Scrambling passcode entry interface

A method of secured passcode entry is disclosed. The method, in one embodiment, includes: receiving a request to authenticate a user; in response to receiving the request, generating a passcode entry interface that includes a plurality of buttons for the user to compose a passcode entry, each button representing a character of a set of characters, the set of characters having a natural sequence, wherein said generating includes displaying the buttons on a touchscreen of the electronic device in an arrangement that does not reflect the natural sequence of the set of characters; detecting a touch event, represented as a coordinate on the touchscreen, interacting with the touchscreen while the passcode entry interface is displayed, wherein the touch event is indicative of at least a portion of a passcode entry by the user; and verifying an authenticity of the passcode entry based at least partly on the touch event.

BACKGROUND

Security in accessing and transmitting information is as crucial as security to protect physical possessions. Conventional security devices, such as combination locks, may include devices that control access based on possession of a virtual “key,” such as in the form of private information (e.g., a passcode). A passcode is a combination of a sequence of characters, such as letters, numbers, special characters, or any combination thereof. In the digital realm, passcode-based locks are emulated by digital passcode-based security devices, such as a key pad on an automatic teller machine (ATM) or a card reader for a debit card personal identification number (PIN) key pad. These digital passcode-based security devices are generally special-purpose hardware devices (i.e., lacking a general purpose operating system/kernel to run different functional components) that control access to a system based on a user's knowledge of a passcode. Conventional digital passcode-based security devices are implemented on special-purpose devices because of the ability to build concealment structures, such as a shield wall around the PIN key pad, around the special-purpose devices. Further, conventional digital passcode-based security devices are implemented on special-purpose devices because, among other reasons, any general-purpose device may be more vulnerable to installation of malware (i.e., software designed to overcome security without authorization).

For example, in a conventional transaction where payment is made by using a point-of-sale electronic payment card (e.g., a debit card or smart card such as a Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) card), a cardholder's identity and/or authenticity is confirmed by requiring the cardholder (“user”) to enter a PIN rather than or in addition to signing a paper receipt. A user may enter a PIN entry on a PIN pad on a special-purpose card reader, on which a protective shield may partially surround the PIN pad. The card reader then retrieves an authentic PIN from the smart card. The user-entered PIN is compared against the authentic PIN from the smart card. Authorization of the use of the card is then granted when the user PIN entry matches the authentic PIN.

The example above involves using a special-purpose device to authorize a user, instead of using a general-purpose device, i.e., a device that has an operating system enabling any third party software application to run on it. A general-purpose device enables ease of implementation of security sensitive applications. For example, general-purpose devices may include personal computers, smart phones (e.g., Android phone or iPhone), or tablet computers (e.g., iPad, Kindle, Galaxy Tab, etc.). The ability to use general-purpose devices to implement a passcode-based authentication system enables merchants and consumers who wish to use or implement a secured authentication system to use devices they already own for that purpose. General-purpose devices also enable a wider selection of presentation capabilities, and thus enabling integration of a storefront with a payment authentication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a technique for secure passcode entry on a user interface of a general-purpose electronic device; the portion of the user interface used for passcode entry is henceforth referred to as the “passcode entry interface” in this description. Making a card reader part of the general-purpose electronic device may previously have been unfeasible because of the difficulty of defending against installation of malware on the same general-purpose device and the infeasibility of installing concealment structures around the general-purpose device. The disclosed technique includes mechanisms to conceal a user's passcode entry from unauthorized individuals attempting to discover the passcode (e.g., by looking over the shoulder of the user or by analyzing positions of fingerprints on a touchscreen of the electronic device). For example, the disclosed technique includes scrambling character labels on the passcode entry interface such that a character entry cannot be interpreted via just a glance. The disclosed technique is advantageous by enabling a general purpose device with a touchscreen to be used securely for passcode authentication. The concealment mechanisms are designed such that the general purpose device may be part of a payment system and satisfy the security requirements of the payment system.

In various embodiments, a passcode entry interface is generated on a touchscreen of the general-purpose electronic device. The general-purpose electronic device may be, for example, a mobile device, such as a tablet computer, a smart phone, or an e-reader, or stationary devices, such as personal computers or I/O terminals. The passcode entry interface may include a character entry mechanism, where a passcode entry comprises a sequence of character entries by the user. In some embodiments, the general-purpose device is coupled to a docking station. The passcode entry interface may be partially displayed on a display of the docking station. The docking station may include one or more control mechanisms for interacting with the passcode entry interface.

In various embodiments, the disclosed technique involves arranging soft buttons (displayed images or icons of buttons on a touch-sensitive display device) on the passcode entry interface in an out-of-sequence manner, where the soft buttons (hereinafter simply “buttons”) correspond to character options for composing a passcode entry. The buttons may be of any shape, such as a square, a circle, or a hexagon, any single or mix of colors, and any size. For example, the buttons may be arranged randomly on the passcode entry interface. In some embodiments, the buttons are rearranged in response to a touch event on the touchscreen. The rearrangement may be on a random basis, where fixed button positions are assigned a random character from the character options for composing the passcode entry. For example, an initial passcode entry interface may be arranged out of sequence from a natural sequence of the character options (e.g., a numeric sequence or an alphabetical sequence). For another example, a subsequent passcode character entry (e.g., entry of a number of a PIN) may trigger rearranging of the buttons on the passcode entry interface. This mechanism helps to confuse any potential wrongdoer who may be looking over a user's shoulders while the user is entering the passcode entry.

In some embodiments, the passcode entry technique involves positioning the passcode entry interface at a corner of the touchscreen. This positioning enables a user to better shield the passcode entry interface with his/her hand while entering the passcode on the touchscreen.

In some embodiments, the passcode entry interface is shaped in a loop pattern as displayed on the touchscreen. A loop pattern is arranged such that buttons on the passcode entry interface follows a curve that is connected to its beginning. For example, the loop pattern can be a substantially circular pattern, a substantially elliptical pattern, a hexagonal pattern, a star pattern, etc. For example, the passcode entry interface may be shaped as a ring. The buttons corresponding to the character options for composing the passcode entry may be evenly spaced along the ring. The buttons corresponding to the character options may be arranged in sequence (e.g., numeric or alphabetic sequence), but the initial arrangement of the buttons may be according to a random rotation of the buttons around a center of the loop pattern shape. In some embodiments, each character entry based on a touch event on one of the buttons triggers a rearrangement of the buttons on the loop pattern shape, such as a new rotation of the buttons around the center of the loop pattern shape.

