Touch Pattern Authentication via Area Shape and Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack diverse and secure unlocking methods, relying primarily on password or pattern inputs, which may not adequately protect user data from unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a touch screen and processor that detects touch area, shape, and number of touches to create a reference pattern for unlocking, allowing for variable and secure input patterns based on these parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If standardized unlocking methods (passwords or patterns) are provided, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of unlockingVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of touch input by detecting and analyzing multiple characteristics including touch area size, touch shape, number of touches, and touch position. These parameter variations create a more complex authentication pattern that maintains ease of use while significantly improving security, as the system recognizes legitimate user patterns based on multiple touch parameters rather than simple password or pattern input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If touch area, shape, and number of touches are detected to create variable patterns, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidunlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the touch screen serve multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the authentication sensor. The existing touch screen hardware is utilized to detect various touch parameters (area, shape, position, number of touches) without adding separate authentication hardware, thereby improving security while minimizing the increase in device complexity

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

3Reliability

If multiple touch parameters are analyzed to create reference patterns, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidunlocking process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-learning by automatically analyzing the user's natural touch patterns during the setup phase and creating a reference pattern without requiring the user to manually configure complex parameters. During unlocking, the system automatically compares incoming touch data against the stored reference pattern, making the process simple for the user while maintaining high security through multiple parameter analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3012770B1Method for unlocking device based on touch size, shape, number of touches pattern
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3012770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3012770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3012770B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for controlling security in an electronic device are provided. The operating method of an electronic device includes detecting at least one touch input of a sequence of touch inputs, detecting at least one of a contact size, a contact shape, or the number of simultaneous contacts in case of a multi-touch input, which correspond to each of the at least one touch input, and creating a reference pattern for the unlocking, based on at least one of the contact size, contact shape or the number of simultaneous contacts in case of a multi-touch input, which correspond to each of the at least one touch input of a sequence of touch inputs.