Household Appliance Authentication via Physical Action Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-factor authentication methods for security-relevant IT processes, such as payment transactions or password changes, often compromise between security and convenience, as they require users to initiate processes through multiple channels, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize household appliances as a secondary authentication channel, where users perform specific actions on or with appliances, generating confirmation data to verify their presence and authorize the process, thereby enhancing both security and convenience by integrating smart home devices into the authentication process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-factor authentication is used with separate channels, then security is improved, but convenience and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the authentication process with existing household appliance operations. Instead of requiring users to switch between separate authentication channels, the system merges the second factor authentication into the natural use of household devices (e.g., opening a window, adjusting a thermostat), thereby maintaining security while improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs authentication automatically by monitoring actions on household appliances without requiring explicit user input for the second factor. The appliance's normal operation serves as the authentication mechanism, eliminating the need for separate user actions and improving ease of operation while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If multiple authentication channels are required, then security is improved, but the complexity of the authentication process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes household appliances serve dual functions: their primary function for household tasks and their secondary function for authentication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated authentication devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security through the use of familiar appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the household appliance as an intermediary between the user and the authentication process. Instead of requiring direct user interaction with complex authentication interfaces, the appliance mediates the authentication through its normal operations, simplifying the user experience while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If separate second channel authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but the time required for authentication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authentication actions in advance by pre-configuring the monitoring and evaluation of appliance actions. The second factor authentication is prepared beforehand through the establishment of evaluation criteria, allowing rapid verification during actual use without adding significant time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that authentication does not interrupt the continuous operation of household appliances. The authentication process runs concurrently with normal appliance usage, monitoring actions as they occur rather than requiring separate authentication steps, thereby maintaining continuous useful action while ensuring security.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A method (200) for confirming a process initiated by a user (102) is described. The method (200) comprises determining (201) an action set for confirming the process. The action set indicates one or more first actions to be performed by the user (102) on at least one first household appliance (122) in a household (101) where the user (102) is located; and/or one or more second actions to be performed by at least one second household appliance (123) in the household (101) where the user (102) is located, the performance of which is to be confirmed by the user (102). The method (200) further comprises determining (202) confirmation data relating to the action set. The confirmation data indicates whether the one or more first actions have been performed by the user; and/or whether the one or more second actions have been confirmed by the user.Furthermore, the procedure (200) includes determining (203) on the basis of the confirmation data whether the confirmation of the process was successful or not.