Wearable Device Skin Sensor Authentication Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices lack secure authentication mechanisms, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive functions when the device is left unattended by the owner.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a skin sensor with multiple sub-sensors (capacitive, inductive, optical, PPG, and temperature sensors) that continuously monitor the device's contact with the skin surface, ensuring that sensitive functions are only executed if the device remains attached to the user's skin during and after authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is performed before executing functions, then user privacy and security are protected, but the device remains vulnerable to unauthorized access when the owner is distracted or leaves the device unattended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs skin contact detection continuously before allowing function execution and during function execution. The processor checks skin contact status as a preliminary condition before authorizing sensitive operations and monitors it throughout the operation to ensure the device remains on the user's body, preventing unauthorized access even during brief distractions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors skin contact status through skin sensors and provides real-time feedback to the processor. When the sensor detects loss of skin contact during function execution, the system immediately responds by terminating the operation, creating a closed-loop security mechanism that adapts to the user's presence status
2Ease of operation
If the device executes functions after authentication, then user convenience is improved, but security is compromised when the device is left unattended
Solution Approach 1:
The skin contact detection operates continuously throughout the entire function execution process, not just at the beginning. The processor maintains continuous monitoring of the skin sensor status, ensuring that the useful action of function execution only continues if the protective condition of skin contact is maintained throughout, balancing convenience with ongoing security
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts security based on real-time skin contact status. During function execution, if the skin sensor detects that the device has been removed from the user's body, the system dynamically terminates the operation. This dynamic response allows convenient execution when the device is worn but automatically secures the device when removed
3Measurement precision
If multiple skin sensors are used to detect skin contact status, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skin detection system is segmented into multiple independent sub-sensors (capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, optical sensor, PPG sensor, temperature sensor), each detecting skin contact through different physical principles. The processor integrates signals from these segmented sensors to achieve high-accuracy skin contact detection while maintaining modular system architecture that manages complexity
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
Enhances security by preventing unauthorized access to sensitive functions by ensuring the device is still in contact with the user's skin, thereby maintaining secure operation of functions like mobile payments or data access.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor configured to detect a capacitance value
Implementation Method 2
an inductive sensor configured to detect an inductance value
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor configured to detect an illuminance value
Implementation Method 4
a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor configured to detect a PPG signal
Implementation Method 5
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature value
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device including a skin sensor and a processor is provided. The processor is configured to receive an authentication data for authenticating a user when a wearing state of the wearable device is adjacent to a skin surface of the user, execute a predetermined function in response to a request when the authentication data matches a pre-stored data and the skin sensor determines that the wearable device does not leave the skin surface after the authentication data is received, and reject or ignore the request when the skin sensor determines that the wearable device leaves the skin surface before the predetermined function is executed.