Adaptive User Authentication for Impairment-Dependent Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods fail to consider mental and/or physical impairments of users, making them cumbersome or impossible to apply, especially in modern communication environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that provides impairment-dependent authentication options, allowing users to preconfigure and select authentication methods based on their impairment status, including biometric features and security keys, and securely store these options for flexible access to data objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods (passwords, PINs, biometric features) are used, then security is improved, but accessibility for users with impairments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidaccessibility for impaired users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic authentication that adapts to the user's current state. The system transitions from static authentication methods to dynamic selection of authentication objects based on detected impairment conditions, allowing the authentication process to flexibly adjust between security and accessibility requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of authentication by introducing multiple authentication objects with different characteristics (security level, accessibility requirements). Depending on the detected impairment type, the system selects appropriate authentication objects, effectively changing the authentication parameters to match user needs while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple authentication methods are provided, then flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication system into multiple independent authentication objects, each designed for specific impairment types. This segmentation allows the system to provide only the necessary authentication methods based on user needs, reducing the effective complexity while maintaining overall versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of impairment conditions before the authentication process. By detecting impairments in advance and pre-selecting appropriate authentication objects, the system avoids presenting all possible authentication methods to the user, thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4672044A1Method of authenticating a user for accessing a data object, as well as respective security program, computer-readable data carrier, security application, user device, and server device

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT EPAYMENTS GMBH

Figure 1~2

AI summary

A method, a security program (10), a computer-readable data carrier (12), a security application (6), a user device (3), and a server device (4) for securing a data object (D), in particular for communications between a first participant (A) and a second participant (B), are provided, the method comprising the steps of providing at least two authentication objects (H) for authenticating the user (U); and configuring at least one of the at least two authentication objects (H) as an impairment dependent authentication option (O) to be used for the authentication in case of an impairment of the user (U).