Keystroke Timing Analysis for User Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user authentication systems rely on traditional methods such as passwords and biometrics, which can be vulnerable to impersonation and do not effectively utilize user-specific typing behavior for identification.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a user's identity by analyzing keystroke timing data, specifically the time intervals between key presses, to create a unique typing profile that can be used for authentication on subsequent occasions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods (passwords and biometrics) are used, then user identification can be implemented, but the system is vulnerable to impersonation and less effective at utilizing user-specific typing behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static authentication parameters (passwords, biometric snapshots) into dynamic temporal parameters by measuring time intervals between keystrokes. This parameter change enables the system to capture evolving typing behavior patterns, improving both reliability through unique temporal signatures and adaptability by leveraging natural user interactions rather than static credentials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical authentication systems (physical keyboards, fingerprint sensors) with a temporal measurement system that captures the rhythm and timing of user interactions. By substituting the mechanical authentication approach with temporal analysis of keystroke intervals, the system achieves higher security through unique typing patterns while maintaining adaptability to different users' natural behaviors
2Measurement precision
If typing behavior analysis is implemented, then unique user identification can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to timing data collection and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the keyboard serve multiple functions: its primary function for text input and an additional function as a temporal sensing device for authentication. By enabling the existing keyboard to perform both roles simultaneously without adding separate sensing hardware, the system achieves high measurement precision for user identification while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own natural typing behavior as the authentication mechanism, eliminating the need for separate authentication actions or devices. The keyboard naturally captures timing data during normal text input, and the system automatically analyzes these patterns without requiring additional user effort or complex external authentication hardware, thereby reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If multiple authentication factors are required, then security is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication action with the normal text input action into a single unified process. Instead of requiring separate steps for entering credentials and providing biometric verification, the system combines both functions into the natural act of typing, thereby maintaining high security through multiple authentication factors while significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process continues seamlessly with the user's natural typing flow without interruption or additional steps. The timing data is collected continuously during normal text input, and the authentication decision is made in real-time, maintaining the continuity of the useful action (text input) while achieving secure authentication, thus improving convenience without compromising security
Data Source
AI summary
In one disclosed method, a computing system determines, on a first occasion, that a first user typed a first sequence of characters including at least a first character followed by a second character, and determines first data that is based at least in part on a first time interval between first and second interactions by the first user with a keyboard while typing the first character and the second character within the first sequence of characters. On a second occasion, the computing system determines that a person typed a second, different sequence of characters including at least the first character followed by the second character, determines second data that is based at least in part on a second time interval between third and fourth interactions by the person with a keyboard while typing the first character and the second character within the second sequence of characters, and determines that the person is the first user based at least in part on the first data and the second data.