ECG-Based Data Encryption for Mobile Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computer security methods lack effective means to securely protect sensitive data on mobile devices without compromising user convenience and security, as they often require passwords and are vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system that utilizes human electrocardiogram (ECG) data as a unique identifier to encrypt and decrypt sensitive information, combined with a secret chip key, allowing authorized users to access encrypted data without passwords by correlating ECG patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional password-based security methods are used, then data protection is provided, but user convenience deteriorates and security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/password-based authentication system with a physiological/biological system using ECG signals. The ECG-based authentication system captures the user's heartbeat patterns through electrodes and uses these unique physiological signals for encryption and authentication, eliminating the need for passwords while maintaining security and improving convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the authentication parameter from user-chosen passwords to biologically-determined ECG signals. By using physiological parameters (heartbeat patterns, intervals, and characteristics) that are unique to each individual and difficult to replicate, the system achieves both enhanced security and improved user experience without password management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If password-based security is implemented, then data encryption is possible, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidunauthorized access vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces vulnerable password-based security with ECG-based physiological authentication. Since ECG signals are unique to each individual and difficult to replicate or steal, this substitution significantly reduces vulnerability to unauthorized access while maintaining strong encryption capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a unique cryptographic copy of the user's ECG signal characteristics that can be used for authentication and encryption. This biological template serves as an unbreakable key that is inherently tied to the user's physiology, making unauthorized copying or replication extremely difficult

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10853516B2Methods and apparatus using human electrocardiogram to protect electronic data

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 INTEL CORP

AI summary

In a method for protecting electronic data, a data processing system (20, 20A, 20B) uses (a) a master electrocardiogram (ECG) identifier (44) for an authorized user of the system and (b) a secret chip key (26) for the system to encrypt data in the system. Also, before allowing the encrypted data to be decrypted, the system collects an ECG reading for a current user of the system and uses (a) the collected ECG reading for the current user and (b) at least one predetermined ECG identifier (EID) vector for the authorized user to determine whether the current user is the authorized user. In response to determining that the current user is the authorized user, the system uses the master ECG identifier (44) for the authorized user and the secret chip key (26) for the system to decrypt the data.