System and method for replacing common identifying data

• US 10,204,217 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2017
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARP-IP LLC
• Original Assignee: ARP-IP LLC
• Inventors: Perez, Anthony R., Soenke, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Thiaw, Catherine B
• Assistant Examiner(s): An, Wayne
• Application Number:
  US15/623,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20170286666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/45 Structures or tools for the administration of authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234

Abstract

A system and method for generating a unique identifier for a user. A processor hosted by the system transmits a prompt for user selection of a digital image and receives the selected digital image from the user. The received digital image is stored in a data storage device. The processor identifies a first code associated with the user. The processor embeds the first code into the digital image and generates a first modified digital image in response. The first modified digital image is also stored in the data storage device. The processor transmits the first modified digital image to the user over a data communications network. The modified digital image is then used as the unique identifier for the user.

Claims

1. A method, performed by a system having one or more processors and one or more memory devices, for generating and utilizing an image as a unique identifier for a user, the method comprising:

generating, by the one or more processors, an image identifier for a user, including;

receiving a digital image transmitted by a user device;

storing the digital image in a first data storage device in association with the user, the first data storage device storing a plurality of other digital images for a plurality of other users;

identifying a first code, wherein the first code is at least one of personal information of the user, or a number or text generated by the one or more processors;

storing the first code in association with the user;

embedding the first code into the received digital image and generating the image identifier in response;

transmitting the image identifier to the user for storing in a second data storage device different from the first storage device; and

making an authentication determination, by the one or more processors, based on the image identifier, including;

receiving, from the user, the image identifier and information associated with the user for identifying the user, wherein the information associated with the user is at least one of a user identifier, key, or login form;

locating the digital image among the plurality of other digital images in the first data storage device using the received information;

retrieving the located digital image from the first storage device;

comparing the received image identifier against the retrieved digital image;

outputting, based on the comparing, a difference between the received image identifier and the retrieved digital image, wherein the difference is the embedded first code;

comparing the embedded first code against the first code stored in association with the user; and

generating a success signal in response to a match of the embedded first code against the first code stored in association with the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image identifier is stored in an end user device accessible to the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the personal information is at least one of address, telephone number, birthdate, name, driver license number, social security number, credit card number, user identifier, password, or a randomly generated code.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

encrypting the first code based on properties of the received digital image, wherein the first code embedded into the digital image is the encrypted first code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the embedding includes identifying one or more bits of the digital image that are not used in creating a visual depiction of the digital image, and

storing the first code in the identified one or more bits.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating further

includes:

transmitting a security code to a telephone number associated with the user; and

verifying the transmitted security code against a security code received from the telephone number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating further

includes:

receiving an answer to a math problem provided by the user;

determining whether the answer is correct; and

in response to determining that the answer is incorrect, taking a failure action.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the success signal is for at least authenticating the user, disqualifying the first code for being used again, transmitting a notification, retrieving user data, giving the user access to resources, completing a transaction, or taking a preset action.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the image identifier is configured to expire after a preset number of uses in making an authentication determination.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a failure signal in response to a failed match of the difference against the first code; and

transmitting a message in response to the failure signal.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting an alert or notification in response to the success signal, wherein the alert or notification is indicative of a circumstance involving the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the circumstance includes a duress situation or other situations involving the user.

13. A system for generating and utilizing an image as a unique

identifier for a user, the system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more memory devices, wherein the one or more memory devices have stored therein instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, respectively cause the one or more processors to;

generate an image identifier for a user, including;

receive a digital image transmitted by a user device;

store the digital image in a first data storage device in association with the user, the first data storage device storing a plurality of other digital images for a plurality of other users;

identify a first code, wherein the first code is at least one of personal information of the user, or a number or text generated by the one or more processors;

store the first code in association with the user;

embed the first code into the received digital image and generate the image identifier in response;

transmit the image identifier to the user for storing in a second data storage device different from the first storage device; and

make an authentication determination based on the image identifier, including;

receive, from the user, the image identifier and information associated with the user for identifying the user, wherein the information associated with the user is at least one of a user identifier, key, or login form;

locate the digital image among the plurality of other digital images in the first data storage device using the received information;

retrieve the located digital image from the first storage device;

compare the received image identifier against the retrieved digital image;

output, based on the comparing, a difference between the received image identifier and the retrieved digital image, wherein the difference is the embedded first code;

compare the embedded first code against the first code stored in association with the user; and

generate a success signal in response to a match of the embedded first code against the first code stored in association with the user.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions respectively cause the one or more processors to:

generate a failure signal in response to a failed match of the difference against the first code; and

transmit a message in response to the failure signal.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions respectively cause the one or more processors to:

transmit an alert or notification in response to the success signal, wherein the alert or notification is indicative of a circumstance involving the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the circumstance includes a duress situation or other situations involving the user.