Passive Biometric Enrollment Through Guided Setup Interaction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biometric enrollment methods require explicit interaction with active sensors, which can be awkward during the out-of-box experience, especially for passive biometric technologies like iris recognition.

Innovation Solution

A passive biometric enrollment method that collects biometric data through user interactions with virtual objects during device configuration, using a passive sensor that captures biometric markers without explicit instructions, allowing for seamless integration into the user's normal operation and calibration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If explicit enrollment procedure is used for passive biometric identification, then biometric data can be collected, but user experience becomes awkward especially during out of box experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric data collectionVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs biometric data collection during the preliminary device setup process before the user begins normal operation. Virtual objects are positioned to guide the user through movements that naturally capture biometric data during this initial configuration phase, eliminating the need for a separate explicit enrollment procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Virtual objects serve as intermediaries between the user and the passive biometric sensor. The user interacts with these virtual objects during setup, and the system uses these interactions to indirectly capture biometric data without the user directly engaging with the sensor or understanding the enrollment process is occurring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If passive biometric sensor is used, then user does not need to directly interact with the sensor, but explicit enrollment procedure is still required which creates awkwardness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor interactionVSAvoidenrollment procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the biometric enrollment function with the device setup process. By combining these two separate procedures into one unified flow, the system eliminates the need for a distinct enrollment step while maintaining passive sensor operation. The virtual objects guide user movements that simultaneously accomplish setup tasks and capture biometric data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If active enrollment experience is provided, then biometric profile can be generated, but user must follow specific interaction instructions which reduces convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric profile generationVSAvoidenrollment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping the user engaged in the normal device setup process while biometric data is continuously captured throughout the movements. Rather than pausing for a separate enrollment procedure, the biometric collection occurs continuously as the user naturally moves through the setup instructions involving virtual objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3721376B1Unguided passive biometric enrollment
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3721376B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721376B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3721376B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus and methods of passive biometric enrollment are configured to provide an introductory experience upon activation of a computer device. The introductory experience involves a user performing movements that allow collection of passive user biometrics by a sensor of the device. The sensor may collect the passive user biometrics while the user performs the movements. The computer device may calibrate one or more features of the computer device based on the movements. The computer device may receive user credentials from the user. The computer device may store a biometric profile including the passive user biometrics in association with the user credentials.