Location-Specific Image Authentication for Secure User Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional alphanumeric password systems are difficult for users to manage securely and conveniently, leading to vulnerabilities due to the use of easier and less secure passwords, which compromises authentication security.
Innovation Solution
A location-specific image-based authentication method where a user captures and submits an authentication image from a designated viewpoint, which is compared to a reference image to determine if the login request is from an authorized location, allowing access only if the images match within a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If alphanumeric passwords are used for authentication, then user convenience is improved, but security is worsened due to users creating weak passwords
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the authentication parameter from alphanumeric passwords to image-based authentication. The system captures images from the user's surrounding environment and compares them with pre-stored reference images. This parameter change allows users to authenticate using simple environmental images rather than complex passwords, improving convenience while maintaining security through unique environmental verification.
2Reliability
If complex passwords are required for security, then authentication security is improved, but user convenience is worsened due to difficulty in creating and managing passwords
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by capturing and storing images of the user's surrounding environment as reference authentication data. Instead of requiring users to create complex passwords, the system copies visual information from the user's physical environment and uses it for verification. This approach maintains high security through unique environmental patterns while providing user convenience through simple image-based authentication.
3Reliability
If location-specific image authentication is implemented, then security is improved by preventing unauthorized access, but device complexity is worsened due to image capture and comparison requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by utilizing the user's existing mobile device camera and processing capabilities. The system uses the device's built-in camera to capture authentication images and performs image comparison algorithms locally or with minimal server assistance. This approach improves security through location-specific verification while minimizing additional device complexity by leveraging existing hardware and software resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are described for logging in to a location-specific user account on a host system. An example method includes sending, by a user device, as part of a login request, an authentication image. The method further includes receiving an authentication response from the host system based on determining whether the login request is sent from an authorized login-location, which is based on a comparison of the authentication image with a reference image captured at the authorized login-location. The method further includes, in response to the authentication image matching the reference image within a predetermined threshold range, receiving access to the user account based on the authentication response.