Cognitive password pattern checker to enforce stronger, unrepeatable passwords

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9836595-B1
Application number	US-201715412081-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jan 23, 2017
Priority date	Oct 4, 2016
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

A method for determining a password strength is provided. The method may include receiving a user-entered password. The method may also include identifying a keyboard layout type associated with a keyboard utilized to enter the received user-entered password. The method may further include mapping each character within a plurality of characters in the received user-entered password to a corresponding location on a grid associated with the identified keyboard layout type. The method may also include determining a coordinate sequence associated with the received user-entered password based on the mapped plurality of characters. The method may further include applying a pattern recognition algorithm to the determined coordinate sequence. The method may also include determining a password strength based on the applied pattern recognition algorithm.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A processor-implemented method for determining a password strength, the method comprising:
receiving, by a processor, a user-entered password through a plurality of user interactions with an input device associated with a user device, wherein the plurality of user interactions are selected from a group consisting of a plurality of key presses, a plurality of screen traces, and a plurality of spoken words, and wherein the input device is selected from a group consisting of a physical keyboard, a digital keyboard, and a microphone;
identifying a keyboard layout type associated with a keyboard utilized to enter the received user-entered password;
mapping each character within a plurality of characters in the received user-entered password to a corresponding location on a grid associated with the identified keyboard layout type;
determining a coordinate sequence associated with the received user-entered password based on the mapped plurality of characters, wherein the coordinate sequence is on an x-y coordinate grid and calculated based on a plurality of measurements, and wherein the plurality of measurements is selected from a group consisting of a plurality of inches from a source, a plurality of centimeters from the source, and a plurality of millimeters from the source;
applying a Hough transform pattern recognition algorithm to the determined coordinate sequence, wherein applying the Hough transform pattern recognition algorithm further analyzes a previous password coordinate sequence associated with a user account; and
determining a password strength based on the applied Hough transform pattern recognition algorithm and comparing the determined coordinate sequence of the received user-entered password with the analyzed previous password coordinate sequence, wherein the determined password strength is displayed to a user as a word, a number, or a color, and wherein the determined password strength will be weak when the determined coordinate sequence is the same as the analyzed previous password coordinate sequence.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Goldberg Itzhack
• Mcgregor Harry R
• Moore Christopher B
• Mullen Shawn P
• Sondhi Neil

Classifications

• G06F3/04886

  by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus · CPC title

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title

• H04L63/083

  using passwords (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226) · CPC title

• G06F3/0484

  for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range · CPC title

• G06F3/04817

  using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) · CPC title