Touch sensor for user authentication and method of using same

A user authentication system comprising:

• a plurality of touch sensors to detect a touch event and generate one or more touch signals corresponding to the touch event;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive the one or more touch signals generated by the plurality of touch sensors,
• generate an authentication request signal in response to the one or more touch signals;
• transmit the authentication request signal to one or more of the plurality of touch sensors for transmission through a conductive medium to a user device,
• receive a response signal from the user device via the conductive medium through one or more of the plurality of touch sensors;
• and
• evaluate the response signal from the user device to determine an authentication status of a user,
• wherein the plurality of touch sensors are configured to:
• transmit the authentication request signal received from the controller through the conductive medium to the user device, and
• receive the response signal from the user device via the conductive medium and transmit the response signal to the controller.

A user authentication method comprising:

• receiving one or more touch signals generated by a plurality of touch sensors,
• generating an authentication request signal in response to the one or more touch signals;
• transmitting the authentication request signal to one or more of the plurality of touch sensors for transmission through a conductive medium to a user device,
• receiving a response signal from the user device via the conductive medium through one or more of the plurality of touch sensors;
• and
• evaluating the response signal from the user device to determine an authentication status of a user;
• wherein the one or more of the plurality of touch sensors are configured to:
• transmit the authentication request signal received from the controller through the conductive medium to the user device;
• and
• receive the response signal from the user device via the conductive medium and transmit the response signal to the controller.