Optical Authentication via Mobile Flash Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional authentication systems, such as ID, password, and credit cards, are vulnerable to loss, forgery, and unauthorized use, particularly in online transactions, leading to security concerns and mistrust in digital commerce.

Innovation Solution

An authentication system utilizing a smart mobile's flash to transmit data through light, incorporating a recognition module and selection module, enabling secure and stable authentication by controlling light emission range and frequency, and employing unidirectional cryptography for one-time password generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional authentication systems (ID, password, credit card) are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but security and reliability deteriorate due to loss, forgery, and unauthorized use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical authentication systems (physical credit cards, written passwords) with an optical authentication system using light emission and detection. The authentication terminal emits light containing authentication data, which is received by the mobile device's camera, eliminating the need for physical card presentation and improving security against forgery and loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary carrier for authentication data transmission. Instead of direct physical contact or wireless electromagnetic transmission, authentication information is encoded into light signals that bridge the authentication terminal and mobile device, providing a secure intermediate channel resistant to interception and forgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If credit card information is transmitted through magnetic strip or online systems, then transaction speed is improved, but vulnerability to forgery and information exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction speedVSAvoidforgery and information exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces magnetic strip reading and online data transmission with optical light-based communication. Authentication data is encoded into light signals emitted by the authentication terminal and captured by the mobile device's camera, eliminating magnetic strip forgery vulnerabilities and reducing online information exposure risks while maintaining fast transaction processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of data transmission from electromagnetic fields (magnetic strip, wireless networks) to optical light parameters. By encoding authentication data into light intensity, duration, or pattern variations, the system achieves secure transmission that is difficult to intercept or forge while maintaining rapid transaction speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If light-based authentication is implemented, then security against forgery and loss is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against forgeryVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the multi-functionality of existing mobile device components, particularly the camera, which serves both standard photography functions and light-based authentication reception. The authentication terminal's light emitter also serves dual purposes for illumination and data transmission, reducing the need for dedicated separate components and minimizing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the mobile device to perform authentication reception using its own built-in camera and processing capabilities without requiring external specialized hardware. The device uses its existing sensors and computational resources to decode light signals, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complexity from external add-on devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional authentication methods are used, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but susceptibility to malicious transactions and hacking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidmalicious transactions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces light signals as an intermediary authentication channel that is incompatible with traditional hacking methods targeting magnetic strips or network protocols. The optical transmission medium creates a new authentication layer that existing malicious software cannot intercept or manipulate, providing inherent protection against known hacking techniques while maintaining compatibility through standardized light communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances security and stability in transactions and personal authentication, preventing unauthorized use even if the mobile is lost, and allows secure data communication in areas sensitive to radio interference, reducing the risk of financial hacking and other malicious activities.

Implementation Method 1

authentication by transmitting data through light emitted from a flash of a smart mobile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

receiving a light emitted from the smart mobile to convert into data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3304959B1Authentication system and method using flash of smart mobile
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 YEOM SUK HWAN
  • EP3304959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3304959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3304959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is capable of authentication by transmitting through light emitted from a flash of a smart mobile according to foregoing solution of the problem, security and stability can be improved in comparison with other authentication systems such as an ID, a password and a public authentication which are necessary to a bank task, a personal authentication, an identity authentication and a transaction remittance. And, even if the smart mobile is lost or a stranger acquiring this are misappropriating, cryptography such as patterns cannot be solved thereby it is not available. Further, carrying is easy to use anywhere regardless of the place because the transaction is available using a flash equipped to the smart mobile.