Multi-device User Authentication via Networked Biometric Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user authentication methods face challenges in convenience and security, particularly with biometric recognition systems that may have high error rates and require complex devices, and are vulnerable to information leakage, leading to user inconvenience and potential unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A user authentication apparatus and method that collects authentication information from multiple portable devices via a communication network, determining user identity based on the quantity and characteristics of collected information, with a threshold value for authentication, and requesting additional information if necessary, to ensure secure and convenient access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric recognition methods (voice, facial, fingerprint, iris, vein) are used for user authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple authentication factors (biometric data, portable device information, user profile data) into a unified authentication system. The server integrates information from various sources including fingerprint/iris/vein recognition from portable devices, communication network data, and user database records to perform comprehensive authentication, thereby maintaining high accuracy while distributing device complexity across the system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the user's portable device and the authentication system. The server collects biometric information from portable devices via communication networks, processes authentication data, and makes authentication decisions. This intermediary approach allows complex processing to occur centrally rather than requiring complex local devices at every authentication point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If biometric recognition methods are used for user authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to required physical contact or proximity with authentication devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based authentication (fingerprint sensors requiring finger contact, iris scanners requiring close proximity) with wireless communication-based biometric transmission. Portable devices transmit biometric data and identification information through communication networks to the server, eliminating the need for physical contact or close proximity with authentication devices while maintaining authentication accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes portable devices serve multiple functions: they act as both the user interface and the biometric authentication source. The same portable device that the user carries for communication purposes also stores and transmits biometric information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated authentication devices and improving convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional authentication methods (authentication key, card key, password) are used, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to the need to carry physical keys or risk of password leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication system simplicityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the portable device to serve itself as the authentication credential. Instead of requiring separate authentication keys or cards to be carried, the portable device itself contains the user's biometric information and identification data, which are automatically presented for authentication. The device that the user already carries and uses for communication becomes the authentication credential, eliminating the need to carry additional items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that receives authentication requests and verifies user identity based on information from portable devices. This centralized verification system simplifies the authentication process by handling complex verification logic on the server side rather than requiring complex client-side authentication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8863261B2User authentication apparatus, method thereof and computer readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A user authentication apparatus, a user authentication method, and a computer readable recording medium are provided. The user authentication apparatus includes: an information collection unit which collects authentication information on a plurality of portable devices of a user through a communication network; and a control unit which identifies whether each of the plurality of portable devices is registered for the user or not based on the collected authentication information, determines whether an amount of information collected from the plurality of portable devices that are identified is greater than a threshold value, and authenticates the user.