Image-Based Encryption Key Generation for Secure File Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data protection methods, such as fingerprint, face ID, pattern, voice, and password unlocking, are vulnerable to cracking, posing a risk of confidential file leakage and not providing sufficient protection.

Innovation Solution

A data protection method that generates an encryption key by analyzing characteristic values from real-time images captured using an electronic device, employing convolutional neural networks and speeded-up robust features to identify and encrypt files, making the encryption key difficult to replicate and requiring the same image for decryption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional unlocking methods (fingerprint, face ID, password) are used, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking convenienceVSAvoiddata protection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of authentication from static biometric data (fingerprint, face ID) or secret data (password) to dynamic image characteristic values. By capturing real-time images and extracting characteristic values from multiple characteristic points, the system creates encryption keys that change with each capture, making them resistant to traditional cracking methods while maintaining user-friendly operation through camera-based authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If real-time image analysis is used to generate encryption keys, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to image processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption key securityVSAvoidimage processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical security systems (multiple sensors, biometric scanners) with a simplified optical system using only a camera. The image processing complexity is shifted from hardware to software algorithms that extract characteristic values from images, leveraging computational power rather than additional physical components. This substitution reduces hardware complexity while maintaining or improving security through sophisticated software-based key generation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4016917B1Data protection method
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 WISTRON CORP
  • EP4016917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4016917B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4016917B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A data protection method is provided. The data protection method includes the following. A first image (300) is obtained; at least one first object image (410, 420, 430, 430, 450) in the first image (300) is identified; the at least one first object image (410, 420, 430, 430, 450) is analyzed to capture multiple first characteristic values of multiple characteristic points of the at least one first object image (410, 420, 430, 430, 450); and an encryption key is generated according to the first characteristic values.