Transient Image Template for Noisy Face Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image-based authentication systems face challenges in adverse lighting conditions, leading to inaccurate user authentication and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A computing device establishes a transient image template based on user credentials and ambient light conditions, allowing for continued authentication in sub-optimal lighting environments, with the transient template being deleted after a predetermined time or location change.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a baseline image template is used for image recognition, then the authentication system maintains simplicity and standard operation, but the system fails to accurately authenticate users in adverse lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracy in adverse lightingVSAvoidadaptability to varying lighting conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic image template adjustment by switching between a baseline image template and a transient image template based on lighting conditions. The system dynamically adapts the template selection to match the current environmental conditions, improving authentication accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of image template selection based on lighting conditions. When adverse lighting is detected, the system switches from using a baseline template to using a transient template derived from the captured image, thereby adapting to the changing environmental parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a transient image template is created from the captured image, then authentication accuracy in adverse lighting improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional template management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracy in adverse lightingVSAvoidtemplate management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic aspect of template management by creating a transient template only when needed (in adverse lighting conditions) rather than maintaining multiple complex templates continuously. This extracts the complexity into a conditional, on-demand process rather than a permanent system feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transient image template is designed as a short-living, disposable object that is created only when adverse lighting conditions are detected and automatically discarded after use. This approach reduces long-term storage requirements and simplifies template management compared to maintaining permanent alternative templates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the transient image template is stored indefinitely, then authentication continuity is maintained, but security is compromised due to increased storage of biometric data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication continuity in adverse lightingVSAvoidsecurity risk from stored biometric templates

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transient image template is designed as a temporary, disposable object that is automatically deleted after a predetermined time period or after successful authentication. This ensures that biometric data is not stored indefinitely, reducing security risks while maintaining authentication continuity during the necessary time window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by setting automatic deletion parameters for the transient template. This pre-established time limit or condition for template deletion provides a security cushion that prevents indefinite storage of biometric data while still allowing sufficient time for continuous authentication in adverse lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3881204B1Face recognition in noisy environments

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

A computing device stores an acquired image as a transient image template when there is a failure in an image-based authentication of the acquired image and the user of the computing device has provided user credentials that authorize the user to access the computing device. The transient image template may be used to further authorize the user to access the computing device during a predetermined time period. At the expiration of the predetermined time period, the computing device deletes the transient image template. The computing device then reverts to using a baseline image template for performing image-based authentication of the user. The transient image template may also be associated with a location such that the computing device uses the transient image template for image-based authentication when the computing device is at or near the location.