Biometric Sensor Integrated Keyboard for Continuous Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user authentication methods for computing devices do not provide continuous verification, allowing unauthorized use after initial login, which compromises security and privacy.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a biometric sensor, such as a heartbeat monitor or vein scanner, into the computing device's housing to capture and compare biometric data in real-time while the user interacts with the device, ensuring continuous authentication by matching the captured data with stored records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional password-based authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security and continuous verification are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of authenticationVSAvoidcontinuous security verification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines traditional authentication methods with biometric sensing by integrating a biometric sensor into the keyboard housing. The system merges password verification with continuous biometric monitoring to provide both ease of operation and continuous security verification. The biometric sensor captures physiological data (heartbeat, vein patterns) while users interact with the keyboard, creating a layered authentication approach that maintains convenience while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous authentication by maintaining biometric monitoring throughout the user interaction session. Rather than a single login event, the system continuously captures and compares biometric data during keyboard interaction. This continuous verification ensures that the user remains authenticated throughout the session, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining smooth user experience without requiring repeated manual authentication steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If biometric sensor is integrated into the housing, then continuous authentication capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous authenticationVSAvoidsensor integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating the biometric sensor into the existing keyboard housing structure. The sensor serves multiple purposes: it authenticates users continuously during keyboard interaction, captures biometric data for security verification, and works seamlessly with the existing input device infrastructure. This universal integration approach provides continuous authentication capability while leveraging existing device components to minimize additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the keyboard housing as an intermediary structure to accommodate the biometric sensor. Rather than adding a separate authentication device, the sensor is embedded within the existing keyboard assembly, using the housing as a mediator to integrate the new biometric functionality into the familiar input interface. This approach simplifies the overall system architecture by utilizing the keyboard structure as a platform for biometric authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If biometric data is captured during interaction, then security verification is improved, but user awareness and acceptance may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity verificationVSAvoiduser awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service authentication where the biometric sensor operates automatically during normal keyboard interaction without requiring explicit user actions. The system captures biometric data passively as users type, eliminating the need for users to deliberately provide biometric samples. This self-service approach maintains high security verification while preserving ease of operation, as users are unaware that authentication is occurring but experience no additional friction in their interaction with the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10423768B2Real-time user authentication using integrated biometric sensor
Publication Date: 2019.09.24 GOOGLE LLC
  • US10423768B2 patent drawing
  • US10423768B2 patent drawing
  • US10423768B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computing device includes a housing, a processor, memory, a human interface device (i.e., a keyboard or a trackpad), and a biometric sensor integrated into the housing. The biometric sensor is configured for capturing biometric data (i.e., heartbeat data or a vein scan) from one or more of hands of a user of the device while the user's fingers are interacting with the human interface device. The memory stores executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device to: compare the captured biometric data to one or more records of biometric data associated with the user; determine, based on the comparison, whether the captured biometric data satisfies a matching condition with the one or more records of biometric data; and authenticate the user, when the captured biometric data satisfies the matching condition.