In various embodiments, a character entry is triggered by detection of a dialing gesture over the loop pattern passcode entry interface. The electronic device may detect a dialing gesture over the passcode entry interface, where buttons on the loop pattern passcode entry interface rotate in response to the dialing gesture. A fixed position along the loop pattern interface may be designated as a selection juncture, where after the dialing gesture, the character at the selection juncture is entered as part of the passcode entry, similar to operation of a rotary dial phone.

The loop pattern interface may include an even number of characters. When there is an even number of characters on the loop pattern passcode entry interface, relative positions between pairs of the buttons remain the same after randomized rotations of the buttons around the center of the loop pattern. Hence, the loop pattern interface is advantageous by allowing a semi-random arrangement of characters on the interface while maintaining a radial symmetry enabling users to quickly find the characters options for composing the passcode entry.

In various embodiments, touch events (e.g., X and Y coordinates of where each touch happens on the touchscreen) over the buttons on the touchscreen are encrypted. Configurations of display instances of the passcode entry interface may vary between each touch event, between each user session, or between other time intervals. For example, configuration of a display instance can include the geometry, position, and/or arrangement of the buttons. The configuration of the display instance can be stored on the electronic device or remotely on an external server system. Together, the configuration of the displaced instance and the encrypted coordinates of the touch events during a time duration of the display instance can be used to determine the passcode entry by the user.

In various embodiments, the concealment mechanism includes ways of making it difficult to interpret characters on the passcode entry interface by a quick glance. For example, the electronic device can overlay a concealment layer over the passcode entry interface. The concealment layer may include random blots, line segments (e.g., straight, curved or wavy), spots, stains, blemishes, or other low density geometries to make it difficult for interpretation of the character labels on the buttons at a distance while convenient enough for interpretation by a close up look. As another example, the characters displayed on the buttons can include variations of stroke widths to achieve the same result. Different stroke widths on the characters tends to confuse a potential wrongdoer from interpreting the passcode entry by a quick glance. In other embodiments, a line moiré pattern slides over the passcode entry interface with character labels patterned to be revealed or concealed by the line moiré pattern. The sliding of the line moiré pattern obfuscates the characters on the buttons in a way such that only certain numbers can be visible at any given time.

In various embodiments, the passcode entry interface is displayed and presented as a selection reel/tumbler instead of a keypad. One or more selection reels may be displayed on the passcode entry interface. The selection reel may be displayed on the touchscreen. As an example, a swiping gesture on the touchscreen over the selection reel may enable switching of a selection from among character options for composing a passcode entry. As another example, a dial element may be displayed on the touchscreen, where a dialing gesture around the dial element enable switching among characters options for composing a passcode entry. As yet another example, a hardware dial may be part of the docking station coupled to the general-purpose electronic device. The hardware dial may detect a turning motion thereon and command a switch to select a character from among characters options for composing a passcode entry.

The selection reel may be displayed on the touchscreen of the general-purpose electronic device or a display on the docking station. For example, the display on the docking station may be within the hardware dial or at another portion of the docking station. A polarized screen may be placed over the touchscreen of the general-purpose electronic device or the display on the docking station. The polarized screen helps to prevent the passcode entry from being visible to someone looking over the shoulder of the user.

Once toggled to the desired character, the user may select a character on the selection reel. For example, a touch event on a button on the touchscreen can trigger the selection. As another example, pressing of a hardware button on the docking station can trigger the selection.

In various embodiments, the position of the passcode entry interface and the positions of buttons on the passcode entry interface are configured based on a touch event history. For example, the general-purpose electronic device may record a touch event history based on user interactions with a user interface, such as a mobile storefront with menu items or a previously presented passcode entry interface, sharing the same touchscreen as the currently presented passcode entry interface. The touch event history can be used to identify regions of high finger touch traffic. The passcode entry interface and the buttons of the passcode entry interface may be selected to overlay the regions of high finger touch traffic in order to hinder any attempt by a wrongdoer to ascertain the passcode entry through fingerprint analysis of the touchscreen.

In other embodiments, the position of the passcode entry interface and the position of a storefront interface can alternate between different sessions of user interaction. This is advantageous in creating an even distribution of finger touch traffic. As such, the alternating positions of the interfaces (e.g., the passcode entry interface) on the touchscreen may hinder any attempt to reverse engineer the passcode entry through fingerprint analysis.

FIG. 1shows a system architecture of a payment system100, including a general-purpose electronic device102for secure passcode entry, in which the disclosed technique may be applied. The electronic device102is a general purpose data processing device. For example, the electronic device102may be a mobile phone, a tablet, an e-reader, other mobile or portable computing devices, or other stationary computing devices. The electronic device102may be configured to facilitate a financial transaction. The electronic device102may be coupled to a card reader104, which can initiate a financial transaction to purchase items from a merchant operating the electronic device102upon detecting a swipe of a payment card105.

In the illustrated embodiment, the card reader104is integral to a docking station106and is coupled to the electronic device102through the docking station106. In other embodiments, however, the card reader104can be a separate component connected to the electronic device102or to the docking station106. For example, in embodiments, the card reader101may be replaced by a dongle type attachment that plugs into an audio port or data connector port of the electronic device102and performs similar function of detecting swipe of the payment card105and transfers information to the electronic device want to. The electronic device102may fit into a cavity of the docking station106as shown.

In the illustrated embodiment, the docking station106and/or the electronic device102are coupled to one or more peripheral components, such as a label reader108, a receipt printer109, or a cashier drawer110. The peripheral components can be coupled to the electronic device102through a hub device111, such as a wired hub or a wireless router. A user may purchase various items for checkout through one of the peripheral components, such as through the label reader108coupled to the electronic device102, through a user's mobile device, or through a storefront interface on the electronic device102. During checkout, the card reader104can read and/or access the payment card105. The payment card105may be a credit card, a debit card, an EMV card, or another type of passive or active payment device. The payment card105may communicate, for example, via magnetism, radio frequency, near field communication (NFC), acoustic wave, optical modulation, or another method or methods of communication.

