Securing restricted operations of a computer program using a visual key feature
First Claim
1. A method in a computer system for securing the use of a distinguished operation to authorized users, the method comprising the steps of:
- displaying to a user an ornamental image, the ornamental image containing a visual key feature for discerning authority of the user to perform the distinguished operation, the display of the ornamental image being unaccompanied by any indication that the ornamental image contains a control;
determining whether the user has selected the key feature within the ornamental image within a preselected time period;
determining whether a preselected gesture has been performed relative to the position of the key feature; and
invoking the distinguished operation only in response to a determination that the user has selected the key feature within a selected time period and performed the preselected gesture relative to the key feature, such that only authorized users informed to select the key feature may invoke the distinguished operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An embodiment of the present invention provides a facility for securing the use of a distinguished operation, such as a computer system administration operation, to authorized users. The facility first displays an ornamental image to a user. The displayed ornamental image contains a visual key feature that the facility uses to discern the authority of the user to perform the distinguished operation. The facility then determines whether the user has selected the key feature within the ornamental image. The facility invokes the distinguished operation only in response to a determination that the user has selected the key feature. In this way, only authorized users informed to select the key feature may invoke the distinguished operation.
168 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method in a computer system for securing the use of a distinguished operation to authorized users, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying to a user an ornamental image, the ornamental image containing a visual key feature for discerning authority of the user to perform the distinguished operation, the display of the ornamental image being unaccompanied by any indication that the ornamental image contains a control;
determining whether the user has selected the key feature within the ornamental image within a preselected time period;
determining whether a preselected gesture has been performed relative to the position of the key feature; and
invoking the distinguished operation only in response to a determination that the user has selected the key feature within a selected time period and performed the preselected gesture relative to the key feature, such that only authorized users informed to select the key feature may invoke the distinguished operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to secure the use of a distinguished operation to an authorized user by performing the steps of:
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displaying to a user an ornamental image, the ornamental image containing a visual key feature for discerning authority of the user to perform the distinguishing operation;
determining whether the user has selected the key feature within the ornamental image within a preselected time period;
determining whether a preselected gesture has been performed relative to the position of the key feature; and
invoking the distinguished operation only in response to a determination that the user has selected the key feature within the preselected time period and performed the preselected gesture relative to the key feature, such that only users that select the key feature within the preselected time period and perform the preselected gesture relative to the key feature may invoke the distinguished operation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method in a computer system for securing the performance of a distinguishing functionality to authorize users, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying an ornamental image containing a depiction of a substantially button-shaped object acting as a key feature;
overlaying the depiction of a substantially button-shaped object in the ornamental image with a visual user interface button for invoking the distinguished functionality such that the overlaid button appears to be integral to the ornamental image; and
performing the distinguished functionality only in response to operation by the user of the overlaid button within a preselected time period and performance by the user of a preselected gesture relative to the key feature and performance by the user of a preselected gesture relative to the key feature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to secure the performance of a distinguished functionality to an authorized user by performing the steps of:
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displaying an ornamental image containing a depiction of a substantially button-shaped object;
overlaying the depiction of a substantially button-shaped object in the ornamental image with a visual user interface button for invoking the distinguished functionality such that the overlaid button appears to be integral to the ornamental image; and
performing the distinguished functionality only in response to operation by the user of the overlaid button. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A computer system for securing the provision of a restricted operation, comprising:
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a display device for displaying visual information including an ornamental image incorporating a key visual feature;
an input device for selecting portions of the visual information displayed on the display device and for performing a preselected gesture relative to the key visual feature; and
a processor for providing the restricted operation only when the input device is used to select the key feature within the image displayed on the display device within a preselected time period and to perform the preselected gesture relative to the key visual feature, such that the restricted operation is performed only for users that use the input device to select the key feature within the preselected time period and to perform the preselected gesture relative to the key visual feature. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification