Self-Capacitance Controller for User Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user authentication methods for electronic devices, such as smart TVs, are time-consuming and require direct user intervention, posing challenges for usability, security, and cost-effectiveness, especially in automated systems where continuous video/image capturing raises privacy concerns and bioimpedance systems are energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A self-capacitance-based system using a controller device with multiple electrodes to measure and analyze hand grip patterns and size, allowing for user identification without explicit user action, leveraging the intrinsic capacitance of the human body to differentiate users based on grip patterns and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image/audio capture systems are used for user identification, then user identification accuracy is improved, but user privacy is compromised due to continuous video/image capturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary biometric feature (finger geometry) from the complete image capture process. Instead of continuously capturing and storing video/images, the system only measures the geometric characteristics of the finger touching the controller, thereby achieving user identification without compromising continuous privacy monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach where capacitive sensors indirectly measure finger geometry through electrical field interaction rather than direct optical capture. This intermediary method allows identification while maintaining privacy by not requiring visual recording of the user
2Reliability
If contact systems such as fingerprint or bioimpedance are used, then user identification security is improved, but production cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the controller device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface for controlling the electronic device and as the biometric sensor for user identification. The existing capacitive touch controller is repurposed to detect finger geometry, eliminating the need for separate fingerprint sensors or bioimpedance devices
Solution Approach 2:
The controller device's existing capacitive sensing capability is leveraged to perform user identification without requiring additional dedicated sensing components. The system uses the controller's inherent electrical properties to detect finger characteristics, making the identification function self-contained within the existing hardware
3Reliability
If contact systems such as fingerprint or bioimpedance are used, then user identification reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller device serves dual purposes as both control interface and biometric sensor, utilizing its existing capacitive sensing circuitry for user identification without requiring separate high-power sensing subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or high-power electrical sensing systems (fingerprint scanners, bioimpedance devices) with low-power capacitive field detection that uses minimal energy to measure finger geometry through electrical field interaction
4Measurement precision
If authentication procedures are required for user identification, then user identification accuracy is improved, but user experience and automation are degraded due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs user identification automatically and preliminarily before the user needs to access content. The finger geometry measurement occurs instantly when the user picks up the controller, preparing the identification data in advance without requiring subsequent authentication steps
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-identification by automatically detecting and analyzing finger geometry without requiring the user to actively authenticate. The controller itself conducts the measurement and the system automatically matches the fingerprint to identify the user, eliminating manual authentication actions
5Measurement precision
If contact systems require user to place hand on specific location, then measurement precision is improved, but automation is reduced requiring conscious user action
Solution Approach 1:
The controller surface is segmented into multiple capacitive sensing zones that can independently detect finger presence and characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to capture comprehensive hand grip patterns across different regions of the controller without requiring the user to target a specific location
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive electrical field acts as an intermediary that extends the sensing capability beyond direct contact points. The field penetrates through the controller material to detect finger geometry and grip patterns, enabling automatic detection without requiring precise user positioning
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
Enables seamless, cost-effective, and energy-efficient user authentication, allowing for personalized content delivery and access control without requiring conscious user action, enhancing both user experience and security while maintaining low production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of electrodes is configured to measure self-capacitance signals between a user's hand in contact with the controller device and a ground
Data Source
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Figure 4
AI summary
It is proposed a system for identifying a user interacting with an electronic device via a controller device. The system is based on the self-capacitance phenomenon, and in the measurement of the self-capacitance on the hand of a user holding the controller device, in order to detect hand presence, and to determine a user's specific hand grip pattern as a basis to perform user's identification. To achieve this objective, the system uses a set of electrodes to measure the self-capacitance, said electrodes being integrated into the controller device.