User authentication using pointing device

• US 9,015,798 B1
• Filed: 02/16/2012
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Matsuoka, Yoshimichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Poltorak, Peter
• Application Number:
  US13/398,564
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for performing user authentication using pointing device gestures are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a computing device, input data from a pointing device that is operatively coupled with the computing device, where the received input data corresponds with a user gesture, and comparing the received user gesture with one or more authorized user gestures to determine if the received user gesture matches one of the authorized user gestures, where each of the one or more authorized user gestures corresponds with at least one of a respective username and a respective password. If the received user gesture matches one of the authorized user gestures, the example method include granting access to the computing device and/or a user account. If the received user gesture does not match any of the authorized user gestures, the example method includes denying access to the computing device and/or the user account.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing, by a computing device, a first user-interface for a first authenticated user of the computing device, the first user-interface including a first cursor corresponding with a first pointing device that is operably coupled with the computing device;

receiving, by the computing device, input data from one of the first pointing device and a second pointing device that is operatively coupled with the computing device, the received input data corresponding with a user gesture;

comparing the received user gesture with one or more authorized user gestures to determine if the received user gesture matches one of the authorized user gestures, wherein each of the one or more authorized user gestures corresponds with a respective user identifier;

in the event the received user gesture matches one of the authorized user gestures;

determining if the respective user identifier corresponding with the matching authorized user gesture is different than a user identifier associated with the first authenticated user; and

in the event the respective user identifier corresponding with the matching authorized user gesture is different than the user identifier of the first authenticated user;

authenticating a user that provided the received user gesture as a second authenticated user of the computing device; and

providing a second user interface for the second authenticated user, the second user interface including a second cursor, the first user interface and the second user interface being configured to allocate resources of the computing device to the first pointing device and the second pointing device simultaneously, the first user interface and the second user interface being provided on a single display operably coupled with the computing device; and

in the event the received user gesture does not match any of the authorized user gestures, denying the user that provided the received user gesture access to the computing device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first cursor and the second cursor have different visual appearances.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second cursor corresponds with the second pointing device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the received input data comprises data representing at least one of:

a trace pattern corresponding with movement of the one of the first pointing device and the second pointing device from which the user gesture input data is received;

speed of movement of the one of the first pointing device and the second pointing device from which the user gesture input data is received; and

one or more key clicks from one or more keys of the one of the first pointing device and the second pointing device from which the user gesture input data is received.

5. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to:

provide a first user-interface for a first authenticated user of the computing device, the first user-interface including a first cursor corresponding with a first pointing device that is operably coupled with the computing device;

receive input data from one of the first pointing device and a second pointing device that is operatively coupled with the computing device, the received input data corresponding with a user gesture;

compare the received user gesture with one or more authorized user gestures to determine if the received user gesture matches one of the authorized user gestures, wherein each of the one or more authorized user gestures corresponds with a respective user identifier;

in the event the received user gesture matches one of the authorized user gestures;

determine if the respective user identifier corresponding with the matching authorized user gesture is different than a user identifier associated with the first authenticated user; and

in the event the respective user identifier corresponding with the matching authorized user gesture is different than the user identifier of the first authenticated user;

authenticate a user that provided the received user gesture as a second authenticated user of the computing device; and

provide a second user interface for the second authenticated user, the second user interface including a second cursor, the first user interface and the second user interface being configured to allocate resources of the computing device to the first pointing device and the second pointing device simultaneously, the first user interface and the second user interface being provided on a single display operably coupled with the computing device; and

in the event the received user gesture does not match any of the authorized user gestures, deny the user that provided the received user gesture access to the computing device.