Method and system for generating pronounceable security passwords

Claim 3

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if the transition number of said corresponding first word segment is less than said first threshold transition number.

Claim 4

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: discarding said first pronounceable word segment if the transition number of said corresponding first word segment portion is less than said first threshold transition number; selecting a second one of said plurality of first word segment portions, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; selecting a second one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with said second selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combining said second selected first word segment portion and said second selected second word segment portion to form a substitute first pronounceable word segment; and generating a pronounceable security password including said substitute first pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said substitute first pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than the first threshold transition number.

Claim 5

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 3, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said substitute pronounceable word segment correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if the transition number of said corresponding first word segment portion is less than said first threshold transition number.

Claim 6

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: identifying a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, corresponding to one or more characters at an end portion of said first pronounceable word segment; selecting a second one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with said corresponding first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; and combining said first pronounceable word segment with said second selected second word segment portion to form a part of the password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said second selected second word segment only if consecutive characters of said formed password part fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than a second threshold transition number.

Claim 7

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 5, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said part of the password correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if the transition number of said corresponding first word segment portion is less than said second threshold transition number.

Claim 8

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 6, wherein said second threshold transition number is different than said first threshold transition number.

Claim 9

A method for a forming pronounceable security password according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: selecting a second one of said plurality of first word segment portions, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; selecting a second one of said second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with said second selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combining said second selected first word segment portion and said second selected second word segment portion to form a second pronounceable word segment; and combining said first part of the password with said second part of the password to form a portion of the password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said second pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said formed password portion fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than a second threshold transition number.

Claim 10

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 8, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said portion of the password correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if the transition number of the corresponding first word segment portion is less than the second threshold transition number.

Claim 11

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 9, wherein said second threshold transition number is different than said threshold transition number.

Claim 12

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 9, further comprising the steps: discarding said second pronounceable word segment if the transition number of said corresponding word segment is less than said second threshold transition number; selecting a third one of said plurality of first word segment portions, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; selecting a third one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with said third selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combining said third selected first word segment portion and said third selected second word segment portion to form a substitute second pronounceable word segment; and combining said first pronounceable word segment and said substitute second pronounceable word segment to form a substitute portion of the password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said substitute second pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said substitute password portion fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than said second threshold transition number.

Claim 13

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 11, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said substitute portion of the password correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if the transition number of said corresponding first word segment portion is less than said second threshold transition number.

Claim 14

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of applying said pronounceable security password to encrypt or decrypt a message.

Claim 15

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of first word segment portions is a bigram or a trigram.

Claim 16

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein each said plurality of second word segment portions is a unigram.

Claim 17

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein each character is a letter of an alphabet.

Claim 18

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein said transition numbers are derived using a Markov model.

Claim 19

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein said pronounceable security password is formed of eight or more characters.

Claim 20

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein said pronounceable security password includes at least six characters from said plurality of second word segment portions.

Claim 21

A method for a forming pronounceable security password according to claim 1, wherein said pronounceable security password forms a part of a private key associated with a cryptosystem.

Claim 22

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 20, wherein said cryptosystem is an RSA type cryptosystem.

Claim 25

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 22, wherein the transition number associated with each of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is higher than the transition number associated with each of said first word segment portions categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 26

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 22, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if said corresponding first word segment portion is categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 27

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of: discarding said first selected second word segment portion if said corresponding first word segment portion is categorized in a non-selection category; selecting a second one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with the first selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combining said first selected first word segment portion and said second selected second word segment portion to form a substitute first pronounceable word segment; and generating a pronounceable security password including said substitute first pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said substitute first pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized in the non-selection category.

Claim 28

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 25, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said substitute first pronounceable word segment correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if said corresponding first word segment is categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 29

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: identifying a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, categorized in said one or more selection categories and corresponding to consecutive characters at an end portion of said first pronounceable word segment; selecting a second one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with said corresponding first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; and combining said first pronounceable word segment with said second selected second word segment portion to form a part of said password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said second selected word segment portion only if consecutive characters of said part of the password fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized in the non-selection category.

Claim 30

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 27, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said part of the password correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if said corresponding first word segment portion is categorized in the non-selection category.

Claim 31

A method for a forming pronounceable security password according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of: selecting a second one of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories, wherein selection of any one of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is of substantially equal probability; selecting a second one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with the second selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combining said second selected first word segment portion and said second selected second word segment portion to form a second pronounceable word segment; and combining said first pronounceable word segment with said second pronounceable word segment to form a portion of said password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said second pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said password portion fails to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized in said non-selection category.