Usage of the payment card105may require verification of a user identity. One method of verifying the user identity includes having the user inputting a passcode entry and verified the passcode entry against an authentic passcode stored on a remote computer system or on the payment card105. For example, the electronic device102can display a passcode entry interface112on a touchscreen114of the electronic device102. When the user inputs each character entry116, the passcode entry interface112can implement a variety of security mechanisms to prevent an onlooker from stealing the passcode composition. As an example, character labels on buttons of the passcode entry interface are shown to be scrambled out of sequence as a security mechanism. Specifics of these various security mechanisms are described below.

Once the payment card105and the user identity are verified through the passcode entry interface112, the electronic device102may facilitate the completion of financial transaction.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device200, which may represent the electronic device102, for passcode entry. The electronic device200may be a general-purpose computing device. The electronic device200includes a passcode interface module202, which is configured to present and maintain a passcode entry interface.

In various embodiments, the passcode interface module202is configured to generate the passcode interface. The passcode interface module202may generate the passcode interface in accordance with various security mechanisms described below. Each security mechanism, for example, may configure the passcode entry interface including adjusting a layout of the passcode entry interface. Such configurations are stored as a passcode interface configuration. The size, arrangement, position, orientation, shape, and other absolute or relative geometric characteristics of the passcode interface and elements within the passcode interface are all examples of the passcode interface configuration. Various passcode interface configurations may be selected to promote concealment of a user's entry of a passcode on the passcode entry interface.

In one embodiment, the passcode entry interface includes buttons corresponding to character options for composing a passcode entry. In other embodiments, the passcode entry interface includes a character selection reel, which is configured to toggle amongst different character options for composing a passcode entry. The passcode interface configuration may indicate different shapes, size, arrangement, or other geometric characteristics for the passcode entry interface.

The passcode interface configuration may also indicate various interactions and/or animation of the passcode entry interface in response to user interactions. For example, the passcode entry interface includes at least a mechanism for registering a character entry, that is, a selection by a user of a particular character option as being part of the passcode entry.

In other embodiments, the passcode interface configuration is provided by a remote backend system203through a network, and the passcode interface is generated and displayed based on the passcode interface configuration from the remote backend system203. In those embodiments, once received, the passcode interface configuration is stored in an interface configuration store204. The passcode interface configuration may then be used by the passcode interface module202to present the passcode interface to the user.

The passcode interface module202may further be configured to present the passcode interface in a variety of ways. As an example, the presentation of the passcode interface may include displaying or rendering the passcode interface on a touchscreen in accordance with the passcode interface configuration, such as a layout configuration. The passcode interface module202may render the passcode interface in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional manner. The passcode interface module202may also present the passcode interface in other ways, including presenting the passcode interface through animation, audio, webpage, widget, other passive or interactive multimedia, or any combination thereof.

The passcode interface module202may be configured to maintain feedback based on an interactivity between the passcode interface and a user. For example, the passcode interface module202may be coupled to a touchscreen of the electronic device200, such as the touchscreen108ofFIG. 1. The interactivity enables the passcode interface to provide feedback as a user enters a character or a set of characters to be part of the passcode entry.

A record of interactivity is captured with an input device206, such as the touchscreen114ofFIG. 1or an external device coupled to the electronic device200. The input device206is controlled by an input device driver208of the electronic device200. The input device driver208may run on a kernel level of an operating system of the electronic device200.

In various embodiments, the input device driver208captures an input stream from the input device206. The input device206may include any input hardware (i.e., one or more sensors) capable of detecting an sensor entry which implicates (i.e., indicative of) a user's interaction with the passcode interface. Such user interactions indicate a passcode entry by the user. The sequence of sensor entries received may constitute the input stream.

A communication module210is configured to request a sensor input stream from a system call interface module212of the electronic device200. The system call interface module212may be part of an operating system kernel of the electronic device200. The system call interface module212may respond to the request by retrieving the sensor input stream from the input device driver module208. In various embodiments, the passcode interface module202is also coupled to the system call interface212. For example, the passcode interface module202can track touch events interacting with elements of the passcode entry interface to update the passcode entry interface.

In response to receiving the sensor input stream, the communication module210may be configured to send a portion of the sensor input stream to the remote backend system203, such as an authentication system or a financial service system, through a network. The portion may be selected from sensor entries recorded while presenting the passcode interface on the electronic device200.

When the passcode interface configuration is generated on the electronic device200, the communication module210may transmit the passcode interface configuration to the remote backend system203such that the remote backend system203may use a portion of a sensor input stream and the passcode interface configuration to decipher the passcode entry by the user. In other embodiments, the deciphering of the passcode entry by the user is performed on the electronic device200.

Blocks, components, and/or modules associated with the electronic device200may be implemented in the form of special-purpose circuitry, or in the form of one or more appropriately programmed programmable processors, or a combination thereof. For example, the modules described can be implemented as instructions on a tangible storage memory capable of being executed by a processor or a controller on a machine. The tangible storage memory may be a volatile or a non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, the volatile memory may be considered “non-transitory” in the sense that it is not a transitory signal. Modules may be operable when executed by a processor or other computing device, e.g., a single board chip, application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable field array, a network capable computing device, a virtual machine terminal device, a cloud-based computing terminal device, or any combination thereof.

Each of the modules may operate individually and independently of other modules. Some or all of the modules may be executed on the same host device or on separate devices. The separate devices can be coupled via communication modules to coordinate its operations via an interconnect or wirelessly. Some or all of the modules may be combined as one module.

A single module may also be divided into sub-modules, each sub-module performing separate method step or method steps of the single module. In some embodiments, the modules can share access to a memory space. One module may access data accessed by or transformed by another module. The modules may be considered “coupled” to one another if they share a physical connection or a virtual connection, directly or indirectly, allowing data accessed or modified from one module to be accessed in another module. In some embodiments, some or all of the modules can be upgraded or modified remotely. The electronic device200may include additional, fewer, or different modules for various applications. Some functionalities or modules of the electronic device200may instead by implemented on the remote backend system203, such as the interpretation of the touch events and/or the generation of the passcode interface configuration files.

