Quantum Key Distribution Authentication System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods struggle with securely authenticating users, particularly with biometric credentials, due to the impossibility of exact matching and the risk of false negatives and positives.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a quantum key distribution protocol to securely authenticate users by generating an enrollment common base during the enrollment phase, which is then used for secret verification during authentication, ensuring secure validation through quantum communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods are used to verify user credentials, then the authentication process is simple and fast, but the security is compromised due to false positives and negatives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a quantum key distribution intermediary system that mediates between the user credential verification and the authentication decision. This intermediary uses quantum-secured communication channels to transmit biometric data and verification results, preventing unauthorized access and manipulation while maintaining authentication reliability without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary quantum key distribution and secure channel establishment before actual credential verification occurs. Enrollment data is pre-processed and stored using quantum-secured methods, so that when authentication is needed, the secure framework is already in place, reducing the complexity of real-time security operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If quantum key distribution protocol is implemented for secure authentication, then the security and reliability are enhanced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidquantum system integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication system into distinct functional modules: quantum key distribution module, biometric enrollment module, credential verification module, and authentication decision module. Each module operates independently with defined interfaces, allowing quantum protocols to be integrated without overwhelming system complexity. The quantum secure communication channel is separated from the classical authentication logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The quantum key distribution infrastructure is designed to serve multiple authentication functions simultaneously - protecting enrollment data transmission, securing credential verification communication, and safeguarding authentication results. This multi-functional approach amortizes the complexity overhead across multiple security-critical operations rather than requiring separate quantum systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If biometric credentials are used for authentication, then user convenience is improved, but the accuracy decreases due to impossibility of exact matching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser authentication convenienceVSAvoidbiometric match accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the biometric matching approach from exact parameter matching to quantum-secured similarity verification. Instead of requiring precise fingerprint pattern or facial feature matching, the system uses quantum-protected channels to transmit and verify biometric templates with controlled parameter thresholds, reducing false negatives while preventing false positives through quantum authentication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical biometric comparison algorithms with quantum information-based verification methods. Quantum key distribution protocols substitute for classical pattern matching, using quantum-secured comparison that can accommodate natural biometric variations while maintaining security against impostors, thereby improving both accuracy and convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250125945A1Enhanced secure authentication techniques using quantum key distribution protocol

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for securely authenticating users using quantum key distribution protocol. The system is configured for receiving an authentication request comprising at least one credential from a user, via a user device, calculating an authentication match score for the at least one credential, retrieving an authentication token associated with the user stored on an external physical device connected to the user device, retrieving an enrollment match score associated with the authentication token of the user, validating the at least one credential by comparing the authentication match score of the at least one credential with the enrollment match score associated with the user, determining that the validation is not successful, and performing a quantum key distribution secret verification based on an enrollment common base stored on a quantum computing platform during the enrollment phase via a quantum communication network.