Authenticated Device Unlocking for Seamless Multi-Device Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern electronic devices face issues with unintentional activation or deactivation due to unintentional contact, and existing unlocking methods, such as button combinations and passwords, are cumbersome when switching between devices.
Innovation Solution
A method using an authenticated external device to unlock another device via wireless communication, involving detection of the external device and user input to facilitate seamless transitions between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional unlocking methods (button combinations, passwords) are used, then device security is maintained, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorate when switching between multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism where a user authenticates to a first device, and that device acts as a mediator to automatically authenticate and unlock a second device. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for the user to directly interact with complex unlocking procedures on each device, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining security through device-trusted authentication chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service unlocking where the authenticated device automatically performs the unlocking action on the target device without requiring additional user input or manual intervention. The authenticated device essentially serves itself by using its authentication status to automatically grant access to the locked device, dramatically simplifying the user experience when switching between devices.
2Reliability
If devices auto-lock after predetermined time to prevent unintentional activation, then unintentional action is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates when quickly switching between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication action by having the user authenticate to the first device before needing to access the second device. This preliminary authentication state is then carried over to enable automatic unlocking of the second device, eliminating the need for re-authentication and significantly reducing the time loss when quickly switching between devices while maintaining security through the preliminary authentication barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication action continues seamlessly across devices. Once authenticated to the first device, the authentication state persists and automatically extends to the second device, creating continuous useful action without interruption. This continuity eliminates the discontinuous re-authentication process that would otherwise occur when switching devices, reducing time loss while maintaining security through continuous authentication validation.
3Productivity
If multiple unlocking procedures are required for multiple devices, then device security is maintained, but user convenience and productivity deteriorate when switching between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The first authenticated device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the primary device for the user and as an authentication mediator for unlocking the second device. This multi-functionality allows a single authentication action to enable access across multiple devices, improving productivity when switching between devices while maintaining security through the universal authentication mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the authentication function and the unlocking function into a single integrated operation. By combining these functions, the system allows one authentication action to simultaneously authorize access to both the first device and trigger automatic unlocking of the second device, thereby improving switching efficiency and ease of operation when working with multiple devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device that has a user-interface locked state and a user-interface unlocked state communicates with an external device using wireless communication to facilitate unlocking of the electronic device.