Nondisclosing password entry system
First Claim
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1. A method for prompting a user to enter input corresponding to a predetermined password, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating a random matrix of characters, said matrix having n rows and m columns;
(b) displaying said random matrix;
(c) accepting from the user a selection of one of said columns of said random matrix;
(d) determining if a first character of said password is in said one of said columns selected by the user and accepted in step (c) ; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for a second character of said password.
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Abstract
A password access method/algorithm is effected by generating a pseudorandom array of each letter of the alphabet and the numerals 0 through 9 such that the password entry can be monitored without disclosing the letters or numerals contained in the password. The preferred arrangement is a square matrix of six rows and six columns of characters. The user enters the password by selecting either the row or column containing each letter of a memorized password.
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15 Claims
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1. A method for prompting a user to enter input corresponding to a predetermined password, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating a random matrix of characters, said matrix having n rows and m columns; (b) displaying said random matrix; (c) accepting from the user a selection of one of said columns of said random matrix; (d) determining if a first character of said password is in said one of said columns selected by the user and accepted in step (c) ; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for a second character of said password. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for prompting a user to enter input corresponding to a predetermined password, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating a random matrix of characters, said matrix having n rows and m columns containing n×
m unique characters;(b) displaying said random matrix; (c) accepting from the user a selection of one of said columns of said random matrix; (d) determining if a first character of said password is in said one of said columns selected by the user and accepted in step (c); (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each character of said password; (f) if each determining step (d) results in a positive conclusion, enabling access. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A password access system for accepting from a user a predetermined password, said system comprising:
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(a) generating means for generating a randomly-ordered matrix of characters, said matrix having n rows and m columns; (b) a display receiving said matrix from said generating means and displaying said random matrix; (c) selection means for accepting from the user a selection of one of said columns of said random matrix; and (d) control means for determining if a first character of said password is in a column selected by the user using said selection means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification