System and method for signature pathway authentication and identification

Abstract

A computer-implemented security system and method provides signature pathway authentication and identification. The system and method include establishing a user-defined cognitive signature pathway through multiple graphical zones of a graphical user interface. The signature pathway enables authorized user access to an otherwise secured location. Subsequent entries of the signature pathway entered via the graphical user interface are then validated. For all valid entries of the signature pathway, user access is allowed to the secured location.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented security method for signature pathway authentication and identification, the method comprising:
 utilizing a computing device comprising a display screen, a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, a processor for executing the computer-executable instructions, and a graphical user interface enabling user interaction with the computing device, the graphical user interface defined by electronic data points and comprising a visual arrangement of multiple graphical zones on the display screen;   utilizing the graphical user interface of the computing device, establishing a user-defined cognitive signature pathway through the electronic data points, the cognitive signature pathway comprising an uninterrupted interface-engaging movement through the multiple graphical zones on the display screen, the signature pathway enabling authorized user access to an otherwise secured location;   validating subsequent entries of the signature pathway entered via the graphical user interface, wherein validating subsequent entries of the signature pathway comprises utilizing a variance algorithm to determine whether a subsequent entry is within a predetermined allowable variance of the signature pathway, the variance algorithm comprising at least three variables selected from a group consisting of: (i) a length of the signature pathway comprising a time value; (ii) a number of electronic data points that define a size of an X and Y axis of a grid structure; (iii) an electronic location of an input device at any given moment, the location being defined as location-X, location-Y and a timestamp; (iv) a total of all recorded electronic data points in the signature pathway; and (v) a physical location of the computing device when entering the signature pathway, as determined by a Global Positioning System;   adjusting the predetermined allowable variance to adjust a level of security of the computer-implemented security method; and   for all valid entries of the signature pathway, allowing user access to the secured location.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , wherein the uninterrupted interface-engaging movement is performed manually using a finger of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , wherein the uninterrupted interface-engaging movement is performed using an input device selected from a group consisting of a mouse, stylus, joystick, game controller, finger guard, and virtual simulated finger. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , and comprising determining a physical location of the user upon entry by the user of the signature pathway. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , and comprising determining a physical location of the user upon completing a subsequent entry of the signature pathway. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined signature pathway further comprises measurements selected from a group consisting of finger measurement, screen pressure, input speed, and input time. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , wherein the variance algorithm further comprises measurements selected from a group consisting of finger measurement, screen pressure, input speed, and input time. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , and comprising denying entry of subsequent signature pathways after a predetermined number of successive failed entries. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented security method for signature pathway authentication and identification, the method comprising:
 utilizing a computing device comprising a display screen, a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, a processor for executing the computer-executable instructions, and a graphical user interface enabling user interaction with the computing device, the graphical user interface defined by electronic data points and comprising a visual arrangement of multiple graphical zones on the display screen;   utilizing the graphical user interface of the computing device, establishing a user-defined cognitive signature pathway through the electronic data points, the cognitive signature pathway comprising an uninterrupted interface-engaging movement through the multiple graphical zones on the display screen, the signature pathway enabling authorized user access to an otherwise secured location;   validating subsequent entries of the signature pathway entered via the graphical user interface, wherein validating subsequent entries of the signature pathway comprises utilizing a variance algorithm to determine whether a subsequent entry is within a predetermined allowable variance of the signature pathway, the variance algorithm comprising at least three measurements selected from a group consisting of: (i) finger measurement; (ii) screen pressure; (iii) input speed; and (iv) input time;   adjusting the predetermined allowable variance to adjust a level of security of the computer-implemented security method; and   for all valid entries of the signature pathway, allowing user access to the secured location.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 9 , wherein the uninterrupted interface-engaging movement is performed manually using a finger of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 9 , wherein the uninterrupted interface-engaging movement is performed using an input device selected from a group consisting of a mouse, stylus, joystick, game controller, finger guard, and virtual simulated finger. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 9 , and comprising determining a physical location of the user upon entry by the user of the signature pathway. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 12 , and comprising determining a physical location of the user upon completing a subsequent entry of the signature pathway. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 9 , wherein the user-defined signature pathway further comprises measurements selected from a group consisting of finger measurement, screen pressure, input speed, and input time. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 1 , and comprising denying entry of subsequent signature pathways after a predetermined number of successive failed entries. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-implemented security method for signature pathway authentication and identification, the method comprising:
 utilizing a computing device comprising a display screen, a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, a processor for executing the computer-executable instructions, and a graphical user interface enabling user interaction with the computing device, the graphical user interface defined by electronic data points and comprising a visual arrangement of multiple graphical zones on the display screen;   utilizing the graphical user interface of the computing device, establishing a user-defined cognitive signature pathway through the electronic data points, the cognitive signature pathway comprising an uninterrupted interface-engaging movement through the multiple graphical zones on the display screen, the signature pathway enabling authorized user access to an otherwise secured location, and wherein the user-defined signature pathway further comprises at least three measurements selected from a group consisting of: (i) finger measurement; (ii) screen pressure; (iii) input speed; and (iv) input time;   validating subsequent entries of the signature pathway entered via the graphical user interface, wherein validating subsequent entries of the signature pathway comprises utilizing a variance algorithm to determine whether a subsequent entry is within a predetermined allowable variance of the signature pathway, the variance algorithm comprising at least three measurements selected from a group consisting of: (i) finger measurement; (ii) screen pressure; (iii) input speed; and (iv) input time;   adjusting the predetermined allowable variance to adjust a level of security of the computer-implemented security method; and   for all valid entries of the signature pathway, allowing user access to the secured location.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 16 , wherein the uninterrupted interface-engaging movement is performed manually using a finger of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 16 , wherein the uninterrupted interface-engaging movement is performed using an input device selected from a group consisting of a mouse, stylus, joystick, game controller, finger guard, and virtual simulated finger. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 16 , and comprising determining a physical location of the user upon entry by the user of the signature pathway. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented security method according to  claim 16 , and comprising denying entry of subsequent signature pathways after a predetermined number of successive failed entries.