Abstract: Improved methods and systems for secure data entry and/or authentication of a user are provided. A preferred method of the invention comprises: selecting a keypad zone within an area of a display zone of a touch screen which comprises a plurality of hotspots that implement the keys of an operable keypad; providing an image of a keypad at the same location as the keypad zone such that the keypad image covers the operable keys within the keypad zone and the keypad image functions as a visible mask or cover over the operable keys of the keypad zone; a new keypad zone is selected at a different location within the display zone when the process is subsequently repeated, such that the keypad zone and the image are re-positioned to provide an operable keypad and overlaid, masking keypad image in a new area of the screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for secure authentication of an individual. The invention comprises methods and apparatus for secure input of a user's identifier e.g. PIN. An image of a keypad is superimposed over an operable keypad within a display zone of a screen associated with an electronic device. The keypad image and/or the operable keypad are generated by the device using a scrambled or randomised keypad configuration generated on or at the electronic device. The configuration or order of keys depicted in the image may or may not be scrambled or randomised. Thus, the order of keys depicted in the image do not correspond to the order of the keys in the operable keypad, so that when the user selects a ‘key’ depicted in the image on the screen, the underlying operable keypad is caused to operate and an encoded version of the user's input is received into memory on the device. The encoded input can be sent for decoding on a remote computer.

Abstract: An authentication method and system are provided that is particularly suited for verifying the identity of an individual prior to permitting access to a controlled resource. This may or may not be a financial resource. Biometric data relating to a user is used to encode and decode an identifier associated with a user. Thus, the user's biometric data becomes the key for encoding and subsequently decoding the identifier. In one embodiment, the biometric data is used to generate a keypad configuration. The keypad configuration specifies the order and/or position of a plurality of keypad keys. An operable keypad and/or image of a keypad is then generated using the configuration. Thus, the individual's biometric data can be used to generate a customised keypad and/or image which can then be used to encode or decode the identifier associated with the user. A keypad or image generated from the biometric data can be used to generate a mapping between different keypad configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for secure authentication of an individual. The invention comprises methods and apparatus for secure input of a user's identifier e.g. PIN. An image of a keypad is superimposed over an operable keypad within a display zone of a screen associated with an electronic device. The keypad image and/or the operable keypad are generated by the device using a scrambled or randomised keypad configuration generated on or at the electronic device. The configuration or order of keys depicted in the image may or may not be scrambled or randomised. Thus, the order of keys depicted in the image do not correspond to the order of the keys in the operable keypad, so that when the user selects a ‘key’ depicted in the image on the screen, the underlying operable keypad is caused to operate and an encoded version of the user's input is received into memory on the device. The encoded input can be sent for decoding on a remote computer.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides an authentication method and system. It is particularly suited for verifying the identity of an individual prior to permitting access to a controlled resource. This may or may not be a financial resource. The invention uses biometric data relating to a user to encode and decode an identifier associated with a user. Thus the user's biometric data becomes the key for encoding and subsequently decoding the identifier. In one embodiment, the biometric data is used to generate a keypad configuration. The keypad configuration specifies the order and/or position of a plurality of keypad keys. An operable keypad and/or image of a keypad is then generated using the configuration. Thus, the individual's biometric data can be used to generate a customised keypad and/or image which can then be used to encode or decode the identifier associated with the user. A keypad or image generated from the biometric data can be used to generate a mapping between different keypad configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for secure authentication of an individual. The invention comprises methods and apparatus for secure input of a user's identifier e.g. PIN. An image of a keypad is superimposed over a scrambled, operable keypad within a display zone of a screen associated with an electronic device. The keypad image depicts a non-scrambled keypad, in that the keys depicted in the image are in an expected or standardised formal or order. The difference in positions of the keys depicted in the image, and those in the operable keypad, provides a mapping which enables an encoded form of the identifier to be generated, such that the un-encoded version is never stored in the device's memory. Preferably, the image depicts a keypad which is standard for the device which it is being shown on. The device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, laptop, PC, payment terminal or any other electronic computing device with a screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for secure authentication of an individual. The invention comprises methods and apparatus for secure input of a user's identifier e.g. PIN. An image of a keypad is superimposed over a scrambled, operable keypad within a display zone of a screen associated with an electronic device. The keypad image depicts a non-scrambled keypad, in that the keys depicted in the image are in an expected or standardised format or order. The difference in positions of the keys depicted in the image, and those in the operable keypad, provides a mapping which enables an encoded form of the identifier to be generated, such that the un-encoded version is never stored in the device's memory. Preferably, the image depicts a keypad which is standard for the device which it is being shown on. The device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, laptop, PC, payment terminal or any other electronic computing device with a screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for secure input of a user's input into an electronic device. The invention comprises methods and apparatus for secure input of a user's identifier e.g. password or other code. An image of a keyboard is superimposed over a scrambled, operable keyboard within a display zone of a screen associated with an electronic device. The keyboard image depicts a non-scrambled keyboard, in that the keys depicted in the image are in an expected or standardised format or order eg QWERTY keyboard arrangement. The difference in positions of the keys depicted in the image, and those in the operable keyboard, provides a mapping which enables an encoded form of the identifier to be generated, such that the un-encoded version is never stored in the device's memory. Preferably, the image depicts a keyboard which is standard for the device which it is being displayed on.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable device for input of a Personal Identification Code (PIC). It comprises a card reading component and a touch screen. The screen is arranged and configured to display a pinpad and receive a PIC upon entry by a user via the pinpad. The card reading component and the touch screen are integral to the input device. The device can comprise a mobile phone, which may have a camera. The device can be a handheld card payment terminal for use in financial transactions, where a user's PIN must be authenticated. A security mechanism may be used with the device wherein an image of a scrambled keypad is displayed over an operable keypad, this enabling the device to store an encoded version of the user's input. As the user's real PIN is never stored in the device, no bank session key needs to be stored or encrypted. This enables the terminal to be produced at a lower cost then prior art arrangements.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented authentication method comprising the step of enabling a user to input an identifier (e.g. a PIN) into an electronic device having a screen and a keypad operable within a keypad zone of the screen; by operating at least one key of the keypad via an image of at least part of a scrambled keypad which is displayed at least partially within the keypad zone. The user's operation of the keypad key via the image generates an encoded version of the user's intended input. In one sense the invention can be perceived as superimposing a non-functional image of a scrambled keyboard over an underlying, functional keypad. The image may be any type of electronic image, and may include a video image. The invention is particularly suited for use with, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computer, PCs etc. It can be implemented in any system wherein a user's identity must be verified before access is granted to a controlled resource.

Abstract: The invention provides an authentication method and system. It is particularly suited for verifying the identity of an individual prior to permitting access to a controlled resource. This may or may not be a financial resource. The invention uses biometric data relating to a user to encode and decode an identifier associated with a user. Thus the user's biometric data becomes the key for encoding and subsequently decoding the identifier. In one embodiment, the biometric data is used to generate a keypad configuration. The keypad configuration specifies the order and/or position of a plurality of keypad keys. An operable keypad and/or image of a keypad is then generated using the configuration. Thus, the individual's biometric data can be used to generate a customised keypad and/or image which can then be used to encode or decode the identifier associated with the user. A keypad or image generated from the biometric data can be used to generate a mapping between different keypad configurations.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for secure input of a user's input into an electronic device. The invention comprises methods and apparatus for secure input of a user's identifier e.g. password or other code. An image of a keyboard is superimposed over a scrambled, operable keyboard within a display zone of a screen associated with an electronic device. The keyboard image depicts a non-scrambled keyboard, in that the keys depicted in the image are in an expected or standardised format or order eg QWERTY keyboard arrangement. The difference in positions of the keys depicted in the image, and those in the operable keyboard, provides a mapping which enables an encoded form of the identifier to be generated, such that the un-encoded version is never stored in the device's memory. Preferably, the image depicts a keyboard which is standard for the device which it is being displayed on.