A device, computer program and method

Abstract

A device for authenticating a user is described that comprises a sensor configured to measure the movement of a user in response to the interaction of the user with a displayed image and controller circuitry configured to authenticate the user in response to a positive comparison between the movement of the user and a stored movement associated with the user.

1 . A device for authenticating a user, comprising a sensor configured to measure the movement of a user in response to the interaction of the user with a displayed image and controller circuitry configured to authenticate the user in response to a positive comparison between the movement of the user and a stored movement associated with the user. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , comprising storage configured to store a user profile having associated therewith the stored movement and wherein the controller circuitry is configured to compare the movement of the user with the stored movement in the user profile, and in the event of a positive comparison, authenticating the user. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an image sensor or a wearable sensor located on the user's body. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the displayed image is a virtual object associated with the user and the stored movement is associated with the virtual object. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the displayed image is one of a virtual keyboard. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller circuitry is further configured to authenticate the user in response to a positive comparison with entry of a predefined code associated with the user on the virtual keyboard. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the predefined code is a personal identification number. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller circuitry is configured to authenticate the user in accordance with a physiological trait of the user. 
     
     
         9 . A device for authenticating a user, comprising microphone circuitry configured to capture the ambient sound over a predetermined period, and controller circuitry configured to: measure the energy of the ambient sound over a predefined period; compare the time series of the measured energy with a received time series of the measure of the energy of the ambient sound from a second device; and authenticate the user in the event of a positive comparison. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the microphone circuitry is configured to capture the ambient sound over a time period and to update a comparison result for each time period and to authenticate the user in the event that the comparison result reaches a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         11 . A method of authenticating a user, comprising measuring, using a sensor, the movement of a user in response to the interaction of the user with a displayed image and authenticating the user in response to a positive comparison between the movement of the user and a stored movement associated with the user. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , comprising storing a user profile having associated therewith a stored movement and comparing the movement of the user with the stored movement in the user profile, and in the event of a positive comparison, authenticating the user. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sensor is an image sensor or a wearable sensor located on the user's body. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the displayed image is a virtual object associated with the user and the stored movement is associated with the virtual object. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the displayed image is one of a virtual keyboard. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , comprising authenticating the user in response to a positive comparison with entry of a predefined code associated with the user on the virtual keyboard. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the predefined code is a personal identification number. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , comprising authenticating the user in accordance with a physiological trait of the user. 
     
     
         19 . A method of authenticating a user, comprising capturing, using microphone circuitry, the ambient sound over a predetermined period, and the method comprising measuring the energy of the ambient sound over a predefined period; comparing the time series of the measured energy with a received time series of the measure of the energy of the ambient sound from a second device; and authenticating the user in the event of a positive comparison. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , comprising capturing the ambient sound over a time period and updating a comparison result for each time period and to authenticate the user in the event that the comparison result reaches a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         21 . A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions which, when loaded onto a computer, configures the computer to perform the method according to  claim 11 .