Biometric Authentication Wearable Light Pattern Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biometric authentication systems fail to prevent spoofing, particularly when biometric information is measured over a specific period, such as during sleep, and can be compromised if the measurement device is transferred to another person.

Innovation Solution

A biometric-information authentication system comprising a wearable device with sensors and a smartphone, where the wearable device emits a light pattern for authentication and measures biometric data only when correctly worn, and the smartphone performs face recognition to ensure the device is on the intended user, preventing unauthorized use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If personal authentication is performed only at the beginning of measurement period, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the device can be transferred to another person

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication operationVSAvoiddata authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication not only at the beginning but also at predetermined timings during the measurement period. This preliminary action of multiple authentications ensures that the device remains on the authenticated person throughout the measurement, preventing transfer to others while maintaining ease of use through automated timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by monitoring whether the device is still on the authenticated person at predetermined timings and re-authenticating if necessary. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous verification of device location without requiring continuous user intervention, balancing reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If authentication is performed at multiple timings, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the subject must perform operations during measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata authenticityVSAvoidauthentication operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication automatically at predetermined timings without requiring the subject to actively participate. The device self-verify its location and re-authenticate if needed, making the reliability improvement transparent to the user and maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Authentication is performed periodically at predetermined timings during the measurement period rather than continuously. This periodic approach ensures reliability through multiple verification points while minimizing user burden by spacing out authentication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If biometric information is measured during sleep period, then productivity is improved by non-intrusive monitoring, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of device transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoiddata authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication at predetermined timings during the sleep measurement period to ensure the device remains on the correct person. This preliminary verification action maintains reliability while allowing continuous non-intrusive monitoring for productivity improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by checking device location at predetermined timings during sleep monitoring and re-authenticating if transfer is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability without interrupting the sleep monitoring process, maintaining both productivity and data authenticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Prevents spoofing by ensuring that biometric data is collected from the correct individual throughout the measurement period, including during sleep, without disturbing the subject and ensuring the authenticity of the data collected.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting unit configured to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a camera configured to photograph a state in which the subject and the light emission pattern are within an angle of view

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotography: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP3951627B1Biometric-information authentication system, biometric-information authentication method, authentication method, measurement instrument, measurement method, and computer-readable recording medium having program recorded therein
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 NEC CORP
  • EP3951627B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3951627B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3951627B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A measurement device for measuring biometric information of a subject determines whether or not the measurement device is being worn on the subject and causes a light emitting means to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern when it is determined that the measurement device is being worn on the subject. An authentication device for communicating with the measurement device photographs the subject and the predetermined light emission pattern simultaneously and authenticates the subject and the measurement device on the basis of the subject and the predetermined light emission pattern that have been photographed. The measurement device re-executes light emission by the light emitting means in response to the measurement device that is being worn again on the subject when it is determined that the measurement device has been removed from the subject during measurement of the biometric information of the subject. The authentication device re-executes authentication when a notification that the measurement device has been removed from the subject has been received from the measurement device.