Watch Biometric Access Control for Confidential Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing watch systems lack secure access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized access to confidential data when the watch is stolen or lost.

Innovation Solution

A biometric access control system using a multispectral biometric skin sensor and processing unit to authenticate users based on skin characteristics, distinguishing between general and confidential data categories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric authentication is implemented for watch functions, then user identity verification is improved, but the risk of unauthorized access to confidential data increases when the watch is stolen or lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidunauthorized data access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into two categories: general data and confidential data. Different access control mechanisms are applied to each segment. Confidential data requires additional biometric verification beyond basic authentication, while general data remains accessible. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by ensuring that even if the watch is stolen, confidential data remains protected while maintaining normal access for legitimate users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary biometric verification before allowing access to confidential data. The system performs authentication checks and biometric verification in advance before data access is granted. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized users can access confidential data even if the device is compromised, resolving the security concern while maintaining user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple biometric verification steps are added for confidential data, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfidential data protectionVSAvoidaccess control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality levels of security to different data types. Confidential data receives enhanced biometric verification and stricter access controls, while general data uses standard authentication. This local quality approach ensures strong protection where needed without unnecessarily complicating the entire system, resolving the contradiction between security and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If biometric skin sensor is used for authentication, then access control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric identification accuracyVSAvoidwatch assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the biometric skin sensor into the existing watch structure to serve multiple functions: user authentication, data access control, and security verification. By making the sensor multi-functional, the patent justifies the added complexity through enhanced capabilities that benefit all users, not just a specific feature set, thereby improving ease of manufacture relative to the added functionality.

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

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

Provides secure and discreet access control by verifying user identity through skin biometrics, ensuring only authorized users can access confidential data.

Implementation Method 1

a phase of illumination of the portion of skin according to different wavelengths, said illumination being capable of highlighting or revealing said at least one biometric information element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight illumination at different wavelengths: Light

Implementation Method 2

a phase of capturing images of this portion of skin illuminated at at least one wavelength capable of highlighting or revealing said at least one element of biometric information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage capture: Photography

Implementation Method 3

at least one thermal image sensor 8c

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal imaging: Thermography

Data Source

PatentEP4070163B1Watch comprising a system for controlling biometric access to confidential data
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 TISSOT SA
  • EP4070163B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling access to at least one confidential datum (28), the access to which by a function of a watch (100) requires the wearer of the watch to be identified, the method comprising the following steps: - authenticating (9) the wearer of the watch (100) in order to allow access to the functions of the watch (100); - selecting (10) one of said functions of the watch requiring the use of at least one of said confidential data (28) or general data (31) archived in the memory element; - determining (12) the category to which said at least one datum required by the function belongs; - verifying (15) the identity of the wearer of the watch (100) on the basis of at least one piece of biometric information included in a portion of the wearer's skin if said at least one datum belongs to the category of confidential data (28); and - authorizing (27) the use of said at least one confidential datum by the function if the identity of the wearer of the watch has been verified.