Automated test to tell computers and humans apart

• US 8,789,139 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valtrus Innovations Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 9 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Picard, Jean-Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehedi, Morshed
• Application Number:
  US13/739,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20140181936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 726/6, 726/2
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to an automated test to tell computers and humans apart. Building blocks are assembled to generate an image for a test. When the building blocks are configured in at least one orientation, the image includes a line. One or more of the building blocks can be rotated to generate the at least one orientation. The test can be sent to a device. The test is not oriented in the at least one orientation.

Claims

1. A computing system for providing an automated test to tell computers and humans apart comprising:

a test generation module to generate a test image for a test, the test image comprising a plurality of building blocks configured in a first orientation,

wherein, when the building blocks are configured in a second orientation, the image includes an unbroken line with a start and an end that are located (1) outside each of the building blocks, or (2) on an edge of at least one of the building blocks, and

wherein one or more of the building blocks can be rotated to generate the second orientation;

a communications module to send the test image to a device and receive input to rotate at least one of the plurality of building blocks,

wherein the test image is not oriented in the second orientation; and

an answer module to determine an answer from the input.

2. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a result module to determine whether the answer corresponds to the second orientation.

3. The computing system of claim 2, wherein if the result module determines that the answer corresponds to the second orientation, the device is forwarded to a page corresponding with passing the test.

4. The computing system of claim 2, wherein if the result module determines that the answer does not correspond to the second orientation, the device is forwarded to a page corresponding with failing the test.

5. The computing system of claim 1, wherein a shape of the building blocks is square and wherein a mouse click input on one of the building blocks is used to rotate the one building block.

6. The computing system of claim 5, wherein a left mouse click rotates the one building block in a first direction and a right mouse click rotates the one building block in a second direction.

7. The computing system of claim 6, wherein the building blocks are set up in a grid pattern.

8. The computing system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the building blocks includes a distraction item.

17. The computing system of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of building blocks includes a first building block and a second building block; and

the first building block is rotated without rotating the second building block to generate the second orientation.

18. The computing system of claim 1, wherein generating the test image comprises:

partitioning a starting image into the plurality of building blocks; and

rotating at least one of building blocks to generate the first orientation.

9. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions for providing an automated test to tell computers and humans apart that, if executed by at least one processor of a device, cause the device to:

generate a test image for a test, the test image comprising plurality of building blocks configured in a first orientation,

wherein, when the building blocks are configured in a second orientation, the image includes an unbroken line with a start and an end that are located (1) outside each of the building blocks or (2) on an edge of at least one of the building blocks, and

wherein one or more of the building blocks can be rotated to generate the second orientation;

send the test image to a target device, wherein the test image is not oriented in the second orientation;

receive input to rotate at least one of the building blocks;

determine an answer to the test from the input; and

determine whether the answer corresponds to the second orientation.

10. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions that, if executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to:

forward the target device to a page corresponding with passing the test if the answer is determined to correspond to the second orientation; and

forward the target device to a page corresponding to failing the test if the answer is determined to not correspond to the second orientation.

11. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the shape of the building blocks is square, and wherein a click input on one of the building blocks is used to rotate the one building block.

12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the building blocks are set up in a grid pattern and one or more of the building blocks include a distraction item.

13. A method for providing an automated test to tell computers and humans apart comprising:

generating, at a computing platform, a test image for a test, the test image comprising a plurality of building blocks configured in a first orientation,

wherein, when the building blocks are configured in a second orientation, the image includes an unbroken line with two endpoints that are located (1) outside each of the building blocks, or (2) on an edge of at least one of the building blocks, and

wherein one or more of the building blocks can be rotated to generate the second orientation;

sending the test image to a target device, wherein the test image is not oriented in the second at orientation when sent to the target device;

receiving input to rotate at least one of the building blocks from the target device;

determining an answer to the test from the input; and

determining whether the answer corresponds to the second orientation.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

forwarding the target device to a web page based on whether the answer corresponds to the second orientation.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the building blocks are set up in a grid pattern and one or more of the building blocks include a distraction item.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the distraction item and a portion of the line are included in the same building block.