Biometric Authentication Using Time-Limited Secure Watermark Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biometric information is vulnerable to security breaches due to its permanence and uniqueness, making it difficult to apply advanced encryption and rendering traditional authentication methods ineffective once compromised.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that generate and authenticate biometric information using a secure watermark pattern effective for a predetermined time period, incorporating a biometric scanning module, seed supplying module, and security pattern generating module to create and verify biometric information with a secure watermark pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric information is encrypted or modified, then security is improved, but the leaked data can still be used for false authentication attempts at any time later

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidvalidity period
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the biometric information time-dependent through the inclusion of a timestamp and expiration date. The biometric data is not static but dynamically valid only within a predetermined time period, after which it automatically becomes invalid. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring that even if encrypted biometric data is leaked, it can only be used for authentication within its valid time window, preventing indefinite reuse of leaked data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of time validity by introducing an expiration date to the biometric information structure. This parameter change transforms the biometric data from potentially permanent to time-limited, addressing the security issue by ensuring that leaked data becomes useless after the predetermined time period expires, thus resolving the contradiction between security improvement and duration of validity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If biometric information is made permanent and unique, then authentication security is improved, but the data becomes vulnerable to lifelong exploitation if leaked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidexploitation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic time validity to biometric information, transforming it from a static permanent record to a time-limited data structure. By embedding expiration dates and timestamps, the system maintains authentication security during the valid period while automatically mitigating lifelong exploitation risk after expiration. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between permanent uniqueness and exploitation vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the disposable principle by creating biometric information that is intentionally designed to be time-limited rather than permanent. The biometric data serves its authentication purpose within a predetermined time window and then becomes invalid, similar to disposable credentials. This resolves the contradiction by accepting that biometric data has limited lifespan, preventing lifelong exploitation while maintaining adequate security during its valid period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If biometric data is stored permanently for future use, then convenience is improved, but the data becomes vulnerable to severe problems if leaked

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconvenienceVSAvoidleakage vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic time validity to biometric storage, allowing data to be retained for convenience during a predetermined period while automatically becoming invalid after expiration. This resolves the contradiction by enabling permanent storage for future use within the valid time window while limiting the window of vulnerability to a specific duration, thus balancing convenience and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the storage parameter from indefinite permanence to time-limited validity. By introducing expiration dates and timestamps as key parameters, the system enables convenient long-term storage while automatically restricting the vulnerability window to a predetermined time period. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and leakage vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9491169B2Generation and authentication of biometric information using watermark
Publication Date: 2016.11.08 SUPREMA INC
  • US9491169B2 patent drawing
  • US9491169B2 patent drawing
  • US9491169B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for generating biometric information, the apparatus includes a biometric scanning module configured to scan a body of a user to generate biometric image information; a seed supplying module configured to supply a secure seed having a security that is effective for a preset time period; a security pattern generating module configured to generate a secure watermark pattern based on the secure seed; and a biometric information generating module configured to generate biometric information to be used for authentication by the use of the biometric image information and the secure watermark pattern.