IVR Authentication for Visually Impaired Users

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Visually impaired users face challenges in secure transaction authentication due to the inconvenience of existing input mechanisms and the risk of fraudulent discovery of unique passkeys, and biometric authentication solutions are cumbersome and costly to implement.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using interactive voice response (IVR) calls to transmit Boolean-type authentication questions to visually impaired users' registered contact numbers, allowing them to authenticate through voice-generated answers, which is secure and compatible with existing platforms without requiring additional hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric authentication is implemented to secure transactions for visually impaired users, then security is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces biometric authentication hardware (fingerprint scanners, iris scanners) with an audio-based authentication system using IVR calls. The system substitutes mechanical/biological verification mechanisms with acoustic communication channels that are already accessible to visually impaired users through their hearing ability, eliminating the need for additional complex hardware while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent leverages the universal accessibility of audio communication to visually impaired users. The IVR system uses a communication channel (telephone/audio) that is already part of their daily interaction mode, making the authentication system universally applicable without requiring specialized hardware that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If biometric authentication hardware is installed at ATMs, then authentication capability is improved, but implementation cost and platform compatibility issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary IVR system that acts as a mediator between the existing ATM infrastructure and the authentication process. Instead of modifying ATMs with biometric hardware, the system uses an intermediate audio communication layer that connects to users' existing communication devices, avoiding direct hardware installation costs while maintaining authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for physical biometric hardware installation at ATMs with an audio-based authentication mechanism. This substitution eliminates manufacturing and installation costs associated with biometric readers while maintaining authentication capability through a software-based IVR system that interfaces with existing communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If visually impaired users use virtual keypads to enter passkeys, then transaction capability is maintained, but security risk increases due to potential passkey discovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction capabilityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the visual-mechanical interaction of virtual keypads with an audio-based authentication system. Instead of requiring users to visually locate and press keys on a screen, the IVR system presents authentication questions and receives responses through audio channels, eliminating the security vulnerability of visual passkey entry while maintaining ease of operation for visually impaired users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary IVR communication system that mediates the authentication process between the user and the transaction system. This intermediary layer transfers the authentication interaction from a vulnerable visual keypad interface to a secure audio channel, where the user's responses are verified without exposing sensitive information through visual displays that could be observed by others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11972426B2Method and system for user authentication to facilitate secure transactions

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

A method for authenticating a user includes receiving an authorization request for a transaction from an account. A plurality of authentication questions each having a corresponding correct answer are associated with the account. A first set of authentication questions of the plurality of authentication questions is transmitted to a communication device by way of an interactive voice response (IVR) call. A first set of user-generated answers corresponding to the first set of authentication questions is received from the communication device. The method further includes determining whether the user is an account holder of the account based on at least the first set of user-generated answers. The transaction is processed based on the determination that the user is the account holder of the account, thereby authenticating the user.