Personal Digital Module With Interchangeable Biometric Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal digital modules lack flexibility and security in device compatibility and user authentication, as they are often device-specific and lack efficient biometric authentication methods.

Innovation Solution

A personal digital module with a detachable and interchangeable design that uses a processor with executable instructions to adapt to different devices, incorporating biometric sensors for authentication and a wireless interface for data transmission, allowing secure and customizable operation across various devices such as watch bases, fire control systems, parachutist navigation systems, and helmet mounting systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a personal digital module is designed to be device-specific, then it can ensure stable operation and simplified configuration, but it lacks flexibility and cannot be used across multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The personal digital module is designed with a standardized connection interface that enables it to be attached to and operate with multiple different devices (watch base module, fire control system, parachutist navigation system, helmet mounting system). The module universally adapts to various devices through this common interface while maintaining device-specific functionality through automatic preference application.

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

2Reliability

If a personal digital module uses simple authentication, then it ensures ease of operation, but it compromises security

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual authentication methods (such as physical keys or password entry) with biometric authentication using fingerprint sensors. This substitution maintains high security through unique biometric identification while improving ease of operation since users only need to place their finger on the sensor for rapid authentication.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If a personal digital module is detachable and interchangeable, then it improves adaptability and reusability, but it may compromise connection stability and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modular components: a detachable personal digital module and a host device with a corresponding receptacle. This segmentation allows the personal digital module to be independently attached to or removed from different host devices while maintaining reliable connections through the standardized interface design with locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If biometric sensors are integrated into the watch base module, then user authentication is enhanced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The biometric authentication capability is integrated into the personal digital module which serves multiple functions: it provides authentication, displays information, and interfaces with various host devices. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional module rather than distributing them across multiple components, the manufacturing process is simplified while maintaining authentication security.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4357861A1Personal digital module
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 WILCOX IND CORP CORP
  • EP4357861A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357861A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4357861A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A personal digital module comprises a housing and a processor with an associated computer-readable memory disposed within the housing. The memory is operably coupled to the processor and encoded with executable instructions. A human-viewable display operably is coupled to the processor and disposed within the housing. A connection interface is disposed on the housing and is configured for detachable and interchangeable attachment of first device and a second device. The processor is configured, upon execution of the executable instructions, to perform a first function associated with the first device when the personal digital module is attached to the first device and to perform a second function associated with the second device when the personal digital module is attached to the second device.