Fingerprint Area Analysis for Child Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices lack effective mechanisms to restrict access to inappropriate content and functions for children, as existing technologies do not adequately differentiate user ages based on secure and user-friendly methods.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a fingerprint identification system that selects between restricted and unrestricted working modes based on user age, using a fingerprint database to determine whether the user is an adult or a child by comparing fingerprint areas to control access to functions such as long-distance calls, browsing, and game downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fingerprint identification is used to differentiate user ages, then access control to inappropriate content is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fingerprint identification module as an intermediary between the user and the device's content access system. This module captures fingerprint data, compares it against stored templates, and determines user age category (adult or child) to automatically select appropriate working modes. The intermediary handles the complex age verification logic, keeping the main system simple while achieving reliable access control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If working modes are restricted for children, then protection from inappropriate content is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of users into adult or child categories through fingerprint identification before content access occurs. By pre-determining the user's age category and automatically selecting the appropriate working mode (restricted for children, unrestricted for adults), the system eliminates the need for children to navigate complex restriction settings or for parents to manually configure each content filter, thereby maintaining ease of operation while providing protection.
3Measurement precision
If fingerprint area comparison is used to determine user age, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex task of age determination into a simpler parameter-based comparison by focusing on fingerprint area measurements. The system extracts the area parameter from fingerprint images, compares it against predetermined area thresholds, and determines user age category based on this single quantitative metric. This parameter-based approach simplifies the analysis complexity while maintaining measurement precision for age differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for an electronic device to restrict functionality according to working mode is provided. The method establishes a fingerprint database, wherein the fingerprint database stores at least one fingerprint of each authorized user for unlocking the electronic device, a finger type corresponding to each fingerprint stored in the fingerprint database, and a preset finger area corresponding to each finger type stored in the fingerprint database. A fingerprint of a user is obtained through a sensor. The fingerprint is matched against database for authorized status and size of fingerprint currently obtained is also analyzed and compared to a preset size of the type corresponding to the obtained fingerprint. The electronic device is unlocked for an authorized user and controlled to enter into an unrestricted working mode for an adult or into a restricted working mode for a child, according to the comparison.