The interface configuration store204described may be implemented in one or more hardware memory components or portions of the hardware memory components. The interface configuration store204may be implemented as a dynamic database service or a static data structure. The store can be implemented by a single physical device or distributed through multiple physical devices. The storage space of the store can be allocated at run-time of the modules described above, such as the passcode interface module202.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an electronic device302, such as the electronic device102or the electronic device200, coupled to a docking station304, such as the docking station106. As shown, the electronic device302is detachably connectable to the docking station304via a connector306. Once connected, the electronic device302may fit in a cavity in a frame of the docking station106. The docking station106includes a card reader308, such as the card reader104.

FIG. 4illustrates an electronic device400, such as the electronic device102or the electronic device200, displaying a passcode entry interface402at a corner of a touchscreen404, such as the touchscreen114. The passcode entry interface402may be the passcode entry interface112. The passcode entry interface402may be generated by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen404may display a feedback window406, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface402and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

As shown, the passcode entry interface402may be positioned off-center from a touchscreen center point408of the touchscreen404. That is, the touchscreen center point408is substantially spaced apart from an interface center point410. The off-center positioning, such as positioning the passcode entry interface402at a corner of the touchscreen404, is advantageous by allowing a user inputting through the passcode entry interface402to shield the passcode entry interface402with his or her hand, such as by cupping the passcode entry interface402with the hand. The off-center positioning of the passcode entry interface402may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 5Aillustrates an electronic device500displaying a first screenshot501A including a passcode entry interface502, such as the passcode entry interface112, on a touchscreen504with buttons506of the passcode entry interface502displayed out of sequence from a natural sequence of the character options (e.g., numeric sequence or alphabetical sequence). For example, the natural sequence of numeric digits can include a count from “0” incrementally to “9” or a count from “1” incrementally to “9” and ending in “0”.

The electronic device500may be the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface502may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. As shown, the buttons506are each labeled by a corresponding character option for composing a passcode entry. For example the buttons506are shown to be label by numeric digits from zero to nine. Optionally, the touchscreen504may display a feedback window508, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface502and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

In various embodiments, the initial state is arranged such that the buttons506are in-sequence. In other embodiments, as shown, the initial state is arranged such that the buttons506are out of sequence. For example, the first screenshot501A may be represented as an initial state of the passcode entry interface502, illustrating the buttons506arranged out of sequence.

A conventional passcode entry interface arranges the buttons506in accordance with an alphabetical or numerical order. For example, in the passcode entry interface112and the passcode entry interface402, the buttons are illustrated as arranged in numerical order (e.g., ordered as horizontal lines from “1” to “9” with“0” considered as after “9”). In contrast, the passcode entry interface502arranges the buttons506out of its numerical sequence. The passcode entry interface502may be arranged at random. Fixed positions for buttons may be assigned on the passcode entry interface502, where each button with a specific character assignment is randomized.

FIG. 5Billustrates the electronic device500ofFIG. 5Adisplaying a second screenshot501B including the passcode entry interface502on the touchscreen504with the buttons506of the passcode entry interface502rearranged in response to a touch on the touchscreen504. The second screenshot501B may be part of a screen sequence illustrating the buttons506arranged out of sequence and different from the arrangement in the first screenshot501A. The second screenshot520represents a subsequent state of the passcode entry interface502after a character entry has already been made. For example, in response to a touch event over one of the buttons506on the touchscreen504, the electronic device500can rearrange the buttons506on the passcode entry interface502. The out of sequence arrangement and rearrangement of the passcode entry interface502may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 6illustrates an electronic device600displaying a passcode entry interface602, such as the passcode entry interface112, on a touchscreen604, such as the touchscreen114, with stroke width variations on each character label606of the passcode entry interface602. The electronic device600may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface602may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen604may display a feedback window608, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface602and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

As shown, the passcode entry interface602includes buttons610. Each of the buttons610may include a character label606. The character label606displays a visual representation of a character option, corresponding to each button610, for composing a passcode entry. For example, the character label606may be a visual display of the numeric digit “2.” The electronic device600may render the character label606having stroke width variations therein. That is, pixel density within the character label606is varied against conventional standards for the corresponding character option. The stroke width variations may be exaggerated up to the point where the character label606is recognizable at a close distance within an arm's length, but unrecognizable at a distance beyond the arm's length or at an angle substantially parallel to the touchscreen604. The stroke width variations of the character label606on the passcode entry interface602may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 7illustrates an electronic device700displaying a passcode entry interface702, such as the passcode entry interface112, on a touchscreen704, such as the touchscreen114, with the passcode entry interface702covered by a concealment layer706. The electronic device700may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface702may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen704may display a feedback window708, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface702and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

As shown, the passcode entry interface702includes buttons710. Each of the buttons710may include a character label712. The character label712displays a visual representation of a character option, corresponding to each button710, for composing a passcode entry. For example, the character label712can be a visual display of the numeric digit “3.” The concealment layer706includes a distribution of visual obstructions, such as blots, line segments (e.g., straight, curved or wavy), spots, stains, blemishes, other low-density geometries, or any combination thereof. The visual obstructions may be distributed randomly or follow a linear or two dimensional pattern. The visual obstructions may be aligned over each of the buttons710. The concealment layer706may reveal (i.e., by absence of the visual obstructions) some of the buttons710that are functional elements of the passcode entry interface702, such as back arrow button and the “GO” button. The concealment layer706over the passcode entry interface702may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 8Aillustrates an electronic device800displaying a first screenshot801A including a passcode entry interface802, such as the passcode entry interface112, on a touchscreen804, such as the touchscreen114, with a line moiré region806sliding over the passcode entry interface802. The electronic device800may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface802may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen804may display a feedback window808, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface802and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

As shown, the passcode entry interface802includes a button810with a character label812displayed thereon. The button810is fashioned with a first line moiré pattern814having the character label812disguised in the first line moiré pattern814. For illustrative purposes, only a single button is shown. However, the passcode entry interface802may include other buttons as well.

The line moiré region806may be a geometric shape displayed on the touchscreen804that is filled with a second line moiré pattern816. The line moiré region806may slide over the button810. For example, the sliding may be in response to a swipe gesture over the line moiré region806or based on a scheduled animation by the electronic device800.

