Application Lock Interface for Secure Content Access Without Opening Apps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces lack additional security measures to protect specific applications, and there is a need to hide applications from system-level functions to enhance user data security.
Innovation Solution
Implementing methods and interfaces that allow locking and hiding applications, requiring authentication before access and using tactile and visual feedback to manage application states, thereby enhancing security and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passwords are used to authenticate users before accessing the device, then device-level security is improved, but application-level security remains unprotected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the security protection into two independent levels: device-level authentication (using device passwords) and application-level authentication (using app-specific passwords). This segmentation allows each level to function independently, so that application security can be enhanced without compromising the existing device security mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested security structure where application-level security is contained within the device-level security framework. The application lock feature is integrated into the operating system but operates independently at the application level, creating a nested protection model where app passwords are stored and managed within the device's security architecture.
2Ease of operation
If applications are made accessible to system-level functions, then ease of operation is improved, but user data security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic access control where applications can be in different states (locked or unlocked) and system-level functions can dynamically determine whether to access application content based on the locked state. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt its behavior based on security requirements, enabling or disabling access rights in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between system-level functions and applications. When a system function needs to access application content, it must go through this intermediary layer which checks the application's locked state and authentication requirements. This intermediary acts as a mediator that controls the flow of information and prevents direct access to protected applications.
3Reliability
If authentication is required for every application access, then application security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication where users can authenticate once to unlock an application, and then remain authenticated for subsequent accesses. The system remembers the authentication state and maintains it until the application is intentionally locked again. This preliminary action approach eliminates the need for repeated authentication prompts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables applications to manage their own authentication states. When an application is locked, it automatically prompts for authentication when accessed. The system automatically handles the authentication process, memory of authenticated states, and maintenance of lock states without requiring manual intervention for each access event.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If applications are hidden from system functions, then data security is improved, but functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic visibility where applications can be hidden from system functions when in locked state and automatically become visible when unlocked. This dynamic state change allows the same application to have different visibility properties depending on its authentication state, enabling security without permanently limiting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary authentication to establish the visibility state of applications. Once authenticated, applications become visible and accessible to system functions. This preliminary action of authentication prepares the application state to allow full functionality, eliminating the need for permanent visibility restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system, in response to detecting a request to access content corresponding to a first application: in accordance with a determination that the first application is in a locked state: requests authentication information from a user of the computer system; and in response to receiving, via the one or more input devices, the authentication information and in accordance with a determination that the received authentication information is consistent with authorized authentication information, allows access to the content corresponding to the first application without opening the first application; in accordance with a determination that the first application is in an unlocked state, allows access to the content corresponding to the first application without requesting the authentication information from the user of the computer system and without opening the first application.