Method of generating authentication patterns and authenticating system employing the same

An authenticating system includes an authenticating device, a background display device, a sensing device, and an authentication pattern checking device. The authenticating device displays a first display pattern on a transparent display panel including a transmissivity pattern. The transmissivity pattern includes a plurality of regions with different transmissivities. The background display device displays a second display pattern on a display panel to overlap the transparent display panel. The sensing device generates a sensing pattern by sensing an authentication pattern generated based on the transmissivity pattern, the first display pattern, and the second display pattern. The authentication pattern checking device performs authentication by checking whether the sensing pattern is consistent with an authentication reference pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0130913, filed on Oct. 31, 2013, and entitled: “METHOD OF GENERATING AUTHENTICATION PATTERNS AND AUTHENTICATING SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE SAME,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

One or more embodiments described herein relate a method of generating authentication patterns and an authenticating system employing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Security continues to be a focus of system designers. For example, when a user tries to access a system or a place that requires security, an authenticating system may determine whether the user has access authority. To perform this operation, a sensing device has been proposed that senses an authentication pattern from an authenticating device carried by a user. An authentication pattern checking device then checks whether the authentication pattern is consistent (i.e., matches) a reference pattern.

However, authenticating systems of this type have proven to have drawbacks. For example, because the authentication pattern is stored in the authenticating device, the authentication pattern may be forged when the authenticating device is hacked by a hacker (e.g., the authentication pattern may be leaked to a hacker and used for nefarious purposes).

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, an authenticating system includes an authenticating device configured to display a first display pattern on a transparent display panel including a transmissivity pattern, the transmissivity pattern being formed by setting transmissivity of respective regions differently on the transparent display panel; a background display device configured to display a second display pattern on a display panel, the display panel arranged to overlap the transparent display panel; a sensing device configured to generate a sensing pattern by sensing an authentication pattern generated based on the transmissivity pattern, the first display pattern, and the second display pattern; and an authentication pattern checking device configured to perform authentication by checking whether the sensing pattern is consistent with an authentication reference pattern.

The authentication pattern may include at least one of a bar code pattern, a quick response code pattern, a character pattern, a number pattern, a figure pattern, or an image pattern.

The authentication reference pattern may be preset based on the transmissivity pattern, the first display pattern, and the second display pattern, and the authentication reference pattern may be stored in the authentication pattern checking device. The authentication reference pattern may be generated by adjusting at least one of a gray-level of the first display pattern or a gray-level of the second display pattern with respect to the transmissivity pattern.

Interactions among the authenticating device, the background display device, the sensing device, and the authentication pattern checking device may occur when the transparent display panel of the authenticating device is moved over the display panel of the background display device. The authentication pattern checking device may provide the authenticating device with first data related to the authentication reference pattern, and the authenticating device may display the first display pattern corresponding to the first data on the transparent display panel.

The authenticating device may include a display unit including the transparent display panel; a receiving unit configured to receive the first data from the authentication pattern checking device; and a central processing unit configured to process the first data to output the first display pattern to the display unit.

The authentication pattern checking device may provide the authenticating device with an authentication start signal, and the authenticating device may display the first display pattern related to the authentication reference pattern on the transparent display panel in response to the authentication start signal. The authenticating device may include a display unit including the transparent display panel; a receiving unit configured to receive the authentication start signal from the authentication pattern checking device; a memory unit configured to store first data corresponding to the first display pattern; and a central processing unit configured to process the first data to output the first display pattern to the display unit.

The authentication pattern checking device may provide the background display device with second data related to the authentication reference pattern, and the background display device may display the second display pattern corresponding to the second data on the display panel.

The authentication pattern checking device may provide the background display device with an authentication start signal, and the background display device may display the second display pattern related to the authentication reference pattern on the display panel. The authenticating device and the background display device may be in different electronic devices. The authenticating device and the background display device may be in a same electronic device.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of generating authentication patterns includes displaying a first display pattern on a transparent display panel including a transmissivity pattern, the transmissivity pattern formed by setting transmissivity of respective regions differently on the transparent display panel; displaying a second display pattern on a display panel arranged to overlap the transparent display panel; and displaying an authentication pattern based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern, the first display pattern, and the second display pattern.

