User authentication system and methods

A user authentication method comprising:

• a) presenting an authentication instruction to an individual via any of a plurality of output interfaces of a computing device, wherein the authentication instruction is selected from an identity authentication profile that is accessible to the computing device;
• b) receiving a response to the authentication instruction via any of a plurality of input methods supported by the computing device, wherein the response includes content provided through the performance of an action;
• c) determining
• a current action measurement for each of a plurality of characteristics associated with the action, and
• a current content measurement for each of a plurality of characteristics associated with the content,
• wherein the characteristics are associated with the authentication instruction;
• d) determining that each of the measurements matches a corresponding benchmark associated with the authentication instruction to within a predefined tolerance, wherein the benchmarks are selected from the identity authentication profile;
• and
• e) performing steps a)-d) for each of a predefined number of authentication instructions selected from the identity authentication profile, thereby authenticating the individual.

A user authentication system comprising:

• an identity authentication profile;
• and
• an authenticator configured to
• a) present an authentication instruction to an individual via any of a plurality of output interfaces of a computing device, wherein the authentication instruction is selected from the identity authentication profile,
• b) receive a response to the authentication instruction via any of a plurality of input methods supported by the computing device, wherein the response includes content provided through the performance of an action,
• c) determine
• a current action measurement for each of a plurality of characteristics associated with the action, and
• a current content measurement for each of a plurality of characteristics associated with the content,
• wherein the characteristics are associated with the authentication instruction,
• d) determine that each of the measurements matches a corresponding benchmark associated with the authentication instruction to within a predefined tolerance, wherein the benchmarks are selected from the identity authentication profile, and
• e) perform a)-d) for each of a predefined number of authentication instructions selected from the identity authentication profile, thereby authenticating the individual.

A method for configuring an identity authentication profile, the method comprising:

• a) presenting an instruction to an individual via any of a plurality of output interfaces of a computing device;
• b) receiving a response to the instruction via any of a plurality of input methods supported by the computing device, wherein the response includes content provided through the performance of an action;
• c) determining a current action measurement for each of a plurality of characteristics associated with the action;
• d) determining a current content measurement for each of a plurality of characteristics associated with the content;
• e) identifying
• at least one of the current action measurements that meets a dissimilarity condition with respect to corresponding past measurements of the same characteristic for previously-received responses to the instruction, and
• at least one of the current content measurements that meets a dissimilarity condition with respect to corresponding past measurements of the same characteristic for previously-received responses to the instruction,
• wherein the previously-received responses were provided by a plurality of other individuals;
• f) performing steps a)-e) a plurality of times, thereby receiving a plurality of responses;
• g) determining that the plurality of responses are mutually consistent in accordance with a consistency condition;
• and
• h) including benchmarks of the identified measurements in an identity authentication profile in association with the instruction, wherein the identity authentication profile is associated with the individual.