Usage-Based Authentication via Pattern Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile device authentication systems lack an effective additional layer of security to protect personal data from unauthorized access, as they rely solely on traditional methods that are vulnerable to misuse and do not utilize user-specific application usage patterns.

Innovation Solution

A supplementary authentication method and system that calculates and matches user-specific usage patterns of selected mobile applications, using a usage pattern computing module to generate and store usage statistics in a matrix, which are then used to authenticate the user based on successful pattern matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods are used, then the authentication process is simple, but security against unauthorized access is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system dynamically generates challenges based on real-time usage pattern analysis rather than using static passwords. The system continuously monitors application usage, calculates usage patterns, and adapts authentication challenges accordingly, making the authentication process dynamic and harder to predict or bypass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that operates between traditional authentication and system access. This intermediary layer analyzes usage patterns and generates supplementary authentication challenges, adding a security layer without completely replacing the existing authentication system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If usage pattern analysis is implemented for authentication, then security is enhanced, but the authentication process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring and analyzing user usage patterns without requiring explicit user input during the authentication process. The usage pattern computing module continuously collects data from application usage and generates authentication challenges autonomously, reducing the burden on the user while maintaining enhanced security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of authentication from static credentials to dynamic usage pattern analysis. By monitoring parameters such as application launch frequency, usage duration, and sequence of applications, the system transforms authentication into a process that validates behavioral patterns rather than memorized secrets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3200112B1Usage based authentication system
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD
  • EP3200112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3200112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3200112B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mechanism for providing an additional layer of security to the already existing authentication mechanisms available on a mobile device is provided. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a usage authentication interface (114) that displays one or more mobile software applications from which the user can select one or more software applications to be used for usage-based authentication. A usage-pattern computing module (116) calculates a plurality of usage statistics for the mobile software applications selected by user, wherein the usage statistics comprise a set of calculated values. A usage bracket matrix stores one or more usage patterns which comprise a plurality of calculated values generated by the usage pattern computing module (116). An authentication application module (118) authenticates user to log on to the mobile device based on a successful matching of patterns stored in the usage bracket matrix with a user-fed usage pattern.