Online User Authentication via Email-Phone PIN Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online community platforms face challenges in authenticating users effectively, leading to identity fraud and misrepresentation, as current verification methods do not fully address the issue of ensuring the authenticity of users.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that authenticates users by associating an electronic message address with an interactive communication address, involving a database that stores user information, sending a personal identification number via email, and verifying the response through a telephone call, ensuring the user's identity is confirmed through a matching response code.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional email registration is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to identity fraud

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of registrationVSAvoiduser authentication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that connects email addresses to real-world identities through automated telephone calls. The system acts as a mediator between online accounts and offline identity verification, using a PIN code transmitted via email and verified through phone interaction to establish trusted connections without requiring users to manually verify identities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual identity verification processes with an automated electronic system. Instead of relying on users to manually verify each other's identities or use complex manual background checks, the system uses automated email transmission of PIN codes and automated telephone verification to substitute human verification efforts with machine-executed authentication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If bank account verification is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser verification reliabilityVSAvoidverification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable, single-use PIN codes that are transmitted via email and become invalid after one verification attempt. These temporary authentication tokens provide reliable verification without requiring users to share permanent sensitive information like bank account details, social security numbers, or other enduring personal identifiers that could be compromised

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the verification parameter from complex financial institution interactions to simple telephone-based code verification. Instead of requiring users to navigate bank verification processes, the system transforms the verification into a simple parameter change: receiving a PIN via email and entering it during a phone call, dramatically simplifying the user experience while maintaining verification reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If captcha verification is used, then reliability is improved for bot detection, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebot detection reliabilityVSAvoiduser interaction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service authentication system where users independently verify their own identities without requiring interaction with support staff or complex manual processes. The system automatically sends PIN codes via email and facilitates self-verification through automated telephone calls, allowing users to service their own authentication needs without external assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by first establishing trust through automated verification before allowing full system access. Instead of requiring users to prove their humanity through captcha challenges to access the system, the system proactively reaches out to verify identities through email and phone, then grants access based on that verification, reversing the typical verification-access sequence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8260862B2System and method for authenticating users of online services

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

A method and system for verifying authenticity of an online usage of a user may include sending a message in an electronic communication to an electronic message address of a user, interactively communicating with the user a request for a response including at least a portion of the message sent to the user, and determining if a response to the request from the user matches at least a portion of the message sent to the user. The message may include a personal identification number used for verification. A certification link or authentication code may be provided to the user for posting on a website or within an email. The certification link or authentication code, optionally displaying an indicia, may enable other users to have confidence that the user whose website other users access or whose emails other users receive are authentic and not someone impersonating the user.