Cross-Device Biometric Authentication via Secondary Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication systems face inefficiencies when a user device is not equipped with a biometric unit or experiences a malfunction, leading to resource wastage and inconvenience, as they often require a separate device for authentication, disrupting the flow of network services.
Innovation Solution
A secure cross-device authentication system that allows a user device to determine the unavailability of its biometric unit and selectively utilize a second device's biometric unit for authentication, enabling secure verification and access to network services without the need for a separate device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user device is equipped with a biometric unit for authentication, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a user device to function as both a primary authentication device with its own biometric unit and a secondary authentication device that can verify biometric information for other devices. The first user device can determine unavailability of its biometric unit and select a second biometric unit on a second user device for verification, allowing the system to adapt to different authentication scenarios without requiring every device to have identical capabilities.
2Reliability
If a separate device is required for authentication when the primary biometric unit is unavailable, then authentication reliability is maintained, but user convenience and service continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The first user device autonomously determines the unavailability of its biometric unit and independently selects a second biometric unit on a second user device for verification. The system automatically manages the cross-device authentication process, including receiving authentication factors from the second device and completing service access, without requiring manual intervention or user awareness of the underlying complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-device biometric verification is implemented, then authentication flexibility is improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into distinct functional components: the first user device that initiates authentication and receives services, and the second user device that provides biometric verification. This segmentation allows each device to perform its specialized function efficiently while maintaining clear communication protocols through authentication factors exchanged between them.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including determining, by a first user device, unavailability of a first biometric unit for verification of first biometric information; transmitting, by the first user device to an infrastructure device based on determining unavailability of the first biometric unit, a request for information regarding one or more second user devices available to assist with authenticating the first user device; receiving, by the first user device from the infrastructure device, the information regarding the one or more second user devices based on a determination that the one or more second user devices has a second biometric unit available for verification of second biometric information; and transmitting, by the first user device to the infrastructure device, a selection message for selecting a second user device from among the one or more second user devices to assist with authenticating the first user device is disclosed. Various other aspects are contemplated.