Method and apparatus which enable a computer user to verify whether they have correctly input their password into a computer
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorRichard M. Butler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Upon input of a password to a computer, the password is subjected to a hashing function to generate an N-bit number. The N-bit number is divided into two smaller numbers that are used as indexes to retrieve objects from a list of objects. The retrieved objects are presented to a user, and the user is prompted to verify that the objects are recognizable as the objects which the user knows to be associated with their password. If the objects are verified as being recognizable, the password is accepted as a correct and intended input. Alternative embodiments of this method, and associated apparatus, are also disclosed.
Claims6
A method which enables a computer user to verify whether they have correctly input their password into a computer, comprising:
- a) upon input of the password, subjecting the password to a hashing function to thereby generate an N-bit number;
- b) dividing the N-bit number into at least two smaller numbers, and using each smaller number as an index for retrieving an object from a list of objects;
- c) presenting the retrieved objects to the user and prompting the user to verify that the retrieved objects are recognizable as the retrieved objects which the user knows to be associated with their password;
- and
- d) if the retrieved objects are verified as being recognizable, accepting the password as the user's intended input.
A method which enables a computer user to verify whether they have correctly input their password into a computer, comprising:
- a) upon input of the password, subjecting the password to a hashing function to thereby generate an N-bit number;
- b) utilizing the N-bit number to derive at least two indexes, and using each of the at least two indexes to retrieve an object from a list of objects;
- c) presenting the retrieved objects to the user and prompting the user to verify that the retrieved objects are recognizable as the retrieved objects which the user knows to be associated with their password;
- and
- d) if the retrieved objects are verified as being recognizable, accepting the password as the user's intended input.
Apparatus which enables a computer user to verify whether they have correctly input their password into a computer, comprising:
- a) a number of computer readable media;
- and
- b) computer readable program code stored on the number of computer readable media, the computer readable program code comprising:
- i) code for subjecting the password to a hash function to thereby generate an N-bit number;
- ii) code for maintaining at least two lists of words;
- iii) code which derives at least two indexes from the N-bit number and then uses the at least two indexes to retrieve an object from each list of words;
- iv) code for presenting the retrieved words to the user and prompting the user to verify that the retrieved words are recognizable as the retrieved words which the user knows to be associated with their password;
- and
- v) code which accepts the password as the user's intended input if the user's response to the verification prompt indicates that the user recognizes the retrieved words as being the retrieved words which the user knows to be associated with their password.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.