Variant Illumination for Spoofing-Resistant Face Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional face authentication methods are vulnerable to spoofing using printed photos, videos, and 3D masks, and existing countermeasures are costly and complicate system design, requiring additional hardware.

Innovation Solution

The method employs variant illumination, using a device's existing display screen and camera to differentiate between human skin and spoofing objects by analyzing the reflectance of different light conditions, without needing additional hardware, by providing and capturing illumination reflectance with varying light sources and determining if the object is an authorized user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional face authentication methods are used, then user authentication is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to spoofing using printed photos, videos, and 3D masks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidspoofing vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the illumination parameters by using multiple light sources with different characteristics (e.g., different colors, intensities, or patterns) and analyzes how the target object reflects these varying illumination conditions. This parameter variation makes it difficult for spoofing objects to consistently replicate human skin reflectance properties across different lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or simple optical authentication systems with a computational approach that analyzes illumination reflectance patterns. Instead of relying solely on basic image capture, the system uses processed reflectance data derived from multiple illumination conditions to make authentication decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If additional hardware is added to detect spoofing, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoofing detection capabilityVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing multi-functional components (display screen and camera) to perform multiple functions: the display screen serves as both the user interface and the illumination source, while the camera serves both as the display output and the imaging sensor. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated authentication hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its own existing components to perform the authentication function. The display screen illuminates the user's face and the camera captures the reflectance, with the processor analyzing the data to determine authentication status. This self-service approach eliminates external hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple light sources and illumination conditions are used, then distinction between human users and spoofing objects is improved, but computational expense increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehuman vs spoofing distinction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational expense

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the illumination analysis by using multiple discrete light sources with distinct characteristics rather than continuous complex illumination patterns. Each light source provides specific illumination data that can be processed independently, and the results are combined to make the final authentication determination, reducing overall computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances security by accurately distinguishing between human users and spoofing attempts at a lower cost and minimal computational expense, ensuring only authorized users access the device.

Implementation Method 1

capturing, using a sensor operatively coupled to the information handling device, illumination reflectance from the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11263301B2User authentication using variant illumination

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: providing, using a light source operatively coupled to an information handling device, illumination on an object; capturing, using a sensor operatively coupled to the information handling device, illumination reflectance from the object; determining, using a processor and based on the illumination reflectance, whether the object is associated with a human user and whether the human user is an authorized user; and authenticating, responsive to determining that the object is associated with the human user and that the human user is an authorized user, the human user. Other aspects are described and claimed.