Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2004-04-06
Sheikh, Ayaz (Department: 2131)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
C713S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718471
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic information management techniques where authorization of access to electronic information is carried out based on an input password. In particular the invention relates to techniques using passwords by specifying images (to be referred to image passwords hereinbelow) which are easy to remember and difficult to appropriate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, various data processing systems (referred to hereunder as “systems”) aimed at providing a service only to a user who has previously registered, use a password for approving system use. Desirably the user of the various systems uses a different password for each system being used. However, in present times where several passwords must be used, it becomes difficult to memorize all of the passwords. Therefore, it is common for the user to use a standardized password for all of the systems, or to use a password involving familiar data such as date of birth.
With a password involving user date of birth or the like however, since this is based on data familiar to the user, there is the likelihood that an ill-willed third party can easily appropriate this. Therefore, with the object of making it difficult to appropriate a password, a technique has been considered where the position of a single displayed image is specified, and system use is approved based on the specified position.
However, with the technique for approving system use using a single image, if the displayed image is too simple, there is the possibility that the specified points will be the same. Moreover, in the case where a single image is used, since the characteristic of human memory is such that there is a tendency for the specified points to become few, there is the problem in that it is difficult to maintain strong security.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention takes into consideration the above problems with the conventional arrangement, with the object of providing a technique for using an image password which is easy to remember and difficult to appropriate, by displaying a plurality of images simultaneously or in a hierarchical structure.
Moreover, it is an object of the invention to distribute a recording medium on which is recorded the electronic information management program according to the present invention so that a person acquired such a recording medium can easily construct an electronic information management system.
According to a first aspect of the invention for achieving the above object, an electronic information management system comprises: a code information reading device for reading code information stored in an IC card, an image display device for displaying a plurality of images corresponding to the code information read by the code information reading device, an image specifying device for specifying specific parts of the respective images displayed by the image display device, and an access authorization device for authorizing access to electronic information based on the specific parts of the respective images specified by the image specifying device.
With such a construction, the plurality of images corresponding to the code information are displayed when the code information is read out from the IC card. Then, when the specific parts of the respective images displayed are specified, access is authorized to the electronic information, based on the specific parts of the respective images specified. After this, operations such as referencing and modification of the authorized electronic information are possible.
According to a second aspect of the invention, an IC card comprises: a storing device for storing code information and a plurality of images corresponding to the code information, and an access authorization device for authorizing access to electronic information based on information specifying specific parts of the respective images.
With such a construction, if there is provided with a device incorporating functions for reading the code information and the plurality of images corresponding to the code information which have been stored in the IC card and displaying the images, and for specifying the specific parts of the respective images, access is authorized to the electronic information based on the specific parts of the respective images specified. After this, operations such as referencing and modification of the authorized electronic information are possible.
According to a third aspect of the invention, a terminal apparatus comprises: an image storing device for storing a plurality of images corresponding to code information, an image display device for severally displaying the images stored by the image storing device, an image specifying device for specifying specific parts of the respective images displayed by the image display device, and an access authorization device for authorizing access to electronic information based on the specific parts of the respective images specified by the image specifying device.
With such a construction, when the code information is input, the plurality of images corresponding to the code information are displayed. Then, when the specific parts of the respective images displayed are specified, access is authorized to the electronic information based on the specific parts of the respective images specified. After this, operations such as referencing and modification of the authorized electronic information are possible.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, an electronic information management system comprises: an image storage device for storing a plurality of images, an image display device for severally displaying selectively the images stored in the image storage device, an image specifying device for severally specifying specific parts of the respective images displayed by the image display device, a password generating device for generating a password based on the specific parts of the respective images specified by the image specifying device, and an access authorization device for authorizing access to electronic information based on the password generated by the password generating device.
With such a construction, the image stored in the image storage device is severally displayed selectively by the image display device. Then, when the specific parts of the respective images displayed are specified by means of the image specifying device, a password is generated by the password generating device based on the specific parts of the respective images specified. Once the password is generated, access is authorized to the electronic information by the access authorization device, based on the generated password. After this, operations such as referencing and modification of the authorized electronic information are possible.
At this time, according to the first to fourth aspects of the invention, if a plurality of specific parts for the plurality of images are specified, then the combinations for specifying the specific parts of the images become enormous. In particular, when a large number of images are displayed, this effect is remarkable. Accordingly, even if a third party attempting to appropriate the electronic information properly specifies the specific parts of the image, the possibility of matching with the password of a user having proper authority is very low, and hence a strong security can be maintained. Furthermore, when the specific parts of the image are specified, if the specified sequence is set so as to have a story characteristic, the specified sequence can be grasped as an image. Consequently, compared to conventional passwords using English letters and numerals, it is possible to have one which can be easily remembered and which is difficult to forget.
Furthermore, the construction may be such that the image display device severally displays simultaneously the images.
With such a construction, since the images are severally displayed simultaneously, then if the specific parts of the image are specified by scanning across the vario
Fujitsu Limited
Revak Christopher
Sheikh Ayaz
Staas & Halsey , LLP
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