Physical Key Authentication via Image Feature Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication methods, relying on text-based factors like passwords and PINs, are vulnerable to theft, data breaches, and incorrect entries, leading to resource wastage and fraudulent access.
Innovation Solution
An authentication platform that uses a physical key, capturing images of the key and a reference object to identify unique features, storing reference data, and authenticating individuals based on feature data from key insertion into an authentication mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If text-based authentication factors (passwords, PINs) are used, then authentication can be performed, but the system becomes vulnerable to theft, data breaches, and fraudulent access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces text-based authentication (informational system) with physical key authentication (mechanical system). The authentication mechanism uses a keyhole and physical key with unique mechanical features, substituting the vulnerable digital password system with a tangible physical object that is harder to steal or compromise remotely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (image) of the physical key's unique features and stores it for comparison. During authentication, the physical key is inserted into the keyhole, and sensors capture its features, which are then compared against the stored digital copy to verify authenticity without exposing the actual key.
2Productivity
If text-based authentication is used, then access can be granted, but resources are wasted due to incorrect entries and fraudulent attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing and storing an image of the physical key during the registration phase. This pre-captured data serves as a reference template, allowing rapid comparison during authentication without requiring multiple attemptsc or iterative verification processes.
3Reliability
If physical key authentication is implemented, then security is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to keyhole mechanism and image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component: a camera or imaging sensor that captures the physical key's features. This intermediary translates the physical key's mechanical properties into digital data that can be processed and stored, bridging the gap between the physical authentication object and the digital verification system.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may obtain registration data associated with a registration of an individual. The registration data may include an image that depicts a physical key and a reference object. The device may process the image to identify a first feature of the physical key and a first measurement of the first feature based on the size of the reference object. The device may store first feature data based on the first feature and the first measurement. The device may obtain second feature data based on a second feature of the physical key and a second measurement of the second feature identified from an insertion of the physical key into a keyhole of an authentication mechanism. The device may determine whether the first feature data corresponds to the second feature data. The device may authenticate the individual based on determining that the first feature data corresponds to the second feature data.