Touch Panel Signal Coupling for Cross-Device Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face the burden of managing multiple accounts and passwords across different devices and services, and existing security methods are either unreliable or lack portability and sufficient security.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using touch-sensitive devices to communicate signature information through their touch panels via electric field coupling, allowing for secure authentication by transmitting and receiving signals between the devices, thus eliminating the need for traditional account and password management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional account and password management is used, then security control is provided, but the burden of managing multiple accounts and passwords increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidmanagement burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal authentication system where a single signature created on one device can be verified across multiple different devices and service websites. The signature, generated through touch panel interaction, serves as a multi-functional authentication credential that replaces the need for separate accounts and passwords for each service, thereby reducing management burden while maintaining security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the user's signature that can be transmitted and verified across different devices. The signature information is captured, stored, and replicated as authentication data that can be presented to multiple service providers without requiring the user to recreate or remember multiple credentials, thus eliminating the management burden of multiple accounts and passwords.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If browser auto-save of accounts and passwords is used, then ease of access is improved, but security level decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidsecurity level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical storage method of browser auto-save (storing credentials in device memory) with a touch-based signature verification system. Instead of relying on device-specific stored credentials that can be accessed by anyone with device access, the system uses dynamic signature capture and verification through touch panel electrode interactions, providing both ease of access and enhanced security.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism - the signature verification system - that mediates between the user and the service website. Rather than directly using stored passwords that compromise security, the system uses the signature as an intermediary credential that is harder to compromise but equally convenient to use, thereby improving security while maintaining ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If fingerprint identification or face identification is used, then account and password management is eliminated, but portability and device-specific security are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelimination of account managementVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal signature-based authentication system that works across multiple devices and service websites, unlike device-specific biometric systems. The signature, captured through touch panel interaction, can be verified on any device equipped with the verification system, providing both the convenience of eliminating password management and the portability needed for cross-device access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If touch panel signal transmission is used for authentication, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but technical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidtechnical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the touch panel's existing electrodes and signal transmission capabilities to perform authentication functions. The touch panel hardware that already exists for user interface purposes is made to serve dual functions - both display/input and authentication - without requiring additional dedicated hardware components. This self-service approach reduces technical complexity while maintaining portability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach provides a secure and portable authentication method that reduces the burden of managing multiple accounts and passwords, enhancing security by using existing touch panel hardware for near-field wireless communication, which is more efficient and cost-effective than conventional NFC technologies.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting and receiving signals between the devices, thus eliminating the need for traditional account and password management

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field coupling: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP2887257B1Signature verification between a mobile device and a computing device
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP2887257B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2887257B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2887257B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which when executed by a mobile device, cause the mobile device to: provide, at a processing circuit, a signal to a transmitting electrode of a first touch panel; transmit, at the transmitting electrode, the signal to a receiving electrode of a second touch panel of a computing device; and perform further operation with the computing device when the signal corresponds to a signature stored in the computing device.