Access using images

• US 8,196,198 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2008
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Eger, David Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOHAMMADI, FAHIMEH M
• Application Number:
  US12/345,265
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 726/2, 726/4, 726/17, 726/21, 726/27, 713155-159, 713168-186, 380247-250, 705/44
• US Class Current: 726/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

A computer-implemented method may include presenting to a user multiple images, multiple identifiers and a challenge to select one of the identifiers for each of the images, receiving the selected identifiers from the user, and providing access to a computing service based on a comparison of the selected identifiers to an answer to the challenge.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

presenting to a user multiple images, multiple identifiers and a challenge to select one of the identifiers for each of the images, wherein;

the images represent objects that are identifiable by a specific identifier, and

more identifiers than images are presented in a single access attempt with the resented identifiers including the specific identifiers that identify the presented images and non-specific identifiers that do not identify the presented images;

receiving the selected identifiers from the user from among the presented identifiers; and

providing access to a computing service based on a comparison of the selected identifiers to an answer to the challenge when the selected identifiers match the specific identifiers to the presented images.

2. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein the images are three dimensional models.

3. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein the images are randomly textured, three dimensional models.

4. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein the images are three dimensional models with each of the three dimensional models set against a separate, randomly generated background.

5. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein the images are randomly rotated, three dimensional models.

6. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein the images are randomly colored, three dimensional models.

7. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein the images are randomly textured, three dimensional models with each of the three dimensional models set against a separate, randomly generated background.

8. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein at least two times more of the identifiers are presented than the images.

9. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein at least three times more of the identifiers are presented than the images.

10. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein providing access to the computing service comprises unlocking a mobile computing device.

11. The computer-implemented method as in claim 1 wherein providing access to the computing service comprises serving to the user a web page.

12. A computer-readable storage device having recorded and stored thereon instructions that, when executed, perform the actions of:

presenting to a user multiple images, multiple identifiers and a challenge to select one of the identifiers for each of the images, wherein;

the images represent objects that are identifiable by a specific identifier, and

more identifiers than images are presented in a single access attempt with the presented identifiers including the specific identifiers that identify the presented images and non-specific identifiers that do not identify the presented images;

receiving the selected identifiers from the user from among the presented identifiers; and

providing access to a computing service based on a comparison of the selected identifiers to an answer to the challenge when the selected identifiers match the specific identifiers to the presented images.

13. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the images are three dimensional models.

14. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the images are randomly textured, three dimensional models.

15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the images are three dimensional models with each of the three dimensional models set against a separate, randomly generated background.

16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the images are randomly rotated, three dimensional models.

17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the images are randomly colored, three dimensional models.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the images are randomly textured, three dimensional models with each of the three dimensional models set against a separate, randomly generated background.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein providing access to the computing service comprises unlocking a mobile computing device.

20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 12 wherein providing access to the computing service comprises serving to the user a web page.

21. A computer-implemented access control system, comprising:

one or more servers that are arranged and configured to;

present to a user multiple images, multiple identifiers and a challenge to select one of the identifiers for each of the images, wherein;

the images represent objects that are identifiable by a specific identifier, and

more identifiers than images are presented in a single access attempt with the presented identifiers including the specific identifiers that identify the presented images and non-specific identifiers that do not identify the presented images;

receive the selected identifiers from the user from among the presented identifiers; and

provide access to a computing service based on a comparison of the selected identifiers to an answer to the challenge when the selected identifiers match the specific identifiers to the presented images.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the images are randomly textured, three dimensional models with each of the three dimensional models set against a separate, randomly generated background.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the servers are arranged and configured to provide access to the computing service by serving to the user a web page.

24. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

presenting to a user multiple images, multiple identifiers and a challenge to select one of the identifiers for each of the images, wherein;

the images represent objects that are identifiable by a specific identifier, and

more identifiers than images are presented in a single access attempt with the presented identifiers including the specific identifiers that identify the presented images and non-specific identifiers that do not identify the presented images;

receiving the selected identifiers from the user from among the presented identifiers; and

providing access to an electronic device based on a comparison of the selected identifiers to an answer to the challenge when the selected identifiers match the specific identifiers to the presented images.

25. The computer-implemented method as in claim 24 wherein the images are randomly textured, three dimensional models with each of the three dimensional models set against a separate, randomly generated background.

26. The computer-implemented method as in claim 24 wherein providing access to the electronic device comprises unlocking a music device.

27. The computer-implemented method as in claim 24 wherein providing access to the electronic device comprises unlocking a game device.