Continuous User Authentication via Keypad Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near real-time electronic communication systems lack assurance of the true identity of participants, as mobile devices often lack adequate security to prevent unauthorized use, and existing authentication methods can be bypassed or compromised.
Innovation Solution
A continuous user authentication tool utilizing a pressure-sensitive touch screen to monitor and compare keypad pressure patterns, generating a confidence score to verify the identity of the user, with automatic re-authentication required if the score falls below a minimum threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If password protection is used to prevent unauthorized access to mobile devices, then security against casual unauthorized use is improved, but passwords can be stolen and techniques exist to bypass or reveal the password
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/password-based authentication system with a biometric-based continuous authentication system. Instead of relying on passwords that can be stolen or bypassed, the system uses pressure-sensitive touch screen data to continuously verify user identity through unique typing patterns, replacing the vulnerable password mechanism with a more secure biometric approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs continuous self-authentication by automatically monitoring and analyzing the user's typing pressure patterns in real-time during communication sessions. The authentication process becomes self-service as the system continuously verifies identity without requiring manual intervention or password re-entry, while maintaining security through automated biometric verification.
2Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of keypad pressure is implemented to verify user identity, then authentication accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the touch screen serve multiple functions: it acts as both the input interface for communication and the sensor for biometric authentication. The pressure-sensitive capability, which could be seen as an additional feature, is leveraged to provide continuous authentication without requiring separate hardware or complex additional components, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high verification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous authentication by constantly monitoring keypad pressure patterns during normal communication activities. Instead of periodic or discrete authentication checks, the system maintains continuous verification of user identity throughout the communication session, improving accuracy while integrating seamlessly into the ongoing useful action of communication.
3Reliability
If automatic re-authentication is required when confidence score falls below threshold, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but communication interruptions and user inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic re-authentication checks at confidence threshold intervals rather than continuous interruption. When the confidence score falls below the threshold, the system triggers a re-authentication event, allowing normal communication to proceed uninterrupted until the threshold breach occurs. This periodic verification approach maintains security while minimizing disruptions to ease of operation.
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
Enhances the security of near real-time electronic communication sessions by accurately verifying the identity of users, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and ensuring trusted communication.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-sensitive touch screen configured to generate a signal representing keypad pressure applied by a user when depressing a character on a virtual keypad
Data Source
AI summary
A user authentication tool continuously authenticates the user of a computing device during an electronic communication session. A trusted user profile includes keypad pressure applied by the trusted user when depressing characters on a virtual keypad displayed on the computing device touch screen. Keypad pressure applied by the current user of the computing device is continually monitored during the current electronic communication session. The monitored keypad pressure applied by the current user is compared to the keypad pressure in the trusted user profile. A confidence score is generated based upon the compared keypad pressures of the current user and the trusted user, the confidence score being indicative of the likelihood that the current user is the trusted user of the computing device. The computing device is automatically required to re-authenticate the current user as the trusted user if the generated confidence score is below a predefined minimum confidence threshold.