Method and system for secure password/pin input via mouse scroll wheel

• US 20070097076A1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Gross, Rene
• Granted Patent: US 7,808,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/031 Protect user input by software means

Abstract

A method and system for inputting a character string using a handheld input device, such as a mouse wheel or touchpad. Signals are grouped depending on a change in direction, depressing the mouse button as an interrupt, holding a mouse button down, etc., and the groupings are translated into symbols. Translation can be pre-determined or from a mapping file. Symbols can be appended into a character string and provided as a password, PIN, credit card, account number, or as other sensitive data.

Claims

1. A method for inputting a character string comprising:

inputting signals from a handheld input device;

grouping the signals into sets of signals for translation;

translating each set of signals into a respective symbol; and

providing the symbols as a character string.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the handheld input device is a mouse.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the signals are input from scrolling movement.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the scrolling movement is measured by increments.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the scrolling movement is by a mouse wheel.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the scrolling movement is from a movement of the mouse.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein increments on the input device are detectable by a user.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the handheld input device does not provide detectable tactile feedback while scrolling.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the signals are scrolling movements measured as increments determined by a change in direction.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein a set of signals is determined by a change in direction of the scroll.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein a set of signals is determined by a clicking of a button.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein a set of signals is made while holding down a button.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein translating each set of signals is from a mapping.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the mapping is a universal predetermined mapping.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the mapping is read from a file.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the file is located on the server side.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the file is located on the client side.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein a set of signals from scrolling in a predetermined direction is mapped to numeric characters.

19. A method according to claim 13, wherein a set of signals from scrolling in a predetermined direction is mapped to characters in an alphabet.

20. A method according to claim 13, wherein a set of signals from scrolling in a predetermined direction is mapped to alphanumeric symbols.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the character string is for inputting a password.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein the character string is for inputting an account number.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein the character string is for inputting a PIN number.

24. A method for inputting a character string, comprising:

inputting signals from a touchpad;

grouping the signals for translation;

translating the grouped signals into symbols; and

submitting the symbols as a character string.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the touchpad is rectangular.

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the touchpad is circular.

27. A method according to claim 24, wherein the signals are scrolling movements measured as increments determined by a change in direction.

28. A method according to claim 24, wherein grouping the signals is determined by a clicking of a button.

29. A method according to claim 24, wherein grouping the signals is made while holding down a button.

30. A method according to claim 24, wherein the grouped signals for translation consists of the degrees and direction around the circular path of a circular touchpad.

31. A method according to claim 24, wherein translating each grouping of increments is from a mapping.

32. A method according to claim 24, wherein the character string is for inputting a password.

33. A method according to claim 24, wherein the character string is for inputting an account number.

34. A method according to claim 24, wherein the character string is for inputting a PIN number.

35. A system, comprising:

detecting signals from a handheld input device;

grouping the signals for translation;

translating the grouped signals into symbols; and

using the symbols as a character string.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein the handheld input device is a mouse.

37. A system according to claim 35, wherein the signals are input from scrolling movement.

38. A system according to claim 37, wherein the scrolling movement is measured by increments.

39. A system according to claim 37, wherein the scrolling movement is by a mouse wheel.

40. A system according to claim 37, wherein the scrolling movement is from a movement of the mouse.

41. A system according to claim 38, wherein increments on the input device are detectable by a user.

42. A system according to claim 35, wherein the handheld input device does not provide detectable tactile feedback while scrolling.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein the signals are scrolling movements measured as increments determined by a change in direction.

44. A system according to claim 35, wherein the grouped signals for translation is determined by a change in direction of the scroll.

45. A system according to claim 35, wherein the grouped signals for translation is determined by a clicking of a button.

46. A system according to claim 35, wherein the grouped signals for translation is made while holding down a button.

47. A system according to claim 35, wherein translating each grouped signals for translation is from a mapping.

48. A system according to claim 47, wherein the mapping is a universal predetermined mapping.

49. A system according to claim 47, wherein the mapping is read from a file.

50. A system according to claim 49, wherein the file is located on the server side.

51. A system according to claim 49, wherein the file is located on the client side.

52. A system according to claim 47, wherein the grouped signals for translation from scrolling in a predetermined direction is mapped to numeric characters.

53. A system according to claim 47, wherein the grouped signals for translation from scrolling in a predetermined direction is mapped to characters in an alphabet.

54. A system according to claim 47, wherein the grouped signals for translation from scrolling in a predetermined direction is mapped to alphanumeric symbols.

55. A system according to claim 35, wherein the character string is to input a password.

56. A system according to claim 35, wherein the character string is to input an account number.

57. A system according to claim 35, wherein the character string is to input an PIN number.