Keystroke dynamics in Linux

Question

I'm thinking of implementing a keystroke dynamics (authenticating people based on their typing patterns) application for Linux. As I see it, I have two alternatives:

1. Extend the Linux logon to support keystroke dynamics
2. Create a desktop-locker program which "locks" the screen and can only be unlocked by a typist with a particular typing pattern

Is alternative 1 possible? Windows supports extending the logon process via msgina.dll, does Linux support something of the sort?

For altenative 2, is is possible to disable the mouse and keyboard?

Answer 1

libpam has plugin ability. so yes, totally possible, like the (in)famous msgina :)

locking the screen is mmm rather touchy - who is responsible? window manager, X server, session manager, the screen saver process, ?

I'm afraid different desktop environments (Gnome, KDE...) might have different opinions. Although these days, I'm pretty positive all of them will share some kind of FreeDesktop dbus interface to coordinate this type of functionality.