User Authentication Using Geolocation and Environmental Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user authentication technologies are prone to abuse and fail to accurately verify user presence, location, and are susceptible to malicious attacks such as location spoofing, data breaches, and deep fakes, lacking a secure, timely, and immutably auditable authentication process.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing geolocation data and environmental scanning through user device cameras, enhanced with machine learning models like CNNs and RNNs, combined with Random Forest and k-NN for anomaly detection and pattern matching, to ensure accurate user authentication by verifying presence at a specific location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-factor authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but user accuracy in authentication is worsened due to user error and malicious attacks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiduser presence verification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces environmental sensors and machine learning models as intermediaries between the user and the authentication system. These intermediaries automatically analyze environmental data (lighting, temperature, noise) and device characteristics to verify user presence, eliminating the need for users to manually perform complex verification steps while preventing automated attacks through anomaly detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual user verification actions with automated environmental sensing and analysis systems. Instead of relying on users to complete CAPTCHA challenges or manually verify their presence, the system uses machine learning models to analyze environmental data and device characteristics, substituting mechanical user actions with automated computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If location verification is added to authentication, then unauthorized access is reduced, but device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation verification accuracyVSAvoidauthentication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing device components serve multiple functions. The device's camera, microphone, and environmental sensors—originally designed for basic photography and audio recording—are repurposed to collect authentication-relevant environmental data. This multi-functionality approach adds location verification capabilities without requiring dedicated hardware components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds the authentication verification process within the existing device software architecture. The machine learning models and environmental analysis algorithms are integrated into the device's operating system and application framework, nesting the authentication functionality within existing system layers rather than adding separate standalone components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Measurement precision

If environmental scanning is implemented, then authentication accuracy is improved, but energy consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser authentication accuracyVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic environmental scanning instead of continuous monitoring. The system activates environmental sensors at specific intervals during the authentication process and only when authentication events are detected, rather than continuously collecting environmental data. This periodic action significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining authentication accuracy by capturing environmental snapshots at critical moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies environmental scanning selectively based on risk assessment. The system performs full environmental analysis only when suspicious patterns are detected or for high-risk authentication attempts, using lighter-weight verification methods for routine authentications. This partial application of the energy-intensive scanning process reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining security for critical cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12499192B2Methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating accurate user authentication

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 ISITME LLC

AI summary

A method for facilitating accurate user authentication includes initiating an authentication session for a user for an authentication instance associated with the user, identifying an authentication prompt for the authenticating of the user for the authentication instance based on the initiating, transmitting the authentication prompt to a user device associated with the user, obtaining an environment data associated with an environment of the user device based on the authentication prompt, obtaining a geolocation data associated with a geolocation of the user device based on the authentication prompt, analyzing the environment data using a machine learning model, generating an authentication status for the user based on the analyzing of the environment data and the geolocation data, terminating the authentication session based on the generating of the authentication status, and storing the authentication status.