Multi-Step Authentication Automation via Web Page Indicia Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication technologies are unable to automatically process multi-step authentication sequences distributed across multiple web pages, rendering software designed to auto-answer single authentication steps ineffective.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that process form information associated with multi-step authentication sequences by recognizing indicia of web pages, communicating responses to queries, and navigating through the sequence using an interaction, recognition, and replay module within a client-server system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multi-step authentication sequence is implemented across multiple web pages, then security is improved, but automation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidautomation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication sequence into discrete steps distributed across multiple web pages, where each page contains specific form fields (username, password, challenge questions). The automation software segments the processing into corresponding steps, identifying and filling each form field independently based on page recognition, thereby maintaining automation capability while supporting the segmented multi-page security structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary recognition mechanism that identifies indicia (such as validation images, page headers, or unique identifiers) on each web page to determine the current step in the authentication sequence. This intermediary recognition layer enables the automation software to navigate the multi-page sequence without human intervention, bridging the gap between the distributed security measures and automated processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If authentication queries are distributed across multiple web pages, then security is enhanced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-identifying and recording the sequence of indicia associated with each authentication step before actual authentication occurs. The system预先 captures the structure of the multi-page sequence, storing information about which indicia correspond to which form fields, thereby reducing the complexity of real-time processing during actual authentication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the recognition module continuously monitors the current page's indicia and uses this information to determine the appropriate authentication step and form fields to process. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to the specific state of the authentication sequence, managing complexity through intelligent state-based processing rather than rigid sequential execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8353039B2Method and apparatus for processing a multi-step authentication sequence
Publication Date: 2013.01.08 GEN DIGITAL INC
  • US8353039B2 patent drawing
  • US8353039B2 patent drawing
  • US8353039B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of automating an authentication sequence for accessing a computer resource comprising processing form information associated with the authentication sequence, wherein the authentication sequence comprises a plurality of queries associated with a plurality of web pages; and communicating a response to a portion of the authentication sequence using form information that corresponds to a query upon recognition of indicia of the portion of the plurality of web pages where the portion comprises the query.