Claim 32

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 29, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said password portion correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if said corresponding first word segment portion is categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 33

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 30, further comprising the steps: discarding said second pronounceable word segment if said corresponding first word segment portion is categorized in a non-selection category; selecting a third one of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories, wherein selection of any one of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is of substantially equal probability; selecting a third one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with the third selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combining said third selected first word segment portion and said third selected second word segment portion to form a substitute second pronounceable word segment; and combining said first pronounceable word segment and said substitute second pronounceable word segment to form a substitute portion of said password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said substitute second pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said substitute password portion fail to correspond to those of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized in said non-selection category.

Claim 34

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 31, further comprising the step of determining if consecutive characters of said substitute password portion correspond to a first word segment portion, within said plurality of first word segment portions, and if said corresponding first word segment portion is categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 37

A method for forming a pronounceable security password according to claim 33, wherein the transition number associated with each said word segment categorized in said one or more selection categories is higher than the transition number associated with each said word segment categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 38

A processing system for generating a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, with each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said associated set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) having a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associate set of second word segment portions, comprising: means for storing (i) the plurality of first word segment portions, (ii) the plurality of second word segment portions, (iii) the transition number associated with each of said stored first word segment portions and (iv) a first threshold transition number; means for retrieving one of said stored first word segment portions, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; means for retrieving one of said stored second word segment portions from the set of said stored second word segment portions associated with said retrieved first word segment portion, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored second word segment portions within said associated set of stored second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; means for combining said retrieved first word segment portion and said retrieved second word segment portion to form a first pronounceable word segment; and means for generating a pronounceable security password including said first pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first word segment portions within said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than the stored first threshold transition number.

Claim 39

A processing system for generating a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, with each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said associated set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) having a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associate set of second word segment portions, comprising: means for storing (i) the plurality of first word segment portions, (ii) the plurality of second word segment portions, (iii) the transition number associated with each of said stored first word segment portions and (iv) a first threshold transition number; means for retrieving one of said stored first word segment portions, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; means for retrieving one of said stored second word segment portions from the set of said stored second word segment portions associated with said retrieved first word segment portion, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored second word segment portions within said associated set of stored second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; means for combining said retrieved first word segment portion and said retrieved second word segment portion to form a first pronounceable word segment; and means for generating a pronounceable security password including said first pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first word segment portions within said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than the stored first threshold transition number.

Claim 40

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 35, further comprising: means for retrieving said stored first threshold transition number; and means for determining if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment correspond to one of said stored first word segment portions and if the transition number of the corresponding stored first word segment portion is less than the retrieved first threshold transition number.

Claim 41

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 35, further comprising: means for storing a second threshold transition number; means for identifying one of said stored first word segment portions corresponding to one or more characters at an end portion of said first pronounceable word segment; means for retrieving a second one of said stored second word segment portions from the set of stored second word segment portions associated with said corresponding first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said stored second word segment portions within said associated set of stored second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; and means for combining said first pronounceable word segment with said second selected second word segment portion to form a part of the password; wherein said generated pronounceable security password includes said second selected second word segment portion only if consecutive characters of said part of the password fail to correspond to those of said first word segment portions within said plurality of first word segment portions having a transition number less than the stored second threshold transition number.

Claim 42

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 37, further comprising: means for retrieving said stored second threshold transition number; and means for determining if consecutive characters of said part of the password correspond to a first word segment portion, within said stored first word segment portions, and if the transition number of the corresponding stored first word segment portion is less than the retrieved second threshold transition number.

Claim 43

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 37, wherein said second threshold transition number is different than said first threshold transition number.

Claim 44

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 35, further comprising means for applying said pronounceable security password to encrypt or decrypt a message.

Claim 45

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 35, wherein said said pronounceable security password forms a part of a private key associated with a cryptosystem.

Claim 46

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 41, wherein said cryptosystem is an RSA type cryptosystem.

Claim 47

A processing system for generating a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associated set of second word segment portions, comprising: means for storing (i) the plurality of first word segment portions, (ii) the plurality of second word segment portions and (iii) a first threshold transition number; means for identifying one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds the stored first threshold transition number; means for retrieving one of said stored first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is of substantially equal probability; means for retrieving one of said stored second word segment portions within the set of said stored second word segment portions associated with the retrieved first word segment portion, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored second word segment portions in said associated set of stored second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; means for combining said retrieved first word segment portion and said retrieved second word segment portion to form a first pronounceable word segment; and means for generating a pronounceable security password including said first pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment fails to correspond to those of said stored plurality of first word segment portions categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 48

