Simple algebraic and multi-layer passwords

• US 8,631,487 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason Tyler, Fyke, Steven Henry, Pasquero, Jerome, Adams, Neil Patrick, Brown, Michael Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, Brandon
• Assistant Examiner(s): JHAVERI, JAYESH M
• Application Number:
  US12/969,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20120159614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 713/184, 726/2, 726 16- 19, 726 27- 28
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/031 Protect user input by software means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display. The modified overlay image comprises a plurality of numbers. At least one of the modified base image and modified overlay image is moved by the user. Positive authentication is indicated in response to the base image reference point on the modified base image being aligned, in sequence, with two or more numbers from the overlay image that equal a pre-selected algebraic result when one or more algebraic operator is apply to the numbers.

Claims

1. One or more non-transitory computer readable media having computer readable instructions stored thereon for authenticating a user of a computing device that when executed by a processor of the computing device implement instructions for:

storing a base image and an overlay image and a particular algebraic result in a memory on the computing device, the base image having a particular base image reference point, and the overlay image having a plurality of numbers that are displayed inside the overlay image;

generating a modified base image;

generating a modified overlay image;

displaying, on a display of the computing device, the modified base image overlaid by the modified overlay image;

receiving an input for moving one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image;

moving the one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image in response to the input, causing two or more numbers inside the overlay image to align with the particular base image reference point; and

in response to alignment of the two or more numbers with the particular base image reference point, applying one or more algebraic operators to the two or more numbers to obtain a result; and

successfully authenticating the user if the result equals the particular algebraic result.

2. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the two or more numbers comprise two or more numbers from the plurality with a sum that equals the particular algebraic result.

3. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the two or more numbers comprise two or more numbers from the plurality with a product that equals the particular algebraic result.

4. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the two or more numbers comprise three or more numbers and the one or more algebraic operators comprises two or more operators, each operator applied to the three or more numbers as each number is aligned with the particular base image reference point.

5. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the particular base image reference point is the one or more algebraic operators.

6. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, further comprising computer readable instructions for receiving a first selection of the particular base image reference point and a second selection of the particular algebraic result.

7. The one or more computer readable media of claim 6, further comprising computer readable instructions for receiving a third selection of the one or more algebraic operators.

8. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the two or more numbers must vary from a previous attempt at authentication.

9. A method of authenticating a user of a computing device, the method comprising:

storing a base image and an overlay image and a particular algebraic result in a memory on the computing device, the base image having a particular base image reference point, and the overlay image having a plurality of numbers that are displayed inside the overlay image;

generating a modified base image;

generating a modified overlay image;

displaying, on a display of the computing device, the modified base image overlaid by the modified overlay image;

receiving an input for moving one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image;

moving the one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image in response to the input, causing two or more numbers inside the overlay image to align with the particular base image reference point; and

in response to alignment of the two or more numbers with the particular base image reference point, applying one or more algebraic operators to the two or more numbers to obtain a result; and

successfully authenticating the user if the result equals the particular algebraic result.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the two or more numbers comprise two or more numbers from the plurality with a sum that equals the particular algebraic result.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the two or more numbers comprise two or more numbers from the plurality with a product that equals the particular algebraic result.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the two or more numbers comprise three or more numbers and the one or more algebraic operators comprises a two or more operators, each operator applied to the three or more numbers as each number is aligned with the particular base image reference point.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the particular base image reference point is the one or more algebraic operators.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving a first selection of the particular base image reference point and a second selection of the particular algebraic result.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving a third selection of the one or more algebraic operators.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the two or more numbers must vary from a previous attempt to authenticate.

17. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

a display; and

one or more non-transitory computer readable media having computer readable instructions stored thereon for authenticating a user of the computing device that when executed by the processor of the computing device cause the processor to store a base image and an overlay image and a particular algebraic result in a memory on the computing device, the base image having a particular base image reference point, and the overlay image having a plurality of numbers displaying inside the overlay image;

generate a modified base image;

generate a modified overlay image;

display, on the display of the computing device, the modified base image overlaid by the modified overlay image;

receive an input for moving one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image;

move the one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image in response to the input, causing two or more numbers inside the overlay image to align with the particular base image reference point; and

in response to alignment of the two or more numbers with the particular base image reference point, apply one or more algebraic operators to the two or more numbers to obtain a result; and

successfully authenticate the user if the result equals the particular algebraic result.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the display comprises a touch screen and the input is received via the touch screen.

19. The computing device of claim 17, comprising a mobile electronic device.

20. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the display comprises a multi-touch screen and the input is received via the multi-touch screen.