The method may include displaying at least one additional display pattern on at least one auxiliary transparent display panel, the auxiliary transparent display panel arranged to overlap the transparent display panel. The transparent display panel and the auxiliary transparent display panel may correspond to a transparent organic light emitting display panel, respectively. The transparent display panel and the auxiliary transparent display panel may correspond to a transparent liquid crystal display panel, respectively.

The authentication pattern may include at least one of a bar code pattern, a quick response code pattern, a character pattern, a number pattern, a figure pattern, or an image pattern. Authentication may be performed by checking whether the authentication pattern is consistent with an authentication reference pattern. The authentication reference pattern may be generated by adjusting at least one of a gray-level of the first display pattern or a gray-level of the second display pattern with respect to the transmissivity pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of an authenticating system100.FIG. 2illustrates an example in which a transparent organic light emitting display panel of an authenticating device and a display panel of a background display device overlap in the authenticating system100.FIG. 3illustrates an example in which an authentication pattern is generated in the authenticating system100.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, the authenticating system100includes an authenticating device120, a background display device140, a sensing device160, and an authentication pattern checking device180. The authenticating system100performs an authentication operation based on interactions among the authenticating device120, the background display device140, the sensing device160, and the authentication pattern checking device180.

The authenticating device120may display a first display pattern FP on a transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL. The display panel TPL includes a transmissivity pattern TP which may be formed by differently (i.e., separately) setting a transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL.

For example, the authenticating device120may include a receiving unit122, a central processing unit124, and a display unit126. The receiving unit122may receive first data FD related to an authentication reference pattern from the authentication pattern checking device180. The first data may be received using wired and/or wireless communications link. The central processing unit124may process the first data FD to output a first display pattern FP to the display unit126. The display unit126may include the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, when the authentication pattern checking device180provides the authenticating device120with the first data FD related to the authentication reference pattern, the authenticating device120may display the first display pattern FP corresponding to the first data FD on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the display unit126. Because a window of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL includes a plurality of regions having different transmissivities, the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL may include the transmissivity pattern TP.

The transmissivity pattern TP may be formed by differently setting the transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL. The transmissivity pattern TP may differ between or among a plurality of authenticating devices, and thus may act as an identifier of the authenticating device120. In addition, an authentication pattern AP may be generated by combining the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the authenticating device120, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the authenticating device120, and a second display pattern SP displayed on a display panel NPL of the background display device140. Thus, a forgery of the authentication pattern AP may be prevented, even when the first display pattern FP and/or the second display pattern SP are leaked or otherwise become known to a hacker.

The background display device140may include the display panel NPL that displays the second display pattern SP. The display panel NPL of the background display device140may be arranged to overlap the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the authenticating device120. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the background display device140may display the second display pattern SP corresponding to second data SD on the display panel NPL when the authentication pattern checking device180provides the background display device140with the second data SD related to the authentication reference pattern.

In another embodiment, the background display device140may display the second display pattern SP related to the authentication reference pattern on the display panel NPL when the authentication pattern checking device180provides the background display device140with an authentication start signal. For example, while the background display device140(e.g., an internal memory unit of the background display device140) stores the second data SD corresponding to the second display pattern SP, the background display device140may display the second display pattern SP on the display panel NPL by reading the second data SD from the internal memory unit when the authentication start signal is received from the authentication pattern checking device180.

In another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, when the authenticating device120is moved over the background display device140(e.g., when the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the authenticating device120is arranged to overlap the display panel NPL of the background display device140), interactions among the authenticating device120, the background display device140, the sensing device160, and the authentication pattern checking device180may be performed. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the authentication pattern AP may be displayed (e.g., generated) based on combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL in the authenticating device120, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL in the authenticating device120, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel NPL in the background display device140.

