CH716900A2 - Method for securing access to the use of functions of a watch. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for securing access to the use of functions of a watch comprising the following steps: authentication of the wearer of the watch with a view to authorizing access to said functions, and discreet control at a determined period of the time. 'identity of the wearer of the watch by verifying the validity of a digital identification element determined from at least one biometric information element included in a portion of the skin of a wearer of said watch with a view to keep / delete the access authorization to audit functions.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method of securing access to the use of functions of a watch and a system implementing such a method.

[0002] The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a system as well as a computer program.

Prior art

[0003] A watch includes a set of functions which can be used by the wearer. Such functions may relate, in addition to setting the time or date, to the use of confidential or private data specific to the bearer and useful for accessing personalized services. These data are, for example, keys, certificates, authentication codes, passwords and personal codes which allow a secure connection of the watch to a private network of a company, authentication with secure servers such as a bank server. , or secure messaging for sending and receiving signed and / or encrypted emails. Therefore, it is then understood that it is important to be able to secure access to the use of the functions of such a watch.

To do this, we know in the state of the art methods providing for securing access to the use of the functions of a watch by strengthening the authentication criteria authorizing this access for example by implementing additional authentication steps relating to biometrics.

[0005] However, one of the major drawbacks of such methods is linked to the fact that once the wearer of the watch is authenticated it is then possible for any individual to have access to the functions of the watch, in particular in the case of where the latter was stolen.

It is understood that there is a need to find an alternative solution, in particular which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

[0007] An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for securing access to the use of functions of a watch which is reliable and robust.

[0008] Such a method has the advantage of ensuring the identity of the wearer of the watch in an automatic, transparent and non-intrusive manner for the wearer.

[0009] With this in mind, the invention relates to a method for securing access to the use of functions of a watch comprising the following steps: authentication of the wearer of the watch in order to authorize access to the functions, and discrete control at a determined period of the identity of the wearer of the watch by verifying the validity of a digital identification element determined from at least one biometric information element included in a portion of the skin of a wearer of the said watch in order to keep / remove the authorization to access these functions.

In other embodiments: the control step comprises a sub-step of acquisition by at least one multispectral biometric skin sensor included in the watch, of a plurality of images of a portion of the wearer's skin adjacent to said sensor, said images comprising said at least one biometric information element included in this portion of skin; the control step comprises a sub-step of generating a digital identification element from said at least one biometric information element; the checking step comprises a sub-step of validating a digital identification element generated in anticipation of checking the identity of the bearer; the validation sub-step comprises a comparison phase comprising a sub-phase for keeping the authorization to access the watch functions if the digital identification element generated is substantially similar or similar to an identification element digital reference; the acquisition sub-step comprises a phase of lighting the portion of skin according to different wavelengths; the acquisition sub-step comprises a phase of capturing images of the portion of skin illuminated at different wavelengths; the generation sub-step comprises a phase of characterizing said at least one element of biometric information included in the images acquired relating to said portion of skin; the generation sub-step comprises a phase of designing the digital identification element from the characterization of said biometric information element; the biometric information element relates to a vascular network or to a texture of this skin.

The invention also relates to a system for securing access to the use of functions of a watch implementing such a method, the system comprising the following elements linked together: a processing unit, a biometric sensor multispectral skin, an input interface and an interface for disseminating visual information.

The invention also relates to a watch, in particular a connected mechanical watch, comprising such a system.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of this method when said program is executed by a processing unit (2).

Brief description of the figures

Other features and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a watch comprising a system for securing access to the use of functions of a watch, according to one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to a method for securing access to the use of these functions, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 is shown a watch 100 comprising a system for securing access to the use of functions of this watch 100. Such a system 1 is included in the watch 100 which is preferably a mechanical watch 100 connected with hybrid display. In this context, this electronic device 100 comprises a body such as the watch case, and an attachment element such as a bracelet making it possible to fix this body, for example to the wrist of the wearer. This system 1 more precisely comprises in a non-limiting and / or non-exhaustive manner: a processing unit 2 comprising hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements 6; an interface for broadcasting visual information 3 such as a hybrid display dial provided with a first analog display component and a second digital and / or alphanumeric display component; an interface for broadcasting sound information 4 such as a loudspeaker; a wireless communication interface 5 (eg cellular, WLAN Bluetooth, etc.); an input interface 25 such as a keyboard or a touch interface included for example in the interface for broadcasting visual information 3, and a multispectral skin biometric sensor 24 comprising at least one photographic sensor 26, at least one multispectral illumination source 27 and at least one thermal image sensor 28, the illumination source 27 capable of emitting light radiation in lengths of 'waves between 300 and 1100 nm, moreover this lighting source 27 can be of the laser type.

