Accessory Authentication for Locked Digital Assistant Secure Tasks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital assistants require user input to unlock devices for secure tasks, leading to inefficient use of computing resources and battery power, especially when performing tasks that reveal personal information.
Innovation Solution
An accessory device is used to authenticate the electronic device while it is locked, allowing secure tasks to be initiated without unlocking the device, based on predefined authentication criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biometric sensors are integrated into the electronic device for continuous authentication, then security is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an accessory device as an intermediary that performs biometric authentication functions externally. The accessory device contains biometric sensors and processing logic, acting as a mediator between the user and the electronic device. This transfers the complexity of biometric authentication from the electronic device to the accessory device, maintaining security while reducing the electronic device's complexity and power consumption requirements.
2Reliability
If biometric sensors are integrated into the electronic device for continuous authentication, then security is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory device serves as an external intermediary that handles all biometric sensing and authentication processing. By moving the biometric sensors and processing logic to the accessory device, the electronic device only needs to communicate authentication results, significantly reducing its power consumption while maintaining continuous authentication security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts authentication requirements based on context. The processor determines when biometric authentication is necessary versus when simpler authentication methods suffice, optimizing power consumption by avoiding continuous high-power biometric sensing unless security risks are detected.
3Reliability
If multiple authentication factors are required for secure tasks, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary biometric authentication through the accessory device before secure task initiation. This pre-authentication establishes a trusted state, allowing subsequent secure tasks to proceed with simplified verification. The accessory device continuously monitors authentication status, so when a secure task is requested, the system can quickly determine if additional factors are needed rather than requiring full multi-factor authentication each time.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication requirements are dynamically adjusted based on the current security context and user state. The processor evaluates whether previously completed authentication factors remain valid and determines the minimum necessary authentication for each specific task, reducing unnecessary authentication steps while maintaining security.
4Ease of operation
If the electronic device remains in an unlocked state for convenient access, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the locked/unlocked state based on continuous authentication monitoring. The accessory device continuously verifies user identity through biometric sensors, allowing the electronic device to remain unlocked during authenticated sessions for convenient access. When authentication status changes or security risks are detected, the system automatically transitions to a locked state, providing adaptive security that balances convenience and protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example process includes: while an electronic device is in a locked state and in communication with an external accessory device: receiving a request to unlock the electronic device; in accordance with a determination that one or more states of the external accessory device satisfy a set of authentication criteria, changing a state of the electronic device from the locked state to an unlocked state; after changing the state from the locked state to the unlocked state, changing the state from the unlocked state to a second locked state; receiving a natural language input corresponding to a secure task request; and in accordance with a determination that the one or more states of the external accessory device satisfy the set of authentication criteria: initiating a secure task corresponding to the natural language input; and providing an output indicative of the initiated secure task.