When the authentication pattern AP (e.g., a combined pattern of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel NPL) is displayed, the sensing device160may sense the authentication pattern AP to generate a sensing pattern SRP. When the authentication pattern AP is displayed, a user may check with the naked eye whether the authentication pattern AP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern. However, because the authentication pattern AP is generated based on combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel NPL in the authenticating system100, it may be difficult for the user to check with the naked eye whether the authentication pattern AP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern.

Therefore, when the sensing device160generates the sensing pattern SRP by sensing the authentication pattern AP, the authentication pattern checking device180may compare the sensing pattern SRP with the authentication reference pattern. However, the present embodiment may not allow the user to check with the naked eye whether the authentication pattern AP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern.

Subsequently, the authentication pattern checking device180may perform authentication by checking whether the sensing pattern SRP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern. For example, when the sensing pattern SRP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern, the authenticating system100may determine that a user carrying the authenticating device120has authority to access a system or place that requires security. On the other hand, when the sensing pattern SRP is not consistent with the authentication reference pattern, the authenticating system100may determine that a user carrying the authenticating device120does not have access authority to the system or place that requires security.

In one embodiment, the authentication pattern AP (i.e., the sensing pattern SRP) may include at least one of a bar code pattern, a quick response code pattern, a character pattern, a number pattern, a figure pattern, or an image pattern. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the authentication pattern AP may be a figure pattern generated by alternately arranging rectangle blocks.

In one embodiment, when the authenticating device120is given to provide a user with access authority to a system or place that requires security, the authentication reference pattern may be preset based on the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL in the authenticating device120, the first display pattern FP to be displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL in the authenticating device120, and the second display pattern SP to be displayed on the display panel NPL in the background display device140. The authentication reference pattern may be stored in the authentication pattern checking device180.

The authentication reference pattern may be generated by adjusting at least one of a gray-level of the first display pattern FP or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP with respect to the transmissivity pattern TP. For example, a gray-level of the first display pattern FP and/or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP may be increased in a low-transmissivity region on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL. Additionally, or alternatively, a gray-level of the first display pattern FP and/or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP may be decreased in a high-transmissivity region on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL. Thus, a gray-level of the first display pattern FP and/or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP may be adjusted in various ways.

As previously described, the authenticating system100may perform the authentication by displaying the authentication pattern AP based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL in the authenticating device120, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL the authenticating device120, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel NPL in the background display device140. The authenticating system100may then compare the authentication pattern AP with the authentication reference pattern. As a result, the authenticating system100may perform improved security authentication at high speed.

In addition, the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the authenticating device120may include the transmissivity pattern TP, which may be formed by differently setting transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL. The authentication pattern AP may be generated based on the transmissivity pattern TP that acts as an identifier of the authenticating device120(e.g., transmissivity pattern TP differs between authenticating devices). Thus, the authenticating system100may prevent the authentication pattern AP from being forged or illegitimately obtained, even when the first display pattern FP and/or the second display pattern SP are leaked by a hacker.

Further, the authenticating system100of the present embodiment may not require data synthesis for enhancing security. Thus, processing throughput of the central processing unit124of the authenticating device120may be reduced. Accordingly, the authenticating system100may operate at high speed.

Further, the authenticating device120of the authenticating system100may not include a memory unit (e.g., a memory device, a storage device, etc.) that stores specific data for performing the data synthesis. Thus, the authenticating system100may be manufactured at relatively low cost. In one embodiment, the authenticating device120and the background display device140may be in different electronic devices. In another embodiment, the authenticating device120and the background display device140may be included in one electronic device.

FIG. 4illustrates an embodiment of a method for performing authentication, which, for example, may be performed by the authenticating system ofFIG. 1. In this method, the authenticating system100may perform authentication based on interactions among the authenticating device120, the background display device140, the sensing device160, and the authentication pattern checking device180. For example, when the authenticating device120is moved over the background display device140(e.g., when the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL of the authenticating device120is arranged to overlap the display panel NPL of the background display device140), the authentication pattern checking device180may provide the first data FD related to the authentication reference pattern and the second data SD related to the authentication reference pattern to the authenticating device120and the background display device140, respectively (S110).