In this system 1, the processing unit 2 is connected, among other things, to the interfaces for broadcasting visual and sound information 3, 4, to the input interface 25 as well as to the communication interface without wire 5 and to the multispectral biometric sensor 24. It will also be noted that the multispectral biometric sensor 24 is arranged in the body of the electronic device 100 and / or in the attachment element.

This system 1 implemented in the electronic device 100 is able to ensure the control of the identity of the authenticated wearer of the watch discreetly, that is to say without direct intervention / interaction of the wearer with this watch 100, so that he can use the functions of the watch 100 all the time he wears it, without having to authenticate again. The identification of the wearer is then carried out in a transparent and discreet manner, based on at least one biometric information element included in the skin of this wearer, such as the vascular network of the skin or the texture of this skin. . This skin of the wearer which covers his body has a particularity, less obvious to be considered by those skilled in the art because it cannot be viewed naturally by the human eye, linked to the characteristics of absorption and reflection at different wavelengths ( spectrum) of components of the skin, located at different depths. In a simplified model, the skin consists of a layer called the "epidermis", semi-transparent and located on the surface then, under the epidermis, a layer called the "dermis" and comprising, among others, the blood vessels ( or vascular network) in which the hemoglobin is highly reflective at high wavelengths close to red, being for example between 760 and 930 nm, which makes it possible here to reveal or highlight the vascular network of the wearer's skin. In other words, the light absorption spectrum of the components of the epidermis and the dermis constituting the skin not being uniform according to the electromagnetic wavelengths, the appearance and the color of the skin result from a complex combination of these phenomena. Thus, when it is a question of highlighting or revealing an element of biometric information such as the texture of the skin of this wearer, a texture essentially formed of crevices or cavities, the lighting of the skin can then be ensured by a source of lighting restricted to wavelengths around red which tends to make the phenomenon of shadows disappear from the bottom of the crevices. Indeed, there is a retro projection effect by reflection on the dermis and through the epidermis of these wavelengths close to red, while the illumination of the skin by a source of color spectrum far from red, typically the band of wavelengths located between violet (400 nm) and up to yellow-orange (600 nm), on the contrary makes it possible to strongly contrast these cracks in the skin by the appearance of shadows at the bottom of these crevices. It will be noted that the identification of a biometric information element included in the skin can be improved by the use of the thermal image sensor 28, preferably without illumination. By way of example, for the demonstration of the texture of the skin, in particular when the portion of the skin concerned of this wearer is provided with hairs, the use of the thermal image sensor 28 makes it possible to reveal the crevices of this texture of the skin that is generally warmer than the surrounding skin and the hairs cooler than the surrounding skin. Thus, in this configuration, the hairs can be thermally distinguished from cracks in the texture of the skin due to this difference between their respective temperature.

It will be noted that the capture of thermal images can be carried out under lighting in a given wavelength according to the element of biometric information which should be highlighted or revealed.

It is therefore understood, according to the principle of the invention, that the periodic identification of the wearer is carried out from at least one biometric information element included in images of a portion of the skin of this wearer which can be illuminated if necessary according to different wavelengths in order to capture images comprising the desired biometric information element. Thus, this element of biometric information, included in these images, can be highlighted by the lighting carried out in different wavelengths or without lighting, for example when it comes to carrying out a capture of thermal images.

In this system 1, the memory elements 6 of the processing unit 2 include data relating to a reference digital identification element previously defined / generated. These memory elements 6 also include digital image processing algorithms 29 making it possible to characterize at least one biometric information element relating to the wearer's skin and which is included in the images relating to the portion of the wearer's skin. These memory elements 6 also include algorithms for generating the reference digital identification element but also the digital identification element which is generated periodically as part of the control of the identity of the bearer.

