Thermal Infrared Sensor User Proximity Detection for Device Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity-based security systems for electronic devices are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to the risk of loss or temporary separation of the external device, allowing unauthorized users to access the device.
Innovation Solution
Integration of MEMS thermal infrared sensors to detect and track a user's thermal signature, maintaining the device unlocked as long as the user is in proximity, and locking it when the signature is no longer detectable, combined with voice recognition for additional security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If proximity-based security systems use external devices (smartcards, NFC) to maintain unlocked state, then device accessibility is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to risk of external device loss or unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/contact-based external device (smartcard, NFC) with an optical/thermal detection system using infrared sensors. This substitution eliminates the physical external device that could be lost or stolen, while maintaining proximity-based access control through thermal signature detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a thermal signature copy or template of the authorized user's thermal pattern during enrollment. This thermal copy is then used for verification, allowing the system to recognize the user without requiring physical contact or external devices, thus improving both accessibility and security.
2Ease of operation
If the device remains unlocked when external device is in proximity, then user convenience is improved, but security risk increases when user temporarily steps away
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor system continuously monitors the thermal signature in real-time, providing feedback to the control logic. When the thermal signature moves out of the detection zone (indicating user stepped away), the system immediately responds by locking the device, thus maintaining security while allowing convenient access when the user is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic detection of thermal signatures at regular intervals rather than a single check. This continuous periodic monitoring ensures that temporary absences are detected promptly, balancing user convenience during normal use with security during unexpected departures.
3Reliability
If thermal infrared sensors are integrated to detect user proximity, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor array serves multiple functions: it detects user proximity, verifies thermal signatures for authentication, and can potentially detect environmental conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the added component complexity by providing enhanced security and user experience benefits beyond what single-function sensors could achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermal detection, signature verification, and access control functions into an integrated system. By merging these functions into a unified approach using the infrared sensor array and associated processing, the system reduces overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
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
Enhances security by ensuring the device remains locked when the user is not within detection range, reducing the risk of unauthorized access while allowing convenient unlocking through recognized thermal and voice signatures.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a thermal signature for the user using thermal sensor data from the thermal infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a thermal infrared sensor and a processor, operatively coupled to the thermal IR sensor. The processor is configured to determine that the device has been successfully unlocked by a user using a security procedure, obtain a thermal signature for the user using thermal sensor data from the thermal infrared sensor, monitor proximity of the user to the device using the thermal signature and maintain the device unlocked if the thermal signature is detectable and is within the detection proximity of the thermal infrared sensor.