Apparatus for authenticating an individual based on a typing pattern by using a neural network system

A user authentication apparatus for use in controlling access to a system comprising:

• an input means for inputting an owner's login name and password, and a user's password;
• a password matching means for storing the owner's login name and the owner's password and checking whether the user's password is identical to the owner's password or not, to thereby generate a first indication signal;
• means for extracting the owner's timing vectors from keystroke characteristics with which the owner repeatedly types the owner's password to thereby form a training set and, in response to the first indication signal from the password matching means extracting a user's timing vector from a keystroke characteristic with which the user types the user's password;
• a neural network for being trained by using the training set and generating an output by using the user's timing vector as an input;
• means for comparing the difference between the user's timing vector that is inputted to the neural network and the corresponding output of the neural network with a predetermined threshold to thereby generate a second indication signal;
• and
• means for controlling access of the user to the system in response to the first and the second indication signals,
• wherein the password matching means generates the first indication signal of level 1 if the user's password is identical to the owner s password and level 2 if otherwise.