Authentication Medium Selection via Physical Availability Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling devices often face challenges in authenticating users when the preferred authentication medium is unavailable, leading to inefficient and user-unfriendly authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a processor and memory to detect the physical availability of a preferred authentication medium and automatically select a physically available alternative from a ranked list, considering factors like electrical communication, distance, obstruction, and data quality, to ensure seamless user authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system uses a preferred authentication medium (e.g., most secure or user-selected), then authentication security and user preference are improved, but authentication fails when the preferred medium is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the authentication medium selection based on real-time availability detection. Instead of statically assigning a preferred medium, the system continuously monitors which mediums are physically available and adapts the selection accordingly, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the selection parameter from a fixed preferred medium to a dynamically determined available medium. By detecting physical availability and selecting from ranked alternatives, the system maintains authentication reliability while adapting to changing medium availability conditions
2Reliability
If the system attempts to use the preferred authentication medium first, then authentication security is improved, but authentication time increases when the preferred medium is unavailable requiring fallback to alternatives
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of authentication medium availability before initiating the authentication process. By detecting which mediums are physically available in advance and selecting from the ranked list of available mediums, the system avoids attempting to use unavailable mediums and eliminates the time loss associated with fallback procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides multiple authentication medium options, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects authentication medium availability and selects the appropriate medium from the ranked list without requiring user intervention. This self-service approach maintains adaptability to user needs while minimizing perceived complexity by handling the selection process automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic detection and selection based on medium availability feedback. By continuously monitoring which mediums are physically available and automatically selecting from the ranked list, the system provides adaptability while managing complexity through automated feedback-driven selection rather than complex user configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for selecting an authentication medium. One apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory that stores code executable by the at least one processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive, by use of the at least one processor, an indication to authenticate a user. The code is executable by the processor to, in response to receiving the indication to authenticate the user, detect a physical availability of a preferred authentication medium of a list of authentication mediums. The code is executable by the processor to, in response to detecting that the preferred authentication medium is physically unavailable, select a physically available authentication medium from the list of authentication mediums to authenticate the user.