Biometric Authentication via NFC Intermediary Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices without biometric sensors face limitations in user authentication, as they cannot directly acquire and process biometric information, restricting their authentication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable wireless communication between a first electronic device with a biometric sensor and a second device without a biometric sensor, allowing the first device to acquire and transmit biometric information for authentication, using Near Field Communication (NFC) for initial connection and other communication protocols for authentication processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic device does not have a biometric sensor embedded therein, then the device structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the device cannot perform user authentication based on biometric information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses NFC (Near Field Communication) as an intermediary technology to enable authentication between devices. The first electronic device with biometric sensor acts as an intermediary that provides authentication capability to the second device without requiring the second device to have its own biometric sensor. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the second device to gain authentication capability through communication with the first device rather than through hardware modification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a biometric sensor is embedded in an electronic device to enable user authentication, then authentication capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first electronic device with the biometric sensor serves multiple functions: it authenticates users for its own operations and simultaneously provides authentication capability to other electronic devices through NFC communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for each device to have its own biometric sensor, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining authentication capability across multiple devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is established between devices for biometric authentication, then authentication capability is extended to devices without biometric sensors, but communication security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication actions through NFC tagging before establishing full wireless communication. The first device acquires connection information from the second device through NFC tagging, establishes a secure communication channel, and then performs biometric authentication. This preliminary action ensures that communication security is established before sensitive biometric data is transmitted, resolving the security concern while enabling extended authentication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for providing a connection between electronic devices using authentication based on biometric information are provided. The electronic device includes: a first communication circuit to support NFC; a second communication circuit to support non-NFC; a biometric sensor; a memory to store first authentication information corresponding to an external device; and a processor. The processor is configured to: acquire connection information related to a connection with the external device from the external device using the first communication circuit in response to NFC tagging between the electronic device and the external device; establish a communication connection with the external device using the second communication circuit based on at least the connection information; receive a request for authentication information from the external device in response to the communication connection being established; acquire biometric information corresponding to a user of the electronic device using the biometric sensor in response to the request; authenticate the user based on at least the biometric information; when the authenticating succeeds, generate second authentication information based on at least the first authentication information; and transmit the second authentication information to the external device.