# US 2017/0286715 A1 · Prevention of shoulder surfing

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- Number: US 2017/0286715 A1
- Document ID: US20170286715A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/086,973
- Filed: 2016-03-31
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31
- Assignees: CA, Inc.
- Applicants: CA, Inc.
- Inventors: Mohammed Mujeeb KALADGI; Ruqiya Nikhat KALADGI; Jameel Ahmed KALADGI; Yashwant Ramkishan SAWANT
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170286715A1

## CPC

- G06F 21/6245: {Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes}
- G06F 2221/032: Protect output to user by software means
- G06F 2221/2149: Restricted operating environment
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a method is provided for reducing the chances of shoulder surfing. The method may include determining an approximate angle of orientation of a mobile device and selecting one of first or second input key layouts, based upon the approximate angle of orientation. The first input key layout may be a standard layout of alphanumeric characters and the second input key layout may be a disordered layout of the alphanumeric characters. The method may also include displaying the selected one of the first or second input key layouts at a graphical user interface of the mobile device and receiving an input of sensitive information at the graphical user interface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
detecting at a mobile device, an attempt by a user to access protected data;
determining an approximate angle of orientation of a mobile device;
selecting one of first or second input key layouts, based upon the approximate angle of orientation,
wherein, the first input key layout comprises a standard layout of alphanumeric characters and the second input key layout comprises a disordered layout of the alphanumeric characters; and
displaying the selected one of the first or second input key layouts at a graphical user interface of the mobile device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein determining the approximate angle of orientation comprises determining whether the angle exceeds a threshold value;
and wherein selecting one of the first and second input key layouts comprises selecting the second input key layouts in response to determining the angle exceeds the threshold value.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving an input of sensitive information at the graphical user interface from the selected one of the first or second input key layouts; and
providing access to the protected data.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing an option to designate that a field is sensitive;
opening a screen where sensitive data is to be entered; and
determining, for the open screen, whether the field is designated as sensitive.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving information about a surrounding environment of the mobile device from a sensor integrated with the mobile device; and
determining, based on the received information, whether a risk factor is present in the surrounding environment,
wherein selecting one of first and second input key layouts comprises selecting the second input key layout in response to determining the risk factor is present.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein receiving information about a surrounding environment of the mobile device from a sensor integrated with the mobile device comprises receiving information from a camera or a microphone.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein determining, based on the received information, whether a risk factor is present in the surrounding environment comprises determining whether a person or persons other than a user of the mobile device is present around the mobile device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein determining, based on the received information, whether a risk factor is present in the surrounding environment comprises determining whether a person other than a user of the mobile device is looking at the graphical user interface of the mobile device.

### Claim 9

A method comprising:
determining an approximate angle of orientation of a mobile device;
selecting one of first, second, or third input key layouts, based upon the approximate angle of orientation,
wherein, the first input key layout comprises a standard layout of alphanumeric characters, the second input key layout comprises a first disordered layout of the alphanumeric characters, and the third input key layout comprises a second disordered layout of the alphanumeric characters; and
displaying the selected one of the first, second, or third input key layouts at a graphical user interface of the mobile device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein determining the approximate angle of orientation comprises determining whether the angle is between a first threshold value and a second threshold value;
and wherein selecting one of the first, second, and third input key layouts comprises selecting the second input key layout in response to determining the angle is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and selecting the third input key layout in response to determining the angle exceeds the second threshold value.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein, the first disordered layout and the second disordered layout are different.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising:
receiving an input of sensitive information at the graphical user interface from the selected one of the first, second, or third input key layouts; and
providing access to protected data.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising:
providing an option to designate that a field is sensitive;
opening a screen where sensitive data is to be entered; and
determining, for the open screen, whether the field is designated as sensitive.

### Claim 14

A system comprising:
a detector operable to detect an approximate angle of orientation of a mobile device;
a processor configured to execute program instructions to:
select one of first and second input key layouts, based upon the approximate angle of orientation, wherein the first input key layout comprises a standard layout of alphanumeric characters and the second input key layout comprises a disordered layout of the alphanumeric characters; and
a graphical user interface configured to display the selected one of the first and second input key layouts.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the detector is further operable to determine whether the angle exceeds a predetermined minimum;
and wherein the processor is further configured to select the second input key layout in response to determining the angle exceeds the predetermined minimum.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, further comprising:
the graphical user interface configured to receive an input of sensitive information from the selected one of the first and second input key layouts, and
wherein the processor is configured provide access to protected data for display on the graphical user interface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, the processor further configured to:
provide an option to designate that a field is sensitive; and
determine whether the field is designated as sensitive when the mobile device focuses on a screen where sensitive information is to be entered.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, further comprising:
a sensor integrated with the mobile device for sensing information about a surrounding environment of the mobile device; and
wherein the processor is further configured to select the second input key layout in response to receiving information that people are detected in the environment surrounding the mobile device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:
select one of first, second, or third input key layouts,
wherein, the third input key layout comprises a second disordered layout of the alphanumeric characters, and wherein, the disordered layout and the second disordered layout are different arrangements of the alphanumeric characters.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The system of claim 19, wherein the detector is further operable to determine whether the angle is between a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum,
and wherein the processor configured to select one of the first or second input key layouts is further configured to select the second input key layout in response to determining the angle is between the predetermined minimum and the predetermined maximum, and to select the third input key layout in response to determining the angle exceeds the predetermined maximum.