Dynamic Security Element Triggering for Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to their reliance on static security features that can be easily copied or intercepted, and they lack dynamic elements to enhance security.

Innovation Solution

An authentication system utilizing dynamically changing security features, such as a surface, structure, or composition that can be detected and transmitted for evaluation, with inherent or external triggers causing changes that are stored and compared for authentication purposes, providing a secure and unpredictable security mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static security features (PIN, password, biometric data) are used for authentication, then the authentication system is simple to implement and operate, but the security is vulnerable to copying, interception, and circumvention

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming static security features into dynamic ones. The security element's appearance changes over time due to inherent triggers (chemical reactions, physical changes) or external triggers (light irradiation, temperature changes). This dynamic transformation ensures that the security feature is never identical at two different points in time, making it uncopyable and resistant to interception attacks while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying physical or chemical parameters of the security element to create dynamic security features. Examples include changing the refractive index through chemical reactions, altering luminescence properties through light irradiation, or modifying surface topology through phase transitions. These parameter changes enable the security feature to evolve over time, enhancing security without requiring complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If biometric detection methods (fingerprint, iris scan) are used, then user identification is convenient and contactless, but the biometric data can be copied and does not change, making it vulnerable to attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification convenienceVSAvoidsecurity against copying
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the security feature dynamic while maintaining ease of operation. The security element's appearance automatically changes over time due to inherent triggers such as chemical reactions or physical changes, ensuring that even if biometric data is captured, it becomes obsolete quickly. The system remains contactless and convenient for users while the dynamic nature of the security feature prevents copying attacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If predetermined structures (3-D codes, bar codes) are used for security features, then the information encoding is reliable and stable, but the structure does not change and can be easily circumvented by attackers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity feature stabilityVSAvoidsecurity against circumvention
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming predetermined static structures into dynamic structures that change over time. The security element's appearance evolves through inherent or external triggers, ensuring that the structure is never identical at two different points in time. This maintains the stability needed for reliable information encoding while preventing circumvention attacks, as attackers cannot obtain a valid structure to replicate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the trigger mechanism (chemical, physical, or external) - that mediates between the stable information encoding requirement and the need for dynamic change. The trigger causes the security feature to transform while preserving the encoded information's integrity, allowing the system to meet both stability and security requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If security features are stored separately from the application server in autonomous authentication devices, then centralization is reduced and security is improved, but the security features remain inflexible and can be copied

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsecurity feature flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the security element to change its appearance over time through inherent or external triggers. This dynamic capability provides flexibility to distributed authentication devices, allowing them to adapt to different authentication scenarios while maintaining security. The security feature can transform to prevent copying and circumvention attacks, enhancing both security and adaptability in decentralized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system significantly increases security by ensuring that the dynamic changes in the security features are unpredictable and uncopyable, making unauthorized access more difficult, thus enhancing the authentication process for persons, objects, and data-based media.

Implementation Method 1

The triggering means, which preferably itself is dynamic, causes a change in the security features

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

The security element consists of a changing or changeable surface, structure, composition or character string that can be detected via a scanning device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScanning detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3123401B1Authentication system
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 KISTERS FRIEDRICH
  • EP3123401B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3123401B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3123401B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to an authentication system, comprising a security element (1) having a changing or changeable surface (6), structure, volume, composition, or sequence of characters, an assignment means, which assigns the security element (1) to a person, an object, a medium, or a group of these, a local or central memory means for storage of the security feature, an interrogator for retrieving a current visual appearance of the security feature, a data synchronisation means for comparing the retrieved visual appearance with the visual appearance of the security element (1) stored in the local or central memory means, wherein an inherent or external trigger means is present which effects a change at least in some areas of a surface (6), structure or characteristic of the security element (1), such that a dynamically changed security element (1) is produced which is available as the current virtual appearance for an interrogation by the interrogator.