Password generation and verification system and method therefor

• US 20020083347A1
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Akira Taguchi
• Original Assignee: Akira Taguchi
• Inventors: Taguchi, Akira
• Granted Patent: US 7,065,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating password control and maintenance is provided. A system 10 is provided where a plurality of categories are set so that a single piece or multiple pieces of information that are familiar to the user can be set as a password element(s) for each category. Each sampled password element that is grouped according to each category that is randomly sampled from said categories is displayed, in random order, together with a plurality of scramble elements, on a display device 17. Of those displayed, the user chooses selected password elements that are familiar to him. If all of the selected password elements match the preset sampled password elements, authentication is issued to the user.

Claims

1. A password generation and verification system, comprising:

element group storage means for storing a plurality of element groups that belong to a selected category that is pre-selected from a plurality of different categories, wherein each element group includes at least one password element that belongs to the category thereof;

scramble element storage means for pre-storing a plurality of scramble elements that belong to said selected category according to said category;

category sampling means for randomly sampling a specific number of specific categories from said selected category;

mixed element group generating means for mixing a sampled password element that is randomly sampled from said element group storage means according to said specific category and a predefined number of sampled scramble elements, different from said sampled password element, that are randomly sampled from said scramble element storage means according to said specific category, and subsequently generating, according to said specific category, a mixed element group, where said sampled password element and said sampled scramble elements are arranged in random order;

display means for displaying said mixed element group;

selecting means for selecting, from said mixed element group displayed by said display means, a selected password element according to said specific category; and

verifying means for verifying said selected password element to said sampled password element according to said specific category.

2. A password generation and verification system according to claim 1, wherein said element group is stored, with said password element associated with said specific category, in said element group storage means.

3. A password generation and verification system according to claim 1, wherein said password element includes image information.

4. A password generation and verification system according to claim 1, wherein said mixed element group generating means is coupled via a telecommunication line to said display means and said selecting means.

5. A password generation and verification system according to claim 4, wherein said telecommunication line includes lines for utilizing a fixed telephone, cellular telephone, and the Internet.

6. A password generation and verification system according to claim 1, wherein said verifying means outputs a match signal when all of said selected password elements match said sampled password elements.

7. A method for verifying a password, comprising the steps of:

randomly specifying, from a plurality of element groups that belong to a category that is pre-selected from a plurality of different categories, a predetermined number of said element groups, wherein each element group includes at least one password element that belongs to the category thereof;

mixing a sampled password element that is randomly sampled from said specified element group and a sampled scramble element, different from said sampled password element, that belongs to the same category as said sampled password element, and subsequently generating, according to said category, a mixed element group, where said sampled password element and said sampled scramble element are arranged in random order;

displaying said mixed element group;

selecting, from said displayed element group, a selected password element according to said category; and

verifying, according to the same category, said selected password element to said sampled password element.

8. A method for verifying a password according to claim 7, wherein said step of generating further comprising the step of sending said mixed element group onto a display device that is electrically coupled via a telecommunication line for utilizing a fixed telephone, cellular telephone, and the Internet, and receiving said selected password element via said telecommunication line.

9. A method for verifying a password according to claim 7, wherein said step of verifying further comprises the step of outputting a match signal if all of said selected password elements match said sampled password elements.