Fingerprint Authentication Prioritization via Mechanical Support Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face inefficiencies in user authentication, particularly when the fingerprint sensor is difficult to reach or when the device is supported by a surface, as they lack a method to prioritize and efficiently enroll preferred fingerprint data based on mechanical support conditions and geometric form factors.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves determining the mechanical support condition and geometric form factor of an electronic device to prioritize and enroll preferred fingerprint data, allowing the device to authenticate users more efficiently by comparing received fingerprint data to preselected reference files, thereby streamlining the unlocking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device enrolls all fingerprint data for all fingers, then authentication reliability is improved, but processing time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies and prioritizes fingerprint reference data files based on the device's geometric form factor and mechanical support condition before authentication is needed. This preliminary sorting ensures that when fingerprint data is received, the comparison starts with the most likely matching finger, reducing authentication time while maintaining reliability by having all fingerprints enrolled but strategically ordered.
2Reliability
If the device compares fingerprint data to all reference files, then authentication reliability is improved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sorting of fingerprint reference data files based on device configuration and support conditions, creating a prioritized list before authentication. This allows the system to maintain high reliability by having all reference files available while improving productivity by starting comparisons with the most probable matches first, reducing the average number of comparisons needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different comparison strategies based on local conditions - when the device is in a specific geometric form factor and mechanical support condition, it prioritizes certain fingerprint reference files over others. This localized optimization tailors the authentication process to the current usage scenario, improving speed without sacrificing overall reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the fingerprint sensor is positioned for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but device design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies which finger is most likely to be used based on the device's geometric form factor and mechanical support condition, and prioritizes the corresponding fingerprint reference data file. This allows the fingerprint sensor to remain in a fixed, space-efficient position while the software intelligence compensates for accessibility variations, avoiding the need for multiple sensor positions or complex mechanical adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a memory storing a plurality of fingerprint reference data files and one or more sensors identifying whether a mechanical support condition of the electronic device is a hand supported condition or a surface supported condition. A fingerprint sensor receives fingerprint data while the electronic device is in the mechanical support condition. One or more processors select a prioritized fingerprint data reference file from the plurality of fingerprint reference data files as a function of the mechanical support condition and authenticate an authorized user of the electronic device by comparing the fingerprint data to the prioritized fingerprint data reference file before comparing the fingerprint data to any other fingerprint reference data files of the plurality of fingerprint reference data files. The prioritized fingerprint reference data file can also be selected as a function of a geometric form factor of the electronic device.