Many computerized systems prevent unauthorized access by requiring a person attempting to gain access to enter one or more passwords. In many applications, the passwords are entered via a keyboard. This may be especially dangerous at public usage terminals or other public remote clients where keystroke capturing software may be installed. By obtaining such passwords, unauthorized users may gain access to resources and sensitive information.
Authorization system 10 is configured to grant or deny authorization or access using an authorization method or scheme described hereafter with respect to
Authorization site 12 generally includes processor 18, reader 20, computer readable media 22 and memory 24. Processor 18, sometimes referred to as a controller, comprises a processing unit that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the processing unit to perform steps such as generating control signals. The instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the functions described. Processor 18 is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit. In the particular embodiment shown, processor 18 generates control signals and processes information based at least in part upon instructions from computer readable media 22 received through reader 20.
Reader 20 comprises a device configured to read information and instructions contained on computer readable media 22. Computer readable media 22 comprises a portable medium containing instructions that are communicated to processor 18 by reader 20. Computer readable media 22 contains instructions that direct processor 18 to perform an authorization method as will be described in greater detail hereafter with respect to
In one embodiment, computer readable media 22 may comprise an optically encoded medium such as a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) and the like, wherein reader 20 is configured to read such optically encoded information. In another embodiment, computer readable media 22 may comprise a magnetically encoded medium such as a floppy disk, a tape and the like, wherein reader 20 is configured to read such magnetically encoded information. In still another embodiment, computer readable medium may comprise a hardwired digital device, such as a flash or other memory card, wherein reader 20 is configured to interact with the card for the transference of instructions. Computer readable media 22 enables the authorization scheme or method to be easily transferred between different authorization sites 12 and to be updated or replaced. In other embodiments, reader 20 and computer readable medium 22 may be omitted or utilized for other purposes, wherein site 12 includes a permanent medium containing instructions for executing the authorization scheme. In still other embodiments, reader 20 and computer readable medium 22 may be provided as part of one or more of remote clients 14, wherein instructions are transmitted to authorization site 12 through network 16. In still other embodiments, remote clients 14 may include permanent internal mediums providing such instructions for executing the authorization scheme.
Memory 24 comprises a medium configured to store information. Memory 24 may contain instructions for processor 18. Memory 24 may also store input or generated data relating to the authorization scheme. For example, memory 24 may store one or more passwords as well as assignments of code characters as described hereafter. Memory 24 may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device or some other persistent storage.
Remote clients 14 generally comprise devices distinct from authorization site 12 and connected to authorization site 12 via network 16. Remote clients 14 comprise devices configured to interact with individuals or users. Examples of remote clients 14 include laptop computers, personal computers, printers, fax machines, personal digital assistants (PDA), cell phones, scanners, copiers, access terminals and the like. Each remote client 14 includes display 30, character input 32, processor 34 and memory 36. Display 30 generally comprises a device configured to display or otherwise communicate characters to an individual using remote client 14. In particular, display 30 may be configured to communicate the characters transmitted from authorization sites 12. Display 30 may also be configured to display characters input by the individual using character input 32. Display 30 may comprise a monitor, a screen, or other visual depiction device. In particular embodiments, display 40 may alternatively or additionally be configured to visually depict characters by printing such characters upon a print medium.
Character input 32 generally comprises a device configured to interact with a user of remote client 12 by permitting the user to input characters in a selected order. In one embodiment, character input 32 may comprise a keyboard. In another embodiment, character input 32 may comprise a touch pad. In still another embodiment, character input 32 may be incorporated as part of display 30, wherein character input 32 comprises a touch screen. In another embodiment, character input 32 may include a mouse or other selection device configured to be manipulated to move an arrow or other icon depicted on a screen to select or choose characters depicted on the screen. In lieu of comprising a manual input device, character input 32 may alternatively comprise an auditory input device employing voice recognition software. Overall, character input 32 enables a user of remote client 14 to input characters to gain authorization and access to either remote client 14, authorization site 12 or another site using the authorization method.