Subsequently, the authenticating device120may display the first display pattern FP corresponding to the first data FD on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL (S120). In addition, the background display device140may display the second display pattern SP corresponding to the second data SD on the display panel NPL (S125). As a result, the authentication pattern AP may be generated based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel NPL.

Next, when the sensing device160generates the sensing pattern SRP by sensing the authentication pattern AP (S130), the authentication pattern checking device180checks whether the sensing pattern SRP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern (S140). In this way, the authentication may be performed in the authenticating system100.

As described above, the authenticating system100may perform authentication by displaying the authentication pattern AP based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL included in the authenticating device120, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel TPL in the authenticating device120, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel NPL in the background display device140. The authenticating system100may compare the authentication pattern AP with the authentication reference pattern. As a result, the authenticating system100may perform improved security authentication at high speed.

FIG. 5illustrates another embodiment of an authenticating system200which includes an authenticating device220, a background display device240, a sensing device260, and an authentication pattern checking device280. The authenticating system200may perform authentication based on interactions among the authenticating device220, the background display device240, the sensing device260, and the authentication pattern checking device280.

The authenticating device220may display a first display pattern FP on a transparent organic light emitting display panel including a transmissivity pattern TP. The transmissivity pattern TP may be formed by differently (e.g., separately) setting a transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent organic light emitting display panel.

The authenticating device220may include a receiving unit222, a central processing unit224, a display unit226, and a memory unit228. The receiving unit222may receive an authentication start signal ASS from the authentication pattern checking device280using wired and/or wireless communications.

The central processing unit224may process first data FD corresponding to the first display pattern FP to output the first display pattern FP to the display unit226.

The display unit226may include the transparent organic light emitting display panel. The memory unit228may store the first data FD. For example, the memory unit220may include at least one non-volatile memory device such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a resistance random access memory (RRAM) device, a nano floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc, and/or at least one volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, or a mobile dynamic random access memory (mobile DRAM) device. The memory unit228may further include a solid state drive (SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, etc.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, when the authentication pattern checking device280provides the authenticating device220with the authentication start signal ASS, the authenticating device220may display the first display pattern FP related to the authentication reference pattern on the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the display unit226in response to the authentication start signal ASS. For example, while the authenticating device220stores the first data FD corresponding to the first display pattern FP (e.g., in the memory unit228), the authenticating device220may display the first display pattern FP on the transparent organic light emitting display panel by reading the first data FD from the memory unit228when the authentication start signal ASS is received from the authentication pattern checking device280.

Because a window of the transparent organic light emitting display panel includes a plurality of regions having different transmissivities, the transparent organic light emitting display panel may include the transmissivity pattern TP, where the transmissivity pattern TP is formed by differently setting the transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent organic light emitting display panel. The transmissivity pattern TP may differ between a plurality of authenticating devices, and thus may act as an identifier of the authenticating device220.

In addition, an authentication pattern AP may be generated by combining the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the authenticating device220, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the authenticating device220, and a second display pattern SP displayed on a display panel of the background display device240. Thus, a forgery of the authentication pattern AP may be prevented, even when the first display pattern FP and/or the second display pattern SP are leaked by a hacker.

The background display device240may include the display panel that displays the second display pattern SP. The display panel of the background display device240may be arranged to overlap the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the authenticating device220. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the background display device240may display the second display pattern SP related to the authentication reference pattern on the display panel when the authentication pattern checking device280provides the background display device240with the authentication start signal ASS. For example, while the background display device240(e.g., an internal memory unit of the background display device240) stores the second data SD corresponding to the second display pattern SP, the background display device240may display the second display pattern SP on the display panel by reading the second data SD from the internal memory unit when the authentication start signal ASS is received from the authentication pattern checking device280.

In another embodiment, the background display device240may display the second display pattern SP corresponding to the second data SD on the display panel when the authentication pattern checking device280provides the background display device240with the second data SD related to the authentication reference pattern. In this case, the background display device240may not include the internal memory unit.

