Biometric Vibrational Signaling for Secure User Interaction Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack efficient methods for securely transmitting data using vibrational signals while accurately identifying user interactions, such as grip and finger configurations, to enhance security and authentication in devices like smartphones and smart speakers.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that generate and modify vibrational signals based on user biometric models, adjusting amplitude and frequency spectra to authenticate user interactions, using a frequency response function to identify areas of low and high attenuation for improved security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibrational signals are transmitted through user contact between devices, then data transmission is achieved, but security and authentication accuracy deteriorate due to inability to identify user interactions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based data transmission with acoustic wave-based transmission. Instead of relying solely on physical vibration transmission through user contact, the system uses acoustic waves emitted by a speaker and detected by a microphone to carry data, while using separate sensors to detect mechanical contact characteristics for authentication. This substitution allows the data transmission path to be separated from the authentication path, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security and avoiding complex authentication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary acoustic wave transmission path between the transmitting device and receiving device. The acoustic waves serve as a mediator that can carry data through the air without requiring direct physical contact, while the authentication is performed separately through contactless sensors. This intermediary mechanism enables secure data transmission while maintaining simple authentication procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If vibrational signal amplitude is increased to improve transmission, then data conveyance is enhanced, but user comfort deteriorates due to stronger vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiduser discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical vibration-based data transmission with acoustic wave-based transmission. The acoustic waves are emitted through the speaker and detected by the microphone, eliminating the need for strong mechanical vibrations that cause user discomfort. This substitution maintains data transmission efficiency while removing the harmful mechanical vibrations, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If acoustic wave transmission is used instead of vibrational signals, then user comfort is improved, but transmission reliability through contactless means deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser discomfortVSAvoidtransmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary transmission medium that bridges the gap between transmitting and receiving devices without requiring physical contact. The acoustic waves carry data through the air, providing reliable contactless transmission while maintaining user comfort. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable transmission through a different physical medium that does not cause discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the transmitting device multi-functional by equipping it with both a speaker for acoustic wave emission and contactless sensors for authentication. The speaker serves dual purposes: emitting acoustic waves for data transmission and enabling contactless interaction. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both user comfort and transmission reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances security by accurately identifying user interactions with high accuracy and low error rates, allowing secure data transmission between devices.

Implementation Method 1

generating a vibrational signal comprising data to be conveyed to another apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The user biometric model may be a frequency response function with one or more areas of low attenuation and one or more areas of high attenuation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAttenuation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12542038B2Apparatus, method, and computer program

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising means for: generating (500) a vibrational signal comprising data to be conveyed to another apparatus; modifying (502) the vibrational signal based on a user biometric model; and outputting (504) the modified vibrational signal.