JP2000047799A - Password input system using pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a password input system hardly leaking a password during input operation by recognizing an inputted password from the time pattern of the depression of a button of the pointing device and judging whether or not the obtained input password matches with a previously registered password. SOLUTION: When a power switch 2 is turned on, a CPU 3 reads in a secrecy protecting function program from a password storage device 4 and urges a user to input a password. The user presses the button of the pointing device 1 several times to input a password. The CPU 3 converts the detection signal from the pointing device 1 which indicates whether or not the button is pressed into a password by a specific method and matches the converted password against the previously registered password read out of the password storage device 4 to check whether the previously registered password is a match. When the match is decided, an operating system is read in from the storage device 5 and actuated and then an application program is read in and executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a password input method for a terminal device of a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional password input method for a terminal device is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-190237. In the conventional terminal device password input method described in the prior art, a password is input from a keyboard.

[0003] As a prior art related to the present invention,
There is a "password input circuit" described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-21142 and a "program use right collation device" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-274337.

[0004]

However, this prior art has the following problems.

[0005] The first problem is that passwords are easily leaked. The reason is that it is difficult to hide the movement of the finger entered from the keyboard when entering the password, so that others can see the movement of the finger, so that the password may be revealed. . Further, even if the password can be hidden with a cloth or the like, it is difficult for a person who inputs the password to see the keyboard, so that it is difficult to input the password.

[0006] The second problem is that it is difficult for a user who is unfamiliar with the keyboard to enter a password. The reason is that users who are unfamiliar with the keyboard do not remember where the characters are stamped on the keyboard, so when entering a password, they have to search for the password characters and enter the password. It is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a password input method in which a password is hardly leaked during input of the password.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a password input system which allows a user who is unfamiliar with the keyboard to easily input a password.

[0009]

A password input method using a pointing device according to the present invention is a password input method for a computer having a pointing device, wherein a detection signal indicating whether a button of the pointing device is pressed is provided. Detection signal output means for periodically outputting the input password, analysis means for recognizing the input password from a time pattern in which the button of the pointing device is pressed based on the detection signal, and the input password obtained by the analysis means Determining means for determining a match with the registered password.

[0010] In a password input method using a pointing device according to the present invention, in the password input method using the pointing device, the analyzing means sets each of the time periods during which the button is pressed to a predetermined time threshold. And comparing the input password with the input password.

Further, in the password input method using the pointing device according to the present invention, in the password input method using the pointing device, the analyzing means may determine each time the button is pressed by a first predetermined time. And recognizing the input password by comparing each time the button is released with a second predetermined time threshold.

Further, in the password input method using the pointing device according to the present invention, in the password input method using the pointing device, the analyzing means may be configured such that when a predetermined time has passed since the button was released, Is determined to be completed.

Further, in the password input method using the pointing device according to the present invention, in the password input method using the pointing device described above, when the analyzing means does not press the button for a predetermined short time or more, the password is input. It is characterized in that it is determined that it has not been performed.

Further, in the password input method using the pointing device according to the present invention, in the password input device using the above-mentioned pointing device, the pointing device may be any one of a mouse, a stick pointer, a slide pad, a track ball, and a thumb mouse. It is characterized by being.

Further, a password input method according to the present invention is characterized in that in the password input device described above, a keyboard is used instead of the pointing device.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a terminal device having a pointing device having at least one button such as a mouse, a stick pointer, a slide pad, a trackball, a thumb mouse, etc. A detection signal output means for periodically outputting a detection signal indicating whether or not the button has been pressed; and a repetition of comparing the time during which the button of the pointing device is pressed with a predetermined time threshold based on the detection signal. Accordingly, the present invention provides a configuration having an analyzing means for analyzing an input password, and a judging means for judging whether a password obtained by the analyzing means matches a previously registered password.

In FIG. 1, the pointing device 1 is
It has detection signal output means. The password storage device 4 stores a security protection function program that implements an analysis unit and a determination unit, and a password.

The analyzing means of the present invention compares the time during which the button of the pointing device 1 is pressed with a predetermined time threshold value t _S, and binarizes whether the time is longer or shorter than t _S. Therefore, it is possible for the user to input a password of plural digits by repeatedly pressing the button.

The storage device 5 stores an operating system, application programs, and data. In the present invention, the CPU 3 executes the operating system only when it is determined that the passwords match by the determining means, and thereafter, the application program is executed. Execute

In this way, the input of the password from the pointing device is enabled.

[Embodiment 1] Referring to FIG. 1, the present embodiment includes a pointing device 1, a power switch 2,
A central processing unit (CPU) 3, a password storage device 4,
And a storage device 5. The pointing device 1 controls the moving direction and the moving distance at predetermined time intervals t _C by the CPU 3.
Function to output to the C and whether or not the button is pressed
It has a function of notifying PU3. This realizes a detection signal output unit.

The password storage device 4 stores a security function program and a password for realizing the analyzing means and the determining means.

Further, the storage device 5 stores an operating system, application programs and data.

