Methods and Systems for Graphical Image Authentication

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing authentication using an arrangement of dynamic graphical images. The graphical images can be arranged as a grid or matrix for presentation on a device display for authentication of a user. The kinds of graphical images can be derived from a designated authentication category and non-authenticating categories. A series of password elements corresponding to the graphical images can be displayed with the graphical images. The user may enter the series of one or more password elements corresponding to graphical images from the authentication category which combine to form a password entry. An authentication server can compare the password entry to an authentication password corresponding to the particular arrangement of dynamic graphical images. The selection of graphical images, their arrangement and their corresponding password elements, may dynamically change in between authentication processes.

1 . A method for authenticating a user comprising the following steps of:
 generating at least one dynamic graphical arrangement of images having: at least one image selected from an authenticating category of graphical images; and at least one image selected from a non-authenticating category of graphical images, each image having a corresponding access code;   presenting the dynamic graphical arrangement of images to a user;   receiving as input from the user the series of one or more access codes corresponding to images from the authenticating category of graphical images; and   comparing the series of one or more access codes to an authenticating reference code to authenticate the user.   
   
   
       2 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1  further comprising:
 denying access to the user if the input is determined not to match the authentication reference code.   
   
   
       3 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic graphical arrangement is presented on a display corresponding to a computer device that provides user access to confidential information. 
   
   
       4 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of graphical images comprises images that are presented to the user for a purpose in addition to authenticating the user. 
   
   
       5 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the purpose in addition to authenticating the user is advertising. 
   
   
       6 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic graphical arrangement of images is presented to the user on a mobile device display. 
   
   
       7 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the images selected from an authenticating category of graphical images are randomly arranged within the dynamic graphical arrangement of images. 
   
   
       8 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the access codes for the images selected from the authenticating category are randomly selected. 
   
   
       9 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the images from the authenticating category are randomly selected. 
   
   
       10 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the authenticating category is preselected by the user from a plurality of different categories. 
   
   
       11 . A method for authenticating a user comprising the following steps:
 selecting a series of one or more graphical images each having a corresponding password element, wherein each graphical image is selected from an authenticating category and a non-authenticating category of images;   presenting the series of one or more graphical images on a device display; and   receiving a password entry from a user composed of the password element corresponding to at least one graphical image corresponding to the authenticating category of images; and   authenticating the user when the password entry matches a reference password.   
   
   
       12 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the graphical images relate to sponsored messages or advertisements. 
   
   
       13 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the password elements are formed of one or more alphanumeric characters or symbols. 
   
   
       14 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the user is authenticated only when the password elements are entered by the user in a specific sequence. 
   
   
       15 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the user is authenticated regardless of the order in which the password elements are entered by the user. 
   
   
       16 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the device display is for a Web enabled computer or mobile device. 
   
   
       17 . The method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the series of one or more graphical images is static and presented again during a subsequent authentication process. 
   
   
       18 . A computer program product bearing machine readable instructions to carry out the method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 . 
   
   
       19 . A computer system having a computer readable medium that stores a computer program with machine readable instructions for carrying out the method for authenticating a user as recited in  claim 11 . 
   
   
       20 . A graphical interface for user authentication and advertising comprising:
 a dynamic graphical image grid having a plurality of advertisements selected from an authenticating category of advertisements and a non-authenticating category of advertisements, wherein each of the advertisements includes a corresponding password element, and wherein at least one password element forms at least part of an authentication password.   
   
   
       21 . The graphical interface as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the dynamic graphical image grid is configured as a three by three grid. 
   
   
       22 . The graphical interface as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the authenticating category of advertisements is selected by a user during an enrollment process. 
   
   
       23 . The graphical interface as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of advertisements are randomly arranged within the dynamic graphical image grid. 
   
   
       24 . The graphical interface as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of advertisements are different during each rendering of the dynamic graphical image grid, and wherein password elements fore each advertisement are different during each rendering of the dynamic graphical image grid. 
   
   
       25 . The graphical interface as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the positioning of the plurality of advertisements within the dynamic graphical image grid are different during each rendering of the dynamic graphical image grid.