FIG. 8Billustrates the electronic device800ofFIG. 8Adisplaying a second screenshot801B including the passcode entry interface802on the touchscreen device804with the line moiré region802covering part of the passcode entry interface800. When the first line moiré pattern814and the second line moiré pattern816overlap, the character label812is shown to be revealed. The concealing and revealing of the character label812through the sliding line moiré region806over the passcode entry interface802may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 9Aillustrates an electronic device900displaying a first screenshot901A including a passcode entry interface902, such as the passcode entry interface112, shaped in a loop pattern on a touchscreen904, such as the touchscreen114. The electronic device900may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface902may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen904may display a feedback window906, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface902and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

As shown, the passcode entry interface902may be shaped as a ring with buttons908distributed evenly and radially. Each button908may correspond with a character option for composing a passcode entry. A character entry by a user may be recorded on the passcode entry interface902by, for example, the electronic device900detecting a touch event over one of the buttons908.

Alternatively, the passcode entry interface902may be implemented similar to a rotary dial phone, where a circular/elliptical motion gesture on the touchscreen904rotates the passcode entry interface902. As a user rotates the passcode entry interface now to, a fixed point910tangential to the passcode entry interface902may indicate which character the user has selected. When the circular/elliptical motion gesture and, the button closest to the fixed point910may be appended to the construction of the passcode entry.

In various embodiments, the electronic device900generates an initial state of the passcode entry interface902with a randomized rotation while keeping the characters represented by the buttons908in sequence (e.g., in numeric sequence or in alphabetical sequence). The randomized rotation is advantageous because an onlooker looking over the shoulder of the user cannot approximate which character the user has entered based on the location of the user's finger. On the other hand, the characters represented by the buttons908remains in sequence and in symmetry. For example, any pair of characters across from each other remains in the same relative position. In some embodiments, the characters represented by the buttons908are completely randomized or randomized with the constraint that pairs of characters across from each other remains the same as when the characters are in sequence.

FIG. 9Billustrates the electronic device900ofFIG. 9Adisplaying a second screenshot901B with the passcode entry interface902rotated in response to a touch on the touchscreen904. The second screenshot901B may represent the passcode entry interface902in response to a prior character entry, such as a touch event over one of the buttons908. The passcode entry interface902may be rotated in response to a prior character entry. The passcode entry interface902may be randomly rotated or rotated based on a determined pattern. The passcode entry interface902shaped in a loop pattern may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 10illustrates an electronic device1000displaying a passcode entry interface1002, such as the passcode entry interface112, with a character selection reel1004on a touchscreen1006, such as the touchscreen114. The electronic device1000may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface1002may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen1006may display a feedback window1008, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface1002and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry. The electronic device1000is illustrated to be coupled with a docking station1010, such as the docking station106. The passcode entry interface1002can operate without the docking station1010, and the docking station1010is illustrated only for comparison purposes withFIGS. 11-13.

In various embodiments, the passcode entry interface1002includes one or more of the character selection reel1004. The character selection reel1004may be displayed as a window displaying a single character label1012. The character selection reel1004is associated with character options for composing a passcode entry. The character options may be structured as an invisible/virtual list with the window of the character selection reel1004revealing the single character label1012from the character options. The character selection reel1004may be responsive to one or more user input mechanisms for switching amongst the character options. For example, the character selection reel1004may be responsive to a swiping gesture detected over the character selection reel1004. The swiping gesture triggers switching a selection from amongst the character options, such as up and down through the vertical list of the character options.

The single character label1012displayed by the character selection reel1004can be selected, such as by pressing of a selection button1014on the touchscreen1006. The selection button1014may be a standalone button with its own label or a transparent button overlay on top of the character selection reel1004. The passcode entry interface1002with the character selection reel1004may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 11Aillustrates an electronic device1100displaying a first screenshot1101A including a passcode entry interface1102, such as the passcode entry interface112ofFIG. 1, and a storefront interface element1104on a touchscreen1106, such as the touchscreen114. The electronic device1100may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The passcode entry interface1102may be generated and displayed by the passcode interface module202. Optionally, the touchscreen1106may display a feedback window1108, which is configured to display the most recent character entry through the passcode entry interface1102and/or how many character entries have been made to compose a passcode entry.

The electronic device1100can display the storefront interface element1104(illustrated as dashed lines, such as menu element1104A, menu element1104B, and menu element1104C collectively referred to as “1104”) as part of a first user session of a payment checkout application. In various embodiments, the electronic device1100can display the storefront interface elements1104prior to displaying the passcode entry interface1102. In other embodiments, the electronic device1100can display the storefront interface elements1104at the same time as displaying the passcode entry interface1102. As shown, the storefront interface element1104occupies a different region of the touchscreen1106as compared to the passcode entry interface1102.

FIG. 11Billustrates the electronic device1100ofFIG. 11Adisplaying is a second screenshot1101B on the touchscreen1106with positions of the passcode entry interface1102and the storefront interface element1104alternated. The second screenshot1101B illustrates a second user session of the payment checkout application. As shown, the electronic device1100alternates the positions of the passcode entry interface1102and the storefront interface element1104from the first user session to the second user session. This is advantageous in distributing fingerprints on the touchscreen1106from one user session to another, says preventing someone from reverse engineering the passcode entry through fingerprint analysis.

This technique of alternating positions of the passcode entry interface1102and a second interface may be apply outside of the context of the storefront interface elements1104. That is, this technique may apply to any application where the second interface is presented on the same touchscreen1106during a user session of operating the application. The alternating of positions may applies to any other time periods other than user sessions, such as periodically or conditional on a number of touch events recorded on the touchscreen1106. The passcode entry interface1102may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms.

FIG. 12Aillustrates an electronic device1200identifying a finger touch traffic region1202on a touchscreen1204, such as the touchscreen114. The electronic device1200may represent the electronic device102or the electronic device200. The finger touch traffic region1202may be determined by the passcode interface module202. For example, the electronic device1200can keep track of touch events on the touchscreen1204. The touch events may be in response to a passcode entry interface or any other interface displayed on the touchscreen1204. The touch events can be stored on a grid structure1206. A touch event detected within a cell1208of the grid structure1206can increase a touch event count of the cell1208. In various embodiments, when the cell1208exceeds a threshold number of touch events, the cell1208can be considered part of the finger touch traffic region1202. In other embodiments, when the cell1208both exceeds a threshold number of touch events and has a rank within a rank threshold as compared to other cells, then the cell1208can be considered part of the finger touch traffic region1202.

