Pattern Authentication UI Feedback to Prevent Shoulder Surfing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods in shared devices like multifunction peripherals (MFPs) face issues with confidentiality due to the risk of shoulder surfing, while displaying finger trajectories, and operability decreases if no visual feedback is provided.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a display control unit that displays first objects for authentication, receives input via an indicator's movement, and indicates operation completion without showing selection changes, ensuring confidentiality and operability by using UI components to provide pattern authentication feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a trajectory of a user's finger is displayed on the operation panel to help the user visually recognize his/her operation, then operability is improved, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed due to the risk of shoulder surfing by a third person

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidconfidentiality risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the feedback information into two separate channels: visual feedback through UI component changes (for confidentiality) and tactile feedback through vibration (for operability verification). This segmentation allows each channel to serve its specific purpose without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vibration feedback as an intermediary mechanism that provides tactile confirmation of user operations without displaying visual information that could be observed by third parties. The vibration serves as a mediator between the user's touch input and operational confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If display of an operation panel is not changed at all by a user's operation to guarantee confidentiality, then confidentiality is maintained, but the user who performs the operation cannot check his/her own operation, which results in a decrease in operability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconfidentialityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces vibration feedback as an intermediary mechanism that provides tactile confirmation of user operations without displaying visual information that could be observed by third parties. The vibration serves as a mediator between the user's touch input and operational confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with a tactile vibration mechanism for providing operational feedback. Instead of using the visual display system that could be observed by others, the system uses mechanical vibration to convey confirmation to the user through touch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a part of a tracing trajectory of a user's finger is displayed instead of displaying the whole of the trajectory to address shoulder surfing, then confidentiality is partially improved, but a third person is still able to guess a pattern or the like by secretly observing a user operation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconfidentialityVSAvoidauthentication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces vibration feedback as an intermediary mechanism that provides tactile confirmation of user operations without displaying visual information that could be observed by third parties. The vibration serves as a mediator between the user's touch input and operational confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with a tactile vibration mechanism for providing operational feedback. Instead of using the visual display system that could be observed by others, the system uses mechanical vibration to convey confirmation to the user through touch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12470662B2Information processing apparatus including pattern authentication function and control method

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus including an operation panel, the information processing apparatus includes a display control unit configured to display, on the operation panel, a plurality of first display objects to receive authentication information, and a reception unit configured to receive the authentication information, based on first display objects selected from among the plurality of first display objects by an operation of an indicator that touches on the operation panel and moves while maintaining the touching state on the operation panel, wherein, in a case where the display control unit receives the operation, the display control unit performs display indicating receipt of the operation without performing display indicating selection performed on the plurality of first display objects.