Fingerprint Sensor Integrated with Touch Screen for Continuous Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication systems in electronic devices do not effectively prevent unauthorized access after initial authentication, particularly in scenarios where users need to re-authenticate over time, and lack continuous verification of authorized users while allowing regular device usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that continuously captures fingerprint data during normal operation on touch-sensitive input devices and compares it with stored data to ensure ongoing authorized access, taking security actions if valid fingerprint data is not captured within a threshold time, such as locking the device or requiring additional authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous fingerprint verification is implemented during normal device operation, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity and user operation burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fingerprint sensor with the existing touch-sensitive input device, merging two functions into a single integrated component. This allows continuous authentication during normal touch operations without adding separate hardware, thereby improving security while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive input device is designed to serve dual purposes: normal user interaction and continuous fingerprint verification. By making the authentication system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding dedicated authentication hardware, thus improving security reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

2Reliability

If continuous fingerprint data capture is performed during normal operation, then unauthorized access prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous fingerprint verification during normal touch device operations, utilizing the inherent capacitive sensing capability of the touch screen. By continuously capturing fingerprint data during regular user interaction rather than performing separate authentication actions, the system improves unauthorized access prevention while minimizing additional energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If fingerprint sensor is integrated with touch-sensitive input device, then authentication capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fingerprint sensor functionality into the existing touch-sensitive input device structure, combining two authentication-related functions into a single manufactured component. This merging approach enhances authentication capability while avoiding the need for separate fingerprint sensor assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9245102B2Combining navigation and fingerprint sensing
Publication Date: 2016.01.26 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD
  • US9245102B2 patent drawing
  • US9245102B2 patent drawing
  • US9245102B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, device and machine readable medium are provided. The method comprises: activating a fingerprint sensor while performing a function other than authentication; and performing a security action when fingerprint data matching stored fingerprint data is not captured by the fingerprint sensor after a threshold duration from activation.