Typing Cadence Authentication via Dwell and Flight Time Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods are vulnerable to cybercrime as they can be easily copied or stolen, leading to growing losses from stolen accounts and identities.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard typing cadence authentication system that measures unique attributes such as dwell and flight times of key presses, comparing them to a user's established profile to authenticate users, making it difficult for criminals to mimic or replay the typing habits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods (passwords, tokens, biometrics) are used, then authentication can be performed, but they are vulnerable to being copied or stolen leading to security breaches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidvulnerability to cybercrime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms authentication from verifying static credentials (passwords, tokens) to analyzing dynamic temporal parameters of typing behavior. By measuring dwell time, flight time, and other cadence parameters that naturally vary with each keystroke, the system creates an authentication mechanism based on unique behavioral patterns that cannot be easily copied or stolen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical authentication systems (physical tokens, smart cards) with a behavioral analysis system that captures and analyzes the temporal dynamics of keyboard input. This substitution eliminates the need for physical authentication objects that can be lost or stolen, replacing them with an analysis of natural user behavior patterns.

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

2Reliability

If typing cadence authentication is implemented, then security is dramatically improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically captures typing cadence data during normal keyboard input without requiring separate authentication actions from the user. The authentication process leverages the user's natural typing behavior, eliminating the need for additional steps or specialized hardware, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The typing cadence authentication system can be integrated into existing keyboard input mechanisms, allowing the same keyboard to serve both data input and authentication functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate authentication hardware or processes, simplifying the overall system architecture.

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

3Measurement precision

If typing cadence data is collected and analyzed, then unique user identification is achieved, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification accuracyVSAvoiddata processing energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential temporal parameters (dwell time, flight time, cadence patterns) from the raw typing data, discarding unnecessary information. By focusing on these key metrics that uniquely identify user behavior, the system achieves high identification accuracy while minimizing data processing requirements and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11100201B2Method and system for authenticating a user through typing cadence
Publication Date: 2021.08.24 NEURAMETRIX INC
  • US11100201B2 patent drawing
  • US11100201B2 patent drawing
  • US11100201B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for authenticating a user are disclosed. The system and method may use particular measurements, with high statistical powers based on keyboard typing and cadence to produce a way of authentication users which is many orders of magnitude better than existing methods.