Verification method and device using a magnetometer

• US 9,877,189 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2015
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced New Technologies Company Limited (Ant Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
• Inventors: Xu, Mingxing, Meng, Chaofeng, Xia, Yan, Fang, Bin, Wang, Lei
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang-Hurst, Kathy
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ, JULIO R
• Application Number:
  US14/677,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 455410-411, 726 4, 726 5, 726 21, 705 44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2133 Verifying human interaction, e.g., Captcha
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass

Abstract

A method for verifying a user of a mobile device is provided. The method includes selecting a numerical value and generating a direction image based on the numerical value. The direction image may indicate a first position on the direction image and a second position on the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device. The direction image may have a center point and the numerical value may correspond a central angle between the first position and the second position. The method may further include sending, to the mobile device, the direction image and a command to rotate the mobile device according to the direction image and receiving a magnetometric numerical value detected by the mobile device using a magnetometer. The method may further include determining whether to allow access of a server by the user based on the magnetometric numerical value.

Claims

1. A method for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

selecting a numerical value;

generating a direction image based on the numerical value, wherein the direction image is configured to indicate a first position on the direction image and a second position on the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device, the direction image having a center point and the numerical value corresponding to a central angle between the first position and the second position;

sending, to the mobile device, the direction image and a command, wherein the command instructs the user to rotate the mobile device such that the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

receiving a magnetometric numerical value from the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value is detected by the mobile device using a magnetometer, and wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and a North Magnetic Pole when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

determining whether to allow access of a server by the user based on the magnetometric numerical value, wherein the determination comprises;

determining a difference between the numerical value and the magnetometric numerical value; and

in response to an absolute value of the difference being less than a preset threshold, allowing access of the server by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second position is aligned with the North Magnetic Pole detected by a magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the direction image has a reference point configured to align with a North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device, and the second position is aligned with the reference point when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the numerical value is selected within an interval from 0 to 360.

5. A method for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

receiving, from a server, a direction image and a command for the user to rotate the mobile device, wherein the direction image is configured to indicate a first position on the direction image and a second position on the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device, the direction image having a center point and a numerical value corresponding to a central angle between the first position and the second position, and wherein the command instructs the user to rotate the mobile device such that the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

rotating the direction image in response to a rotation of the mobile device by the user, wherein the direction image stays substantially stationary relative to a North Magnetic Pole detected by a magnetometer of the mobile device during the rotation;

receiving a command to stop rotating the mobile device;

detecting, using the magnetometer, a magnetometric numerical value associated with the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and the North Magnetic Pole when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

sending the magnetometric numerical value to the server, wherein the magnetometric numerical value is used by the server to provide access to the user when a difference between the magnetometric numerical value and the numerical value is less than a preset threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second position is aligned with the North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the direction image has a reference point configured to align with the North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device, and the second position is aligned with the reference point when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

performing calibration of the magnetometer of the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving a command to stop rotating the mobile device comprises:

when a time duration that the mobile device has stopped rotating exceeds a preset threshold, determining that the mobile device receives the command to stop rotating the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein when the command to stop rotating the mobile device is received, the first position indicated on the rotated direction image aligns with the second position.

11. A device for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

a selection module configured to select a numerical value;

a generating module configured to generate a direction image based on the numerical value, wherein the direction image is configured to indicate a first position on the direction image and a second position on the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device, the direction image having a center point and the numerical value corresponding to a central angle between the first position and the second position;

a sending module configured to send, to the mobile device, the direction image and a command, wherein the command instructs the user to rotate the mobile device such that the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

a receiving module configured to receive a magnetometric numerical value from the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value is detected by the mobile device using a magnetometer, and wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and a North Magnetic Pole when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

a verifying module configured to determine whether to allow access of a server by the user based on the magnetometric numerical value, wherein the determination comprises the verifying module being further configured to;

determine a difference between the numerical value and the magnetometric numerical value; and

if an absolute value of the difference is less than a preset threshold, allow access of the server by the user.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second position is aligned with the North Magnetic Pole detected by a magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the direction image has a reference point configured to align with a North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device, and the second position is aligned with the reference point when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the numerical value is within an interval from 0 to 360.

15. A device for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive, from a server, a direction image and a command for the user to rotate the mobile device, wherein the direction image is configured to indicate a first position on the direction image and a second position on the mobile device when the mobile device initially displays the direction image, the direction image having a center point and the numerical value corresponding to a central angle between the first position and the second position, and wherein the command instructs the user to rotate the mobile device such that the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

a processing module configured to;

rotate the direction image in response to a rotation of the mobile device by the user, wherein the direction image stays substantially stationary relative to a North Magnetic Pole detected by a magnetometer of the mobile device during the rotation;

receive a command to stop rotating the mobile device; and

detect, using the magnetometer, a magnetometric numerical value associated with the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and the North Magnetic Pole when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

a sending module configured to send the magnetometric numerical value to the server, wherein the magnetometric numerical value is used by the server to provide access to the user when a difference between the magnetometric numerical value and the numerical value is less than a preset threshold.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the second position is aligned with the North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed on the mobile device.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the processing module further configured to:

perform calibration of the magnetometer.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the processing module is further configured to:

when a time duration that the mobile device has stopped rotating exceeds a preset threshold, determine that the mobile device receives the command to stop rotating the mobile device.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein when the command to stop rotating the mobile device is received, the first position indicated on the rotated direction image aligns with the second position.

20. A method for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

receiving, from a server, an instruction to rotate the mobile device such that a first position on a direction image is aligned with a second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

rotating the mobile device according to the instruction;

detecting a magnetometric numerical value of the mobile device relative to a reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth by a magnetometer of the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and the reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

sending the detected magnetometric numerical value to the server, wherein the magnetometric numerical value is used by the server to provide access to the user when a difference between an angle and the magnetometric numerical value is less than a preset threshold.

21. The method for of claim 20, wherein the reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth is a North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device.

22. A method for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

sending, to the mobile device, a command for the user to rotate the mobile device such that a first position on a direction image is aligned with a second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

receiving information indicating a magnetometric numerical value of the mobile device relative to a reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth detected by a magnetometer of the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and the reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

determining whether to allow access of a server by the user based on the magnetometric numerical value, wherein the determination comprises;

determining a difference between an angle and the magnetometric numerical value; and

in response to an absolute value of the difference being less than a preset threshold, allow access of the server by the user.

23. The method for of claim 22, wherein the reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth is a North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device.

24. A method for verifying a user of a mobile device, comprising:

sending, to the mobile device, a direction image having a center point and a first position and an instruction for the user to rotate the mobile device to align the first position with a second position on the mobile device, the first position being marked on the direction image by a triangle;

receiving information indicating a magnetometric numerical value of the mobile device relative to a reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device, wherein the magnetometric numerical value indicates an angle between the second position on the mobile device and the reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth when the first position on the direction image is aligned with the second position on the mobile device; and

determining whether to allow access of a server by the user based on the magnetometric numerical value, wherein the determination comprises;

determining a difference between an angle and the magnetometric numerical value; and

in response to an absolute value of the difference being less than a preset threshold, allow access of the server by the user.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the reference point of the magnetic field of the Earth is a North Magnetic Pole detected by the magnetometer of the mobile device.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the direction image further comprising a reference point, which is configured to be aligned with the second position of the mobile device when the direction image is initially displayed with the mobile device.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the second position is a front end of the mobile device.