Biometric Authentication Power Management in Portable Computers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable computers consume unnecessary battery power when biometric authentication is performed before the computer is fully powered on, and existing solutions do not effectively reduce power consumption during non-operating states.
Innovation Solution
A computer configuration with a start-up button, biometric authentication device, and dual power systems, where the biometric authentication device switches from a low-power state to a higher power state only when authentication is required, allowing for efficient power usage and secure single sign-on.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biometric authentication device is powered on continuously to enable authentication before computer startup, then authentication availability is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary power-on of the biometric authentication device when the computer transitions to a state where authentication may be needed (such as when AC power is connected or battery charge level is sufficient). This preliminary action ensures the authentication device is ready before actual authentication is required, resolving the contradiction by preparing the system in advance rather than keeping it continuously powered.
Solution Approach 2:
The power state of the biometric authentication device is made dynamic rather than static. The device automatically transitions between powered-on and powered-off states based on real-time conditions such as power source availability (AC vs. battery), battery charge levels, and authentication requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain authentication availability when possible while minimizing power consumption when not needed.
2Ease of operation
If biometric authentication is performed before OS activation to enable single sign-on, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption during non-operating state increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the biometric authentication device performs periodic or on-demand power-on cycles triggered by specific events such as computer startup attempts or user presence detection. The device remains powered off during non-operating states and only activates periodically when authentication is actually required, thereby maintaining user convenience while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during idle periods.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fingerprint collation is performed after OS activation, then system stability is improved, but authentication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the fingerprint collation process in advance during the computer startup sequence, before the operating system fully activates. By moving the authentication operation to this preliminary stage, the system ensures that authentication is completed while the system is still initializing, which maintains system stability (since the OS is not yet fully loaded and vulnerable) while improving authentication efficiency (since users are authenticated earlier in the boot process).
Data Source
AI summary
A portable computer having a biometric authentication device is disclosed. The portable computer also includes a processor, a power supply unit having a first power system and a second power system, a power control circuit for controlling the power supply unit, and a start-up button for generating a startup signal for starting the portable computer. The biometric authentication device sends a power request signal to the power control circuit to activate the second power system upon a detection of a human user in a state where the second power system is deactivated and electric power is being supplied by the first power system. The biometric authentication device can perform an authentication operation while receiving electric power from the second power system, and the power control circuit causes the portable computer to transition to a power-on state in response to an authentication success by the biometric authentication device.