Next, the overall operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when the power switch 2 in FIG. 1 is turned on (step A1 in FIG. 2), the CPU 3 reads the security function program from the password storage device 4, and prompts the user of the terminal device to input a password (step A1). A
2). The user of the terminal device inputs a password by pressing the button of the pointing device 1 several times (step A3).

An example of a method of inputting a password by pressing a button of the pointing device 1 will be further described with reference to FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the pointing device 1
Button is pressed 9 times and each button is pressed
Between, t₁, T_Two, T_Three, T_Four, T_Five, T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉
Is shown. Where t₁~ T₉Each of
Has t₁≫t_C, T_Two≫t_C, T_Three≫t_C, T_Four≫t_C, T_Five
≫t_C, T₆≫t_C, T₇≫t_C, T₈≫t_C, T₉≫t_C, T ₁
> T_S, T_Two<T_S, T_Three<T_S, T_Four> T_S, T_Five<T_S, T₆
> T_S, T₇> T_S, T₈<T_S, T₉> T_SHave a relationship
Shall be. Where t_CIs from the pointing device 1.
The movement direction and movement distance of the pointing device 1
Release time and the time to notify whether the button is pressed or not
The interval. The button of the pointing device 1 is pressed
Time t₁~ T₉And time threshold t_SCompare the size with
And the time each was pressed is the threshold t_SYo
If it is smaller, it is converted to "0" and the threshold value t_SGreater than
In this case, convert to "1", perform binary code conversion, and
Enter the code. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the password is “1”.
00101101 ".

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the CP
U3 converts the detection signal from the pointing device 1 as to whether or not the button has been pressed into a password as described above, and stores the converted password in the password storage device 4.
(Step A4), and if different, prompts the user of the terminal device again to input the password.
Then, the processing of the above steps A3 and A4 is repeated until the password matches the registered password.

As described above, the CPU 3 stores the password obtained by converting the detection signal indicating whether or not the button from the pointing device 1 is pressed down, into the password storage device 4.
If it is determined that the password is the same as the password registered in advance from the storage device 5, the operating system (OS) is read from the storage device 5 and activated, and then the application program is read and executed (step A5).

[Second Embodiment] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

An example of a method of inputting a password by pressing a button of the pointing device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, similar to the example shown in FIG.
The button of the pointing device 1 is pressed nine times,
The time that the button was pressed is t₁, T_Two, T_Three, T_Four,
t_Five, T₆, T₇, T₈, T₉Is shown. This
Where t₁~ T₉Each have t₁≫t_C, T_Two≫t_C,
t_Three≫t_C, T_Four≫t_C, T_Five≫t_C, T₆≫t_C, T₇≫t_C,
t ₈≫t_C, T₉≫t_C, T₁> T_S, T_Two<T_S, T_Three<T_S,
t_Four> T_S, T_Five<T_S, T₆> T_S, T₇> T_S, T₈<T_S,
t₉> T_SIt is assumed that there is a relationship. Pointing equipment
The time t during which the button of position 1 was pressed₁~ T₉And time
Value t_SWas compared, and each was pressed
Time is the threshold t_SIf less than, convert to "1",
Threshold t_SIf it is larger, it is converted to "0" and the binary code
Perform password conversion and enter the password. Example shown in FIG.
Then, the password is "011010010".

[Embodiment 3] Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
An example of a method of inputting a password by pressing a button of the pointing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, buttons threshold from being pressed _{t e (t e> t S} , t e »t C) within to be pressed again button has been determined that the input password is completed .

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the pointing device 1
Button is pressed eight times, and after the button is pressed,
Time until the button is pressed is t₁, T_Two, T_Three,
t_Four, T_Five, T₆, T₇, T₈Is shown. This
Where t₁~ T₉Each have t₁≫t_C, T_Two≫t_C,
t_Three≫t_C, T_Four≫t_C, T_Five≫t_C, T₆≫t_C, T₇≫t_C,
t₈≫t_C, T₁<T_S, T_Two<T_S, T_Three> T_S, T_Four<T_S,
t_Five> T_S, T₆> T_S, T ₇<T_S, T₁<T_e, T_Two<T_e,
t_Three<T_e, T_Four<T_e, T_Five<T_e, T₆<T_e, T₇<T_e,
t₈> T_eIt is assumed that there is a relationship. Pointing equipment
Button is pressed and then pressed again
Time t₁~ T₈And time threshold t_SAnd time threshold
t_eIs compared, and after the button is pressed again
The time until the button is pressed is the threshold t_SLess than
In this case, it is converted to "0" and the threshold value t_SGreater than
Is converted to "1", binary code conversion is performed,
Enter the password. Further, the threshold t_eGreater than
Has determined that the input of the password has been completed. FIG.
In the example shown in (1), the password is "0010110".

