Biometric Sensor Pre-Processing to Block False Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biometric sensors in electronic devices, such as fingerprint sensors, are prone to false authentication due to inadvertent actuation when the device is held or operated in certain conditions, leading to user frustration and increased reliance on secondary authentication methods.
Innovation Solution
A pre-processor discards biometric data samples under predefined conditions to prevent false authentication, such as when the device is closed, actuation duration is too short or long, or excessive motion is detected, maintaining the sensor's operational status while preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the biometric sensor continuously monitors and processes authentication requests, then the authentication responsiveness is improved, but false authentication occurs due to inadvertent actuation during device handling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of the actuation event by checking predefined conditions (device state, actuation duration, motion characteristics) before processing the biometric data. This preliminary action filters out inadvertent actuations while preserving legitimate authentication requests, resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary evaluation layer is introduced between the biometric sensor and the authentication processor. This intermediary layer assesses the actuation event against predefined conditions and only passes valid events to the authentication processor, preventing false authentication while maintaining system responsiveness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the main processor remains in sleep mode to conserve power, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device cannot respond to authentication requests
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is segmented into two independent parts: a low-power pre-processor that handles preliminary evaluation of actuation events and biometric data collection, and a main processor that remains in sleep mode. The pre-processor can operate independently to filter and prepare data, allowing the main processor to stay powered down while preserving device responsiveness through the pre-processor's actions.
3Reliability
If additional authentication steps are required to prevent false authentication, then security is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of actuation events by checking predefined conditions (device state, actuation duration, motion characteristics) before requiring additional authentication steps. This preliminary action prevents false authentication requests from reaching the authentication processor, maintaining security while avoiding unnecessary additional authentication steps for legitimate users.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a biometric sensor. One or more processors of the electronic device or a pre-processor of the biometric sensor detect actuation of the biometric sensor. The one or more processors or the pre-processor can then determine whether at least one predefined condition is occurring concurrently with actuation of the biometric sensor. Where it is, the one or more processors or pre-processor can preclude the biometric sensor from processing received biometric data samples while the predefined condition is occurring. Illustrating by example, the one or more processors or pre-processor can discard the biometric data samples while the biometric sensor remains operational.