Touch Screen Biometric Authentication via Surface Area and Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing graphical password systems, such as 'passpoints,' are challenging to implement on touch screens due to the lack of precision in selecting exact touch points, and there is a need for enhanced biometric authentication methods that leverage touch screen inputs effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a touch screen to determine access to a protected resource by comparing the sequence and biometric measurements of touch locations and surface areas against predetermined values, using a computer to grant access if the inputs match within a specified tolerance, incorporating touch point setup and authentication programs to manage and verify user inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional alphanumeric passwords are used, then security is maintained, but user memorability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser memorability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional keyboard-based alphanumeric password entry with a touch screen interface that captures biometric data (pressure, contact area, touch duration) during the authentication process. This substitution maintains security through multiple verification parameters while improving memorability by using graphical images instead of complex character sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the authentication parameters from simple character verification to multi-dimensional biometric measurements including pressure force, contact surface area, and touch duration. These parameter changes enable both enhanced security through multiple verification factors and improved user experience through natural touch interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If graphical passwords are used, then user memorability is improved, but authentication security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser memorabilityVSAvoidauthentication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges graphical password authentication with biometric sensing capabilities into a unified system. The touch screen simultaneously captures both the user's intentional touch pattern (graphical password) and unintentional biometric data (pressure, contact area, duration), combining these elements to achieve both memorability and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch screen acts as an intermediary device that translates simple user touches into multiple verification parameters. It mediates between the user's intuitive graphical interaction and the security requirements by extracting biometric data from the touch events, thereby enhancing security without compromising ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If touch screens are used instead of mice, then device adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice adaptabilityVSAvoidtouch point precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds new dimensions to touch point measurement by capturing not only the x-y coordinates but also pressure force, contact surface area, and touch duration. This dimensional expansion compensates for the reduced precision of touch screens compared to mice while maintaining device adaptability across different platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the touch measurement into multiple independent parameters (location, pressure, contact area, duration) rather than relying on a single precise coordinate. This segmentation allows the system to utilize the strengths of touch screens (multi-touch capability, biometric data collection) while compensating for limitations in single-point precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If multiple biometric parameters are collected, then authentication security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidsystem 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 biometric sensing device. By integrating pressure, contact area, and duration measurements into the standard touch screen functionality, the system achieves enhanced security without adding separate hardware components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9035745B2Biometric authentication

Publication Date: 2015.05.19 WRP IP MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

A tool for determining whether to grant a current person access to a protected resource. A computer receives a plurality of touches performed by a current person on a touch screen. Each touch in the plurality of touches includes a location of the touch on the touch screen and a surface area measurement of the touch screen impacted by the current person. The computer determines whether each touch in the plurality of touches received matches a predetermined touch performed by a person authorized to access the protected resource. If each touch in the set of touches received matches a stored touch performed by a person authorized to access the protected resource the current person will be granted access to the protected resource.