Animated Captcha System for Bot Detection via Dynamic Visual Puzzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional identification tests, such as captchas, have become less effective in distinguishing between human users and bots due to advancements in bot technology, and they often become too difficult for humans as well, while not adequately considering aspects of human-machine interaction.

Innovation Solution

An animated identification test system that generates and serves a challenge graphic with changing characters over time, incorporating features like character overlap, obscuration, and marketing messages, to increase difficulty for bots while maintaining accessibility for humans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional static image captchas are used, then implementation is simple, but reliability in distinguishing humans from bots deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of user authenticationVSAvoidcomplexity of identification test system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static captcha images to animated challenge graphics that change over time. The challenge graphic includes moving elements, changing colors, and dynamic transformations that create a time-varying visual puzzle. This dynamic nature increases difficulty for bots while remaining solvable by humans, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the time dimension to the traditional two-dimensional static captcha image by creating animated challenge graphics that evolve over time. The challenge graphic transitions through multiple states, requiring users to observe changes across time frames. This temporal dimension adds complexity that is difficult for bots to process but manageable for human users, improving authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If identification test difficulty is increased to prevent bots, then bot resistance improves, but ease of operation for human users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebot detection accuracyVSAvoidease of completing identification test
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing hints or guidance within the animated challenge graphic that assist human users without giving away the solution. The system provides just enough information to make the task achievable for humans while maintaining sufficient difficulty to prevent bots. This balanced approach improves bot detection accuracy without making the test too difficult for human users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors user interactions with the animated challenge graphic and adjusts the difficulty level accordingly. If a user struggles, the system may provide additional hints or simplify certain aspects. If the user succeeds quickly, the system may increase difficulty. This feedback loop maintains ease of operation for legitimate users while preserving bot detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2974142B1Systems and methods for assessing security risk
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 MASTERCARD TECHNOLOGIES CANADA ULC
  • EP2974142B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2974142B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2974142B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Systems and methods for assessing security risk associated with an electronic transaction are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one processor programmed to: determine a network identifier associated with the electronic transaction; determine a connection type associated with the network identifier; and determine a level of risk associated with the electronic transaction based on the connection type associated with the network identifier.