Zero Fingerprint Enrollment Sensor for Automatic Credentialing

Solution Overview

Problem

Fingerprint enrollment processes in existing systems are time-consuming and interruptive, making them tedious and impractical for users, which can lead to reduced usage of fingerprint recognition sensors.

Innovation Solution

A fingerprint recognition sensor that collects and combines partial fingerprint information into a unified template without a user interface, allowing for automatic enrollment and credentialing, enabling seamless integration with devices for authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user interface is used to collect fingerprints from the authorized user, then fingerprint information can be enrolled in the database, but the process becomes time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint enrollment completionVSAvoidenrollment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing fingerprint images during normal device operations (such as when the user places their finger on the sensor for authentication or other interactions). These fingerprint images are stored and processed in advance, so that when enrollment is needed, the work is already substantially complete, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual enrollment sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically enrolling fingerprints without requiring user intervention in the enrollment process. The fingerprint recognition sensor and processing system automatically capture, process, and enroll fingerprint images during regular device usage, making the system self-sufficient for fingerprint data collection and enrollment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a user interface is used to collect fingerprints from the authorized user, then fingerprint information can be enrolled in the database, but the process interrupts operations the user is attempting to perform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint enrollment completionVSAvoiduser operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing fingerprint images during normal device operations (such as when the user places their finger on the sensor for authentication or other interactions). These fingerprint images are stored and processed in advance, so that when enrollment is needed, the work is already substantially complete, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual enrollment sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically enrolling fingerprints without requiring user intervention in the enrollment process. The fingerprint recognition sensor and processing system automatically capture, process, and enroll fingerprint images during regular device usage, making the system self-sufficient for fingerprint data collection and enrollment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If traditional fingerprint collection methods are used, then complete fingerprint information can be obtained, but the process requires significant user interaction which reduces system effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint information completenessVSAvoidsystem usage effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing fingerprint images during normal device operations (such as when the user places their finger on the sensor for authentication or other interactions). These fingerprint images are stored and processed in advance, so that when enrollment is needed, the work is already substantially complete, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual enrollment sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by capturing fingerprint images during ongoing device operations rather than requiring separate enrollment sessions. The fingerprint sensor continuously or periodically captures images whenever the user interacts with the device, ensuring that fingerprint data collection is an ongoing process integrated into normal usage rather than a discrete interruptive task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10372962B2Zero fingerprint enrollment system for an electronic device

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 APPLE INC

AI summary

This application provides techniques, including circuits and designs, which can receive information with respect to fingerprint images, or portions thereof, and which can be incorporated into devices using fingerprint recognition. This application also provides techniques, including devices which perform fingerprint recognition and methods which can be performed by those devices. In one embodiment, techniques can include providing a fingerprint recognition sensor in which one or more portions of each fingerprint can be collected as they are identified, and those portions can be combined into a unified fingerprint template. In this way, collection and enrollment of fingerprints may be simplified for users.