Occlusion-Resistant Facial Authentication via Synthesized Feature Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user authentication methods, particularly facial recognition technologies, face challenges in accurately recognizing users when their faces are occluded by items like sunglasses, glasses, or masks, leading to decreased accuracy and potential unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

An authentication method and apparatus that generates an image for authentication by selecting and combining weighted feature values of authenticated images from a database, which are then compared to an input image to perform authentication, effectively restoring the image to remove occlusions and improve recognition accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If facial recognition technology is used for user authentication, then authentication convenience is improved, but recognition accuracy deteriorates when the face is occluded by sunglasses, glasses, or masks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidrecognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary image generation process that creates a virtual representation of the user's face without occlusions. The system uses a database of authenticated images and generates a synthesized face image that serves as an intermediary between the occluded input image and the authentication decision, allowing accurate recognition despite facial occlusions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy or representation of the user's facial features from authenticated images in the database. Instead of directly analyzing the occluded face, the system generates a synthesized facial representation that captures essential features, enabling accurate authentication by comparing this representation with the occluded input image

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If the password input method is used for user authentication, then authentication simplicity is improved, but security deteriorates because the password can be leaked and unauthorized users can be authenticated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication simplicityVSAvoidauthentication security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/password-based authentication system with a biometric facial recognition system. Instead of relying on memorized passwords that can be leaked, the system uses physical facial characteristics that are difficult to replicate, thereby improving security while maintaining ease of use through automatic recognition

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the authentication parameter from discrete password values to continuous facial feature vectors. This transformation allows for more secure authentication by comparing complex, high-dimensional facial characteristics rather than simple password strings, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If facial recognition technology is used for user authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved for non-occluded faces, but the system complexity increases to handle occlusion cases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-authenticating users and storing their facial images in a database before actual authentication occurs. This preliminary data collection and processing enables the system to handle occlusion cases more effectively during actual authentication, reducing the complexity of real-time processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic image generation process that adapts to different authentication scenarios. The system generates synthesized facial images based on the input image and database information, dynamically adjusting the authentication approach depending on whether the face is occluded or not, thereby managing system complexity through adaptive behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9798871B2Method and apparatus for authenticating user
Publication Date: 2017.10.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US9798871B2 patent drawing
  • US9798871B2 patent drawing
  • US9798871B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for authenticating a user includes generating an image for authentication based on at least one authenticated image based on an input image, and performing authentication based on the generated image for authentication.