Fingerprint Sensor Integrating Match Circuitry and Security Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fingerprint sensing systems are vulnerable to security exploits and are often expensive due to the use of two dedicated chips, with existing approaches lacking robust security measures to prevent malicious software from manipulating authentication results.
Innovation Solution
A finger sensing apparatus with an integrated circuit substrate featuring an array of finger sensing elements, match circuitry, and security functions such as watermarking and encryption/decryption, which includes a random number generator, hash engine, and key cache for enhanced security, integrated with a host platform for prematch and final matching functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fingerprint sensing systems use two dedicated chips for sensing and matching, then security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fingerprint sensing elements and match circuitry into a single integrated circuit substrate, eliminating the need for two separate dedicated chips. The sensing elements array captures fingerprint data while the match circuitry performs authentication, merging previously separate functions into one unified device that reduces complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit substrate performs multiple functions: it serves as both the sensing platform for capturing fingerprint images and the processing unit for matching against stored templates. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated chips while maintaining the security requirements of the system
2Ease of operation
If conventional systems return simple match indices, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to software manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The match circuitry acts as a secure intermediary between the sensing elements and the host system. It performs the matching operation internally and returns only a boolean authentication result, preventing direct access to template data and blocking malicious software from manipulating match indices while maintaining simple operation for legitimate users
3Device complexity
If fingerprint data is transmitted to host platform for matching, then device complexity is reduced, but security is worsened due to data exposure risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical matching function from the host platform and places it directly on the integrated circuit substrate with the sensing elements. This extraction ensures that sensitive template data never leaves the secure sensor environment, eliminating data exposure risks while keeping the overall device architecture simple
Data Source
AI summary
A finger sensing apparatus may include a finger sensor including an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing final finger matching. The finger sensing apparatus may also include a host platform cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for performing at least one finger prematch function. In addition, the finger sensor and the host platform may implement at least one security function therebetween. The at least one security function may include a watermarking function, and/or an encryption/decryption function.