Reverse Authentication Indicators for Trusted VR Resource Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual reality computing environments, such as the Metaverse, face security threats where resource-providing entities and their virtual objects may not be authentic, posing risks in resource exchange events.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods for reverse authentication of virtual objects and sub-environments, generating sensory-perceptible indicators like audible, visual, or haptic signals to verify the authenticity of avatars and sub-environments, which can be communicated to user devices within or outside the virtual reality environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If resource exchange events occur in virtual reality environments, then user engagement and resource exchange capability are improved, but security risks and authentication complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse authentication by inverting the traditional authentication flow. Instead of the user authenticating the virtual object, the system generates sensory-perceptible indicators that authenticate the virtual object to the user. This inversion resolves the security risk by establishing trust through observable indicators rather than relying solely on virtual credentials that can be spoofed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensory-perceptible indicators as an intermediary between the virtual object and the user. These indicators (visual, auditory, haptic) serve as a mediator that provides tangible proof of authenticity, bridging the gap between virtual representation and real-world trust. This intermediary mechanism allows secure resource exchange by providing verifiable authentication without compromising the virtual nature of the environment.
2Reliability
If authentication of virtual objects is implemented, then security and trust are improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication indication function from the complex virtual object data structure and implements it as separate sensory-perceptible indicators. By taking out the authentication verification from the virtual environment's data layer and presenting it through dedicated sensory channels, the system reduces complexity in the virtual object management while maintaining strong authentication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual indicators (such as color changes or visual signals) to communicate authentication status. This approach simplifies the authentication interface by using intuitive visual cues rather than complex verification procedures. The sensory-perceptible indicators provide immediate, easily distinguishable feedback about authenticity without requiring users to process complex authentication data.
3Loss of information
If sensory-perceptible indicators are generated for authentication, then user awareness and security notification are improved, but communication bandwidth and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial authentication indication by generating sensory-perceptible indicators only when relevant to the current interaction context. Rather than continuously generating authentication indicators for all virtual objects, the system provides authentication information selectively based on user interaction needs, reducing unnecessary processing and communication overhead while maintaining adequate security awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
Reverse authentication of (i) virtual objects (e.g., avatars or the like) located in or proximate to sub-environments of virtual reality computing environments and, in some embodiments, (ii) the sub-environments themselves. The virtual object is authenticated as being associated with an individual/associate of the entity in control of the sub-environment and/or the sub-environment is authenticated as being associated with/controlled by the entity and, in response, a sensory-perceptible indicator (e.g., audible, visual, haptic indicator) is obtained/generated, which is communicated to a user device that outputs the sensory-perceptible indicator to notify the virtual reality user that the virtual object and/or sub-environment has been authenticated. Communication of the sensory-perceptible indicator and/or output of the sensory-perceptible indicator on the user device may be external to the virtual reality computing environment and, as such, may be communicated to and/or outputted on a user device different than the user device on which the virtual reality experience occurs.