In various embodiments, the electronic device1200can track one or more instances of finger touch traffic regions1202. The cell1208may be configured as a square, a rectangle, or other geometric shapes. Likewise, the finger touch traffic region1202may be configured as a square, a rectangle, or other geometric shapes.

FIG. 12Billustrates the electronic device1200ofFIG. 12Apositioning a passcode entry interface1210, such as the passcode entry interface112, over the finger touch traffic region1202. The passcode entry interface1210may be generated and maintained by the passcode interface module202. As shown, the passcode interface module202may be positioned over the finger touch traffic region1202as identified by the electronic device1200shown inFIG. 12A. In various embodiments, when the passcode entry interface1210does not fit in the finger touch traffic region1202, the passcode entry interface1210may be positioned to maximize overlap between the finger touch traffic region1202and the passcode entry interface1210. The passcode entry interface1210may be in accordance with various embodiments described herein, such as passcode entry interfaces with various button arrangements, positioning, geometries, adornments, and/or interaction mechanisms

FIG. 13is a flow chart of a process1300of operating an electronic device, such as the electronic device102ofFIG. 1or the electronic device200ofFIG. 2, for passcode entry security. The electronic device generates a passcode entry interface including buttons at step1302. The passcode entry interface may be generated based on a passcode interface configuration file, such as the passcode interface configurations stored on the interface configuration store204ofFIG. 2. The buttons may be scrambled out of sequence. The buttons correspond to and are labeled with individual characters for composing a passcode entry. The passcode entry interface may be generated by randomly arranging the buttons of the passcode entry interface. The buttons can be randomly arranged while keeping the outline shape of the passcode entry interface constant. Step1302may be performed by the passcode interface module202.

In some embodiments, the electronic device generates the passcode entry interface in a loop pattern, such as a ring shape. An initial state of every instance of the passcode entry interface may include a random rotation. This is advantageous in that an overlooking attacker cannot reverse engineer a character entry by looking at the location of where a user interacts with the passcode entry interface.

As part of step1302or as a separate step1304, the electronic device displays the passcode entry interface on a touchscreen of the electronic device. When displaying the passcode entry interface, the electronic device can position the passcode entry interface at a corner of the touchscreen to enable a user to cover a passcode entry with his or her hand. Step1304may be performed by the passcode interface module202.

Optionally, the electronic device can conceal the passcode entry interface by visually obstructing displaying of the buttons at step1306. For example, the electronic device can vary pixel densities (e.g., the stroke widths) within each of the characters to make the characters difficult to read at a distance. As another example, the electronic device can overlay a concealment layer over the passcode entry interface. The concealment layer may include a spray of visual obstructions, such as blots, strokes, line segments, dots, stains, or any combination thereof. In yet another example, the electronic device can label the buttons with the individual characters obscured by a first line moiré pattern. A shape with a second line moiré pattern can slide over the passcode entry interface revealing each character thereunder.

The user may interact with the passcode entry interface on the touchscreen. Thus, the electronic device can detect a touch event interacting with at least one of the buttons on the touchscreen at step1308. Step1308may be performed by the input device driver208. The electronic device verifies an authenticity of the passcode entry based at least partly on the touch event at step1310. Step1310can include sending the touch event to an external system, such as the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2. The external system can match the touch event to the passcode interface configuration to determine the passcode entry made by the user. Alternatively, the matching may be done on the electronic device. Step1310may be performed by the passcode interface module202and/or the communication module210. Once the user confirms completion of the passcode entry, the sequence of touch events is then used for verification of the user's identity.

Optionally, in response to the touch event, the electronic device can rearrange the buttons on the passcode entry interface at step1312. The rearrangement may be a random assignment of the characters to the buttons. The rearrangement may also be random swapping of the characters and the corresponding buttons. Where the passcode entry interface follows a loop pattern, the rearranging may include a random rotation of the buttons. In some embodiments, the buttons are rearranged without changing relative positions between pairs of the buttons. In various embodiments, the shape of the passcode entry interface remains constant during the rearranging.

FIG. 14is a flow chart of a process1400of operating an electronic device, such as the electronic device102ofFIG. 1or the electronic device200ofFIG. 2, for passcode entry through a character selection reel. The electronic device generates a passcode entry interface including at least a character selection reel at step1402. The passcode entry interface may be generated based on a passcode interface configuration file, such as the passcode interface configurations stored on the interface configuration store204ofFIG. 2. For example, the passcode interface configuration can indicate an initial state of the character selection reel and the sequence of characters on the character selection reel. The passcode entry interface may include multiple character selection reels. The character selection reel is configured to toggle amongst different character options for composing a passcode entry. Step1402may be performed by the passcode interface module202.

Next, at step1404, the electronic device displays the passcode entry interface on a touchscreen of the electronic device. When displaying the passcode entry interface, the electronic device can position the passcode entry interface at a corner of the touchscreen to enable a user to cover a passcode entry with his or her hand. Step1404may be performed by the passcode interface module202.

The user may interact with the character selection reel of the passcode entry interface on the touchscreen or from a hardware mechanism on a docking station, such as the docking station106ofFIG. 1, coupled to the electronic device. In response to such user input, the electronic device toggles the character selection reel to display a character from amongst the character options for composing a passcode entry at step1406. The electronic device can detect a user input, for example, by detecting a spin gesture over a dial element of the user interface on the touchscreen. As another example, the electronic device can detect a user input by detecting a swipe gesture over the character selection reel. As yet another example, the electronic device can detect a user input when the electronic device receives a toggle command from a docking station, such as the docking station106ofFIG. 1, detachably coupled to the electronic device. Step1406may be performed by the input device driver208.

Next, the electronic device can receive a selection command via a user input to select the character currently displayed on the character selection reel at step1408. The selection command may be based on pressing of a button element on the touchscreen. The selection command may also be received from the docking station detachably coupled to the electronic device. Step1408may be performed by the input device driver208.

The electronic device verifies an authenticity of the passcode entry based at least partly on the selection command at step1410. Step1410can include sending the selection command to an external system, such as the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2. The external system can match the selection command to the passcode interface configuration to determine the passcode entry made by the user. Alternatively, the matching may be done on the electronic device. Step1410may be performed by the passcode interface module202and/or the communication module210. Once the user confirms completion of the passcode entry, the passcode entry is then used for verification of the user's identity.

