Virtual Environment Authentication Using Real-Time Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication methods in virtual universes do not consider unique location-based requirements, lacking integration of physical and logical location constraints to enhance security, which can lead to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines traditional credential-based authentication with real-time tracking of physical and logical locations using RFID, GPS, and other methods to ensure that users' avatars are authenticated based on their correct physical and virtual location, terminating access if the user moves to an unauthorized location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional credential-based authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to lack of location-based access control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional credential-based authentication with location-based authentication by merging physical location data (from GPS, RFID, or other tracking methods) with logical virtual location data. This dual-location verification system ensures that users can only access virtual locations that correspond to their authorized physical locations, thereby enhancing security while maintaining ease of operation through automated verification.
2Reliability
If location tracking methods (GPS, RFID) are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal location tracking mechanisms that can operate across multiple platforms and devices. The authentication server is designed to work with various physical location tracking methods (GPS, RFID, cellular triangulation) and virtual location systems uniformly, allowing the same core authentication logic to handle diverse location data sources without requiring device-specific implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication server acts as an intermediary that receives location data from various sources (GPS devices, RFID tags, virtual location services) and processes it through a unified authentication protocol. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of multiple tracking methods, presenting a simple interface to both users and virtual environment systems while handling the sophisticated location verification processes in the background.
3Reliability
If real-time location monitoring is implemented, then security is improved, but loss of time is worsened due to continuous verification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location verification during the authentication phase, establishing the user's authorized physical and virtual locations before they enter the virtual environment. Once authenticated, the system maintains location constraints without requiring continuous verification checks during normal operation, only triggering verification when location changes are detected or when accessing protected virtual locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor location changes and automatically trigger re-verification only when necessary. The system receives feedback from location tracking devices about user movement and intelligently determines when location-based authentication checks are required, minimizing unnecessary verification overhead while maintaining security through event-driven validation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for authentication and verification of a user in a virtual world (VU) based upon such criteria as the physical location of a user in the real world and the logical location of the user's avatar in the VU. The disclosed technology combines physical and application aspects of security to enhance security options within virtual environments. In addition to traditional credential-based authentication, physical constraints corresponding to the real world and logical locations in a VU are employed, wherein an authentication server requires each component to be in the proper association state, location or proximity before authenticating a user. Further, the disclosed technology provides for the termination of a user's authentication if the user moves from an approved physical or VU location to an unapproved location. Techniques are provided to track a user's credentials and real-time physical and logical location of a user.