In one embodiment, when the authenticating device220is moved over the background display device240(e.g., when the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the authenticating device220is arranged to overlap the display panel of the background display device240), interactions among the authenticating device220, the background display device240, the sensing device260, and the authentication pattern checking device280may be performed. As a result, the authentication pattern AP may be displayed (e.g., generated) based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel the authenticating device220, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel in the background display device240.

When the authentication pattern AP (e.g., a combined pattern of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel) is displayed, the sensing device260may sense the authentication pattern AP to generate a sensing pattern SRP.

When the authentication pattern AP is displayed, a user may check with the naked eye whether the authentication pattern AP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern. However, because the authentication pattern AP is generated based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel in the authenticating system200, in some circumstances, it may be difficult for the user to check with the naked eye whether the authentication pattern AP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern.

Therefore, when the sensing device260generates the sensing pattern SRP by sensing the authentication pattern AP, the authentication pattern checking device280may compare the sensing pattern SRP with the authentication reference pattern. However, in another embodiment, the user may check with the naked eye whether the authentication pattern AP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern.

Subsequently, the authentication pattern checking device280may perform authentication by checking whether the sensing pattern SRP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern. For example, when the sensing pattern SRP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern, the authenticating system200may determine that a user carrying the authenticating device220has authority for accessing a system or a place that requires security. On the other hand, when the sensing pattern SRP is not consistent with the authentication reference pattern, the authenticating system200may determine that a user carrying the authenticating device220does not have access authority to the system or place that requires security.

In one embodiment, the authentication pattern AP (e.g., the sensing pattern SRP) may include at least one of a bar code pattern, a quick response code pattern, a character pattern, a number pattern, a figure pattern, or an image pattern.

In one embodiment, when the authenticating device220is given to provide a user with access authority to a system or place that requires security, the authentication reference pattern may be preset based on the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, the first display pattern FP that is to be displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, and the second display pattern SP that is to be displayed on the display panel in the background display device240The authentication reference pattern may be stored in the authentication pattern checking device280.

The authentication reference pattern may be generated by adjusting at least one of a gray-level of the first display pattern FP or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP with respect to the transmissivity pattern TP. For example, a gray-level of the first display pattern FP and/or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP may be increased in a low-transmissivity region on the transparent organic light emitting display panel. Additionally, or alternatively, a gray-level of the first display pattern FP and/or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP may be decreased in a high-transmissivity region on the transparent organic light emitting display panel. Thus, a gray-level of the first display pattern FP and/or a gray-level of the second display pattern SP may be adjusted in various ways.

As previously described, the authenticating system200may perform authentication by displaying the authentication pattern AP based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel in the background display device240. The authenticating system200may then compare the authentication pattern AP with the authentication reference pattern. As a result, the authenticating system200may perform improved security authentication at high speed.

In addition, the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the authenticating device220may include the transmissivity pattern TP formed by differently setting a transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent organic light emitting display panel. The authentication pattern AP may be generated based on the transmissivity pattern TP, that acts as an identifier of the authenticating device220(e.g., the transmissivity pattern TP differs between authenticating devices). Thus, the authenticating system200may prevent the authentication pattern AP from being forged, even when the first display pattern FP and/or the second display pattern SP are leaked by a hacker.

Further, in accordance with one embodiment, the authenticating system200may not require data synthesis for enhancing security. Thus, processing throughput by the central processing unit224of the authenticating device220may be reduced. Accordingly, the authenticating system200may operate at high speed.

In one embodiment, the authenticating device220and the background display device240may be in different electronic devices. In another embodiment, the authenticating device220and the background display device240may be in the same electronic device.

FIG. 6illustrates another embodiment of a method for performing authentication, which, for example, may be performed by the authenticating system ofFIG. 5. InFIG. 6, the authenticating system200performs authentication based on interactions among the authenticating device220, the background display device240, the sensing device260, and the authentication pattern checking device280.

When the authenticating device220is moved over the background display device240(e.g., when the transparent organic light emitting display panel of the authenticating device220is arranged to overlap the display panel of the background display device240), the authentication pattern checking device280may provide the authentication start signal ASS to the authenticating device220and the background display device240(S210).

