Biometric Profile Switching via Fingerprint Touch Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods in electronic user devices are not intuitive and require manual adjustment of user profiles and user modes, making them inconvenient for shared use by multiple users with different access rights.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a fingerprint sensor connected to a touch sensor to authenticate and transition between user profiles based on fingerprint recognition, allowing seamless switching and registration of user profiles without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual user profile modification is used for each user, then access rights can be controlled, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess rights controlVSAvoidmanual profile adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects multiple users through fingerprint sensing and autonomously transitions between user profiles without requiring manual intervention. The electronic device serves itself by implementing biometric authentication and automatic profile switching, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust settings or enable guest modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

User profiles are pre-configured with specific access rights and restrictions before actual use. The system performs preliminary setup of multiple user profiles with different permission levels, so that when users are detected, the appropriate profile is already ready for immediate activation without requiring on-the-spot configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If guest mode is manually enabled and disabled, then user access can be controlled, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser mode controlVSAvoidmode switching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages guest mode and user profile transitions based on detected fingerprints. When a non-owner fingerprint is detected, the system autonomously enables guest mode and applies appropriate restrictions without requiring the owner to manually switch modes. The system serves itself by implementing automatic authentication and profile management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Guest mode and user profiles are pre-configured with specific access rights and restrictions before actual use. The system performs preliminary setup of multiple user profiles with different permission levels, so that when users are detected, the appropriate profile is already ready for immediate activation without requiring on-the-spot configuration or manual mode switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user profiles are supported, then adaptability improves for different users, but device complexity increases due to profile management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple user profilesVSAvoidprofile management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (physical buttons, switches, and manual profile selection) with biometric sensing technology. Fingerprint sensors automatically detect and authenticate users, triggering automatic profile transitions without requiring manual intervention. This substitution of biometric authentication for manual operations reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining multiple profile capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3991017B1Control of user profiles based on biometrical user authentication in an electronic user device

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method for transitioning between user profiles in an electronic user device during use of the electronic user device wherein the electronic user device comprises a fingerprint sensor operatively connected to a touch sensor of the electronic user device is disclosed. The method comprises sensing (103), by the fingerprint sensor, at least a part of a fingerprint at a determined position and area of a detected touch, and determining (104), by a fingerprint controller configured to control the fingerprint sensor, whether the sensed part of the fingerprint corresponds to a registered user of the electronic user device. The method further comprises, when the sensed part of the fingerprint corresponds to a registered user of the electronic user device, authenticating (105) the registered user based on the sensed fingerprint, and applying (106), by a settings controller configured to control the settings of the electronic user device, settings of a user profile associated with the registered user in the electronic user device. Corresponding computer program product, apparatus, and system are also disclosed.