Grip Gesture Authentication Using Pressure Gradient Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods, such as PINs, passwords, and fingerprint scanning, create friction and security concerns due to memorization requirements and privacy issues.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for grip gesture authentication using pressure gradient mapping, where sensors on a user device capture grip gestures to generate unique pressure gradient mappings, which are compared to registered patterns for authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods (PIN, password, fingerprint) are used, then authentication can be performed, but user friction increases and privacy concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiduser friction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the user's own natural grip gesture on the device as the authentication credential, eliminating the need for separate authentication actions. The grip pattern itself becomes the key, allowing the device to authenticate itself through the user's natural interaction pattern rather than requiring explicit authentication input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical authentication systems (fingerprint sensors, keypad input) with a pressure-sensitive sensing system that captures grip patterns. The mechanical act of gripping the device is transformed into an authentication signal through pressure gradient mapping, eliminating the need for separate authentication mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If fingerprint authentication is used, then authentication can be performed quickly, but privacy concerns increase due to biometric data storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication speedVSAvoidprivacy concern

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of storing sensitive biometric data like fingerprints, the system creates a functional copy of the authentication capability through grip pattern recognition. The pressure gradient mapping captures the essential characteristics of the user's grip without recording identifiable biometric information, providing authentication capability while preserving privacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the authentication approach by changing the measured parameters from sensitive biometric data (fingerprint ridges) to less sensitive physical interaction data (pressure distribution and grip patterns). This parameter transformation maintains authentication effectiveness while reducing privacy risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If pressure sensors are used to capture grip gestures, then unique authentication patterns can be obtained, but sensor data noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip pattern accuracyVSAvoidsensor data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the pressure sensor data into multiple discrete pressure gradient measurements across different regions of the device. By segmenting the pressure field into gradient components rather than treating it as a single value, the system can identify distinctive grip patterns while filtering out random noise through pattern recognition across multiple segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms one-dimensional pressure values into two-dimensional pressure gradient mappings by calculating pressure changes across spatial dimensions. This dimensional transformation enhances the distinguishability of grip patterns and improves signal-to-noise ratio by distributing authentication information across multiple spatial dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12572633B2System and method for grip gesture authentication based on pressure gradient mapping

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

A system for performing user authentication receives a request to perform an interaction, accesses sensor data of a first grip gesture performed by a user, wherein the first grip gesture is associated with the request, wherein the sensor data includes at least pressure data captured by pressure sensors, generates a first pressure gradient mapping for the first grip gesture based on the sensor data, determines whether the first pressure gradient mapping matches at least one of the registered pressure gradient mappings corresponding to registered grip gestures associated with the user based on a comparison between the first pressure gradient mapping and each of the registered pressure gradient mappings, approves the interaction if the first pressure gradient mapping matches at least one of the registered pressure gradient mappings, and declines the interaction if the first pressure gradient mapping does not match at least one of the registered pressure gradient mappings.