Material Identification via Impedance Frequency Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fingerprint identification systems are inefficient in distinguishing between human and non-human materials, allowing unauthorized access to electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A material identifying system that uses an identifying panel, voltage source, and determining circuit to transmit a voltage signal and adjust frequency to determine the impedance of an object, matching it against known materials to identify its composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fingerprint identification is used, then fingerprint recognition is achieved, but the system cannot distinguish between human and non-human materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial discrimination precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from simple fingerprint pattern recognition to impedance measurement at multiple frequencies. By measuring impedance at a specific frequency where human skin exhibits minimum impedance and comparing it with impedance at other frequencies, the system can distinguish human fingerprints from non-human materials that may visually resemble human fingerprints but have different electrical impedance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If frequency adjustment is performed to find minimum impedance, then material identification accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial identification accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing impedance characteristics of various materials at different frequencies in a database before actual authentication. During authentication, the measured impedance values are quickly compared against the pre-stored reference data, eliminating the need for real-time complex analysis and significantly reducing measurement time while maintaining high identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances security by accurately differentiating between human and non-human materials, preventing unauthorized access to electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

transmit a voltage signal to an object to be identified via the identifying panel in order to obtain an impedance of the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

adjusts a frequency of the voltage signal in a predetermined range to find a specific frequency in the predetermined range where the impedance of the object is minimum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency response: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS9965671B2Material identifying system and related identifying method
Publication Date: 2018.05.08 HIMAX TECH LTD

AI summary

A material identifying system includes an identifying panel, a voltage source and a determining circuit. The voltage source is arranged to transmit a voltage signal to an object to be identified via the identifying panel in order to obtain an impedance of the object, wherein the voltage source adjusts a frequency of the voltage signal in a predetermined range to find a specific frequency in the predetermined range where the impedance of the object is minimum. The determining circuit is arranged to determine if the specific frequency of the object to be identified matches any specific frequency of a plurality of known materials in order to identify a material of the object.