Patent ID: 8495732

Claim:
A secure method enabling a user of an apparatus to enter user private information through a sequence of user input actions, the method comprising the following steps: A) the apparatus providing to the user a plurality of character input steps, each step of the plurality of character input steps providing for entering a user chosen input character as part of the user private information, each character input step comprising: a) selection by the apparatus of a character and presenting the character to the user as a currently suggested input character b) in response to a first user input action, the apparatus changing the currently suggested input character to a different character, and presenting that different character to the user as the currently suggested input character; and c) in response to a second user input action, the apparatus utilizing the currently suggested input character part of the private information being entered, and, B) during the entering of the user private information, the apparatus introducing a plurality of random periods of delay in which any one or more of the first user input actions occurring during any one of those random periods of delay are ignored by the apparatus, thus altering and making unpredictable, the sequence of user input actions required for entering the user private information and making observation of the sequence of user input actions of reduced benefit to a covert observer in obtaining such private information.