Method for generating and using composite scene passcodes

A method for screening access to a system, comprising:

• allowing the system or a user to generate a graphical passcode;
• allowing the system or user to generate an alphanumeric password;
• and
• generating a mapping between the graphical passcode and the alphanumeric passcode.

A method for screening access to a system, comprising:

• generating a graphical passcode comprising plural elements;
• presenting a plurality of image elements in at least one categorical authentication grid to a user;
• selecting image elements that form a graphical passcode;
• and
• comparing the selected passcode elements with a stored passcode.

A program stored on at least one machine readable medium for protecting user access to a computer, document, or interne site using a passcode, comprising:

• a code segment that displays to a user a composite image comprising a plurality of scene elements;
• a code segment that requires the user to select scene elements included in the composite image;
• a code segment that compares a passcode entered by the user with a stored passcode;
• and
• a code segment that permits user access when the entered passcode is identical to or substantially identical to the stored passcode.

A system, comprising:

• a display for displaying a composite scene passcode or plural scene elements for generating the composite scene passcode;
• an input device used by a user to input image selection useful for compositing a composite scene passcode, for entering the selections into memory and for reentering the passcode to obtain access to the system;
• and
• a program that uses a composite scene passcode to control user access to some feature, file, element, or functionality of the system.