Fingerprint Scanner Pressure Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fingerprint authentication systems are vulnerable to attacks using copied fingerprint images, lacking effective measures to differentiate genuine from replicated inputs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating pressure sensors with fingerprint scanners to capture finger-roll direction and pressure distribution data, which are stored alongside digital fingerprints for enhanced biometric authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only digital fingerprint capture is used for authentication, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system is vulnerable to attacks using copied fingerprint images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidscanner structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fingerprint capture with pressure sensing capabilities into a single integrated scanner device. The pressure sensors are embedded within the fingerprint scanning surface, allowing simultaneous collection of both fingerprint image data and pressure distribution data without requiring separate authentication devices or processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension of pressure measurement to the traditional two-dimensional fingerprint image capture. By incorporating pressure sensors that measure force distribution across the fingerprint surface, the system transitions from capturing only visual/structural fingerprint data to also capturing tactile/force data, creating a multi-dimensional biometric profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If pressure sensors are added to capture finger-roll direction and pressure distribution, then authentication security is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidscanner structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they detect pressure distribution patterns, determine finger-roll direction, and measure contact force magnitude. This multi-functionality allows the additional hardware to contribute to multiple aspects of authentication security rather than adding complexity for a single purpose.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system captures not just the visual appearance of the fingerprint but also the physical interaction characteristics (pressure distribution and roll direction). This creates a copied representation of the dynamic authentication process itself, allowing verification of both the fingerprint pattern and the manner in which it was presented to the scanner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multi-factor biometric profile is created with pressure and direction data, then the biometric profile becomes harder to replicate, but data processing and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric profile securityVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than treating all pressure sensors uniformly, the system analyzes pressure distribution locally across different regions of the fingerprint surface. Each sensor element contributes localized pressure data that, when combined with spatial position information, creates a detailed pressure map that characterizes the specific physical interaction without requiring excessive overall data storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary processing of pressure data during the scanning process itself, extracting key features such as finger-roll direction and pressure distribution patterns before storage. This preprocessing reduces the raw data volume by converting continuous pressure measurements into discrete characteristic parameters that capture the essential authentication information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach significantly enhances security by creating a unique, multi-factor biometric profile that is harder to replicate, providing a more robust method to verify user identity.

Implementation Method 1

collecting pressure measurements using pressure sensors associated with the fingerprint-capturing device as the finger contacts the fingerprint-capturing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP2996068B1Fingerprint scanning method
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2996068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2996068B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2996068B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method entails capturing a digital fingerprint of a finger using a fingerprint-capturing device, collecting pressure measurements using pressure sensors associated with the fingerprint-capturing device as the finger contacts the fingerprint-capturing device, determining a finger-sensor contact direction from the pressure measurements and storing the finger-sensor contact direction in association with the digital fingerprint for subsequent biometric authentication.