Verification that a user attempting to access content is a human user

• US 9,003,554 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Prchal, Ken, Slusar, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Zecher, Dede
• Assistant Examiner(s): AVERY, JEREMIAH L
• Application Number:
  US13/483,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20130326636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/308 retaining data, e.g. retaining successful, unsuccessful communication attempts, internet access, or e-mail, internet telephony, intercept related information or call content
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

An easier and less frustrating way of verifying that a user attempting to access content is a human user is provided. For example, data indicative of a request by a user to access content from a content server is received. An output of geographic data associated with a geographic region is generated. A task to be performed by the user to access the content is provided as a function of the generated output. The output and the task are transmitted to the content server for presentation to the user. Performance of the task by the user is substantially indicative of the user being a human user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data indicative of a request by a user to access content from a content server via a client device associated with the user and in communication with the content server;

receiving a location of the client device;

generating, by a processor, an output of geographic data associated with the location of the client device;

providing, as a function of the generating, a task to be performed by the user with respect to the geographic data for the location of the client device and before being given access to the content;

transmitting the output of geographic data and the task to the client device for presentation to the user; and

determining whether the user has performed the task, wherein the successful performance of the task by the user is indicative of the user being a human user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving data indicative of the request by the user to access content comprises receiving, from the content server, the data indicative of the request by the user to access the content from the content server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the output of the geographic data comprises a two-dimensional map, a three-dimensional map, or a rotatable model.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible direction to manipulate one or more input sensors of the client device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more input sensors comprise an input device, a display, an accelerometer, a positioning device, or combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible direction to identify a geographic feature on the output.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the machine-incomprehensible direction to identify the geographic feature comprises a machine-incomprehensible direction to provide a geometric shape on or around the geographic feature on the output.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible direction to provide a line between two geographic features on the output.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible direction to answer a question about the output or a geographic feature on the output.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein when the user does not perform the task, the method further comprising:

generating a second output of the geographic data, the second output different than the first output;

providing, as a function of the generating the second output, a second task to be performed by the user with respect to the geographic data to access the content, the second task different than the task;

transmitting the second output and the second task to the client device for presentation to the user; and

determining whether the user has performed the second task, wherein performance of the second task by the user is indicative of the user being a human user.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining comprises determining that the user has performed the task, the method further comprising providing the content to the human user via the client device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the output and the task comprises transmitting the output and the task to the content server and transmitting the output and the task from the content server to the client device for presentation to the user.

13. A system comprising:

a geographic database operable to store geographic data for a geographic region; and

a server operable to receive data indicative of a request by a user to access content from a content server via a client device associated with the user and in communication with the content server and operable to receive location data for a location of the client device,

wherein the server is operable to access the geographic database according to the location of the client device and generate, as a function of the request, an output of a geographic region of the client device,

wherein the server is further operable to provide, as a function of the generated output of the geographic region of the client device, a task to be performed by the user to access the content,

wherein the server is further operable to transmit the output and the task to the client device for presentation to the user;

wherein the server is further operable to determine whether the user has performed the task, wherein the performance of the task by the user is indicative of the user being a human user.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the output is a two-dimensional map image, a three-dimensional map image, or a rotatable model.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible instruction to provide a geometric shape, one or more numbers, one or more letters, or combinations thereof on or around a geographic feature on the output.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible instruction to provide a line between two geographic features on the output.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the task to be performed by the user comprises a machine-incomprehensible instruction to answer a question about the output or a geographic feature on the output.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the task requests that the user move to a second location to change an orientation of the client device.

18. A mobile device comprising:

a display;

a computer input device operable to transmit, to a content server, a request by a user to access content from the content server;

a positioning device configured to determine a geographic location of the mobile device;

a processor operable to receive, by the content server, as a function of the request, an output of geographic data associated with a geographic region associated with the geographic location of the mobile device and a task to be performed using the geographic data by the user to access the content,

wherein the processor is further operable to present the output and geographic data and the task on the display for the user,

wherein the processor is further operable to transmit, to the content server, data indicative of a performance of the task by the user, wherein the performance of the task by the user is indicative of the user being a human user.

21. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the computer input device includes one or more buttons, keypad, keyboard, mouse, trackball, rocker switch, touch pad, voice recognition circuit, touch screen, or other device or component for inputting data to the mobile device.

19. A method comprising:

transmitting, to a content server, a request by a user to access content from the content server and a location of the user;

receiving, from the content server and via a device associated with the user, as a function of the request, an output of geographic data associated with a geographic region associated with the location of the user and a task to be performed by the user using the geographic data to access the content;

presenting the output and the task to the user via a display of the device; and

transmitting, to the content server, data indicative of the performance of the task by the user, wherein the performance of the task by the user is indicative of the user being a human user.