Rear Input Unit with Biometric Sensor for Mobile Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile terminals face challenges in providing a slim and simple design due to the need for a manipulation unit, which reduces display area and requires a separate input method, and there is a need for more secure and accurate user authentication.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal with a rear input unit featuring a plurality of buttons and a biometric sensor unit that senses biometric signals, such as finger vein patterns, blood flow, and color changes, to authenticate users by comparing sensed data with stored information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manipulation unit is provided separately from the touch screen, then user input functionality is improved, but the terminal design becomes less slim and simple, and the display area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input functionalityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the manipulation unit with the touch screen by providing buttons on the rear surface of the terminal that can be integrated with the overall terminal structure, rather than as separate lateral components. This merging approach maintains user input functionality while preserving display area and achieving a slimmer design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the manipulation unit from the traditional lateral surface to the rear surface of the terminal, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This repositioning allows the buttons to be exposed at the rear side without interfering with the front display area, thus resolving the contradiction between input functionality and display size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a manipulation unit is disposed at the lateral surface, then user input is enabled, but the display area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the manipulation unit from the lateral surface to the rear surface of the terminal. The buttons are configured to be exposed at the rear side, utilizing the rear surface dimension rather than the lateral dimension, thereby preventing interference with the front display area while maintaining input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing buttons on the conventional lateral surface, the patent inverts the approach by positioning them on the rear surface of the terminal. This inversion of the traditional manipulation unit location allows the buttons to function without reducing the display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If conventional authentication methods are used, then user authentication is provided, but accuracy and security in authentication are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical or simple biometric authentication with an optical sensing system. The sensor unit detects optical characteristics of the user's finger (such as vein patterns or skin properties) to provide more accurate and secure authentication, substituting physical contact-based methods with optical detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical sensor unit as an intermediary between the user and the authentication system. This sensor acts as a mediator that captures optical biometric data from the user's finger, enabling more precise and secure authentication without direct mechanical contact or simple input methods.

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

This solution allows for a larger screen display, new design possibilities, and improved user authentication accuracy by integrating input and biometric authentication on the rear side of the terminal.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor unit may be configured to include a light source for emitting light to a finger of the user and an image sensor for sensing the biometric signal from reflected light reflected from the finger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflected light: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10185883B2Mobile terminal and method for controlling same

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of a new type of user input, comprising: a backside input unit including a plurality of buttons and exposed to the backside of the mobile terminal; a memory for storing relationships between combinations of the plurality of buttons and control instructions of the mobile terminal and biometric information; a sensor unit, arranged on the backside of the mobile terminal and adjacent to the backside input unit, for sensing a user's bio signal; and a control unit for, upon receiving a user input in accordance with a particular combination of the plurality of buttons, controlling the sensor unit to sense the user's bio signal, and authenticating the user using the sensed bio signal and the stored biometric information.