A processing system for generating a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associated set of second word segment portions, comprising: means for storing (i) the plurality of first word segment portions, (ii) the plurality of second word segment portions and (iii) a first threshold transition number; means for identifying one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds the stored first threshold transition number; means for retrieving one of said stored first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is of substantially equal probability; means for retrieving one of said stored second word segment portions within the set of said stored second word segment portions associated with the retrieved first word segment portion, wherein retrieval of any one of said stored second word segment portions in said associated set of stored second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; means for combining said retrieved first word segment portion and said retrieved second word segment portion to form a first pronounceable word segment; and means for generating a pronounceable security password including said first pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment fails to correspond to those of said stored plurality of first word segment portions categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 49

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 43, further comprising means for determining if consecutive characters of said first pronounceable word segment correspond to a stored first word segment portion categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 50

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 44, further comprising: means for identifying one of said stored first word segment portions categorized in said one or more selection categories and corresponding to consecutive characters at an end portion of said first pronounceable word segment; means for retrieving a second one of said stored second word segment portions from the set of stored second word segment portions associated with the identified stored first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said stored second word segment portions in said associated set of stored second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; and means for combining said first pronounceable word segment with said second retrieved second word segment portion to form a part of said password; wherein said pronounceable security password also includes said second retrieved second word segment portion only if consecutive characters of said part of said password fail to correspond to those of said stored plurality of first word segment portions categorized in said non-selection category.

Claim 51

A system for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 45, further comprising means for determining if consecutive characters of said part of the password correspond to one of said stored first word segment portions categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 52

A processing system for generating a pronounceable security password using a plurality of pronounceable word segments, each of which (i) having a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character, and (ii) being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of different said second portions included in those of said plurality of word segments which have a first portion identical to the first portion of the word segment being categorized, comprising: means for storing the plurality of word segments; means for identifying one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds a first threshold transition number; means for retrieving at least two of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories; means for combining said retrieved word segments to form a portion of said pronounceable security password; and means for generating a pronounceable security password including said pronounceable security password portion only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable security password portion fail to correspond to those of said stored plurality of first word segment portions categorized in a non-selection categories; wherein, the probability of any one of said stored word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories being retrieved is substantially equal.

Claim 53

A processing system for generating a pronounceable security password using a plurality of pronounceable word segments, each of which (i) having a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character, and (ii) being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of different said second portions included in those of said plurality of word segments which have a first portion identical to the first portion of the word segment being categorized, comprising: means for storing the plurality of word segments; means for identifying one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds a first threshold transition number; means for retrieving at least two of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories; means for combining said retrieved word segments to form a portion of said pronounceable security password; and means for generating a pronounceable security password including said pronounceable security password portion only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable security password portion fail to correspond to those of said stored plurality of first word segment portions categorized in a non-selection categories; wherein, the probability of any one of said stored word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories being retrieved is substantially equal.

Claim 56

A method for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 48, further comprising the steps of: categorizing said first portions based upon said probability of transition; and randomly selecting only from said first portions categorized within selected said categories.

Claim 57

A method for generating a pronounceable security password according to claim 48, wherein said probability of transition is determined using a second or third order Markov model.

Claim 58

An article of manufacture for forming a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, with each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) having a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associated set of second word segment portions, comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer program stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: select a first one of said plurality of first word segment portions, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; select a first one of said plurality of second word segment portions from said set of second word segment portions associated with said selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combine said selected first word segment portion and said selected second word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment; and generate a pronounceable security password including said pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of the first word segment portions, within said plurality of first word segment portions, having a transition number less than a threshold transition number.

Claim 59

An article of manufacture for forming a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, with each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) having a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associated set of second word segment portions, comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer program stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: select a first one of said plurality of first word segment portions, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; select a first one of said plurality of second word segment portions from said set of second word segment portions associated with said selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combine said selected first word segment portion and said selected second word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment; and generate a pronounceable security password including said pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of the first word segment portions, within said plurality of first word segment portions, having a transition number less than a threshold transition number.

Claim 60

An article of manufacture for forming a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associate set of second word segment portions, comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: identify one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds a first threshold transition number; select a first one of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is of substantially equal probability; select a first one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with the selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combine said selected first word segment portion and said selected second word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment; and generate a pronounceable security password including said pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first word segment portions, within said plurality of first word segment portions, categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 61

An article of manufacture for forming a pronounceable security password using a plurality of first word segment portions, each having at least one character, and a plurality of second word segment portions, each having at least one character, each of said plurality of first word segment portions (i) having an associated set of one or more said second word segment portions, each said second word segment portion within said associated set being different from others within said set and being combinable with said associated first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment and (ii) being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of said second word segment portions within the associate set of second word segment portions, comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: identify one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds a first threshold transition number; select a first one of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories, wherein selection of any one of said plurality of first word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories is of substantially equal probability; select a first one of said plurality of second word segment portions from the set of second word segment portions associated with the selected first word segment portion, wherein selection of any one of said second word segment portions within said associated set of second word segment portions is of substantially equal probability; combine said selected first word segment portion and said selected second word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment; and generate a pronounceable security password including said pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first word segment portions, within said plurality of first word segment portions, categorized in a non-selection category.

