Identity Verification via Social Network Referees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing identity verification methods are vulnerable to identity fraud as they rely on impersonal guarantors such as documents, certificates, or databases, which can be easily counterfeited or accessed by impostors, particularly in cases involving insiders.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that verifies personal identity by mapping an individual's position in the social structure through relationships with personally acquainted referees, using a processor and database to link contact information with referees and request verification via voice recordings, making it difficult for impostors to impersonate individuals without maintaining convincing relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional identity verification methods use documents, certificates, or databases as impersonal guarantors, then the verification process is simple and automated, but the system becomes vulnerable to identity fraud as these guarantors can be easily counterfeited or accessed by impostors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces personally acquainted referees as intermediary human validators between the relying party and the individual whose identity needs verification. These referees act as trusted mediators who know the individual personally and can verify identity through live conversation, replacing impersonal documents and databases with personal human references that are much harder to counterfeit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/document-based verification system with a human communication-based system. Instead of relying on physical documents, digital certificates, or database records that can be copied or stolen, the system uses live voice conversations between referees and the individual, substituting mechanical verification with human judgment and memory.
2Reliability
If the system requires impostors to convincingly impersonate individuals in live conversations with referees, then security against identity fraud is improved, but the complexity of the verification process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the verification process self-service by allowing the individual whose identity needs verification to actively participate by talking to their referees during live conversations. The individual controls the interaction by choosing which referees to contact and what information to provide, making the verification process serve the individual's needs while maintaining high security through their personal relationships with the referees.
3Reliability
If the system uses personally acquainted referees who know the individual, then the robustness of identity verification is improved, but the difficulty of obtaining verification information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the individual pre-identify and select their referees during the registration phase before any verification is needed. The system stores this预先 selected referee list and uses it during verification, so that when verification is required, the individual doesn't need to re-identify themselves or provide additional information about their relationships, making the process easier while maintaining robust verification through their pre-selected personal references.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for storing identifying information and telephone numbers associated with individuals, and cross-referencing said information so as to link a first individual to other referee individuals capable of identifying the first individual as a result of a telephone conversation. When a relying party wishes to confirm the identity of a contracting party, the system is contacted and, using identifying information pertaining to said contracting party, identifies the set of referee individuals capable of identifying said contracting party, contacts a referee selected at random from the set, and places the contracting party in telephonic communication with the referee. At the conclusion of said telephonic communication, said system invites the referee to state the name of the first individual; by comparing the voice sample with a stored voice sample, the apparatus then provides identity confirmation to said relying party.