Such a system 1 of the watch 100 is capable of implementing a method for securing access to the use of the functions of the watch 100, shown in FIG. 2. Such a method aims to ensure that discreet way, that is to say in a non-intrusive and automatic way of the identity of an authenticated wearer so that he can use the functions of the watch 100 all the time that he wears it without having to authenticate himself again. The functions of the watch 100 may relate to setting the time, the date or even the use of a stopwatch, a navigation system, a pedometer, an activity tracker, a messaging system. , access to confidential or private data specific to the bearer and useful for accessing personalized services, etc.

This method comprises a step 10 of authenticating the wearer of the watch 100 with a view to authorizing access to the functions of this watch 100. This step 10 allows the wearer to provide proof of his identity. Indeed, the bearer can interact with the input interface 25 for authentication using an authenticator or a secret code.

This method then comprises a step 12 of discrete control at a determined period of the identity of the wearer of the watch by verifying the validity of a digital identification element determined from at least one element of biometric information included in a portion of the skin of the wearer of said watch in order to keep / remove the authorization to access these functions. During this step 12, the determined period is a regular or irregular control period which can be configured automatically by the processing unit 2 or defined by the wearer. For example, this period can be a few seconds or a few minutes. Such a control step 12 makes it possible to verify at the end of each period that the wearer of the watch is still the same by checking his “biometric” identity from a digital identification element established as a function of at least one biometric information element included in the skin of this wearer.

This control step 12 then comprises a sub-step 13 of acquisition by the sensor 24 of a plurality of images of a portion of the wearer's skin, said skin being arranged adjacent to said sensor, said images comprising said at least one biometric information element included in this portion of skin. This sub-step 13 comprises a phase of lighting 14 of the portion of skin according to different wavelengths. More precisely, during this phase 14, the processing unit 2 controls the multispectral biometric sensor 24 and in particular the lighting source 27 so that the latter emits light radiation in the direction of the portion of skin according to a precise wavelength suitable for highlighting or revealing said at least one element of biometric information specific to the skin, sought here in the context of checking the identity of the wearer, and which is included in this portion of the wearer's skin. Once the lighting has been configured, the acquisition sub-step 13 comprises a phase 15 of capturing images of this portion of skin illuminated at at least one wavelength capable of highlighting or revealing said at least one. biometric information element. During this phase 15, the processing unit 2 controls the multispectral biometric skin sensor 24 and in particular the photographic sensor 26 synchronously with the activation / deactivation of the lighting source 27, in order to achieve a capturing at least one image relating to the illuminated portion of skin for at least one wavelength.

This acquisition sub-step 13 can also include a capture phase 16 of at least one thermal image of the portion of skin. Such a phase 16 is preferably carried out without lighting but in other alternatives lighting of the portion can be carried out in at least one given wavelength, this obviously depending on the element of biometric information that should be taken into account. highlight or reveal. This phase 16 can be carried out before or after the lighting 14 and image capture 15 phases.

The control step 12 then comprises a sub-step 17 for generating the digital identification element from said at least one biometric information element included in the images acquired of the portion of skin. Such a sub-step 17 comprises a phase of characterizing 18 said element of biometric information included in the images relating to said portion of skin. During this phase 124, the processing unit 2 implements algorithms 29 for processing the acquired images aimed at identifying / detecting in each of them said at least one element of biometric information which they include. As we have already mentioned previously, it may be information elements relating, for example, to the texture of the skin or to the vascular network included in this portion of the wearer's skin. The implementation of these algorithms 29, 30 by the processing unit 2 can, by way of example, provide for a process of cutting these images into segments. It is understood here that each image acquired gives an overall view of the portion of the wearer's skin, and then comprises areas of variable relevance for the identification of said at least one biometric information element. Such a cutting process takes part in extracting the segments to be processed and in eliminating the parts not to be processed in these images. These algorithms 29 can then provide an indexing of these image segments comprising characteristics relating to said at least one particular biometric information element to be identified, by localization zones in the portion of skin, in order to be able to assign to each zone. the adequate treatment vis-à-vis the morphological typology of the characteristic of this geographical area of the portion. In this context, these algorithms 29 process each segment of these images by highlighting the information carried by the pixels of each of these images by performing image analysis operations of the processing, transformation and detection type. Subsequently, these algorithms 29 perform filtering and feature extraction or vectorization operations, in order to convert the image data relating to said at least one item of biometric information identified and extracted, into parametric data, typically values. relative numerical values expressed for example as an index or as a percentage.

