Method and apparatus for creating unique image passwords

• US 20010037468A1
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gaddis M. Norton
• Original Assignee: Gaddis M. Norton
• Inventors: Gaddis, M. Norton
• Application Number:
  US09/829,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037468A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

A method for creating unique digitized image passwords comprised of creating the digitized image as a password to enable access to the computer, storing the digitized image password on keypad removable storage means, assigning a separate numerical key or sequence of numbers to the digitized image password on the keypad device, inserting the digitized image password on the removable storage means into the keypad device when access to the computer is desired, inserting the numeric code or sequence, comparing the code sequence with the digitized image, comparing the digitized image with the digitized image stored on the computer storage means, and if a match is obtained, enabling access to the computer.

Claims

1. A method for creating unique image passwords utilizing a separate keypad in conjunction with a universal computer system, to secure and gain access to a computer system comprised of a computer having a CPU, memory means, non-volatile memory storage, keyboard removable storage means, keypad with removable storage means and memory means, software for creating graphical images, and said system having a monitor capable of displaying graphics, said method comprised of the steps of:

a. Installing a computer residing program for controlling access to the computer so as to allow the computer to be disabled or enabled in response to a directive;

b. Creating the computer password digitized image utilizing the computer graphics program;

c. Storing said computer password digitized image in the keypad memory means;

d. Assigning the respective image password to a key on the keypad;

e. Storing the said computer digitized image on keypad removable storage means;

f. Inserting the keypad removable storage means when desired to operate the computer;

g. Inputting the numeric unique sequence code through the keypad;

h. Reading the image on the keypad removable storage means and comparing the image stored for a match, and comparing the unique numeric password with the stored numeric sequence associated with the respective graphic image, and granting access to the computer if a match is determined.

2. A method for creating unique image passwords utilizing a separate keypad in conjunction with a universal computer system, to secure and gain access to a computer system comprised of a computer having a CPU, memory means, non-volatile memory storage, keyboard removable storage means, keypad with removable storage means and memory means, software for creating graphical images, and said system having a monitor capable of displaying graphics, said method comprised of the steps of:

a. Installing a computer residing program for controlling access to the computer so as to allow the computer to be disabled or enabled in response to a directive;

b. Creating the computer password digitized image utilizing the computer graphics program;

c. Storing said computer password digitized image in the keypad memory means;

d. Storing in the keypad memory means a unique numerical sequence code for recalling the digitized image password;

e. Storing the said computer digitized image on keypad removable storage means;

f. Inserting the keypad removable storage means when desired to operate the computer;

g. Inputting the numeric unique sequence code through the keypad;

h. Reading the image on the keypad removable storage means and comparing the image stored for a match, and comparing the unique numeric password with the stored numeric sequence associated with the respective graphic image, and granting access to the computer if a match is determined.

3. A method for creating unique image passwords utilizing a separate keypad in conjunction with a universal computer system, to secure and gain access to a computer system comprised of a computer having a CPU, memory means, non-volatile memory storage, keyboard removable storage means, keypad with removable storage means and memory means, software for creating graphical images, and said system having a monitor capable of displaying graphics, said method comprised of the steps of:

a. Installing a computer residing program for controlling access to the computer so as to allow the computer to be disabled or enabled in response to a directive;

b. Creating the computer password digitized image utilizing the computer graphics program;

c. Storing said computer password digitized image in the computer memory means and in the keypad memory means;

d. Storing in the computer removable storage means the computer digitized image, and storing the digitized image on the keypad removable storage means;

e. Storing in the computer memory means and the keypad memory means a numerical sequence code for recalling the digitized image password;

f. Inserting the keypad removable storage means into the keypad, when desiring to operate the computer, and inserting the removable storage means having thereon the computer digitized image password, and inputting into the keypad the respective numerical sequence code associated with the digitized image password;

g. The digitized image stored in the computer memory means with the digitized images on the keypad removable storage means and computer removable storage means for a match, and if a match is obtained, comparing the unique numeric password entered on the keypad to determine if a match exists for the respective computer digitized password just matched, and granting access to the computer if a match is determined.