Access Control Notification with Explanation for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of communication devices are concerned about unauthorized access to device resources by third-party applications, leading to potential increased usage fees and reduced device performance, without clear notification or control over access control requests.

Innovation Solution

The communication device provides a notification system that displays an access control request on the screen, including an explanation of the proposed setting change, allowing users to grant or deny requests from executing programs, thereby enhancing user control and transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If third-party applications are allowed to access device resources, then application functionality and versatility are improved, but device security and control are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoiddevice security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by notifying the user when an application requests access control, providing information about the requesting application and the requested access, and waiting for user confirmation before granting access. This closed-loop feedback ensures that third-party applications can access device resources only when the user is aware and has explicitly approved the request, thus maintaining device security while enabling application functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If access control requests are granted without notification, then device operation speed is improved, but user control and awareness are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operation speedVSAvoiduser control awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary action by notifying the user before granting access control to third-party applications. The notification is displayed in advance, providing the user with information about the requesting application and the requested access, allowing the user to make an informed decision before the access is granted. This preliminary notification ensures that users maintain awareness and control over device operations without significantly delaying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If detailed notification of access control requests is provided, then user control and awareness are improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidnotification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system is segmented into distinct components: identification information about the requesting application, details about the requested access control, and user response options. This segmentation allows the notification to provide comprehensive information for user control while organizing the complexity into manageable, structured elements that are easier to process and display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notification provides localized quality by tailoring the information displayed to the specific access control request being made. Each notification is customized with relevant details about the particular application and access type, providing users with precisely the information they need for that specific decision context, rather than generic or overwhelming information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2106106B1Notification of access control request and explanation indicative of the access control request on a communication device
Publication Date: 2011.07.27 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2106106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2106106B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2106106B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A communication device includes a display screen upon which information is displayed. A microprocessor configured to execute at least one notification program is provided that displays a notification descriptive of an access control request on the display screen. The at least one notification program is programmed to receive data indicative of an access control request and to receive data descriptive of the access control request. Additionally, the at least one notification program is further programmed to display a notification indicative of the access control request and comprising an explanation of the access control request based on the received descriptive data.