Segment pattern entry based authentication

A method for user code entry, comprising:

• determining a color pattern for an arrangement of segments, the color pattern defining a respective color for each segment in the arrangement of segments, wherein a determined pattern comprises the color pattern;
• receiving an electronic definition of the color pattern for the arrangement of segments;
• displaying a representation of the color pattern for the arrangement of segments, wherein each segment in the representation has the respective color defined by the color pattern;
• receiving a respective indication from a respective output of each respective contact element within a plurality of contact elements, the plurality of contact elements comprising a first contact element and a second contact element, the respective output indicating a respective number of touches within a respective sequence of a plurality of touches of the respective contact element;
• changing, based on receiving the respective indication and based upon the respective number of touches, a respective visual state of the first contact element to a respective subsequent visual state, the respective subsequent visual state being based on a respective number of touches in the respective sequence of the plurality of touches of the first contact element, the respective visual state being based upon a respective electrical control input of the first contact element;
• receiving, from a remote device comprising the respective contact element, data indicating a second color pattern set on an arrangement of a plurality of segments associated with the remote device,
• wherein the second color pattern set on the arrangement of the plurality of segments on the remote device is set based upon a color set on each segment in the plurality of segments on the remote device, wherein each segment in the plurality of segments on the remote device is set to a color based on a respective number of touches on that segment;
• determining, based on receipt of the respective indication and based on a comparing the data and the color pattern, that the respective subsequent visual states of all contact elements match a determined pattern;
• and
• authorizing, based on a determination that the respective subsequent visual states of the plurality of contact elements match the determined pattern, access to an operation.

A device that pairs with a remote device, the device comprising:

• a pattern creator that when operating determines a color pattern for an arrangement of segments, the color pattern defining a respective color for each segment in the arrangement of segments;
• a display that, when operating,
• receives an electronic definition of the color pattern for the arrangement of segments;
• and
• displays a representation of the color pattern for the arrangement of segments, wherein each segment in the representation has the respective color defined by the color pattern;
• and
• a receiver that when operating receives, from a remote device, data indicating a second color pattern set on an arrangement of a plurality of segments associated with the remote device,
• wherein the second color pattern set on the arrangement of the plurality of segments on the remote device is set based upon a color set on each segment in the plurality of segments on the remote device, wherein each segment in the plurality of segments on the remote device is set to a color based on a respective number of touches on that segment, and,
• based on a comparison of the data and the color pattern, authorizes pairing with the remote device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising instructions executable by a processor to:

• determine a color pattern for an arrangement of segments, the color pattern defining a respective color for each segment in the arrangement of segments, wherein a determined pattern comprises the color pattern;
• receive an electronic definition of the color pattern for the arrangement of segments;
• display a representation of the color pattern for the arrangement of segments, wherein each segment in the representation has the respective color defined by the color pattern;
• receive a respective indication from a respective output of each respective contact element within a plurality of contact elements, the plurality of contact elements comprising a first contact element and a second contact element, the respective output indicating a respective number of touches within a respective sequence of a plurality of touches of the respective contact element;
• change, based on receiving the respective indication and based upon the respective number of touches, a respective visual state of the first contact element to a respective subsequent visual state, the respective subsequent visual state being based on a respective number of touches in the respective sequence of the plurality of touches of the first contact element, the respective visual state being based upon a respective electrical control input of the first contact element;
• receive, from a remote device comprising the respective contact element, data indicating a second color pattern set on an arrangement of a plurality of segments associated with the remote device,
• wherein the second color pattern set on the arrangement of the plurality of segments on the remote device is set based upon a color set on each segment in the plurality of segments on the remote device, wherein each segment in the plurality of segments on the remote device is set to a color based on a respective number of touches on that segment;
• determine, based on receipt of the respective indication and based on a comparison of the data and the color pattern, that the respective subsequent visual states of all contact elements match a determined pattern;
• and
• authorize, based on a determination that the respective subsequent visual states of the plurality of contact elements match the determined pattern, access to an operation comprising pairing with the remote device.