Security Key Proximity Verification Without Mechanical Buttons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security key devices occupy large space, have a short service life, and are unusable due to environmental factors such as dry fingers, leading to frustrating user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A user verification device equipped with a security chip, proximity sensor, and microcontroller unit that uses a proximity sensor to detect user presence for secure identity authentication, eliminating the need for physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical button is used for physical verification, then the user can perform verification by physically pressing the key, but the device occupies large volume and has short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with a capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensor detects changes in electrical capacitance when a conductor (such as a USB connector or user's body) approaches or contacts the device surface, eliminating the need for mechanical buttons while maintaining verification functionality. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing mechanical wear components (improving service life) while enabling a more compact design (reducing volume).
2Ease of operation
If touch-based sensing is used for verification, then the device can provide contactless verification, but it becomes unusable when fingers are dry due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from relying on finger moisture (conductive gel layer) to detecting changes in electrical capacitance caused by the proximity or contact of conductive objects. The capacitive sensor measures capacitance variations when a conductor approaches or touches the device surface, which works reliably regardless of finger moisture conditions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational ease while ensuring reliability in various environmental conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a proximity sensor is added to detect user presence, then the authentication process becomes more convenient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the capacitive sensor serve multiple functions: it acts as both the user presence detection mechanism (proximity sensing) and the authentication verification mechanism. The same sensor that detects when a conductor approaches or contacts the device also provides the verification signal. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving convenient proximity-based authentication without adding separate proximity sensor components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
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
Provides secure and convenient identity authentication through proximity detection, enhancing user experience by avoiding mechanical button issues and environmental limitations.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing unit may use a capacitive sensor to sense whether a conductor approaches or contacts the surface of the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A user verification device, an authentication system, and an authentication method for a security key are provided. The user verification device includes a security chip, a proximity sensor, a connector, and a microcontroller unit. The connector is connected to an electronic apparatus. The microcontroller unit is coupled to the security chip, the proximity sensor, and the connector. When the microcontroller unit receives an identity authentication request from the electronic apparatus through the connector, the microcontroller unit determines whether an object is approaching the user verification device through the proximity sensor. When the microcontroller unit determines that the object is approaching the user verification device through the proximity sensor, the microcontroller unit reads an identity authentication response from the security chip and outputs the identity authentication response to the electronic apparatus through the connector.