FIG. 15is a flow chart of a process1500of operating an electronic device, such as the electronic device102ofFIG. 1or the electronic device200ofFIG. 2, for positioning a passcode entry interface based on finger touch traffic. The electronic device generates a passcode entry interface including buttons at step1502. The passcode entry interface may be generated based on a passcode interface configuration file, such as the passcode interface configurations stored on the interface configuration store204ofFIG. 2. The buttons may be scrambled out of sequence. The buttons correspond to and are labeled with individual characters for composing a passcode entry. Step1502may be performed by the passcode interface module202.

Next, the electronic device identifies a traffic region on a touchscreen, such as the touchscreen114ofFIG. 1, of the electronic device with pre-existing finger touch traffic at step1504. The traffic region is a portion on the touch screen that has previously experienced finger touch traffic. Identification of the traffic region with pre-existing finger touch traffic may be based on a touch event history. The touch event history is a record of touch events representing user interactions with an interface (e.g., another instance of the passcode entry interface or another interface displayed prior to the passcode entry interface) displayed on the touchscreen. When a second interface has previously been displayed on the touchscreen, the traffic region of pre-existing finger touch traffic may be identified based on a position of where the second interface was previously displayed. In some embodiments, positions of interface elements (e.g., menu items) of the second interface are randomized to distribute finger touch traffic. Once the traffic region is identified, the electronic device selects a region in which to display the passcode entry interfaced based on the traffic region that has experienced finger touch traffic at step1506. Step1506can include positioning the buttons of the passcode entry interface for displaying on the touchscreen. Step1504and step1506may be performed by the passcode interface module202. In various embodiments, step1504and step1506may be performed on the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2.

Next, at step1508, the electronic device displays the passcode entry in the selected region with pre-existing finger touch traffic. In some embodiments, the passcode entry interface is displayed over where the second interface was previously displayed. This way, positions of the passcode entry interface and the second interface are swapped from one user session to another. Step1508may be performed by the passcode interface module202.

The user may interact with the passcode entry interface on the touchscreen. Thus, the electronic device can detect a touch event interacting with at least one of the buttons on the touchscreen at step1510. Step1510may be performed by the input device driver208. The electronic device verifies an authenticity of the passcode entry based at least partly on the touch event at step1512. Step1512can include sending the touch event to an external system, such as the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2. The external system can match the touch event to the passcode interface configuration to determine the passcode entry made by the user. Alternatively, the matching may be done on the electronic device. Step1512may be performed by the passcode interface module202and/or the communication module210. Once the user confirms completion of the passcode entry, the passcode entry is then used for verification of the user's identity.

FIG. 16is a block diagram of a passcode entry system1600including an electronic device1602(e.g., the electronic device200ofFIG. 2), a docking station1604(e.g., the docking station106ofFIG. 1), and a backend system (e.g., the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2). Note that the architecture shown inFIG. 16is only one example of an architecture for a passcode entry system in accordance with the technique introduced here; further, the electronic device1602inFIG. 16could have more or fewer components than shown, or a different configuration of components. The various components shown inFIG. 16can be implemented by using hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

The electronic device1602that can include one or more computer-readable mediums1610, processing system1620, touch subsystem1630, display/graphics subsystem1640, communications circuitry1650, storage1660, and audio circuitry1670. These components may be coupled by one or more communication buses or other signal lines. The electronic device1602can be the same as or similar to the electronic device102, the electronic device200, or the electronic device400.

The communications circuitry1650can include RF circuitry1652and/or port1654for sending and receiving information. The RF circuitry1652permits transmission of information over a wireless link or network to one or more other devices and includes well-known circuitry for performing this function. The port1654permits transmission of information over a wired link. The communications circuitry1650can communicate, for example, with the docking station1604or the backend system1605for verifying the passcode entry. The communications circuitry1650can be coupled to the processing system1620via a peripherals interface1624. The peripherals interface1624can include various known components for establishing and maintaining communication between peripherals and the processing system1620.

The audio circuitry1670can be coupled to an audio speaker (not shown), a microphone (not shown), an electronic card reader (not shown), or any combination thereof and includes known circuitry for processing voice signals received from the peripherals interface1624to enable a user to communicate in real-time with other users. In some embodiments, the audio circuitry1670includes a headphone jack (not shown).

The peripherals interface1624can couple various peripherals, such as an electronic card reader, of the system to one or more processors1626and the computer-readable medium1610. The one or more processors1626can communicate with one or more computer-readable mediums1610via a controller1622. The computer-readable medium1610can be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by the one or more processors1626. The medium1610can include a memory hierarchy, including but not limited to cache, main memory and secondary memory. The memory hierarchy can be implemented using any combination of RAM (e.g., SRAM, DRAM, DDRAM), ROM, FLASH, magnetic and/or optical storage devices, such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact disks) and DVDs (digital video discs). The medium1610may also include a transmission medium for carrying information-bearing signals indicative of computer instructions or data (with or without a carrier wave upon which the signals are modulated). For example, the transmission medium may include a communications network, including but not limited to the Internet, intranet(s), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Local Area Networks (WLANs), Storage Area Networks (SANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) and the like.

The one or more processors1626can run various software components stored in the medium1610to perform various functions for the electronic device1602. Note that the order of the modules in the medium1610does not necessarily denote the order of layers of a software stack as implemented in the medium1610. In some embodiments, the software components include an operating system1611, a communication module (or set of instructions)1612, a touch processing module (or set of instructions)1612, an interface module (or set of instructions)1615, such as the passcode interface module202ofFIG. 2, and one or more applications (or set of instructions)1618. Each of these modules and above noted applications correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described above and the methods described in this application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other information processing methods described herein). These modules (e.g., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the medium1610may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, the medium1610may store additional modules and data structures not described above.

The operating system1611can include various procedures, sets of instructions, software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components.

The communication module1612facilitates communication with other devices using the communications circuitry1650and includes various software components for handling data received from the RF circuitry1652and/or the port1654.

The touch processing module1613includes various software components for performing various tasks associated with touch hardware1634including but not limited to receiving and processing touch input received from the I/O device1630via a touch I/O device controller1632. For example, the touch processing module1613can also include software components for performing tasks associated with other I/O devices (not shown).

