METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE PASSWORD/PIN INPUT VIA MOUSE SCROLL WHEEL

• US 20100321296A1
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: GROSS, Rene
• Granted Patent: US 8,264,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/031 Protect user input by software means

Abstract

A method and system for inputting a character string using a handheld input device, such as a mouse wheel or touchpad. Signals are grouped depending on a change in direction, depressing the mouse button as an interrupt, holding a mouse button down, etc., and the groupings are translated into symbols. Translation can be pre-determined or from a mapping file. Symbols can be appended into a character string and provided as a password, PIN, credit card, account number, or as other sensitive data.

Claims

1. A method for inputting a character string comprising:

calculating an amount of movement in a first direction at an input of an input device from a start of movement in the first direction to a start of movement in a second direction;

selecting a character symbol of the character string based on the calculated amount of movement, the selected character symbol varying for different calculated amounts of movement; and

providing the selected character symbol as part of the character string.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a mouse.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the movement is a scrolling movement.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the scrolling movement is measured by increments.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the scrolling movement is by a mouse wheel.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the scrolling movement is from a movement of the mouse.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein increments on the input device are detectable by a user.

8. A method according to claim 4 wherein the input device does not provide detectable tactile feedback while scrolling.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein each contiguous incremental movement affecting the calculated amount of movement causes a character symbol change.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a rectangular touchpad.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a circular touchpad.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the first and second directions include a clockwise arc and a counterclockwise arc.

32. A method according to claim 1, wherein the character string is for inputting a password.

33. A method according to claim 1, wherein the character string is for inputting an account number.

34. A method according to claim 1, wherein the character string is for inputting a PIN number.

10-24. -24. (canceled)

28-31. -31. (canceled)

35. A system, comprising:

an input device to detect movement of an object in a plurality of directions; and

a processing device in communication with the input device to calculate an amount of detected movement in a first direction from a start of movement in the first direction to a start of movement in a second direction,

wherein the processing device, responsive to detecting the start of movement in the second direction, selects a character symbol as part of an input based on the respective calculated amount of movement, the selected character symbol varying for different calculated amounts of movement.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein the input device is a mouse.

37. A system according to claim 35, wherein the movement is a scrolling movement.

38. A system according to claim 37, wherein the scrolling movement is measured by increments.

39. A system according to claim 37, wherein the scrolling movement is by a mouse wheel.

40. A system according to claim 37, wherein the scrolling movement is from a movement of the mouse.

41. A system according to claim 38, wherein increments on the input device are detectable by a user.

42. A system according to claim 38, wherein the input device does not provide detectable tactile feedback while scrolling.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein each contiguous incremental movement affecting the calculated amount of movement causes a character symbol change. direction.

44-57. -57. (canceled)

58. A method for inputting a character string comprising:

calculating an amount of movement in a plurality of directions at an input of an input device from a start of movement in one direction to a start of movement in another direction;

selecting each character symbol of the character string based on the calculated amount of movement in each direction, the selected character symbols varying for different calculated amounts of movement; and

providing each of the selected character symbols as the character string.

59. A method according to claim 58, wherein the plurality of directions includes alternating between a first direction and a second direction.

60. A method according to claim 58, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

61. A method according to claim 58, wherein the second direction is a reverse of the first direction.