Method and device for providing a user authentication credential

1. A method for providing a user authentication credential, the method comprising:

a) registering, in a device, at least one reference character, as a first user authentication credential;

b) submitting, by the user, to the device, at least one character, as a second user authentication credential;

c) retrieving, by the device, each of the at least one reference character comprised within the first user authentication credential along with a corresponding position within the first user authentication credential;

d) comparing, by the device, each of the just submitted character within the second user authentication credential to a corresponding reference character within the first user authentication credential at one and the same position within the second user authentication credential and the first user authentication credential;

e) providing, by the device to the user, just after the character submission, only if the just submitted character does not match the corresponding reference character, at least one information item for prompting the user to correct the just submitted character; and

f) repeating steps b to e such that the user sees character positions that have errors in concerned characters,

so that the user is able to correct individually each and every concerned wrong entered character, after said submitting is completed, with its place within all of said second user authentication credential without having to re-enter all of the other characters.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the step e) consists in providing, by the device to the user, just after the character submission, only if the just submitted character does not match the corresponding reference character when no corresponding reference character is present within the first user authentication credential, a first message for prompting the user to correct the just submitted character, the first message allowing the user to delete the just submitted character.

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the step e) consists in providing, by the device to the user, just after the character submission, only if the just submitted character does not match the corresponding reference character when the corresponding reference character is present within the first user authentication credential, a second message for prompting the user to correct the just submitted character, the second message allowing the user to replace the just submitted character by another character.

4. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the device displays or lets another cooperating device display, just after the character comparison, only if the just submitted character matches the corresponding reference character, at least one match hiding character, the at least one match hiding character being distinct from each of the reference character comprised within the first user authentication credential.

5. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the step e) consists in providing, by the device to the user, just after the character comparison, only if the just submitted character does not match the corresponding first reference user authentication credential character, at least one mismatch hiding character, the at least one mismatch hiding character being distinct from the at least one match hiding character, the at least one mismatch hiding character being distinct from each of the reference character comprised within the first user authentication credential, the at least one mismatch hiding character being used for prompting the user to correct the just submitted character

wherein when said submitting of second user authentication credential is complete, for any not corrected wrong entry, mismatch hiding characters are displayed,

thereby enhancing identification of locations or positions of concerned incorrect submitted characters.

6. Method according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one mismatch hiding character is constituted by at least one element comprised within a group including:

a dot;

a cross;

a star;

a triangle;

a square;

a special character;

the mismatch hiding character being displayed in a second colour, the match hiding character being displayed in a first colour, the second colour being distinct from the first colour;

the mismatch hiding character being displayed in a second font, the match hiding character being displayed in a first font, the second font being distinct from the first font;

the mismatch hiding character being displayed in a second size, the match hiding character being displayed in a first size, the second size being distinct from the first size;

the mismatch hiding character being displayed with a second animation, the match hiding character being displayed with a first animation, the second animation being distinct from the first animation;

the mismatch hiding character being displayed with a second appearance, the match hiding character being displayed with a first appearance, the second appearance being distinct from the first appearance.

7. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the device provides, through a Man Machine Interface relating to the device or another cooperating device, the at least one information item for prompting the user to correct the just submitted character.

8. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is implemented for setting or changing the first user authentication credential.

9. A device for providing a user authentication credential, wherein the device is configured to:

a) register at least one reference character, as a first user authentication credential;

b) receive, from the user, at least one character, as a second user authentication credential;

c) retrieve each of the at least one reference character comprised within the first user authentication credential along with a corresponding position within the first user authentication credential;

d) compare each of the just submitted character within the second user authentication credential to a corresponding reference character within the first user authentication credential at one and the same position within the second user authentication credential and the first user authentication credential; and

e) provide the user, just after the character submission, only if the just submitted character does not match the corresponding reference character, with at least one information item for prompting the user to correct the just submitted character; and

f) repeating steps b to e such that the user sees character positions that have errors in concerned characters,

so that the user is able to correct individually each and every concerned wrong entered character, after said submitting is completed, with its place within all of said second user authentication credential without having to re-enter all of the other characters

wherein when said receive of second user authentication credential is complete, for any not corrected wrong entry, mismatch hiding characters are displayed,

thereby enhancing identification of locations or positions of concerned incorrect submitted characters.

10. Device according to claim 9 , wherein the device is comprised within a group including:

a Personal Computer;

a Personal Digital Assistant;

a telephone;

a mobile phone;

a user terminal;

a Secure Element;

a server.