Image-Based Authentication with Steganographic Hash Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional username/password combinations for user authentication are becoming less secure and less reliable, leading to user frustration and potential brute-force attacks, necessitating more complex approaches that are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An image-based login and authentication system using steganography to embed hash numbers and random numbers in target images, allowing users to select images via sensory cues for authentication, with enhanced security through encrypted identification tokens stored on hardware or software-based security devices and blockchain for increased security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional username/password authentication is used, then the system is simple to operate, but security becomes compromised and vulnerable to brute-force attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/password-based authentication with an image-based visual authentication system. Users select target images from a grid of displayed images, and the system captures their eye movement patterns and selection sequences to verify identity. This substitutes the mechanical act of typing passwords with a visual selection process that is both more secure (resistant to brute-force attacks) and more intuitive for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual characteristics of images including color variations to create a authentication grid. Different images with distinct visual properties (colors, patterns, objects) are displayed, and users must identify and select specific target images. The system analyzes the visual recognition patterns and selection behavior to authenticate the user, making the process both secure and user-friendly.
2Reliability
If complex authentication methods are implemented to improve security, then security is enhanced, but user frustration increases and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an authentication system where users naturally interact with displayed images without being aware of the complex security protocols underlying the process. The system automatically captures eye movement data, selection sequences, and visual recognition patterns as users naturally view and select images. This self-service approach allows complex biometric and behavioral analysis to occur automatically in the background while maintaining simple, intuitive user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup where users are presented with a grid of images and must identify and select specific target images during the authentication process. The system pre-processes these selections and eye movement patterns to create a behavioral baseline. This preliminary action establishes security credentials through natural user behavior rather than requiring users to manually configure complex security settings.
3Reliability
If steganography is used to embed hash numbers in images, then security against forgery is enhanced, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces steganography as an intermediary technique that embeds hash numbers and identification data within the pixel data of authentication images. Instead of storing security credentials separately, the system embeds them directly within the visual content using steganographic algorithms. This intermediary approach allows the images to serve dual purposes: as visual authentication elements and as carriers of encrypted security data, enhancing forgery resistance while managing processing complexity through integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations generally relate to an image-based login and authentication system. In some implementations, a method includes displaying a plurality of random images to a user and receiving from the user a selection of at least one target image from the plurality of random images. The method further includes generating a hash number for the at least one target image, where the hash number identifies the at least one target image, and concealing the hash number in the at least one target image, where the concealing of the hash number provides security in an authentication of the at least one target image. The method further includes generating an encrypted identification token, where the encrypted identification token includes the hash number. The method further includes associating the encrypted identification token with the user, and storing the encrypted identification token in a database for authentication of at least one target image and the user.