Password Entry Device with Segmented Display for Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing password entry methods lack sufficient security measures to prevent unauthorized access, as characters entered are visible and can be easily read by third parties, compromising password confidentiality.
Innovation Solution
A password entry device with a touch panel that displays characters in a first style, allowing users to tap and confirm characters, which are then displayed in a second style in a different area, using asterisks or other symbols, making it difficult for others to discern the actual characters entered, and allowing drag-and-drop input for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If characters are displayed in a visible format for easy input, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened as third parties can read the password
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of visual transformation by changing the display style of characters from a first style (visible, readable format) to a second style (obscured, unreadable format) after the user taps the character. This allows the system to maintain ease of operation during selection while ensuring security during transmission and storage, as the same character can be represented in different visual forms at different stages of the password entry process
2Ease of operation
If password characters are displayed in the same area where they are entered, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to potential shoulder surfing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display area into a first area (where characters are tapped/selected) and a second area (where characters are displayed in the second style). This spatial segmentation allows the user to easily select characters in the first area while the obscured display in the second area prevents shoulder surfing, as the two areas serve different functional purposes in the password entry process
Data Source
AI summary
The password entry device includes a first display control unit, a tap determination unit, a second display control unit, and a password-entry acceptance unit. The tap determination unit determines which of the characters displayed in the first style by the first display control unit have been tapped. The second display control unit performs control operations to display the characters, which are determined by the tap determination unit that they were tapped, in a second area, which differs from the first area of the touch panel, in a second style, which differs from the first style. The password-entry acceptance unit accepts the entry of the characters that make up the password with the characters displayed in the second style by the second display control unit.