User-Specific Swipe Authentication for Continuous Device Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biometric authentication methods on user devices, such as facial recognition and fingerprint detection, are susceptible to unauthorized access and degrade user experience by requiring active user interaction, while gesture-based authentication can also be compromised or forgotten.

Innovation Solution

A user device authenticates users based on a learned or identified user-specific swipe, utilizing a machine learning model to analyze unique touch characteristics of a user's swipe motion, which is passive and resource-efficient, allowing continuous authentication during user sessions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If facial recognition or fingerprint detection is used for authentication, then security is improved, but user experience degrades due to requiring active user interaction and susceptibility to unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiduser interaction requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication automatically without requiring active user participation. The machine learning model continuously monitors touchscreen interactions and autonomously determines user identity, eliminating the need for users to actively engage in authentication processes while maintaining security through passive behavioral analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical biometric verification mechanisms (facial recognition cameras, fingerprint sensors) with a software-based machine learning system that analyzes touchscreen interaction patterns. This substitution eliminates hardware vulnerabilities and provides more reliable authentication through behavioral biometrics while requiring no additional user actions

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

2Ease of operation

If gesture-based authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability degrades due to susceptibility to compromise and forgetting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture authenticationVSAvoidauthentication security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs gesture recognition and authentication without requiring users to consciously execute specific gestures. The machine learning model passively analyzes natural touchscreen interactions and autonomously identifies user identity, combining the ease of natural gestures with the reliability of automated recognition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the authentication approach by changing from recognizing specific predefined gestures to analyzing continuous parameters of touchscreen interactions (touch pressure, swipe velocity, contact duration, gesture curvature). This parameter-based approach creates more reliable authentication by capturing subtle behavioral characteristics that are harder to compromise or forget

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If continuous authentication monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous authenticationVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial authentication analysis by monitoring only essential touchscreen interaction parameters rather than complete behavioral profiles. The machine learning model processes only the minimum necessary data (touch start/end coordinates, duration, pressure) to perform authentication, reducing computational overhead while maintaining continuous monitoring and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous authentication monitoring that operates seamlessly in the background during normal device usage. The machine learning model continuously analyzes touchscreen events without interrupting user workflows, providing uninterrupted security verification while optimizing resource usage through efficient event-driven processing rather than constant full-system analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4445272B1Authentication of a user based on a user-specific swipe
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4445272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4445272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4445272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some aspects, a device may receive swipe data associated with a swipe by a user of a user device. The swipe data may be received based on the swipe generating a user input that is indicative of a swipe input. The device may process, based on reference swipe data, the swipe data to determine whether the swipe is associated with an authorized user of the user device. The reference swipe data may be associated with previous swipes performed by the authorized user. The device may perform an action associated with access to a user interface of the user device based on whether the swipe data is determined to be associated with the authorized user. Numerous other aspects are described.