Skin Landmark Authentication for Metaverse Context Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In metaverse environments, there is a challenge in ensuring seamless and secure user access and authentication, particularly during context switching between virtual and physical spaces, as existing digital authentication methods can be vulnerable to impostors bypassing security by using avatars, leading to a mismatch between digital and real-life validation.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves capturing an image of a user's skin portion, identifying unique landmarks such as anomalies, analyzing their location, form, and dimensions, generating a unique signal based on this analysis, and using this signal for authentication, which is stored and used to grant access to specific virtual or physical spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If digital authentication methods are used in metaverse environments, then user access can be granted efficiently, but security is compromised as impostors can bypass authentication using avatars

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access efficiencyVSAvoidauthentication security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that bridges digital and physical validation. A camera captures images of the user's skin portion, and the system identifies unique landmarks (moles, scars, freckles) as an intermediary layer between avatar-based digital authentication and physical identity verification, preventing impostors from bypassing security while maintaining access efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/digital authentication systems (avatar-based login) with a biological recognition system. Instead of relying on digital credentials that can be copied or forged, the system uses image processing to detect and verify unique skin landmarks, substituting a vulnerable mechanical authentication mechanism with a more secure biological verification method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If avatar-based authentication is used, then user access is simplified, but mismatch occurs between digital and real-life validation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess simplicityVSAvoididentity verification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds another dimension to identity verification by moving from two-dimensional avatar representation to three-dimensional skin landmark analysis. The system captures spatial coordinates and geometric relationships of skin features, creating a multi-dimensional verification layer that ensures the digital avatar accurately represents the real-life user, eliminating identity mismatch while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20240386085A1Context switching from realities to achieve access to spaces

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method, computer system, and a computer program product are provided for authenticating a user. An image of a skin portion of the user is obtained. One or more landmarks are identified from the image obtained. The landmark includes at least one skin anomaly. Each identified landmark is analyzed at least with respect to location, form, dimensions and distances between landmarks and body parts. A unique signal is generated based on the identification and analysis of one or more landmarks. The unique signal is then stored for authentication of the user.