Temporal Input Analysis for Accessible CAPTCHA Security

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional CAPTCHA systems are ineffective for individuals with disabilities, as visual CAPTCHAs are inaccessible to visually impaired people, acoustic CAPTCHAs are inaccessible to those with hearing impairments, and others struggle to solve them, leading to security vulnerabilities in differentiating human from automated inputs.

Innovation Solution

A method that records and evaluates temporal irregularities in input signal sequences from physical or virtual devices, creating a numerical indicator value and fingerprint to differentiate human from automated inputs, using the duration and pause times of input signals to assess input behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex CAPTCHA tasks are used to improve security against automated access, then the ability to differentiate human from automated inputs is improved, but accessibility for people with disabilities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity differentiationVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional visual or auditory CAPTCHA mechanisms with a temporal analysis mechanism that measures the timing characteristics of input signals. Instead of requiring users to solve visual puzzles or listen to audio clips, the system automatically analyzes the temporal patterns of keyboard inputs, replacing the need for complex human-cognitive tasks with an automated temporal measurement system that works equally well for all users regardless of disability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the user's own input behavior characteristics as the authentication mechanism. Rather than requiring users to perform external tasks (solving puzzles, identifying images), the system analyzes the inherent temporal patterns of their natural typing behavior. This self-service approach means users simply type as they normally would, and their unique temporal fingerprint automatically proves their humanity without requiring special abilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional CAPTCHA systems are used to prevent automated access, then security against malware is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to accessibility barriers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against automated accessVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical interaction required by traditional CAPTCHA (solving visual puzzles, listening to audio) with an automated temporal analysis system. The system continuously measures the timing of key presses and releases, automatically generating temporal profiles without requiring any special user action beyond natural typing. This substitution eliminates accessibility barriers while maintaining security.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The temporal analysis system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides security verification, creates unique user profiles, and works universally for all users regardless of disability. The same temporal measurement mechanism that secures the system also naturally adapts to different typing styles and abilities, making the solution universally applicable without requiring different CAPTCHA types for different user groups.

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

3Reliability

If visual or auditory CAPTCHA tasks are used to differentiate human inputs, then automated input detection is improved, but accessibility for visually or hearing impaired users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehuman input detectionVSAvoidaccessibility across disabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The temporal analysis system provides a universal solution that works for all users regardless of sensory or physical disabilities. By measuring the timing characteristics of keyboard inputs rather than requiring visual or auditory processing, the system naturally adapts to users with various disabilities. The same mechanism that detects automated inputs also seamlessly accommodates human users with different abilities, eliminating the need for multiple specialized CAPTCHA systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces sensory-based verification mechanisms (visual image recognition, auditory pattern recognition) with a temporal measurement mechanism that operates independently of sensory abilities. The system measures the time intervals between key presses and key releases, creating a sensory-independent verification method that works equally well for visually impaired, hearing impaired, and able-bodied users.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3410329B1Method and system for detecting irregular inputs for data processing applications
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3410329B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3410329B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3410329B1 patent drawingFigure 3c~4

AI summary

A method and system for detecting irregular inputs for data processing applications, wherein the method comprises the following steps: capturing an input signal sequence into a data processing application from at least one physical and/or virtual input unit and determining at least two time periods tS for the duration of capturing an input signal and at least two time periods tP for the duration until capturing the next input signal, forming a first vector with or based on the determined time periods tS and forming a second vector with or based on the determined time periods tP, detecting irregularities in the input signal sequence by analyzing at least one of the first or the second vector and providing an indicator value based on the detected irregularities.