characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A biometric repository system that stores identification information and trust levels, allowing for real-time authentication by comparing sensed biometric data with stored data and correlating the trust levels of both the data and the sensor used, providing a score on the accuracy of the identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional identification methods (names, numbers, passwords) are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to fraud and identity theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of identification from arbitrary assignments (names, numbers, passwords) to intrinsic biometric characteristics (fingerprints, facial recognition, DNA). This transformation maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving reliability, as biometric traits cannot be lost, stolen, or guessed like traditional identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/documentation-based identification systems with biometric sensing and pattern recognition systems. Instead of relying on physical documents or memory of passwords, the system uses sensors to capture biological patterns and compares them against stored templates, providing both convenience and security.
2Reliability
If biometric authentication is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensors, databases, and comparison systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the biometric authentication system into distinct functional modules: enrollment phase (capturing and storing biometric data), authentication phase (comparing presented data against stored templates), and trust evaluation phase (assessing reliability based on data quality and sensor credibility). This segmentation manages complexity by isolating functions and making the system more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a trust level mechanism as an intermediary layer that mediates between the biometric comparison result and the final authentication decision. This intermediary evaluates the quality of biometric data and credibility of sensors, providing a nuanced reliability assessment without requiring complete system redesign.
3Reliability
If trust levels are associated with sensor reliability, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases due to additional data storage and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by storing and processing only the necessary trust level metadata alongside biometric data, rather than maintaining complete detailed records of every sensor interaction. This selective data retention provides sufficient reliability information for authentication decisions while minimizing data processing overhead and storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system employing enrollment information and the quality of the enrollment information. The enrollment information includes data unique to the identification of a person. The system also stores biometric sensor quality information. When a person seeks to authenticate his/her identity, the sensor transmits the sensor quality data along with the biometric attribute data to the system. The transmitted data is correlated with the enrollment data, and quality of the enrollment data, to produce a score indicative of the probability of a correct identification.