It is understood here that the acquisition of several images representing the same portion of skin, helps to improve the precision and efficiency of this characterization phase 18.

Subsequently, the generation sub-step 16 comprises a design phase 19 of the digital identification element from the characterization of said at least one biometric information element. During this phase 19, the processing unit 2 implements algorithms for the generation 30 of such a digital identification element specifically provided for the processing of the parametric data obtained during the characterization phase 18, which parametric data being relating to the biometric information element.

Next, the control step 12 comprises a validation sub-step 20 of the digital identification element generated in anticipation of a control of the identity of the bearer. This validation sub-step 20 comprises a comparison phase 21, implemented by the processing unit 2, between the generated digital identification element and the reference digital identification element. In this method, the reference digital identification element can be created, once the bearer has been duly authenticated and his identity is certain, during a step 11 of defining this digital identification element. reference providing sub-steps similar to the acquisition 13 and generation 17 sub-steps implemented during the control step 12. In this method, once the wearer of the watch 100 is authenticated, the processing unit 2 implements this definition step 11 and then performs an archiving of the reference digital identification element obtained in the memory elements 6 of the processing unit 2. This reference digital identification element can therefore be determined automatically by the processing unit 2 or configured by the wearer during an adjustment process aimed at guiding the wearer in defining this reference digital identification element.

This comparison phase 21 includes a sub-phase 22 for removing the authorization to access the functions of the watch 100 if the digital identification element generated is significantly different or different from the identification element digital reference. In this scenario, access to the functions of watch 100 is then deleted because the wearer and owner of watch 100 may no longer be in his possession. Therefore in this context to use the functions of watch 100 again, it is necessary to authenticate.

The comparison phase 21 also includes a conservation sub-phase 23 of the access authorization audited functions of the watch 100 if the digital identification element generated is substantially similar or similar to the element of reference numeric identification. In this case, the control unit 2 executes again, according to the determined period, the acquisition 13 and generation 17 sub-steps of the control step 12 in order to carry out the comparison phase 21 again. .

[0032] Thus, the invention makes it possible to continuously check in an automatic and non-intrusive manner the identity of the wearer of the watch, in particular as soon as it is authenticated.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps 10 to 23 of this method when said program is executed by the processing unit 2 of the watch 100.

Claims (13)

1. A method for securing access to the use of functions of a watch (100) comprising the following steps: - authentication (10) of the wearer of the watch (100) in order to authorize access to the functions, and - control (13) at a determined period of the identity of the wearer of the watch by verifying the validity of a digital identification element determined from at least one biometric information element included in a portion of the skin of a wearer of said watch in order to keep / remove the authorization to access these functions. 2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control step comprises an acquisition sub-step (13) by at least one multispectral biometric skin sensor (24) included in the watch (100), of a plurality of images of a portion of the skin of the wearer adjacent to said sensor (24), said images comprising said at least one element of biometric information included in this portion of skin. 3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the checking step (13) comprises a generation sub-step (17) of a digital identification element from said at least one element d. biometric information. 4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control step (13) comprises a validation sub-step (20) of a digital identification element generated in anticipation of the control of the. identity of the bearer. 5. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the validation sub-step (20) comprises a comparison phase (21) comprising a conservation sub-phase (22) of the authorization of access to audit functions of the shows whether the generated digital identification element is substantially similar or similar to a reference digital identification element. 6. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the acquisition sub-step (13) comprises a lighting phase (14) of the portion of skin according to different wavelengths. 7. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the acquisition sub-step (13) comprises a phase of capturing (15) images of the portion of skin illuminated at different lengths of. wave. 8. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the generation sub-step (17) comprises a characterization phase (18) of said at least one element of biometric information included in the relative acquired images. to said portion of skin. 9. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the generation sub-step (17) comprises a design phase (19) of the digital identification element from the characterization of said element. biometric information. 10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the biometric information element relates to a vascular network or to a texture of this skin. 11. System for securing access to the use of functions of a watch (100) implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, the system (1) comprising the following elements linked together: a unit treatment (2), a multispectral biometric skin sensor (24), an input interface (25) and a visual information diffusion interface (3). 12. Watch (100), in particular a connected mechanical watch (100), comprising a system (1) according to the preceding claim. 13. A computer program comprising program code instructions for executing steps (10 to 23) of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 when said program is executed by a processing unit (2).