Pressure sensitive multi-layer passwords

• US 8,650,635 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason Tyler, Fyke, Steven Henry, Pasquero, Jerome, Adams, Neil Patrick, Brown, Michael Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, Brandon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ambaye, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US12/969,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20120159616A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 726/19, 382/173, 715/790
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

A method of authenticating a user of a computing device is proposed, together with a computer readable medium and a computing device on which the method is implemented. In the method a modified base image is overlaid with a modified overlay image on a display and either the modified base image or modified overlay image is moved by the user. Positive authentication is indicated in response to alignment of a base image reference point and an overlay image reference point and an indication of a correct level of pressure applied to a pressure sensitive input device.

Claims

1. One or more non-transitory computer readable media having computer readable instructions stored thereon for authenticating a user of a computing device, the computing device having a memory storing a base image and an overlay image, the base image having a particular base image reference point, and the overlay image having a particular overlay image reference point, the instructions comprising:

generating a modified base image, the modified base image including a plurality of base image reference points and the particular base image reference point;

generating a modified overlay image, the modified overlay image including a plurality of overlay image reference points and the particular overlay image reference point;

displaying, on a display, the modified base image overlaid by the modified overlay image;

receiving a first input for moving one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image;

moving the one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image in response to the input;

receiving a second input indicative of pressure applied to a pressure sensitive input device; and

in response to alignment of the particular base image reference point on the modified base image with the particular overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image at a point on the display and to said second input meeting a pressure criterion, indicating positive authentication.

2. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, further comprising displaying on the display a pressure gauge showing a level of pressure applied.

3. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein displaying at least one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image is in response to meeting the pressure criterion.

4. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein indicating positive authentication is also in response to detecting, after alignment, release of pressure at a specified rate.

5. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein indicating positive authentication is also in response to maintenance of a correct level of pressure during the moving.

6. The one or more computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the second input is received subsequent to alignment.

7. A method of authenticating a user of a computing device, the computing device having a memory storing a base image and an overlay image, the base image having a particular base image reference point, and the overlay image having a particular overlay image reference point, the method comprising:

generating a modified base image, the modified base image including a plurality of base image reference points and the particular base image reference point;

generating a modified overlay image, the modified overlay image including a plurality of overlay image reference points and the particular overlay image reference point;

displaying, on a display, the modified base image overlaid by the modified overlay image;

receiving a first input for moving one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image;

moving the one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image in response to the input;

receiving a second input indicative of pressure applied to a pressure sensitive input device; and

in response to alignment of the particular base image reference point on the modified base image with the particular overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image at a point on the display and to said second input meeting a pressure criterion, indicating positive authentication.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein displaying at least one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image is in response to meeting the pressure criterion.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein indicating positive authentication is also in response to detecting, after alignment, release of pressure at a specified rate.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein indicating positive authentication is also in response to maintenance of a correct level of pressure during the moving.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the second input is received subsequent to alignment.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying on the display a pressure gauge showing a level of pressure applied.

13. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

a display; and

one or more computer readable media having computer readable instructions stored thereon for authenticating a user of the computing device, the computing device having a memory storing a base image and an overlay image, the base image having a particular base image reference point, and the overlay image having a particular overlay image reference point, the instructions including generating a modified base image, the modified base image including a plurality of base image reference points and the particular base image reference point;

generating a modified overlay image, the modified overlay image including a plurality of overlay image reference points and the particular overlay image reference point;

displaying, on the display, the modified base image overlaid by the modified overlay image;

receiving a first input for moving one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image;

moving the one of the modified base image and the modified overlay image in response to the input;

receiving a second input indicative of pressure applied to a pressure sensitive input device; and

in response to alignment of the particular base image reference point on the modified base image with the particular overlay image reference point on the modified overlay image at a point on the display and to said second input meeting a pressure criterion, indicating positive authentication.

14. The computing device of claim 13, further comprising the memory.

15. The computing device of claim 13, further comprising the pressure sensitive input device.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensitive input device is a touchpad.

17. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensitive input device provides haptic feedback indicating the level of pressure applied.

18. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the display comprises a touch screen and the first input is received via the touch screen.

19. The computing device of claim 18, wherein the touch screen comprises the pressure sensitive input device.

20. The computing device of claim 13, comprising a mobile electronic device.