[Embodiment 4] Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
An example of a method of inputting a password by pressing a button of the pointing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, after the button is pressed, the threshold value t _e (t _e > t _S1 , t _e > t _S2 , t _e ≫
If the button is not pressed again within t _C ), it is determined that the input of the password has been completed.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the pointing device 1
Button is pressed seven times, and each button is pressed
Between, t₁, T_Three, T_Five, T₇, T₉, T₁₁, T₁₃Is
Are shown. Also, after the button is pressed,
The time until the button is pressed is t_Two, T_Four, T₆,
t₈, T_Ten, T₁₂, T₁₄Is shown. here
In t₁~ T₁₄Each have t₁≫t_C, T_Two≫t_C, T_Three
≫t_C, T_Four≫t_C, T_Five≫t _C, T₆≫t_C, T₇≫t_C, T₈
≫t_C, T₉≫t_C, T_Ten≫t_C, T₁₁≫t_C, T₁₂≫t_C,
t₁₃≫t_C, T₁₄≫t_C, T₁> T_S1, T_Two> T_S2, T_Three<
t_S1, T_Four<T_S2, T_Five<T_S1, T₆<T_S2, T₇> T_S1,
t₈> T_S2, T₉> T_S1, T_Ten<T_S2, T₁₁<T_S1, T₁₂
> T_S2, T₁₃> T_S1, T₁<T_e, T_Two<T_e, T_Three<T_e,
t_Four<T_e, T_Five<T_e, T₆<T_e, T₇<T_e, T₈<T_e,
t₉<T_e, T_Ten<T_e, T₁₁<T_e, T₁₂<T_e, T₁₃<
t_e, T₁₄> T_eIt is assumed that there is a relationship. Pointy
T when the button of the switching device 1 is pressed₁, T_Three, T
_Five, T₇, T₉, T₁₁, T₁₃And time threshold t_S1Big and small
The comparison is performed, and the time for which each is pressed is determined by the threshold
Value t_S1If it is smaller, it is converted to "0" and the threshold t_S1Yo
If it is larger, it is converted to "1" and binary code conversion is performed.
Enter your password. In addition, the pointing device 1
From when the button is pressed until the button is pressed again
Time t_Two, T_Four, T₆, T₈, T_Ten, T₁₂, T₁₄And time
Threshold t_S2And time threshold t_eIs compared with
Button is pressed until the button is pressed again
The interval is the threshold t_S2If it is smaller, it is converted to "0",
Threshold t_S2If it is larger, convert it to "1"
Perform password conversion and enter the password. In addition,
Value t_eIf the password is larger than
Has been determined. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the password is "
1100001110011 ".

In the present invention, it is possible to use a keyboard key instead of the pointing device button. In addition, the password input method can be started not only when the power switch is turned on, but also after no user input for a certain period of time. Further, the password input method can be started when a specific application is started or when specific data is accessed.

[0038]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The first effect is that the leakage of the password can be prevented more than the conventional password input method from the keyboard. The reason is that the pointing device is easy to hide in a pocket of clothes, a hand that does not press a button, a handkerchief, or the like, and a user of the terminal device can view the button even if the pointing device is hidden. This is because the password can be input without using the password of the present invention, and it is impossible for others to peep at the password.

A second effect is that a security function at the same level as that of a terminal device such as a current computer can be realized. The reason is that the operating system can be started for the first time when the password is determined to be the same as in a terminal device such as a current computer, and then the application program can be read and executed.

A third effect is that the security function can be easily used for a user who is not used to operating the keyboard. The reason is that when entering a password from the keyboard, it is necessary to find out which character is engraved on the keyboard, and it is difficult for a user who is not used to keyboard operation to enter the password. That's why. However, in the method of the present invention, the password can be input by pressing the button of the pointing device, so that the password input is easy.

A fourth effect is that even a person with visual impairment can easily use the security protection function. The reason is that the button of the pointing device can be easily depressed without looking at it, and the password of the present invention can be input.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a password input method using a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a password input method using a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pointing device 2 Power switch 3 CPU 4 Password storage device 5 Storage device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A password input method for a computer having a pointing device, comprising: a detection signal output means for periodically outputting a detection signal indicating whether a button of the pointing device is pressed; Analysis means for recognizing an input password from a time pattern in which the button of the pointing device is pressed, and determination means for determining a match between the input password obtained by the analysis means and a pre-registered password. A password input method using a characteristic pointing device. 2. A password input method using a pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said analyzing means comprises:
A password input method comprising recognizing the input password by comparing each of the times in which the button is pressed with a predetermined time threshold. 3. The password input method using the pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing means includes:
Recognizing the input password by comparing each time the button is depressed to a first predetermined time threshold and comparing each time the button is released to a second predetermined time threshold A password input method using a pointing device. 4. A password input method using a pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said analyzing means determines that the input of the password has been completed when a predetermined time has passed since the button was released. A password input method using a pointing device. 5. A password input method using a pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said analyzing means determines that no password has been input when said button is not pressed for a predetermined short period of time. A password input method using a pointing device. 6. The password input device using the pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device is one of a mouse, a stick pointer, a slide pad, a trackball, and a thumb mouse. A password input device using a pointing device. 7. The password input device according to claim 1, wherein a keyboard is used in place of the pointing device.