Claim 62

An article of manufacture for forming a pronounceable security password using a plurality of pronounceable word segments, each of said plurality of word segments including a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character, and being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of different said second portions included in those of said plurality of word segments which have a first portion identical to the first portion of the word segment being categorized, comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: identify one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds a first threshold transition number; select at least two of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories; combine said selected word segments to generate a pronounceable word segment; and generate a pronounceable security password including said generated pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable security password fail to correspond to those of said plurality of word segments categorized in a non-selection category; wherein, the probability of any one of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories being selected is substantially equal.

Claim 63

An article of manufacture for forming a pronounceable security password using a plurality of pronounceable word segments, each of said plurality of word segments including a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character, and being categorized into one of at least two categories based upon a transition number corresponding to the number of different said second portions included in those of said plurality of word segments which have a first portion identical to the first portion of the word segment being categorized, comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: identify one or more selection categories from said at least two categories, wherein the transition number associated with each of said word segment portions categorized within said one or more selection categories equals or exceeds a first threshold transition number; select at least two of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories; combine said selected word segments to generate a pronounceable word segment; and generate a pronounceable security password including said generated pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of said pronounceable security password fail to correspond to those of said plurality of word segments categorized in a non-selection category; wherein, the probability of any one of said word segments categorized within said one or more selection categories being selected is substantially equal.

Claim 64

An article of manufacture for generating a pronounceable security password comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: identify a set of pronounceable word segments; divide each of said pronounceable word segments into a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character; determine a probability of transition from each of said first portions to one or more of said second portions to form one of the pronounceable word segments; randomly select one of said first portions from those of said first portions having an associated probability of transition less than a selected threshold; randomly select one of said second portions from those of said second portions combinable with said selected first portion to form one of said pronounceable word segments; combining said selected first and selected second portions to produce one of said pronounceable word segments; and generating a pronounceable security password including the produced pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of the produced pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first portions which have an associated probability of transition which is greater than the selected threshold.

Claim 65

An article of manufacture for generating a pronounceable security password comprising: computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on said storage medium; wherein said stored computer program is configured to be readable from said computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause said computer to operate so as to: identify a set of pronounceable word segments; divide each of said pronounceable word segments into a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character; determine a probability of transition from each of said first portions to one or more of said second portions to form one of the pronounceable word segments; randomly select one of said first portions from those of said first portions having an associated probability of transition less than a selected threshold; randomly select one of said second portions from those of said second portions combinable with said selected first portion to form one of said pronounceable word segments; combining said selected first and selected second portions to produce one of said pronounceable word segments; and generating a pronounceable security password including the produced pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of the produced pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first portions which have an associated probability of transition which is greater than the selected threshold.

Claim 66

A programmable computer system for generating a pronounceable security password comprising:, storage medium having stored a set of pronounceable word segments, wherein each of said pronounceable word segments has a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character, and wherein each said first portion has an associated transition probability, said associated transition probability corresponding to a probability of said first portion being combined with one of said second portions to form one of the pronounceable word segments; and a processor that is programmed for randomly selecting one of said first portions from those of said first portions having an associated transition probability less than a selected threshold, for randomly selecting one of said second portions from those of said second portions combinable with said selected first portion to form one of said pronounceable word segments, for combining said selected first and selected second portions to produce one of said pronounceable word segments, and for generating a pronounceable security password including the produced pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of the produced pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first portions which have an associated probability of transition which is greater than the selected threshold.

Claim 67

A programmable computer system for generating a pronounceable security password comprising:, storage medium having stored a set of pronounceable word segments, wherein each of said pronounceable word segments has a first portion having at least one character and a second portion having at least one character, and wherein each said first portion has an associated transition probability, said associated transition probability corresponding to a probability of said first portion being combined with one of said second portions to form one of the pronounceable word segments; and a processor that is programmed for randomly selecting one of said first portions from those of said first portions having an associated transition probability less than a selected threshold, for randomly selecting one of said second portions from those of said second portions combinable with said selected first portion to form one of said pronounceable word segments, for combining said selected first and selected second portions to produce one of said pronounceable word segments, and for generating a pronounceable security password including the produced pronounceable word segment only if consecutive characters of the produced pronounceable word segment fail to correspond to those of said first portions which have an associated probability of transition which is greater than the selected threshold.