Infrared Eye Scanner for Secure User Identification in Eyewear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable eyewear devices, such as smart glasses, lack effective user identification methods for security purposes, as they are often shared among users, and existing technologies do not adequately verify the specific user's identity.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an eye scanner with an infrared emitter and camera within the eyewear device, which emits a pattern of infrared light and captures reflection variations to uniquely identify users based on their retinal or iris patterns, utilizing a processor to configure the system for user identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If portable eyewear devices are shared among users, then ease of operation is improved, but security and user identification are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or manual user verification methods with an optical biometric identification system. The infrared emitter and camera capture retinal or iris patterns to automatically verify user identity, eliminating the need for manual authentication while maintaining security. This substitution resolves the contradiction by enabling secure automatic identification without compromising ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The eye scanner enables the device to automatically identify and verify users without requiring manual intervention. The system captures biometric data and performs verification autonomously, allowing the device to serve itself in the identification process. This self-service capability maintains security while improving ease of operation, as users simply need to look at the device for verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If existing user verification methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of user identity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of user identification from manual or basic verification to precise biometric measurement. By using infrared light to capture retinal or iris patterns, the system achieves high measurement precision in user identification. The infrared wavelength and pattern capture parameters are optimized to ensure accurate differentiation between users, directly addressing the need for improved identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary biometric verification system between the user and the device functionality. The eye scanner acts as an intermediary that objectively measures and verifies user identity through optical patterns, rather than relying on subjective or less accurate verification methods. This intermediary layer enhances measurement precision while the automated process helps manage the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If an eye scanner with infrared emitter and camera is integrated, then user identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the infrared emitter and camera into an integrated eye scanner module within the eyewear device. By combining these components into a unified system, the patent reduces the overall complexity that would result from separate verification systems. The merged module captures infrared light patterns and processes them for user identification, achieving high accuracy while managing complexity through integration rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides secure and unique user identification, enabling access to specific software applications and hardware features by verifying the user's identity through retinal or iris recognition, enhancing security and functionality in portable eyewear devices.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared emitter and an infrared camera. The infrared emitter emits a pattern of infrared light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

captures an image of a reflection variations in the emitted pattern of infrared light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20210365535A1Eye scanner for user identification and security in an eyewear device
Publication Date: 2021.11.25 CASTANEDA JULIO CESAR
  • US20210365535A1 patent drawing
  • US20210365535A1 patent drawing
  • US20210365535A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system comprises an eyewear device that includes a frame, a temple connected to a lateral side of the frame, an infrared emitter, and an infrared camera. The infrared emitter and the infrared camera are connected to the frame or the temple to emit a pattern of infrared light. The system includes a processor coupled to the eyewear device, a memory accessible to the processor, and programming in the memory. Execution of the programming by the processor configures the system to perform functions, including functions to emit, via the infrared emitter, a pattern of infrared light on an eye of a user of the eyewear device; capture, via the camera, reflection variations in the pattern of infrared light on the eye of the user; and identify a user of the eyewear device based on the reflection variations of the emitted pattern of infrared light on the eye of the user.