Automotive mm-Wave Radar Fingerprint Authentication Without Physical Keys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional user authentication systems for vehicles, particularly those relying on physical keys, are susceptible to unauthorized access if the key is lost or stolen, and they lack advanced biometric authentication methods to ensure secure entry and operation.

Innovation Solution

A millimeter-wave radar system that detects user proximity and transmits radiation pulses to capture fingerprint and gesture signatures, comparing them to authorized databases to authenticate users, thereby eliminating the need for physical keys and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical keys are used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to loss or theft

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical key-based authentication systems with a millimeter-wave radar-based biometric authentication system. The radar sensor captures fingerprint images and gesture information wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical keys and thereby resolving the security vulnerability while maintaining ease of operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the user's fingerprint and gesture patterns through millimeter-wave radar imaging. This digital biometric template is stored and used for authentication, replacing the physical key copy problem with a secure, unique biometric identifier that cannot be easily replicated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If millimeter-wave radar is used for biometric authentication, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple authentication functions (fingerprint recognition, gesture recognition, proximity detection) into a single millimeter-wave radar system. This multi-functional approach achieves high reliability through biometric authentication while avoiding the need for multiple separate sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines fingerprint imaging and gesture recognition capabilities within the same millimeter-wave radar sensor and processing system. By merging these functions into a unified system rather than using separate sensors, the patent achieves reliable biometric authentication while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If conventional authentication systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to unauthorized access risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidunauthorized access risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical key-based authentication with millimeter-wave radar biometric authentication, thereby reducing unauthorized access risks while keeping device complexity manageable through integrated sensor design.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces millimeter-wave radar as an intermediary between the user and the authentication system. This intermediary captures biometric data wirelessly and processes it through encrypted communication protocols, reducing direct exposure to harmful factors like key theft while maintaining acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system securely authenticates users without relying on physical keys, reducing unauthorized access and replication risks, while providing a robust and accurate biometric authentication method resistant to image distortion and electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting a plurality of radiation pulses through a predetermined portion of a surface of the car towards a portion of a hand of the user using the millimeter-wave radar of the car; receiving a reflected signal from the portion of the hand using the millimeter-wave radar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

receiving a reflected signal from the portion of the hand using the millimeter-wave radar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3690485B1User authentication using mm-wave sensor for automotive radar systems
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP3690485B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3690485B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3690485B1 patent drawingFigure 3D~3E

AI summary

In an embodiment, a method for authenticating a user of a car includes: transmitting a plurality of radiation pulses through a predetermined portion of a surface of the car towards a portion of a hand of the user using a millimeter-wave radar; receiving a reflected signal from the portion of the hand using the millimeter-wave radar; generating a fingerprint signature based on the reflected signal; comparing the fingerprint signature to a database of authorized fingerprint signatures; and authorizing the user based on whether the fingerprint signature matches an authorized fingerprint signature of the database of authorized fingerprint signatures.