Processor 34 comprises a processing unit configured to generate control signals for the direction of display 30 and character input 32. In particular, processor 34 generates control signals which direct display 30 to communicate code characters to the person using remote client 14 code and to direct character input 32 to prompt the input of particular characters corresponding to the user's assigned password. In the particular embodiment shown, processor 34 generates such control signals based upon instructions contained in memory 36. Memory 36 may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device or some other persistent storage. In alternative embodiments, processor 34 may generate control signals based upon instructions transmitted to remote client 14 from authorization site 12 through network 16.
As indicated by step 58 in
As indicated by step 64 in
As indicated by steps 68 in
Code characters 60 are entered or input via character input 32. Such input may be made by manually depressing character-associated keys on a keyboard, by manually depressing character associated keys on a keypad, by selecting characters on a screen by manipulating a mouse or other selection device or by audibly saying or speaking code characters into a microphone. In the particular embodiment illustrated, as code characters 60 are input and received by processor 34 or processor 18, control signals are generated by either processor 34 or processor 18 (transmitting such control signals through network 16) which further causes display 30 to visually depict the entered code characters 76 and their input order. In the example shown in
As indicated by step 78 in
As indicated by step 82 in
Overall, authorization system 10 and method 50 employed by authorization system 10 provide a security system enabling a user to input his or her password with reduced risk of others obtaining the user's password. For example, in those embodiments where character input comprises a keyboard or keypad, any keystroke capturing software merely captures the code characters and their input order, not the actual password characters and the defined order. Because the assignment of code characters is frequently changed by authorization site 12, the captured code characters and the input order do not allow others to obtain the password and to gain unauthorized access. Because the assignment of code characters is performed at authorization site 12, which is remote from remote client 14, the assignment of code characters and the security of system 10 is enhanced. In those embodiments in which character input 32 comprises a microphone or other auditory input means, another person overhearing the verbal input of such code characters does not obtain password characters or their defined order. Once again, because authorization site 12 frequently generates new assignments of code characters, other persons overhearing such code characters during an access request by the user do not later obtain unauthorized access later using the same code characters and their previous input order.
Remote clients 14A-114F comprise distinct types of remote clients which communicate with service site 112. Each remote client 114 includes a display 130A, a character input 132A and an internal processor and memory (not shown). Remote client 114B comprises a desktop or personal computer including a display 130B, a character input 132B and an internal memory and processor (not shown). Remote client 114C comprises a printer having a display 130C, a character input 132C and an internal processor and memory (not shown). Remote client 114D comprises a fax machine having a display 130D, a character input 132D and an internal processor memory (not shown). Remote client 114E comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a display 130E, character inputs 132E including both a touch pad and a touch screen and an internal memory and processor (not shown). Remote client 114F comprises a cell phone having a display 130F, character inputs 132F, including one or both of keypad or a microphone for receiving verbal input, and an internal processor and memory (not shown).
With each of the remote clients 14A-114F, a person inputs a codified password based upon an assignment of code characters transmitted to each remote client 114A-114F from the server functioning as authorization site 112. If the code characters and input order of the code characters matches the stored password characters and their defined order, access to use of the remote client 114A-114F or access to the services provided from authorization site 112 or other sites, such as other servers, is granted.
Although each remote client 114 is illustrated as including reader 220 and computer readable medium 222 for providing processor 34 of each remote client 14 with instructions for carrying out the authorization method, in other embodiments, each remote client 14 may alternatively include such instructions stored in memory 36 for carrying out the authorization method. In such other embodiments, reader 220 and computer readable medium 222 may be omitted. Although comparison of the translated code characters and established password characters are described as being performed at processor 18 of authorization site 212, such comparisons may alternatively be made by processor 34 at each remote client 14. In other embodiments, authorization site 212 may still include reader 20 and computer readable medium 22 configured for providing other functions.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present invention is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present invention described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.
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