Electronic device and status switching method thereof

Abstract

An electronic device and a identity authentication method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. A pairing procedure between the electronic device and an external electronic device is performed. Through a first ultra-wideband device of the electronic device, the distance between the external electronic device including a second ultra-wideband device and the electronic device is detected. The electronic device is controlled to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state according to the distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to an electronic device and its state switching method. Prior Technology

[0002] For reasons of personal privacy and cybersecurity, authorizing access to electronic devices through identity verification has become a common operating procedure. Users typically need to enter a correct password or perform biometric authentication to gain access to the device. Currently, electronic devices can use cameras to detect whether a user is in front of them; if no user is detected within a certain period, the device will automatically lock. However, due to privacy concerns, users may disable or cover the camera, causing the automatic locking function based on user presence to malfunction. Furthermore, electronic devices often fail to lock promptly when the user leaves, potentially creating security vulnerabilities.

[0003] On the other hand, existing technologies can locate lost electronic devices using GPS or WWAN positioning technologies. However, these methods require the electronic device to be powered on and have sufficient power to be effective. Furthermore, these methods typically provide only limited accuracy, failing to meet the demands for higher precision. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a state switching method applicable to an electronic device. The method includes the following steps: performing a pairing procedure between the electronic device and an external electronic device; detecting the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device, including a second ultra-wideband device, via a first ultra-wideband device of the electronic device; and controlling the electronic device to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state based on the distance.

[0005] This invention provides an electronic device including a first ultra-wideband (UWB) device, a storage device, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the first UWB device and the storage device. The storage device records a plurality of instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the aforementioned instructions to perform the following operations: Performing a pairing procedure between the electronic device and an external electronic device; Detecting the distance between the electronic device and the external electronic device, including a second UWB device, via the first UWB device; Controlling the operation of the electronic device to a locked state or an unlocked state based on the distance.

[0006] Based on the above, in this embodiment, the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device can be measured using a first ultra-wideband device of the electronic device and a second ultra-wideband device of the external electronic device. Therefore, the electronic device can be locked or unlocked based on the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device. This not only effectively prevents unauthorized personnel from operating the electronic device but also improves the immediacy of unlocking and locking the electronic device. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a state switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a state switching method according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a state switching method according to an embodiment of this case. Figures 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating a scenario according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a state switching method according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a state switching system according to an embodiment of this case. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a state switching method according to an embodiment of this case. Implementation

[0008] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Component symbols used in the following description are considered identical or similar when they appear in different drawings. These embodiments are only a part of this disclosure and do not reveal all possible implementations. More precisely, these embodiments are merely examples of the apparatus and methods within the scope of this patent application.

[0009] Referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, the state switching system may include an electronic device 110 and an external electronic device 120. The electronic device 110 may be a personal electronic device such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or game console, but this embodiment is not limited to these. The external electronic device 120 may be a wearable electronic device, smartwatch, smartphone, or an electronic tag with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) communication and Bluetooth communication capabilities, but this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0010] In this embodiment, the external electronic device 120 can serve as an electronic key for locking or unlocking the electronic device 110, verifying access rights and controlling the electronic device 110 to switch between locked and unlocked states. When the external electronic device 120 is sufficiently close to the electronic device 110, the electronic device 110 can switch from the locked state to the unlocked state or remain in the unlocked state. When the external electronic device 120 is far away from the electronic device 110, the electronic device 110 can switch from the unlocked state to the locked state or remain in the locked state.

[0011] In this embodiment, the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120 can use ultra-wideband communication technology to confirm the distance or relative position relationship between the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120, so as to lock or unlock the electronic device 110 according to the distance or relative position relationship between the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120.

[0012] In some embodiments, electronic device 110 may include a first ultra-wideband (UWB) device 111, a Bluetooth device 112, a storage device 113, a real-time clock (RTC) power supply 114, and a processor 115.

[0013] The first ultra-wideband device 111, also known as an ultra-wideband sensor, features an ultra-wideband antenna and transceiver circuitry. The first ultra-wideband device 111 is a high-precision sensing device based on ultra-wideband technology, operating between 3.1 GHz and 10.6 GHz, and designed according to the IEEE 802.15.4z standard. Compared to traditional narrowband radio, UWB technology has a wider spectrum range and requires extremely low energy for signal transmission, exhibiting excellent low-power characteristics. The first ultra-wideband device 111 can transmit and receive high-frequency pulse signals through the ultra-wideband antenna, and the transceiver circuitry handles signal processing and data transmission. This enables the first ultra-wideband device 111 to accurately measure the distance between target objects.

