Methods and apparatus for authenticating user login

• US 9,311,472 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Inventors: Nguyen, Dan Due, Pfeffer, Jon David, Levar, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Zecher, Dede
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHIANG, JASON
• Application Number:
  US13/725,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20140181957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 716/19
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

Example methods and apparatus for authenticating a user login are disclosed herein. An example method includes displaying an image and dynamically presenting symbols adjacent the image. The example method includes receiving a code, the code formed by an arrangement of one or more of the symbols on the image. The example method includes authenticating a user based on the code.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying a plurality of selectable images on a display to a first user, each of the images having one or more lock locations;

receiving a first selection of a first image of the plurality of selectable images by the first user;

dynamically presenting a first set of symbols adjacent the first image;

receiving a first code, the first code formed by a first arrangement of one or more of the first set of symbols on the one or more lock locations on the first image, wherein at least one of the one or more lock locations on the first image is to receive multiple symbols of a same or different type; and

authenticating the first user based on (1) the selection of the first image from the plurality of selectable images and (2) the first code formed on the first image.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the first user and displaying the plurality of selectable images based on the identification.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the symbols is to be arranged on more than one of the lock locations on the first image.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying graphics to identify the one or more lock locations on the first image eligible to receive symbols.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising dragging one or more of the first set of symbols to the one or more lock locations on the first image to form the first arrangement.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising masking with a graphic one of the arranged symbols.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the authenticated first user access to one or more of a software application or a computer device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols are to translate in a continuous motion along a defined path.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols are to translate in a discrete motion along a defined path.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying the plurality of selectable images on the display to a second user;

receiving a second selection of a second image of the plurality of selectable images by the second user;

dynamically presenting a second set of symbols adjacent the second image;

receiving a second code, the second code formed by a second arrangement of one or more of the symbols of the second set on the one or more lock locations on the second image; and

authenticating the second user based on (1) the selection of the second image from the plurality of selectable images and (2) the second code formed on the second image.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamically presenting the first set of symbols adjacent the first image is in response to the first selection of the first image by the first user.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the association comprises selecting a lock location and a key symbol.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the code comprises associating a key with a lock and subsequently disassociating the key with the lock.

12. A method comprising:

presenting a plurality of selectable images to a user on a screen, the images respectively having one or more lock locations;

receiving a selection of a first one of the plurality of selectable images by the user;

displaying the first image with the one or more lock locations in a first position on the screen;

displaying a first set of key symbols in a first arrangement adjacent the first image;

receiving a code comprising an association of at least one of the key symbols and at least one of the one or more lock locations on the first image, wherein at least two key symbols are associated with a same one of the lock locations;

authenticating a user based on (1) the selection of the first image from the plurality of selectable images and (2) the code; and

generating a custody record based on the authenticated user.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising displaying the first set of key symbols in a second arrangement during a subsequent authentication process, the second arrangement different than the first arrangement.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising displaying a second set of key symbols during a subsequent authentication process, the second set of key symbols different than the first set of key symbols and comprising at least the key symbols comprising the code.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising displaying the first image in a second position of the screen different than the first position during a subsequent authentication process.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

requiring the code to comprise a fixed number of key symbols; and

automatically authenticating the user once the number of keys has been entered.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a user interface to display a login screen to a user;

an input device to receive a command from the user; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the user interface, the processor to;

present a plurality of selectable images to the user via the user interface, the images having one or more lock locations;

receive a selection of a first image of the plurality of selectable images by the first user;

present a plurality of symbols to the user adjacent the first image via the user interface;

request the user, using the input device, to enter a code comprising matching one or more of the symbols to one or more of the lock locations on the first image, wherein to enter the code the user is to select one of the symbols and then subsequently select a plurality of different lock locations where the same symbol is to be matched;

authenticate the user based on (1) the selection of the first image from the plurality of selectable images and (2) the code, wherein at least one lock location is to be matched with more than one symbol; and

generate a custody record based on the authenticated user.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein first image is a representation of a three-dimensional object and the lock locations are presented on the representation of the three-dimensional object and the user is to rotate the object to enter the code.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the code comprises a specific order of matching the one or more symbols to the one or more lock locations.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the code comprises a minimum number of lock locations.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first image is displayed as a pattern on the user interface.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein at least one of the lock locations is to be unmatched with one of the symbols.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one of the symbols is to be matched with one of the lock locations multiple times.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the code comprises a minimum number of unique symbols.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the code comprises a minimum number of unique locks.

28. An apparatus comprising:

a user interface to display a login screen to a user;

an input device to receive a command from the user; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the user interface, the processor to cause the user interface to;

present a plurality of lock locations on a representation of a three-dimensional object to the user;

present a plurality of symbols to the user;

present a request to the user to use the input device to enter a code comprising matching one or more of the symbols to one or more of the lock locations;

display a first side of the three-dimensional object;

display a first one of the symbols on a first one of the lock locations on the first side of the three-dimensional object in response to the user matching the first symbol to the first lock location;

display the three-dimensional object as rotating in response to user input, wherein the first symbol is to be displayed on the first side of the three-dimensional object as the three-dimensional object is rotating;

display a second side of the three-dimensional object different than the first side of the three-dimensional object; and

display a second one of the symbols on a second one of the locks on the second side of the three-dimensional object in response to the user matching the second symbol to the second lock.