Multi-Party CAPTCHA Using Segmented Challenge Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CAPTCHA systems are inadequate in distinguishing human users from software bots, as they can be easily bypassed by automated programs, particularly when challenges require limited human interaction or understanding.

Innovation Solution

A multi-party CAPTCHA system is introduced, where a challenge is split into two or more components and distributed to multiple users, requiring them to cooperate to solve it, utilizing textual, audio, or video elements that leverage human collaboration and common sense reasoning, making it difficult for computers to parse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional single-user CAPTCHA systems are used, then the system is simple to implement and operate, but they can be easily bypassed by automated programs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to distinguish human users from botsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The challenge is divided into multiple components distributed to different users. Each user receives only a portion of the complete challenge, making it impossible for a single automated program to solve the entire CAPTCHA. The challenge components are segmented and assigned to multiple users, requiring human collaboration to reconstruct and solve the complete challenge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary communication layer between users that prevents direct automated interaction while enabling human collaboration. The server mediates the challenge distribution and response collection, while providing controlled communication channels that allow human users to coordinate their efforts but block automated bot communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multi-party CAPTCHA requiring user cooperation is implemented, then the ability to differentiate humans from bots is significantly enhanced, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against automated fraudVSAvoidchallenge distribution and validation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The challenge is divided into multiple components distributed to different users. Each user receives only a portion of the complete challenge, making it impossible for a single automated program to solve the entire CAPTCHA. The challenge components are segmented and assigned to multiple users, requiring human collaboration to reconstruct and solve the complete challenge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where users receive information about their partners' progress and the overall challenge status. This feedback loop allows users to adjust their strategies and coordinate their efforts effectively, while the server validates responses and provides feedback on whether the collaborative challenge has been successfully solved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If challenges require complex human interaction and understanding, then security against bots is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebot detection accuracyVSAvoiduser interaction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary communication layer between users that prevents direct automated interaction while enabling human collaboration. The server mediates the challenge distribution and response collection, while providing controlled communication channels that allow human users to coordinate their efforts but block automated bot communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system supports multiple types of challenges and communication methods to accommodate different user preferences and abilities. Challenges can be presented in various formats (text, audio, visual), and users can communicate through different channels, making the system versatile and accessible while maintaining security against automated programs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2670498B1Method and apparatus for a multi-party captcha
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2670498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2670498B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2670498B1 patent drawingFigure 5A

AI summary

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprising: receiving at least one request for generating a challenge from at least one device; generating the challenge with at least two components; transmitting component of the challenge to the at least one device; causing presentation of at least part of the challenge to at least two users; causing communication between said at least two users; and receiving at least two responses to the challenge from the at least one device. Related apparatus and computer program product are also described.