In one embodiment, the authentication pattern checking device280may provide the authentication start signal ASS to the authenticating device220and the background display device240at the same time. In another embodiment, the authentication pattern checking device280may provide the authentication start signal ASS to the authenticating device220, and then may provide the authentication start signal ASS to the background display device240. In another embodiment, the authentication pattern checking device280may provide the authentication start signal ASS to the background display device240, and then may provide the authentication start signal ASS to the authenticating device220.

Subsequently, the authenticating device220may display the first display pattern FP, corresponding to the first data FD on the transparent organic light emitting display panel, by reading the first data FD from the memory unit228(S220). The background display device240may display the second display pattern SP, corresponding to the second data SD on the display panel, by reading the second data SD from the internal memory unit (S225). As a result, the authentication pattern AP may be generated based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel in the background display device240.

Next, when the sensing device260generates the sensing pattern SRP by sensing the authentication pattern AP (S230), the authentication pattern checking device280may check whether the sensing pattern SRP is consistent with the authentication reference pattern (S240). In this way, authentication may be performed in the authenticating system200.

As previously described, the authenticating system200may perform authentication by displaying the authentication pattern AP based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern TP of the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, the first display pattern FP displayed on the transparent organic light emitting display panel in the authenticating device220, and the second display pattern SP displayed on the display panel in the background display device240. The authenticating system200may compare the authentication pattern AP with the authentication reference pattern. As a result, the authenticating system200may perform improved security authentication at high speed.

FIG. 7illustrates an embodiment of a method for generating authentication patterns.FIG. 8illustrates an example of how an authentication pattern may be generated by the method ofFIG. 7.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the method includes displaying a first display pattern11on a transparent display panel including a transmissivity pattern13(S310). The transmissivity pattern13is formed by differently (e.g., separately) setting transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent display panel. A second display pattern12is displayed on a display panel that is arranged to overlap the transparent display panel (S320). An authentication pattern14is displayed based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern13, the first display pattern11, and the second display pattern12(S330). In other words, the authentication pattern14may be generated by combining the transmissivity pattern13, the first display pattern11, and the second display pattern12. AlthoughFIG. 7illustrates that the second display pattern12is displayed on the display panel after the first display pattern11is displayed on the transparent display panel, first display pattern11may be displayed on the transparent display panel after the second display pattern12is displayed on the display panel.

In one embodiment, the transparent display panel may correspond to a transparent organic light emitting display panel. In another example embodiment, the transparent display panel may correspond to a transparent liquid crystal display panel. Thus, because the display panel is visible through the transparent display panel, the first display pattern11displayed on the transparent display panel may overlap with the second display pattern12displayed on the display panel.

In addition, because the transparent display panel includes a transmissivity pattern13that is formed by differently setting a transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent display panel (e.g., because a window of the transparent display panel includes a plurality of regions having different transmissivities), the authentication pattern14may be displayed as a combined pattern of the transmissivity pattern13of the transparent display panel, the first display pattern11displayed on the transparent display panel, and the second display pattern12displayed on the display panel.

In one embodiment, the method ofFIG. 7may display at least one additional display pattern on at least one auxiliary transparent display panel. The auxiliary transparent display panel may be arranged to be overlap the transparent display panel. In this case, the authentication pattern14may be generated by combining the transmissivity pattern13of the transparent display panel, the first display pattern11displayed on the transparent display panel, the second display pattern12displayed on the display panel, and the additional display pattern displayed on the auxiliary transparent display panel. Thus, the security of the authentication pattern14may be improved.

In one embodiment, the authentication pattern AP may include at least one of a bar code pattern, a quick response code pattern, a character pattern, a number pattern, a figure pattern, or an image pattern. The authentication may be performed by checking whether the authentication pattern14is consistent with a predetermined authentication reference pattern.

In one embodiment, the authentication reference pattern may be generated by adjusting at least one of a gray-level of the first display pattern11or a gray-level of the second display pattern12with respect to the transmissivity pattern13of the transparent display panel.

