Fingerprint Template Update via Blank Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fingerprint matching accuracy is compromised due to hardware damage or residues in fingerprint sensors, leading to increased recognition errors and reduced safety performance in electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A method for updating the fingerprint template by acquiring a blank image when no finger is detected, determining if a foreign object region is present, and only updating the template when the area of such a region is below a threshold, ensuring accurate fingerprint identification and maintaining device security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the fingerprint template is updated continuously to improve matching accuracy, then the accuracy of fingerprint matching is improved, but the reliability is worsened when hardware damage or residues are present in the sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint matching accuracyVSAvoidrecognition error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring a blank image of the fingerprint sensor before updating the fingerprint template. This allows the system to detect hardware damage or residues in advance, preventing faulty data from being incorporated into the template update process. The blank image serves as a preliminary check to ensure sensor integrity before proceeding with template learning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a blank image as an intermediary element to mediate between the fingerprint sensor and the template update process. By comparing the blank image against damage thresholds, the system can identify and exclude sensor regions with hardware damage or residues, ensuring that only clean sensor data contributes to template updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the fingerprint template is updated with new fingerprint images, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the reliability is reduced when the sensor contains damaged regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemplate learning capabilityVSAvoidsafety performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of sensor damage by analyzing the blank image before allowing template updates. This ensures that the sensor is in a healthy state before incorporating new fingerprint data, maintaining safety performance while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the blank image for hardware damage or residues and using this information to control the template update process. When damage exceeds a threshold, the system provides feedback to prevent updates, thereby maintaining reliability while allowing adaptability when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the blank image is acquired and analyzed to detect hardware damage, then the reliability of fingerprint identification is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using the blank image for multiple purposes: detecting hardware damage, identifying residues, and controlling template update decisions. This multi-functional use of a single measurement reduces the need for separate detection mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3525135B1Methods and devices for updating fingerprint template
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3525135B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3525135B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3525135B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of updating a fingerprint template in an electronic device is provided. In an example, the method includes: a blank image is acquired when a fingerprint sensor in the electronic device scans a fingerprint sensor region and no finger is detected; and it is determined whether the fingerprint template is to be updated according to the blank image.