Wearable device performing user authentication using bio-signals and authentication method of the same

• US 9,811,648 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Chang Mok, Kim, Sang Joon, Yoon, Seung Keun
• Primary Examiner(s): Colin, Carl
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAVELLE, GARY E
• Application Number:
  US14/199,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20150074797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 726 19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/33 using wearable devices, e.g. using a smartwatch or smart-glasses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent

Abstract

A wearable device includes a first sensor configured to detect a first biosignal generated in response to a gesture performed by a user, and a second sensor configured to detect a second biosignal of the user. The device further includes a memory configured to store, with respect to at least one user, information of the first biosignal and the second biosignal, and a processor configured to initiate user authentication based on a result of determining whether the detected first biosignal corresponds to the stored information, and authenticate the user by comparing the detected second biosignal to the stored information.

Claims

1. A wearable device, comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect a first biosignal generated inside a user'"'"'s body in response to a muscle movement of the user to perform a gesture;

a second sensor configured to detect a second biosignal of the user;

a memory configured to store, with respect to the user, information of the first biosignal and the second biosignal; and

a processor configured to;

initiate user authentication based on determining whether the detected first biosignal corresponds to the stored information of the user, and

authenticate the user by comparing the detected second biosignal to the stored information.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first biosignal comprises at least one of an electromyogram (EMG) signal generated before and after a muscle movement, a light signal penetrating a muscle of the user, or a force signal generated by a muscle of the user.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second biosignal is at least one of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal, a voice of the user, or an impedance signal generated by a body of the user.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to:

determine whether a difference between the detected second biosignal and the stored information is within an error range; and

authenticate the user based on the determining that the difference is within the error range.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an initial authenticator configured to

receive the gesture and the second biosignal from the user; and

store, in the memory, the first biosignal corresponding to the gesture, and the second biosignal.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a user input to execute a function of the wearable device;

retrieve an access right information particular to the function from the memory; and

request user authentication corresponding to the access right information.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a wearing detection sensor configured to detect whether the wearable device is detached from the user,

wherein the processor is configured to control the user authentication to be invalid in response to the wearable device being detected to be detached from the user.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the wearing detection sensor is configured to:

detect a mechanical movement of a band attached to a portion of a body of the user; and

/or

detect an electrical signal generated by attaching and detaching of the band.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the memory is further configured to store device setting information of the user; and

in response to the user being authenticated, the processor is further configured to

read, from the memory, the device setting information of the authenticated user, and

provide, to the user, a user interface based on the device setting information.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is a watch-type smartphone.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first biosignal is based on a penetration of a light signal through a muscle of the user.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the stored information is encoded and comprises a piece of feature point information obtained by performing signal processing on the first biosignal and the second biosignal.

13. A wearable device, comprising:

a first electromagnetic signal sensor configured to detect a first biosignal of an electrical activity generated inside a user'"'"'s body in response to a muscle movement of the user to input a gesture;

a second sensor configured to detect a second biosignal of the user, the second biosignal being at least one of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal, a voice of the user, an impedance signal generated by a body of the user, a fingerprint, or an iris scan;

a memory configured to store, with respect to the user, information of the first biosignal and the second biosignal; and

a processor configured to;

trigger user authentication based on determining whether the detected first biosignal corresponds to the stored information of the user, and

authenticate the user by comparing the detected second biosignal to the stored information.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the stored information is encoded and comprises a piece of feature point information obtained by performing signal processing on the first biosignal and the second biosignal.

15. A user authentication method of a wearable device, the method comprising:

detecting a first biosignal of an electrical activity inside a muscle of a user generated in response to a gesture performed by the user;

detecting a second biosignal of the user;

storing, with respect to the user, information of the first biosignal and the second biosignal;

proceeding without authentication in response to determining that the detected first biosignal does not correspond to the stored information of the user;

initiating user authentication based on determining that the detected first biosignal corresponds to the stored information of the user; and

authenticating the user by comparing the detected second biosignal to the stored information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the authenticating comprises:

determining whether a difference between the detected second biosignal and the stored information is within an error range; and

authenticating the user based on the determining that the difference is within the error range.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving the gesture and the second biosignal from the user; and

storing the first biosignal corresponding to the gesture, and the second biosignal.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

storing access right information levels of functions executable in the wearable device,

wherein, in response to a command to execute the function being input to the wearable device by the user, the initiating comprises reading the access right information level corresponding to the command to execute, and providing, to the user, at least one of a visual feedback, an auditory feedback, or a tactile feedback based on the access right information level.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting whether the wearable device is detached from the user; and

controlling the user authentication to be invalid in response to the wearable device being detected to be detached from the user.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the detecting comprises:

detecting a mechanical movement of a band attached to a portion of a body of the user; and

/or

detecting an electrical signal generated by attaching and detaching of the band.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

storing device setting information of the user; and

in response to the user being authenticated, reading the device setting information of the authenticated user, and providing, to the user, a user interface based on the device setting information.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the stored information is encoded and comprises a piece of feature point information obtained by performing signal processing on the first biosignal and the second biosignal.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program comprising instructions to cause a computer to perform a method comprising:

detecting a first biosignal of an electrical activity inside a muscle of a user generated in response to a gesture performed by the user;

detecting a second biosignal of the user;

storing, with respect to the user, information of the first biosignal and the second biosignal;

after detecting the first biosignal and detecting the second biosignal, determining whether the detected first biosignal corresponds to the stored information,

proceeding without authentication in response to determining that the detected first biosignal does not correspond to the stored information of the user;

initiating user authentication based on determining that the detected first biosignal corresponds to the stored information of the user; and

authenticating the user by comparing the detected second biosignal to the stored information.

24. A wearable device, comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect a first biosignal generated inside a user'"'"'s body in response to a muscle movement of the user to perform a gesture;

a second sensor configured to detect a second biosignal of the user;

a memory configured to store information of the first biosignal and the second biosignal; and

a processor configured to;

initiate user authentication in response to the detected first biosignal being determined to correspond to information of the first biosignal, and

authenticate the user in response to the detected second biosignal being determined to be within a range of information of the second signal,

wherein the information of the first biosignal and the information of the second biosignal is encoded and comprises a piece of feature point information obtained by performing signal processing on the first biosignal and the second biosignal.

25. The wearable device of claim 24, wherein the information of the first and second signals are predetermined.

26. The wearable device of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive, from the user, a command to execute a function; and

provide, to the user, a feedback based on access right information corresponding to the function, the access right information indicating a level of the user authentication needed.