The interface module1615is configured to present and maintain a passcode interface for a user to enter a passcode to authenticate the user's identity. The interface module1615can include various known software components for rendering, animating and displaying graphical objects on a display surface. In embodiments, in which the touch hardware1634is a touch sensitive display (e.g., touch screen), the interface module1615includes components for rendering, displaying, and animating objects on the touch sensitive display. The interface module1615can provide animation instructions to an animation engine1642, which can render the graphics and provide the rendering to graphics I/O controller1644, so that the graphics I/O controller1644can display the graphics on display1646. The interface module1615can further control the audio circuitry1670to provide an auditory component to the passcode interface.

One or more applications1618can include any applications installed on the electronic device1602, including without limitation, modules of the electronic device200, a browser, keyboard emulation, widgets, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, voice replication, location determination capability (such as that provided by the global positioning system (GPS)), etc.

The touch I/O controller1632is coupled to the touch hardware1634for controlling or performing various functions. The touch hardware1632communicates with the processing system1620via the touch I/O device controller1632, which includes various components for processing user touch input (e.g., scanning hardware). One or more other input controllers (not shown) receives/sends electrical signals from/to other I/O devices (not shown). Other I/O devices may include physical buttons, dials, slider switches, sticks, keyboards, touch pads, additional display screens, or any combination thereof.

If embodied as a touch screen, the touch hardware1634displays visual output to the user in a GUI. The visual output may include text, graphics, video, and any combination thereof. Some or all of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects. The touch hardware1634forms a touch-sensitive surface that accepts touch input from the user. The touch hardware1634and the touch controller1632(along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in the medium1610) detects and tracks touches or near touches (and any movement or release of the touch) on the touch hardware1634and converts the detected touch input into interaction with graphical objects, such as one or more user-interface objects. In the case in which the touch hardware1634and the display1625are embodied as a touch screen, the user can directly interact with graphical objects that are displayed on the touch screen. Alternatively, in the case in which hardware1634is embodied as a touch device other than a touch screen (e.g., a touch pad), the user may indirectly interact with graphical objects that are displayed on a separate display screen.

Embodiments in which the touch hardware1634is a touch screen, the touch screen may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, OLED (organic light emitting diode), or OEL (organic electro luminescence), although other display technologies may be used in other embodiments.

Feedback may be provided by the touch hardware1634based on the user's touch input as well as a state or states of what is being displayed and/or of the computing system. Feedback may be transmitted optically (e.g., light signal or displayed image), mechanically (e.g., haptic feedback, touch feedback, force feedback, or the like), electrically (e.g., electrical stimulation), olfactory, acoustically (e.g., beep or the like), or the like or any combination thereof and in a variable or non-variable manner.

In some embodiments, the peripherals interface1624, the one or more processors1626, and the memory controller1622may be implemented on a single chip. In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips. The storage1660can any suitable medium for storing data, including, for example, volatile memory (e.g., cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., Flash, hard-disk drive), or a both for storing data, including pages used for transition animations.

FIG. 17is a flow chart of a process1700of operating a computing system, such as the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2, for deciphering a passcode by a user. The computing system determines a geometric arrangement (e.g., position, order, shape, and size in relation to a display screen) of a passcode entry interface for displaying on an electronic device at step1702. For example, the computing system can determine the geometric arrangement of a plurality of buttons of the passcode entry interface. The plurality of buttons on the passcode entry interface can be used by a user to compose a passcode entry. The plurality of buttons can represent a set of characters, where each button represents a single character. The passcode entry interface may be generated based on a passcode interface configuration file, such as the passcode interface configurations stored on the interface configuration store204ofFIG. 2. The passcode interface configuration can be generated on the computing system or on the electronic device.

The computing system receives a sequence of touch events from the electronic device at step1704. The sequence of touch events represents interactions by the user with the plurality of buttons. The sequence of touch events can be indicative of the passcode entry of the user corresponding to a payment card of the user. Next, the computing system composes the passcode entry by matching the sequence of the touch events with the geometric arrangement at step1706. After step1706, the computing system authenticates the passcode entry at step1708, by either requesting an authentication from a financial system or by submitting the passcode entry to the electronic device to cause the electronic device to verify the passcode entry with the payment card. In the first example, the computing system can transmit the passcode entry and a card identifier of the payment card, received from the electronic device, to the financial system. In the second example, the computing system can transmit the passcode entry to the electronic device, so that the electronic device can verify the passcode entry with the payment card through a card reader coupled to the electronic device.

Regarding the processes1300,1400,1500and1700, while the various steps, blocks or sub-processes are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having steps, blocks or sub-processes, in a different order, and some steps, sub-processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these steps, blocks or sub-processes may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while steps, sub-processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, some steps, sub-processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times as will be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 18is a diagrammatic representation of a computer system1800. The computer system1800is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which the remote backend system203ofFIG. 2or any other modules and/or components described in this specification can be implemented. As shown, the computer system1800includes a processor1802, memory1804, non-volatile memory1806, and a network interface1808. Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity. The computer system1800can be of any applicable known or convenient type, such as a personal computer (PC), server-class computer or mobile device (e.g., smartphone, card reader, tablet computer, etc.). The components of the computer system1800can be coupled together via a bus and/or through any other known or convenient form of interconnect.

One of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms “machine-readable (storage) medium” or “computer-readable (storage) medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor1802. The memory1804is coupled to the processor1802by, for example, a bus1810. The memory1804can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory1804can be local, remote, or distributed.

The bus1810also couples the processor1802to the non-volatile memory1806and drive unit. The non-volatile memory1806may be a hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. The non-volatile storage1806can be local, remote, or distributed.

The modules described inFIG. 3may be stored in the non-volatile memory1806, a drive unit1812, or the memory1804. The processor1802may execute one or more of the modules stored in the memory components.

The bus1810also couples the processor1802to the network interface device1808. The interface1808can include one or more of a modem or network interface. A modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system1800. The interface1808can include an analog modem, ISDN modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g., “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems.

Each section or figure of this disclosure may exemplify different implementations and relationships between elements and terms. However, similar elements and terms referred in the different sections of this disclosure and the drawings can, in some cases, be compatible with each other in various embodiments.