[0014] Bluetooth device 112 is a wireless module integrating the Bluetooth communication protocol for short-range wireless data transmission. Bluetooth device 112 may include a Bluetooth chip, radio frequency circuitry, and an antenna, and connects to a host device via standard interfaces (such as UART, SPI, and I²C). Bluetooth device 112 supports various Bluetooth versions, including cost-effective Bluetooth 4.0 / 4.2 and power-optimized Bluetooth 5.0 / 5.3, but this application does not limit this.

[0015] Storage device 113 is used to store data and software modules (such as operating systems, applications, drivers) accessible to processor 115. It can be, for example, any type of fixed or removable random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk, or a combination thereof.

[0016] RTC power supply 114 provides dedicated power to electronic device 110, ensuring normal operation even when the main power supply of electronic device 110 is turned off. RTC power supply 114 is typically supplied with stable, low-power power by a backup battery (e.g., a coin cell battery) or a supercapacitor to support continuous time tracking and timing functions. In this embodiment, RTC power supply 114 is connected to the first ultra-wideband device 111. Power is supplied to the first ultra-wideband device 111 by the RTC power supply 114 of electronic device 110 to ensure that the first ultra-wideband device 111 continues to operate even when the main power supply is turned off. Even when electronic device 110 is powered off, the first ultra-wideband device 111 can still operate.

[0017] Processor 115 is coupled to first ultra-wideband device 111, Bluetooth device 112, and storage device 113. Processor 115 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), application processor (AP), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), image signal processor (ISP), graphics processing unit (GPU), or other similar devices, integrated circuits, and combinations thereof. Processor 115 can access and execute instructions recorded in storage device 113 to implement the state switching method in this disclosed embodiment.

[0018] In some embodiments, the external electronic device 120 may include a second ultra-wideband device 121 and a Bluetooth device 122. The second ultra-wideband device 121 functions and has hardware similar to the first ultra-wideband device 111, and the Bluetooth device 122 functions and has hardware similar to the Bluetooth device 112. Further details will not be elaborated here.

[0019] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2 simultaneously. The method of this embodiment is applicable to the state switching system described above. The following describes the detailed steps of the state switching method of this embodiment in conjunction with the components of the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120.

[0020] In step S210, a pairing process is performed between electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120. Electronic device 110 can use Bluetooth device 112 to pair with Bluetooth device 122 of external electronic device 120. In some embodiments, the pairing process includes exchanging pairing data through first ultra-wideband device 111 and second ultra-wideband device 121 to establish a unique identification relationship. During the pairing process, electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120 can mutually verify their identities and generate encryption keys. After pairing is completed, a trusted relationship is formed between electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120, and subsequent Bluetooth connections can be directly established without re-verification. Overall, electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120 can identify each other through the pairing process.

[0021] In step S220, the distance between the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120, including the second ultra-wideband device 121, is detected through the first ultra-wideband device 111 of the electronic device 110. In some embodiments, one of the first ultra-wideband device 111 and the second ultra-wideband device 121 can transmit an ultra-wideband pulse signal and receive a response signal from the other of the first ultra-wideband device 111 and the second ultra-wideband device 121. Based on the Time of Flight (ToF) method to calculate the round-trip time of the signal, the electronic device 110 or the external electronic device 120 can obtain the distance between the two devices. This distance measurement has high precision characteristics and is suitable for precise positioning and distance determination needs. UWB signals consist of extremely short pulses (nanosecond level) and have high time resolution, thus enabling the measurement of extremely short propagation times.

[0022] In step S230, based on the distance, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state. In some embodiments, when the distance is less than a preset safety range, the processor 115 verifies that the external electronic device 120 is an authorized device and switches the electronic device 110 to the unlocked state, allowing the user to access the device's functions. Conversely, if the distance exceeds the safety range or the external electronic device 120 has not completed the pairing process, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to switch to a locked state, prohibiting unauthorized operation. Therefore, due to the high-precision ranging and real-time response capabilities of ultra-wideband technology, the operational security and immediacy of locking of the electronic device 110 can be ensured. More specifically, because the electronic device 110 continuously and frequently acquires the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110, it can quickly react to the user's approach and departure, switching between the locked and unlocked states.

