# US 12,182,249 B1 · Graphical event-based password system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,182,249 B1 - Document ID: US12182249B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/195,782 - Filed: 2023-05-10 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-09 - Assignees: United Services Automobile Association (USAA) - Applicants: United Services Automobile Association (“USAA”) - Inventors: Gregory Brian Meyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12182249B1 ## CPC - G06F 21/36: by graphic or iconic representation - G06F 3/03547: {Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface} - G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) - G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures - G06F 21/32: using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints - G06V 40/13: Sensors therefor - G06V 40/1365: {Matching; Classification} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract A computer system and method having a user interface including a touch-sensitive display screen. The system and method enables entry of a password which includes displaying a first array of a plurality of images on the touch-sensitive display prompting a user to select with a finger one of the plurality of images displayed. Subsequently at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array is displayed on the touch sensitive display prompting a user to select with a finger one of the plurality of images displayed in the another array of images. A computer processor then determines if a user selected a predetermined image from the first array of the plurality of images and a predetermined image from each at least another array of plurality of images displayed after the first array. If determined, the user is permitted access to an application executable on the computer system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer method providing a user interface on a touch-sensitive display for providing entry of a password for enabling user access to a password protected application, the method comprising: displaying, by a processor, on the touch-sensitive display a first array of a plurality of images on the touch-sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed; displaying, by the processor, responsive to determining the user selected a predetermined image from the first array of the plurality of images with the first designated finger, at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array on the touch sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a second designated finger different than the first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed on the at least another array of images displayed; determining, by the processor, if the user selected from the touch-sensitive display a predetermined image from the at least another array of the plurality of images with the second designated finger using finger-print recognition from user interaction with the touch-sensitive display; and permitting, by the processor, user access to the password protected application executable on the computer system contingent upon the determining step. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array includes successive second and third arrays each having a plurality of images. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a graphic image. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a certain color. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein an array of a plurality of images is displayed on the touch sensitive display only if it is determined a user selected a predetermined image, with a predetermined designated finger, from an immediately prior predecessor array of a plurality of images displayed on the touch sensitive display. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined image is a same image in the first and at least another array of a plurality of images. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined image is a different image in the first and at least another array of a plurality of images. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer system is embodied in a smart phone device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer system is embodied in a portable computing device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer system is embodied in a kiosk computing device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computer method as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer system is embodied in a banking institution Automated Teller Device (ATM). ### Claim 12 A computer system having a user interface including a touch-sensitive display screen for providing entry of a password for enabling user access to a password protected application, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; a processor disposed in communication with the memory, wherein the processor upon execution of the instructions is configured to: display on the touch-sensitive display a first array of a plurality of images on the touch-sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed; display, responsive to determining the user selected a predetermined image from the first array of the plurality of images with the first designated finger, at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array on the touch sensitive display prompting a user to select, with a second designated finger different than the first designated finger, one of the plurality of images displayed on the at least another array of images displayed; determine if the user selected from the touch-sensitive display a predetermined image from the at least another array of the plurality of images with the second designated finger using finger-print recognition from user interaction with the touch-sensitive display; and permit user access to the password protected application executable on the computer system contingent upon the determining step. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least another array of a plurality of images successive to the first array includes successive second and third arrays each having a plurality of images. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a graphic image. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein each image in each array of a plurality of images corresponds to a certain color. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein the processor is embodied in a smart phone device.