Visual Authentication for Public Camera Recordings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in accessing visual recordings from public cameras as they need to remember or use the same communication device that operated the camera to retrieve their recordings, making it inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

The authentication code is replaced by a visual authentication photograph, allowing users to access their recordings using a visual recording of themselves, which can be created by the public camera or their own device, and transmitted to their communication device for retrieval from a database.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an authentication code is used to retrieve visual recordings from the database, then security and user identification are ensured, but users must remember the code or use the same communication device that operated the camera, which reduces convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identificationVSAvoidaccess convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the user's image (authentication image) that was captured during the photo-taking process. This authentication image serves as a visual replacement for traditional authentication codes, allowing users to retrieve their recordings by providing the image again through any communication device, eliminating the need to remember codes or use the original device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If a traditional authentication code is required, then database security is maintained, but the user experience deteriorates due to the need to remember codes and use specific devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedatabase securityVSAvoidretrieval process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/memory-based authentication system (remembering codes) with an image-based authentication system. Users authenticate by providing a visual image rather than recalling and entering a code, substituting cognitive memory tasks with visual recognition tasks that are more intuitive and device-agnostic.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If visual recordings are stored in a database for later retrieval, then users can access recordings from any device, but the authentication process becomes more complex requiring additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidauthentication process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the authentication image that the user already possesses (a photo they took or were photographed in) as the key to retrieve their recordings. The authentication process leverages existing user content rather than requiring separate verification credentials, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional authentication materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3091725B1Method for allowing a user access to the visual recordings of a public camera
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3091725B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3091725B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Method for a user to access the visual recordings of a public camera which, at the location of its public use, creates at least one visual recording, in particular at least one photograph or at least one video, in particular in which the user, preferably the user's face, is depicted, wherein the public camera transmits the at least one visual recording to a publicly accessible database by means of a communication unit and the at least one visual recording is stored in the database for retrieval by the user by means of an authentication code, for which the authentication code is transmitted to the database by telecommunication, in particular by the user or by means of a communication device used by him, wherein the authentication code is formed by a visual authentication recording or depending on a visual authentication recording, in particular in which the user,especially the user's face is depicted.