[0023] In some embodiments, when one of the first ultra-wideband device 111 and the second ultra-wideband device 121 has multiple ultra-wideband antennas, the first ultra-wideband device 111 or the second ultra-wideband device 121 can obtain the relative positional relationship between the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120 based on the Angle of Arrival (AOA) technique. Based on this, the processor 115 can control the electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state based on the relative positional relationship and distance between the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120. In some embodiments, when the external electronic device 120 is located on the display side of the electronic device 110 and is sufficiently close, the electronic device 110 is controlled to operate in an unlocked state. When the external electronic device 120 is located on the non-display side or rear side of the electronic device 110, the electronic device 110 is controlled to operate in a locked state.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 and 3 simultaneously. The method of this embodiment is applicable to the state switching system described above. The following describes the detailed steps of the state switching method of this embodiment in conjunction with the components of the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120.

[0025] In step S310, a pairing procedure is performed between electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120. In step S320, the distance between electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120, including second ultra-wideband device 121, is detected through the first ultra-wideband device 111 of electronic device 110.

[0026] In step S330, depending on the distance, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state. In some embodiments, step S330 may be implemented as steps S331 to S333.

[0027] In step S331, the processor 115 determines whether the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 is greater than a first threshold value. The first threshold value can be designed according to the actual application, and this case does not limit it.

[0028] When the distance exceeds the first threshold (determined as yes in step S331), in step S332, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state. In some embodiments, when the electronic device 110 operates in a locked state, the electronic device 110 can log out of the operating system and display a lock screen. The lock screen may be, for example, a user login screen, but is not limited to this.

[0029] When the distance is not greater than the first threshold (determined as no in step S331), in step S333, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to operate in the unlocked state. In some embodiments, when the distance is not greater than the first threshold, the user can log in to the operating system of the electronic device 110, allowing the user to use the electronic device 110 normally. Furthermore, based on the completion of the pairing procedure, the electronic device 110 can confirm that the external electronic device 120 is an authorized device, and can store and record the user account or device identification information corresponding to the external electronic device 120, so as to log in to the operating system of the electronic device 110 according to the authorized user account or device identification information.

[0030] In some embodiments, based on the high-frequency ranging capability of ultra-wideband technology, the processor 115 can control the electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state after determining that n consecutive distances are greater than a first threshold value. This avoids interference from other factors affecting the ranging results and preventing the electronic device 110 from mistakenly entering a locked state.

[0031] For example, referring to Figure 4A, when the distance D41 between the external electronic device 120 (e.g., a mobile phone) and the electronic device 110 (e.g., a laptop) is less than a first threshold value, the electronic device 110 operates in an unlocked state and the operating system is logged in. Referring to Figure 4B, the user carries the external electronic device 120 away from the electronic device 110. When the distance D42 between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 is greater than the first threshold value, the electronic device 110 operates in a locked state and the operating system is logged out. When operating in the locked state, the electronic device 110 may display a user login screen S11.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 1 and 5 simultaneously. The method of this embodiment is applicable to the state switching system described above. The following describes the detailed steps of the state switching method of this embodiment in conjunction with the components of the electronic device 110 and the external electronic device 120.

[0033] In step S510, a pairing procedure is performed between electronic device 110 and external electronic device 120. In step S520, the distance between external electronic device 120 (including second ultra-wideband device 121) and electronic device 110 is detected through the first ultra-wideband device 111 of electronic device 110. In some embodiments, step S520 may be implemented as steps S521 to S523.

[0034] In step S521, the first ultra-wideband device 111 receives the ultra-wideband wireless signal emitted by the second ultra-wideband device 121. This ultra-wideband wireless signal carries identification information of the external electronic device 120. In some embodiments, the ultra-wideband wireless signal received by the first ultra-wideband device 111 includes an encrypted identification code and a timestamp sent by the second ultra-wideband device 121. After decoding the ultra-wideband wireless signal, the first ultra-wideband device 111 can extract the identification information and related parameters for subsequent verification and ranging calculations. The aforementioned identification information may be, for example, a user account or device identification code.

[0035] In step S522, the identification information of the external electronic device 120 is verified. In some embodiments, the electronic device 110 may receive and record preset identification information of the external electronic device 120. The identification information of the external electronic device 120 is verified based on the preset identification information. During the verification process, the processor 115 of the electronic device 110 compares the received identification information with a pre-registered database stored internally. If a match is found, the external electronic device 120 is confirmed as an authorized device. The verification process may use encryption operations on the key to ensure the security of the verification process.

