Smart Card Tactile Sensing Interface for Secure Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing systems face challenges in providing a robust, safe, and cost-effective user input interface, especially in secure environments where traditional keyboards may be impractical or insecure, and require protection against skimming.

Innovation Solution

A smart card with a tactile sensing user interface that captures and decodes handwritten input data using a tactile pattern recognition process, storing reference patterns securely and transmitting encrypted position data to a host system for further processing, enabling secure and flexible user authentication and input functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional keyboards are used for user input, then ease of operation is maintained, but security against skimming deteriorates and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical keyboards with a tactile sensing user interface that uses capacitive or resistive sensing technology to detect finger touches and gestures. This substitution eliminates physical keys that can be skimmed while maintaining input functionality through touch-based interaction, thereby improving security without proportionally increasing cost.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a tactile sensing layer as an intermediary between the user and the data processing system. This sensing layer captures touch inputs and converts them into digital signals, acting as a secure mediator that prevents direct access to the system while enabling authenticated user input through tactile patterns and gestures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If expensive touch screens are used for secure user input, then security improves, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements tactile sensing functionality at specific localized areas where user input is required, rather than deploying expensive touch screens across entire surfaces. The tactile sensing user interface provides secure input capabilities only at necessary interaction points, reducing overall system cost while maintaining security where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cost-effective tactile sensing technologies that can be integrated into smart cards and portable devices without requiring expensive touch screen assemblies. These tactile sensing solutions provide adequate security for their intended lifespan and application context, offering a economical alternative to premium touch interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If tactile pattern recognition is implemented on the smart card, then security improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pattern recognition functionality into segments: the tactile sensing user interface captures and pre-processes touch data, while the smart card performs authentication verification. This segmentation allows complex security functions to be distributed across multiple components, reducing the complexity burden on any single device while maintaining overall system security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary authentication by storing reference tactile patterns in the secure environment of the smart card during device initialization or user enrollment. This preliminary action enables rapid authentication comparisons during actual use, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining high security standards through pre-established reference data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2782073B1Smart card comprising tactile sensing user interface
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 NXP BV
  • EP2782073B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2782073B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2782073B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

According to an aspect of the invention, a security token is conceived, in particular a smart card, comprising a tactile sensing user interface, wherein said tactile sensing user interface is adapted to capture a stream of position data corresponding to a sequence of positions of a finger engaging with said tactile sensing user interface and representing a stream of input data for a data processing device, said security token being adapted to transmit said stream of position data to a host system for further processing.