Patent ID: 8024576
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for authenticating users with a one time password using a visual communication channel, comprising: receiving a request for access to a protected resource that requires authentication, displaying a sequence of images by a monitor, wherein the sequence of images represents an encrypted data stream that contains a one time password which has a lifetime validity period, displaying a synchronization image by the monitor while displaying the sequence of images, the synchronization image being adjusted for each image in the sequence of images to synchronize reception of the sequence of images with a hardware decoder, capturing, by the hardware decoder, the synchronization image and the sequence of images as they are being displayed, wherein the hardware decoder has at least one data photodiode for capturing the sequence of images and at least one synchronization photodiode for capturing the synchronization image, the synchronization image indicating to the hardware decoder when to capture an image in the sequence of images, the hardware decoder being placed near or against the monitor, the hardware decoder converting the sequence of images into the encrypted data stream, decrypting the encrypted data stream to obtain the one time password and presenting the one time password on a display, receiving the one time password for authentication, and providing access to the protected resource if the submitted one time password was properly decrypted from the encrypted data stream and the lifetime validity period of the one time password did not expire.