Method of Dynamically Adapting a Graphical Password Sequence by Executing Computer-Executable Instructions Stored On a Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium

• US 20150281215A1
• Filed: 03/27/2015
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yahya Zia
• Original Assignee: Yahya Zia
• Inventors: Zia, Yahya
• Granted Patent: US 9,813,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence provides a secure means to access a restricted account through a dynamic password defined by element selection requirements. A selection grid is dynamically generated with graphical elements, and a password sequence is inputted by selecting certain grid cells containing graphical elements. Various preferences provide full customizability for the dynamic password, and security measures increase the difficulty of an undesirable user ascertaining the element selection requirements. The dynamic password can adapt over time through user input by designating one of the sequential locations of the password sequence as a sequence updating parameter.

Claims

1. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises the steps of:

defining a plurality of element selection requirements for a password sequence;

defining a plurality of preferences for the password sequence and a selection grid, wherein the selection grid is used to input the password sequence;

dynamically generating the selection grid from the element selection requirements and the plurality of preferences, wherein the selection grid comprises a plurality of grid cells containing at least one graphical element from a plurality of graphical elements, and wherein each of the graphical elements is associated with at least one element category and an authentication value;

receiving a plurality of cell selections as the password sequence, wherein each of the cell selections corresponds to one of the grid cells and to one of a plurality of sequential locations in the password sequence;

comparing the password sequence to the element selection requirements in order to authenticate the password sequence as a valid password sequence;

compiling an aggregated login attempt history from the received password sequence and previous received password sequences; and

updating the element selection requirements from the aggregated login attempt history.

2. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the step of:

displaying a plurality of correct selections on the selection grid, wherein the correct selections correspond to graphical elements which meet the element selection requirements.

3. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the step of:

displaying a plurality of incorrect selections on the selection grid, wherein the correct selections correspond to graphical elements which do not meet the element selection requirements.

4. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

providing a plurality of categories for the graphical elements, wherein each of the categories comprises a plurality of category elements;

designating a first subset of elements from the category elements of one of the categories as correct selections for the password sequence; and

designating a second subset of elements from the category elements of one of the categories as incorrect selections for the password sequence.

5. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

designating a minimum authentication score for the password sequence;

tallying the authentication value of each of the graphical elements of the grid selections to produce a total sequence value; and

authenticating the password sequence as the valid password sequence, if the total sequence value is equal to the minimum authentication score.

6. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

designating a minimum authentication score for the password sequence;

tallying the authentication value for each of the graphical elements of the grid selections to produce a total sequence value; and

authenticating the password sequence as the valid password sequence, if the total sequence value is greater than the minimum authentication score.

7. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

designating a sequence length requirement for the password sequence as one of the element selection requirements, wherein the sequence length requirement designates a required number of cell selections; and

rejecting the password sequence, if the password sequence does not meet the sequence length requirement, wherein the password sequence is rejected if the number of cell selections is less than the sequence length requirement.

8. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

designating one of the sequential locations in the password sequence as a sequence updating parameter;

designating an element update threshold;

receiving a specific graphical element as the sequence updating parameter; and

updating the authentication value of the specific graphical element, if the specific graphical element is received as the sequence updating parameter a number of times corresponding to the element update threshold.

9. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8 comprises the step of:

increasing the authentication value of the specific graphical element, if the specific graphical element is received as a correct entry in the password sequence a number of times equal to the element update threshold;

10. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8 comprises the step of:

decreasing the authentication value of the specific graphical element, if the specific graphical element is received as an incorrect entry in the password sequence a number of times equal to the element update threshold.

11. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8 comprises the step of:

adding the specific graphical element as a new element selection requirement for a valid password sequence, if the specific graphical element is received as a new element selection a number of times equal to the element update threshold.

12. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the step of:

randomly distributing the graphical elements across the selection grid.

13. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

assigning a priority value to each of the preferences; and

executing each of the preferences in order from highest to lowest priority in order to generate the selection grid.

14. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

assigning an activity identifier to each of the preferences;

executing a specific preference, if the activity identifier of the specific preference is active; and

ignoring the specific preference, if the activity identifier of the specific preference is inactive.

15. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 1 comprises the steps of:

rejecting the password sequence as a current invalid password sequence;

searching the aggregated login history for previous invalid password sequences;

comparing the current invalid password sequence to the previous invalid password sequences in order to find pattern similarities between the current invalid password sequence and the previous invalid password sequences; and

adding complexity to the element selection requirements based on the pattern similarities.

16. A method of dynamically adapting a graphical password sequence by executing computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15 comprises the step of:

increasing the probability of graphical elements comprised by the pattern similarities being displayed on the selection grid.