Graph Password Interface for Communication Terminal Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional character-type passwords used in communication terminals are insecure due to their simplicity, making them easily crackable and posing severe security risks.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for setting a graph password using a two-dimensional lattice interface with randomly filled pictures, where each picture's ID and coordinate value are used to create a complex password, and a conversion module establishes relationships between picture IDs, coordinate values, and characters to generate and store the password.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional character type password is used, then the password setting is simple, but the security is low and easy to be cracked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword setting simplicityVSAvoidpassword security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional character passwords to two-dimensional graph passwords by introducing spatial coordinates. Each password element is represented as a picture located at specific grid coordinates (row, column) in a two-dimensional lattice, adding a spatial dimension that dramatically increases the password space from 94 characters to potentially millions of picture-coordinate combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the password into multiple independent components: multiple pictures can be selected, each with its own picture ID and coordinate values. This segmentation allows the password to be divided into discrete elements that can be independently chosen and combined, increasing the overall complexity while maintaining ease of input through visual selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If graph password with multiple pictures and coordinates is used, then the security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword securityVSAvoidpassword system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a conversion module as an intermediary that translates between graph password representations (picture IDs and coordinates) and character password representations. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of conversion and storage, allowing the system to maintain simple character-based storage while using visually intuitive graph-based input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy representation of the password through the graph interface. Instead of requiring users to remember or type complex character sequences, the system provides a visual copy of the password structure where users can selectively activate pictures at different coordinates, making the complex password setting process intuitive and easy to understand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2493228B1Method and device for setting graph password of communication terminal
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 ZTE CORP
  • EP2493228B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2493228B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2493228B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method and apparatus for setting a graph password of a communication terminal are disclosed to solve the problem that the security of the traditional character password is lower. The method includes the following steps: in a case when a setting graph password instruction of a user is received and it is judged that no character password is set before, generating a graph interface with a plurality of loaded pictures, wherein, each loaded picture is randomly filled in a corresponding grid of a two-dimensional lattice of the graph interface; obtaining a picture identification (ID) and a coordinate value for setting a graph password by selecting at least one loaded picture in the graph interface as the picture corresponding to the graph password; converting the picture ID and the coordinate value for setting the graph password into a character password and storing the character password, finishing setting the graph password. In the application, the picture ID and coordinate value of the grid where the picture is located are used as the password, which increases the complexity of the password and ensures the security of using the password.