Continuous Biometric Authentication via Dynamic Keyboard

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current security measures for electronic devices, such as passwords and biometrics, are inadequate as they can be hacked, stolen, or compromised, leading to unauthorized access, especially when devices are lost or stolen.

Innovation Solution

Implementing ongoing authentication through biometric data capture during normal device use, combining physiological and behavioral data from sensors like finger-scanning, cameras, and motion sensors, which are compared to stored reference data for continuous verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If initial authentication (password or biometric) is implemented, then access security is improved, but the device remains vulnerable to unauthorized access if lost or stolen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess securityVSAvoidunauthorized access risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous authentication by capturing biometric data during normal device usage (typing, scrolling, etc.) and continuously verifying it against stored reference data. This transforms authentication from a discrete initial action into an ongoing continuous process, ensuring that even if the device is lost or stolen, unauthorized access is detected and prevented in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authentication setup by enrolling the user's biometric data and establishing reference patterns during normal usage. This preliminary enrollment phase captures the user's natural interaction patterns, which are then used as a baseline for continuous verification, allowing the system to be prepared for ongoing security verification before any potential security breach occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple biometric sensors and continuous verification are implemented, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing device components multi-functional by using standard sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, touchscreens, cameras) for both their primary functions and biometric authentication. For example, the accelerometer and gyroscope continue to serve motion detection purposes while simultaneously capturing behavioral biometric data, eliminating the need for dedicated separate hardware and reducing overall system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system captures biometric data passively during normal device usage without requiring dedicated authentication interactions from the user. The user's natural typing patterns, scrolling behavior, and device handling automatically generate the biometric data needed for verification, making the authentication process self-service and eliminating the need for separate authentication UI elements or dedicated sensor activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3100194B1Dynamic keyboard and touchscreen biometrics
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3100194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3100194B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3100194B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward providing ongoing authentication using biometric data. Fingerprints and/or other biometric data can be captured during the normal use of an electronic device, such as typing on a keyboard, and compared with associated reference biometrics to provide ongoing authentication to an application while the electronic device is being used. Comparison results may further be combined with additional physiological or behavioral biometrics to determine a level of authentication encompassing multiple biometric inputs and/or types.