[0036] In step S523, once the identification information of the external electronic device 120 is verified, the processor 115 of the electronic device 110 determines the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 based on the ultra-wideband wireless signal. This distance is calculated based on the Time of Flight (ToF) of the ultra-wideband wireless signal, which is the time required for the signal to travel from the electronic device 110 to the external electronic device 120 and back. In some embodiments, the processor 115 can also continuously receive and analyze multiple ranging results, applying filtering techniques to reduce the impact of environmental interference on the ranging data and ensure the reliability of the final ranging result.

[0037] In step S530, depending on the distance, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state. In some embodiments, step S330 may be implemented as steps S531 to S535.

[0038] In step S531, the processor 115 determines whether the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 is greater than a first threshold value. In step S533, if the distance is not greater than the first threshold value, the processor 115 controls the electronic device to operate in the unlocked state. In step S532, if the distance is greater than the first threshold value, the processor 115 controls the electronic device to operate in the locked state.

[0039] It is worth mentioning that when the distance is greater than the first threshold value, in step S534, the processor 115 can determine whether the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 is greater than the second threshold value. When the distance is greater than the second threshold value, in step S535, the processor 115 controls the electronic device 110 to enter a sleep state. The second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value. That is to say, when the user leaves and the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 is greater than the second threshold value, the electronic device 110 can be directly controlled to enter a power-saving sleep state, thereby achieving the purpose of saving power. In addition, when the user returns and the distance between the external electronic device 120 and the electronic device 110 is not greater than the second threshold value, the electronic device 110 operating in the sleep state can be woken up to enter a power-saving sleep state, but remains in a locked state.

[0040] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a state switching system according to an embodiment of this invention. The state switching system may include an electronic device 610 and an external electronic device 620. The electronic device 610 may include a first ultra-wideband (UWB) device 611, a Bluetooth device 612, a storage device 613, a real-time clock (RTC) power supply 614, and a processor 615. The above components are similar to the corresponding components shown in Figure 1, and will not be described again here.

[0041] It should be noted that the external electronic device 620 may include a second ultra-wideband device 621, a Bluetooth device 622, a speaker 623, a transceiver 624, and a processor 625. The processor 625 is coupled to the second ultra-wideband device 621, the Bluetooth device 622, the speaker 623, and the transceiver 624. The speaker 623 is used to play sound. The transceiver 624 is used to connect to a network to send and receive data. In some embodiments, when the electronic device 610 is lost, the user can locate the electronic device 610 through the external electronic device 620.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 6 and 7 simultaneously. The method of this embodiment is applicable to the state switching system described above. The following describes the detailed steps of the state switching method of this embodiment in conjunction with the components of electronic device 610 and external electronic device 620.

[0043] In step S710, electronic device 610 and external electronic device 620 are bound to a user account. This binding process can be completed through a server verification system, and the unique identifiers (such as device serial numbers or hardware addresses) of electronic device 610 and external electronic device 620 will be associated with the user account. The binding process requires the user to provide authentication information (such as a password or multi-factor authentication) to ensure that only authorized accounts have control. After binding is completed, the user account can centrally manage these devices.

[0044] In step S720, a pairing procedure is performed between electronic device 610 and external electronic device 620. In step S730, the distance between electronic device 610 and external electronic device 120 (including second ultra-wideband device 621) is detected through the first ultra-wideband device 611 of electronic device 610. In step S740, based on the distance, processor 115 controls electronic device 110 to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state. Detailed implementation details of steps S720 to S740 can be found in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0045] It should be noted that in step S750, when the search program of electronic device 610 is initiated, external electronic device 620 receives a remote location of electronic device 610. In some embodiments, through the GPS module built into electronic device 610, electronic device 610 can obtain the latitude and longitude of the current remote location and transmit the encrypted location data to external electronic device 620. Alternatively, in some embodiments, through other wide area communication modules built into electronic device 610, electronic device 610 can obtain the current remote location and transmit the encrypted location data to external electronic device 620. External electronic device 620 can display the location of electronic device 610 on the user interface in the form of a map or directional indicators, making it convenient for the user to quickly find electronic device 610.

[0046] In step S760, the external electronic device 620 determines whether the remote distance between the remote location and the external electronic device 620 is less than a third threshold value. Furthermore, based on the remote location, the user can carry the external electronic device 620 towards the remote location. During the search process of the electronic device 610, the external electronic device 620 continuously determines whether the remote distance between the remote location and the current location of the external electronic device 620 is less than the third threshold value.

[0047] In step S770, when the remote distance is less than the third threshold, the second ultra-wideband device 621 is used to detect the short-range distance between the electronic device 610 and the external electronic device 620. When the remote distance is less than the third threshold, it means that the user is close enough to the electronic device 610, and the ultra-wideband ranging, which has a smaller but more accurate ranging range, can be used to continue searching for the electronic device 610. Therefore, when the remote distance is less than the third threshold, the external electronic device 620 uses the second ultra-wideband device 621 to detect the short-range distance between itself and the electronic device 610.

