Embedded Cardiac Sensor for Seamless User Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heart-rate monitoring methods for electronic devices are aesthetically unpleasing and cumbersome, often requiring users to place fingers on external leads, which can lead to user dissatisfaction and disabling of the authentication feature.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a cardiac sensor within the electronic device, such as in the housing or bezel, allowing for contactless detection of heart rate through conductive portions, with leads positioned underneath the exterior surface to maintain aesthetics and prevent shorting, using high-conductivity materials like silver-based compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external leads are used for heart rate detection, then authentication functionality is achieved, but device aesthetics deteriorate and user experience worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cardiac sensor leads are integrated into the device housing structure itself, merging the authentication function with the device body. The leads are embedded within the housing rather than being external attachments, allowing the housing to serve dual purposes: structural enclosure and cardiac signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The leads are positioned underneath the exterior surface of the housing, nesting them within the device structure. This allows the leads to be concealed within the housing thickness, maintaining the device's aesthetic appearance while preserving the cardiac detection capability.
2Reliability
If external leads are placed on device exterior, then heart rate detection is enabled, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The leads are combined with the housing structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps for attaching external leads. The housing is designed with integrated lead pathways and contact points built into the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The leads are pre-positioned and embedded within the housing structure during the housing manufacturing process, rather than being installed separately after device assembly. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing process and ensures proper positioning of the leads.
3Reliability
If leads are positioned on device surface, then cardiac signal detection is achieved, but risk of shorting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leads are nested within the housing structure, positioned underneath the exterior surface rather than on the surface itself. This nesting approach maintains sufficient distance between leads to prevent shorting while still allowing cardiac signals to be detected through the housing material.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing material itself acts as an intermediary between the leads and the external environment. The leads are isolated from direct contact with each other and from the user's body by the housing structure, reducing shorting risk while still enabling signal transmission for cardiac detection.
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
Enables seamless user authentication and access to personalized settings without the need for external leads, enhancing user experience and maintaining the device's appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic device can include one or more sensors operative to detect a fingerprint, voice print, facial features, or other biometric characteristics of a user... To detect a user's heartbeat or heart rhythm, however, the electronic device must provide at least two leads that the user contacts to detect the user's cardiac signals
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having integrated sensors for detecting a user's cardiac electrical signals. The device can include a heart sensor having several leads for detecting a user's cardiac signals. The leads can be coupled to interior surfaces of the device housing to hide the sensor from view, and electrical signals generated by the user can be transmitted from the user's skin through the electronic device housing to the leads. In some embodiments, leads can be coupled to the exterior of the housing. The device can be finished so that the pads are integrated with the device to improve aesthetic qualities of the device. The electronic device can use the cardiac signals to identify or authenticate the user and perform operations based on the identity of the user. In some embodiments, the electronic device can provide data related to the user's mood based on the cardiac signals.