Fingerprint Sensor Image Watermarking for Secure Authentication
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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 and image watermark circuitry that embeds an image watermark in finger image data, along with match circuitry for secure finger matching, enhancing security through distortion and key generation using a random number generator and hash engine, and credential release functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fingerprint sensing systems use two dedicated chips for sensing and processing, then authentication capabilities are provided, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fingerprint sensing elements and the sensing processor into a single integrated circuit substrate. The array of finger sensing elements and the match circuitry are fabricated together on the same substrate, eliminating the need for separate dedicated chips for sensing and processing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining authentication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing platform for capturing fingerprint images and as the processing unit for performing match operations. The match circuitry on the substrate can perform both enrollment and verification functions, making the device multi-functional and reducing the need for separate specialized components
2Ease of operation
If conventional fingerprint systems return simple match indices, then processing is simple, but security is compromised against malicious software attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cryptographic processing layer between the fingerprint matching and the result return. The sensing processor performs match operations and generates results, but these results are then encrypted or signed by a security module before being returned to the host system. This intermediary layer prevents malicious software from manipulating results while maintaining the simplicity of the basic matching operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary security measures by encrypting or signing the match results before they leave the sensor device. This preemptive security action ensures that even if malicious software attempts to intercept or manipulate the results, the cryptographic protection already in place prevents successful attacks, thereby securing the system against future threats
Data Source
AI summary
A finger sensing device may include an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, an array of finger sensing elements on the IC substrate, and image watermark circuitry on the IC substrate and cooperating with the array of finger sensing elements for generating finger image data with an image watermark embedded therein. The finger sensing apparatus may also include match circuitry on the IC substrate for performing finger matching based at least upon the image watermark. The array of finger sensing elements may include an array of finger sensing pixels. The image watermark circuitry may distort values from the array of finger sensing pixels to generate the finger image data with the image watermark embedded therein. The watermark circuitry may distort position values from the array of finger sensing pixels.