Gaze and Physiological Response Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication techniques are cumbersome, impose cognitive load, require intentional movement, and are susceptible to spoofing, particularly difficult for disabled individuals and vulnerable to human and computer-based attacks.

Innovation Solution

Authentication based on a user's gaze pattern and neural or physiological responses to images or stimuli, using gaze tracking data and physiological measurements to create a model for secure access without the need for intentional movement or remembered passwords.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods (passwords, biometric scanning) are used, then security can be achieved, but the authentication process becomes cumbersome and imposes cognitive load on users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication automatically by monitoring the user's gaze patterns and physiological responses without requiring intentional user actions. The user simply views the stimulus image naturally, and the system autonomously collects gaze tracking data and physiological measurements to verify identity, eliminating the need for users to manually enter passwords or position body parts for scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical authentication systems (physical key entry, fingerprint scanning, retinal scanning) with an optical and physiological monitoring system. Instead of requiring mechanical interaction with authentication devices, the system uses gaze tracking cameras and physiological sensors to detect and analyze the user's natural visual and bodily responses to a stimulus image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional authentication methods require intentional user movement, then authentication can be performed, but it becomes difficult or impossible for disabled persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidaccessibility for disabled users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system leverages the user's natural, involuntary physiological responses to perform authentication. Disabled users can authenticate through their automatic gaze patterns and physiological reactions to a stimulus image without needing to perform intentional movements, making the system accessible to those with motor impairments who cannot manipulate physical authentication devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to actively perform authentication actions (move body parts, enter information), the system inverts the approach by having the user passively view a stimulus while the system automatically measures and analyzes their involuntary physiological responses. This inversion transforms authentication from an active task requiring movement into a passive process that works for disabled users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If traditional authentication credentials are used, then users can access resources, but the credentials can be lost, stolen, or spoofed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidvulnerability to spoofing and theft

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical authentication credentials (passwords, smart cards, biometric scanners) with a physiological response-based system. Instead of relying on external credentials that can be stolen or spoofed, the system measures the user's internal physiological reactions (heart rate, skin conductance, pupil dilation) to a stimulus, which are inherently tied to the user's nervous system and extremely difficult to replicate or steal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the authentication parameter from external credentials to internal physiological parameters. By measuring changes in physiological parameters (heart rate variability, galvanic skin response, pupil size) in response to a stimulus, the system creates an authentication mechanism that is unique to each user's nervous system and cannot be easily replicated by spoofing attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10044712B2Authentication based on gaze and physiological response to stimuli

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A user may be authenticated to access an account, computing device, or other resource based on the user's gaze pattern and neural or other physiological response(s) to one or more images or other stimuli. When the user attempts to access the resource, a computing device may obtain login gaze tracking data and measurement of a physiological condition of the user at the time that the user is viewing an image or other stimulus. Based on comparison of the login gaze tracking data and the measurement of the physiological condition to a model, the computing device can determine whether to authenticate the user to access the resource.