Authentication utilizing a dynamic passcode from a static user-defined formula based on a changing parameter value

Abstract

An authentication system utilizes dynamic passcode from a user-defined formula based on a changing parameter value. The changing parameter is publicly accessible through the communication network and has a current value that is periodically updated, such as a stock value, temperature at a specific location, or a sports score. The user-defined formula is based on the changing parameter in order to derive a passcode which authenticates a user to an associated user account. As referred to herein, the user-defined formula is a mathematical formula in which the changing parameter is one variable (e.g., [changing parameter value]+1). Some formulas include more than one changing parameter.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for authenticating users for accounts over a communication network from dynamic passcodes, based on a changing parameter in a user-defined formula, the method comprising the steps of:
 establishing a changing parameter as a baseline for a passcode, the changing parameter being publicly accessible through the communication network and having a current value that is periodically updated;   receiving a user-defined formula based on at least the changing parameter in order to derive a passcode, the passcode authenticating a user to an associated user account;   responsive to detecting an attempt to access the user account, retrieving a current value of the changing parameter;   determining a current passcode based on the current value of the changing parameter as applied to the user-defined formula;   receiving a passcode provided by the user; and   allowing access to the user account responsive to a match of the current password and the user-provided passcode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined formula comprises at least a second changing parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined formula comprises a mathematical equation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined formula comprises at least one static parameter in addition to the at least one changing parameter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user account comprises at least one from the group containing: an e-mail account, a financial account, social media account, a health insurance account, a corporate account, and an educational account. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the changing parameter is provided by a user device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a second factor authentication that establishes a user-defined username in addition to the user-defined formula that is provided and compared to a username provided during the detected access attempt before the step of allowing access.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing a third factor authentication that establishes a user-defined third value in addition to the user-defined formula and the username that is provided and compared to a third value provided during the detected access attempt before the step of allowing access.   
     
     
         9 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method for establishing a changing parameter as a baseline for a passcode, the changing parameter being publicly accessible through the communication network and having a current value that is periodically updated, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a user-defined formula based on at least the changing parameter in order to derive a passcode, the passcode authenticating a user to an associated user account;   responsive to detecting an attempt to access the user account, retrieving a current value of the changing parameter;   determining a current passcode based on the current value of the changing parameter as applied to the user-defined formula;   receiving a passcode provided by the user; and   allowing access to the user account responsive to a match of the current password and the user-provided passcode.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the user-defined formula comprises at least a second changing parameter. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the user-defined formula comprises a mathematical equation. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the user-defined formula comprises at least one static parameter in addition to the at least one changing parameter. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the user account comprises at least one from the group containing: an e-mail account, a financial account, social media account, a health insurance account, a corporate account, and an educational account. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the changing parameter is provided by a user device. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing a second factor authentication that establishes a user-defined username in addition to the user-defined formula that is provided and compared to a username provided during the detected access attempt before the step of allowing access.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a third factor authentication that establishes a user-defined third value in addition to the user-defined formula and the username that is provided and compared to a third value provided during the detected access attempt before the step of allowing access.   
     
     
         17 . A computing device to authenticate users for accounts over a communication network from dynamic passcodes, based on a changing parameter in a user-defined formula, the computing device:
 a processor; and   a memory, comprising:
 a first module to establish a changing parameter as a baseline for a passcode, the changing parameter being publicly accessible through the communication network and having a current value that is periodically updated; 
 a second to receive a user-defined formula based on at least the changing parameter in order to derive a passcode, the passcode authenticating a user to an associated user account; 
 a third module to, responsive to detecting an attempt to access the user account, retrieve a current value of the changing parameter; 
 a fourth module to determine a current passcode based on the current value of the changing parameter as applied to the user-defined formula; 
 a fifth module to receive a passcode provided by the user; and 
 a sixth module to allow access to the user account responsive to a match of the current password and the user-provided passcode.