Behavior-Based Authentication Using Gross-Motor Movement Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional authentication methods for mobile devices, such as PINs and passwords, are either easily forgotten or insecure, while fingerprint sensors can be unreliable due to environmental factors, and existing movement-based authentication methods require network connections.

Innovation Solution

A behavior-based authentication system that uses sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to recognize individual gross motor movements, eliminating the need for PINs or passwords and operating independently without external network connections, utilizing a classification module to identify users based on their unique movement profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a PIN or password is used for authentication, then the user can authenticate to the mobile communication system, but the user must remember the credentials which leads to forgetting or using weak passwords

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/cognitive authentication system (remembering PINs and passwords) with a sensor-based movement recognition system. Accelerometers and gyroscopes detect gross motor movements, and a classification module automatically identifies users based on their unique movement patterns, eliminating the need for users to remember credentials while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a fingerprint sensor is used for authentication, then the user can authenticate without remembering credentials, but the sensor may not function properly in certain situations such as dirty or wet fingers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidsensor functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the optical/capacitive fingerprint sensing mechanism with an inertial sensing system using accelerometers and gyroscopes. This mechanical movement detection system is not affected by environmental factors like dirt or moisture on the user's fingers, providing reliable authentication in all conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing movement-based authentication is used, then the system can authenticate users based on movements, but it requires a connection to external networks which increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication methodVSAvoidnetwork connection requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authentication functionality from the external network environment and implements it entirely within the mobile communication system. The classification module processes movement data locally using stored reference patterns, eliminating the need for network connections and reducing system complexity while maintaining authentication versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If strong passwords are used for authentication, then the security level is high, but the password becomes long and complex making it difficult for users to remember

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidmemorability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cognitive burden of remembering complex passwords with an automatic sensor-based recognition system. The accelerometers and gyroscopes continuously monitor gross motor movements, and the classification module automatically compares these movements against stored user profiles, providing high security without requiring user memorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides secure and convenient user authentication by leveraging unique movement patterns, enhancing security and usability by eliminating the need for remembered credentials and external data processing.

Implementation Method 1

The mobile, portable communication system is also equipped with a sensor, in particular an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a combination of both, which is designed to detect a gross motor movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The mobile, portable communication system is also equipped with a sensor, in particular an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a combination of both, which is designed to detect a gross motor movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3559846B1Method and system for the behavior-based authentication of a user
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3559846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3559846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3559846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the behavior-based authentication of a current user (1) to a mobile, portable communication system (100). Said communication system has at least one sensor (110) for capturing gross-motor measurement data (500), a gross-motor classification module (200), a processor (130), and an internal memory (120). The sensor (110) is designed to capture gross-motor measurement data (500) of a gross-motor movement of a current user (1) of the mobile, portable communication system (100). The gross-motor classification module (200) is configured for classification of the gross-motor measurement data (500) and trained for recognition of a gross-motor movement of a registered user. The method for the behavior-based authentication (400) of the current user (1) to a mobile, portable communication system (100) has the following steps: repeated performance of the following steps: capturing the gross-motor measurement data (500), inputting the gross-motor measurement data (500) into the gross-motor classification module (200), generating a first classification result (600), storing the first classification result (600), accessing the memory (120) of the mobile, portable communication system (100) in order to read out at least one of the stored first classification results (600) from the memory (120), reading out the at least one first classification result (600) and evaluating same in accordance with a specified checking criterion (800), producing an authentication signal (710) if the checking criterion (800) is met.