[0048] In step S780, the external electronic device 620 provides an audio effect through the speaker 623 based on the short-range distance. In some embodiments, an audio characteristic of the audio effect changes in response to changes in the short-range distance. This audio characteristic is, for example, a sound frequency (e.g., high or low) or a sound emission frequency (e.g., a slow beep or a fast beep). For example, when the external electronic device 620 senses proximity to the electronic device 610, the speaker 623 of the external electronic device 620 emits a high-frequency audio effect. When the external electronic device 620 senses distance from the electronic device 610, the speaker 623 of the external electronic device 620 emits a low-frequency audio effect to accurately determine the location of the computer device. The application of ultra-wideband positioning can compensate for the inaccuracies of GPS positioning or other wide-area network positioning.

[0049] In summary, in this disclosed embodiment, the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device can be measured using a first ultra-wideband device of the electronic device and a second ultra-wideband device of the external electronic device. Therefore, the electronic device can be locked or unlocked based on the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device. This not only effectively prevents unauthorized personnel from operating the electronic device but also improves the immediacy of unlocking and locking the electronic device. Furthermore, by using ultra-wideband technology to assist in the search for lost devices, lost devices can be located more quickly and accurately.

[0050] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended scope of the patent application and its equivalents.

[0051] 110, 610: Electronic devices 111, 611: First ultra-wideband device 113, 613: Storage devices 114, 614: Power supply 115, 615, 625: Processors 120, 620: External electronic devices 121, 621: Second ultra-wideband device 112, 122, 612, 622: Bluetooth devices 623: Speaker 624: Transceiver D41, D42: Distance S11: User Login Screen S210~S230, S310~S333, S510~S535, S710~S780: Steps

Claims

1. A method for switching states of an electronic device, comprising: Perform a pairing procedure between an electronic device and an external electronic device; The distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device, including a second ultra-wideband device, is detected through the first ultra-wideband device of the electronic device; when the distance is greater than a first threshold value, the electronic device is controlled to operate in the locked state; and when the distance is greater than a second threshold value, the electronic device is controlled to enter a sleep state, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

2. The cybersecurity protection method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the electronic device to operate in the locked state or the unlocked state according to the distance includes: When the distance is not greater than the first threshold value, the electronic device is controlled to operate in the unlocked state.

3. The state switching method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the electronic device to operate in the unlocked state when the distance is not greater than the first threshold value includes: If the distance is not greater than the first threshold value, log in to the operating system of the electronic device.

4. The state switching method as described in request item 1 further includes: The first ultra-wideband device is powered by the real-time clock (RTC) power supply of the electronic device.

5. The state switching method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the distance between the external electronic device including the second ultra-wideband device and the electronic device via the first ultra-wideband device includes: The system receives ultra-wideband wireless signals emitted by the second ultra-wideband device through the first ultra-wideband device, wherein the ultra-wideband wireless signals carry identification information of the external electronic device; verifies the identification information of the external electronic device; and, when the identification information of the external electronic device is verified, determines the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device based on the ultra-wideband wireless signals.

6. The state switching method as described in claim 5, wherein the step of performing a pairing procedure between the electronic device and the external electronic device includes: Receive and record preset identification information of the external electronic device, wherein the identification information of the external electronic device is verified based on the preset identification information.

7. An electronic device comprising: The first ultra-wideband device has an ultra-wideband antenna; Storage device that records multiple instructions; The device also includes a processing unit connected to the first ultra-wideband device and the storage device, configured to execute the instructions to: bind the electronic device to an external electronic device and a user account; perform a pairing procedure between the electronic device and the external electronic device; detect the distance between the external electronic device and the electronic device, including a second ultra-wideband device, via the first ultra-wideband device; and control the electronic device to operate in a locked state or an unlocked state based on the distance. And when the search program of the electronic device is initiated, the external electronic device receives a remote location of the electronic device; the external electronic device determines whether the remote distance between the remote location and the external electronic device is less than a third threshold value; when the remote distance is less than the third threshold value, the second ultra-wideband device detects the short-range distance between the electronic device and the external electronic device; the external electronic device provides an audio effect based on the short-range distance.

8. The cybersecurity protection method as described in claim 7, wherein a sound effect characteristic of the sound effect changes in response to changes in the short-range distance.

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