Relative latency dynamics for identity authentication

1. A method for authenticating user access by a user to an electronic device, comprising:

measuring a first plurality of relative latency values as keystrokes pertaining to an authentication process are entered;

dividing one or more of said first plurality of latency values by a total length of time for the user to enter said keystrokes to obtain a normalized relative latency value; and

determining whether normalized relative latency values meet established statistical standards based on a previous plurality of relative latency values obtained from the user;

if said normalized relative latency values meet said established statistical standards based on said previous plurality of relative latency values obtained from the user, permitting the user access.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the keystrokes comprise a password.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said previous plurality of relative latency values include at least a plurality of a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said previous plurality of relative latency values include a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of relative latency values include at least a plurality of a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press for each key entered.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of relative latency values include a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press for each key entered.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing the user a graphical representation of at least a portion of one or more relative latency values.

8. An apparatus for authenticating user access by a user to an electronic device, comprising:

means for measuring a first plurality of relative latency values as keystrokes pertaining to an authentication process are entered;

means for determining whether said first plurality of relative latency values meet established statistical standards based on a previous plurality of relative latency values obtained from the user;

means for permitting the user access if said first plurality of relative latency values meet said established statistical standards based on said previous plurality of relative latency values obtained from the user;

means for providing the user a graphical representation of at least a portion of one or more relative latency values; and

training the user in entering user authentication entries by displaying a first graphical representation of a first user authentication entered by the user; and simultaneously displaying a second graphical representation of a second user authentication entered by the user for the user to compare said first graphical representation and said second graphical representation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of said multiple sets of relative latency values include at least a plurality of a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of said multiple sets of relative latency values include a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first plurality of relative latency values include at least a plurality of a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press for each key entered.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first plurality of relative latency values include a key press time, a key hold time, a key release time, and a time before next key press for each key entered.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein one or more of said relative latency values are normalized.

14. A method for authenticating user access by a user to an electronic device, comprising:

measuring a first plurality of relative latency values for a plurality of user authentication entries entered by the user;

calculating a second plurality of relative latency values based on said first plurality of relative latency values;

calculating a third plurality of relative latency values, said set of third plurality of latency values being statistical representations of said first plurality of relative latency values and said second plurality of relative latency values;

providing the user a graphical representation of at least a portion of one or more relative latency value; and

employing said third plurality of relative latency values for said authenticating; and

training the user in entering user authentication entries by displaying a first graphical representation of a first user authentication entered by the user; and simultaneously displaying a second graphical representation of a second user authentication entered by the user for the user to compare said first graphical representation and said second graphical representation.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said first plurality of relative latency values represent key press times and key release times for keystrokes of said plurality of user authentication entries.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said second plurality of relative latency values represent key hold times and times before next key press for said keystrokes of said plurality of user authentication entries.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said providing the user a graphical representation comprises:

displaying a time duration scale with a plurality of time periods corresponding to individual keystrokes.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein one or more of said relative latency values are normalized.