Image-Based User Authentication System for Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with limited literacy and impaired vision face difficulties in authenticating themselves through traditional text-based methods, preventing them from accessing computer system services.
Innovation Solution
An image-based authentication system that captures an identifier from an identification card using a webcam and processes it through OCR or barcode recognition, then displays a set of images for the user to select, converting the image sequence into a text password for authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional text-based authentication methods are used, then authentication security is maintained, but users with limited literacy and impaired vision cannot authenticate themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces text-based input mechanisms with image-based interaction. Users select images representing characters or words to form passwords, substituting the mechanical act of text typing with visual selection, thereby making authentication accessible to users with literacy or vision impairments while maintaining security through the same credential verification process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts user-selected images into text-based password representations. This intermediary process allows users to interact through images while the system processes and verifies the equivalent text password, bridging the gap between accessibility needs and security requirements
2Ease of operation
If text-based authentication factors are required, then authentication security is ensured, but users with physical disabilities face barriers in providing authentication factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes text input devices (keyboards) with visual selection interfaces where users click or point at images. This replacement eliminates the need for complex text-based interaction while maintaining the essential authentication function, reducing the operational complexity for physically disabled users without significantly increasing system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If image-based authentication is implemented, then accessibility for users with disabilities is improved, but the system must process and map images to text passwords
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes pre-defined mappings between images and text characters/passwords before the authentication process begins. This preliminary organization allows the system to quickly translate user image selections into text passwords without requiring complex real-time processing, thereby increasing adaptability while controlling system complexity through advance preparation
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
Enables users with disabilities to authenticate without text-based input, allowing access to computer system services by using a user-specific mapping to determine a text password from the image sequence, thus overcoming traditional authentication barriers.
Implementation Method 1
capturing a visual representation of the identification card
Implementation Method 2
processing the visual representation to obtain the identifier... the visual representation is processed using a barcode in the visual representation or optical character recognition (OCR) of the visual representation
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a system that authenticates a user. During operation, the system obtains an identifier for the user from an identification card associated with the user and displays a set of images to the user. Next, the system receives an image sequence comprising a sequence of images selected by the user from the set of images. Finally, the system authenticates the user based on the identifier and the image sequence.