Because the method ofFIG. 7may generate the authentication pattern14based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern13of the transparent display panel, the first display pattern11displayed on the transparent display panel, and the second display pattern12displayed on the display panel, this method may prevent the authentication pattern14from being forged even when the first display pattern11and/or the second display pattern12are leaked by a hacker. Therefore, this method may be employed in an authenticating system that requires improved security and high-speed operation.

FIG. 9illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device that performs the method ofFIG. 7.FIG. 10illustrates another embodiment of an electronic device that performs this method. InFIG. 9, the electronic device is or is included in a smart card400illustrated inFIG. 9. InFIG. 10, the electronic device is or is included in a smart phone500.

In these embodiments, the method may be performed by an authenticating system which includes an authenticating device, a background display device, a sensing device, and an authentication pattern checking device.

The authenticating device may display a first display pattern on a transparent display panel including a transmissivity pattern, where the transmissivity pattern is formed by differently (e.g., separately) setting a transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent display panel.

The background display device may display a second display pattern on a display panel, where the display panel is arranged to overlap the transparent display panel.

The sensing device may generate a sensing pattern by sensing an authentication pattern, where the authentication pattern is generated based on one or more combinations of the transmissivity pattern, the first display pattern, and the second display pattern.

The authentication pattern checking device may check whether the sensing pattern is consistent with an authentication reference pattern. In this way, authentication may be performed in the authenticating system. In one embodiment, the authenticating device and the background display device may be in different electronic devices. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the authenticating device may be in the smart card400(e.g., an electronic passport, an electronic identification card, etc.), and the background display device may be included in a specific electronic device (e.g., a television, etc.).

In one example, authentication may be performed when the smart card400is moved over the television (e.g., the transparent display panel of the smart card400is arranged to overlap the display panel of the television).

In another example, the authenticating device and the background display device may be included in the same electronic device. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the transparent display panel of the authenticating device may be arranged to overlap the display panel of the background display device in the smart phone500. Thus, for example, authentication may be performed when a specific button of the smart phone500(e.g., a physical button, a touch-screen button, etc.) is pushed by a user.

In one embodiment, a transparent display panel corresponds to a transparent organic light emitting display panel. In other embodiments, the transparent display panel may correspond to one of various transparent display panels such as a transparent liquid crystal display panel, etc.

The aforementioned embodiments may be applied, for example, to a television, a computer, a laptop, a digital camera, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a smart pad, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a navigation system, a camcorder, a video phone, etc.

By way of summation and review, when a user tries to access a system or a place that requires security, an authenticating system may determine whether the specific user has authority to access the system or the place that requires security. In one type of authenticating system that has been proposed, a sensing device senses an authentication pattern from an authenticating device carried by a user, Then, an authentication pattern checking device checks whether the sensed authentication pattern is consistent with an authentication reference pattern. However, in this system, the authentication pattern is stored in the authenticating device. Consequently, the authentication pattern may be forged when the authenticating device is hacked by a hacker.

In accordance with one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, authentication is performed by displaying an authentication pattern based on one or more combinations of a transmissivity pattern of a transparent display panel in an authenticating device, a first display pattern displayed on the transparent display panel, and a second display pattern displayed on a display panel in a background display device. The authentication pattern is compared with an authentication reference pattern. The transmissivity pattern is formed by differently (e.g., separately) setting transmissivity of respective regions on the transparent display panel. Thus, the transmissivity pattern may act as an identifier of the authenticating device and improved security authentication may be performed at high speed.

The methods and processes described herein may be performed by code or instructions to be executed by a computer, processor, or controller. Because the algorithms that form the basis of the methods (or operations of the computer, processor, or controller) are described in detail, the code or instructions for implementing the operations of the method embodiments may transform the computer, processor, or controller into a special-purpose processor for performing the methods described herein.

Also, another embodiment may include a computer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for storing the code or instructions described above. The computer-readable medium may be a volatile or non-volatile memory or other storage device, which may be removably or fixedly coupled to the computer, processor, or controller which is to execute the code or instructions for performing the method embodiments described herein.