Triple-tap Password Entry on TV Remotes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional television remote controls with alphanumeric keypads are cumbersome for entering text-based passwords due to limited keys and complex triple-tap techniques, leading to user confusion and potential password exposure in multi-user environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing triple-tap password entry on television remote controls, where each character of the password is displayed for a short duration or until the next character is entered, and then obscured with asterisks or random characters to conceal the password sequence, reducing the risk of exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If triple-tap text entry techniques are used on a 9-key keypad, then text can be entered with limited keys, but the number of key presses required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the password entry process into individual character displays that are sequentially presented and then obscured. Each character is displayed separately for a brief period, allowing the user to see what they are typing without displaying the entire password at once, thereby reducing the total number of presses needed while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying each character briefly before obscuring it. This allows the user to see the character being entered in advance of it being masked, reducing confusion and the need for corrective re-entry, thus decreasing the overall number of key presses required
2Ease of operation
If all password characters are displayed simultaneously, then user can see what is being entered, but password exposure risk increases in multi-user environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the password display into individual character presentations that are sequentially obscured after brief display periods. This segmentation allows users to see each character as it is entered without exposing the complete password, thereby maintaining visibility while reducing exposure risk in shared environments
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by displaying each character for a specific time duration and then obscuring it. This periodic display-and-obscure cycle provides temporary visibility for user confirmation while subsequently protecting the password from旁观ers, effectively balancing ease of operation with security
3Ease of operation
If characters are displayed for extended duration, then user can confirm each character, but password remains visible longer increasing exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by displaying each character for a predetermined brief duration and then automatically obscuring it. This time-limited display provides sufficient confirmation for the user while minimizing the window of exposure, effectively balancing character verification needs with password security in shared environments
Data Source
AI summary
Triple-tap password entry is described. In an embodiment, a password is received as a sequence of characters that are each entered as one or more keypad inputs, such as with a television remote control. The keypad inputs for each of the characters are displayed as the sequence of characters are received, and a character of the password is obscured after the character has been received such that the characters are consecutively obscured to conceal the password. A character of the password can be obscured when a subsequent character is received, or when a time duration of the character display meets and/or exceeds a time limit.