Wearable Biometric Sensor Segmentation for Power and Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biometric authentication systems in wearable devices, such as watches and glasses, face design flexibility limitations due to the need for a button on the same surface as the fingerprint sensor, and suffer from increased power consumption, which is a concern for devices with limited battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a wearable part that includes a biometric information acquisition unit, such as a fingerprint sensor, and a detection unit, which only activates the sensor when the wearable part is worn, minimizing power consumption and allowing for improved design flexibility by separating the sensor from the main device surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button is disposed on the same surface as a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, then button functionality is achieved, but design flexibility decreases and surface unevenness occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is divided into separate functional modules: the main body and the wearable part (buckle). The fingerprint sensor is placed on the wearable part rather than the main body surface, separating the authentication function from the display surface design. This segmentation allows the main body to maintain a flat, aesthetically pleasing surface while still providing button functionality through the separate wearable component.
2Reliability
If fingerprint sensing is always performed for user authentication, then authentication readiness is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint sensor operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates the fingerprint sensor only when the wearable part is detected to be worn on the user's body, and deactivates it when not worn. This periodic operation maintains authentication readiness when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during non-use periods.
3Ease of operation
If the wearable part is always activated for biometric authentication, then authentication availability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system transitions from a static always-on state to a dynamic state that adapts to usage conditions. The control unit dynamically controls the power state of the fingerprint sensor based on whether the wearable part is detected as being worn. This dynamic adjustment ensures authentication availability when the device is in use while extending battery life when the device is not being worn.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To improve design flexibility and minimize power consumption for biometric authentication in an electronic apparatus that performs biometric authentication. [Solution] An electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a wearable part movable to be worn on a user's body; and a biometric information acquisition unit provided on the wearable part and configured to acquire biometric information of the user for user authentication. This configuration makes it possible to improve design flexibility and minimize power consumption for biometric authentication in an electronic apparatus that performs biometric authentication.