Context-Aware Device Disconnection via Physical Measurement Policies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices struggle to manage connection terminations effectively over long distances and varying environments, leading to unintended connections that can expose sensitive information or cause unnecessary reconfigurations due to time-based timeout mechanisms being ineffective.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an information handling device with physical characteristic measurement elements that compare user-defined disconnection policies to device location and movement data to initiate targeted disconnection events, ensuring secure and efficient connection management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If time-based timeout mechanisms are used to manage connections, then connection management is simplified, but connections remain active longer than necessary exposing sensitive information and causing unnecessary reconfigurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter basis for disconnection from time-based to physical characteristic-based measurements. Instead of using timeout mechanisms that rely on time duration, the system uses accelerometer data, location data, or other physical measurements to dynamically determine when to disconnect, thereby improving security while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-based timeout mechanism with a physical measurement-based system. Rather than relying on temporal thresholds, the system substitutes mechanical/physical sensing (accelerometers, location sensors) to detect user movement and environmental context, triggering disconnections based on physical characteristics rather than time elapsed
2Reliability
If physical characteristic measurement elements are implemented to enable automatic disconnection, then connection security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional sensors in mobile devices (accelerometers, location sensors, gyroscopes) that serve multiple purposes. These sensors are already integrated for other device functions, and the patent repurposes them for connection management, thereby improving security without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the device's own existing sensors and processing capabilities to perform connection management autonomously. The mobile device self-monitors its physical characteristics and automatically makes disconnection decisions without requiring external measurement equipment or additional hardware, thus avoiding increased complexity
3Ease of operation
If connections are maintained over long distances without disconnection, then user convenience is improved, but unintended exposure of sensitive information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors physical characteristics (acceleration, location, movement patterns) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust connection status. When sensors detect that the user has moved away or the device is no longer in active use, the system automatically disconnects, preventing information exposure while maintaining convenience during active use
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary disconnection actions based on predicted user behavior patterns. By analyzing physical characteristics such as device movement, location changes, or acceleration patterns, the system proactively disconnects before unintended exposure can occur, rather than waiting for a security incident to happen
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and products directed toward context aware device disconnection are provided herein. One aspect includes obtaining one or more physical measurements of an information handling device connected to one or more external systems, the one or more physical measurements being measured using one or more physical characteristic measurement elements; analyzing the one or more physical measurements using one or more policy settings configured in one or more disconnection policies stored on the information handling device; and initiating one or more disconnection events responsive to the one or more physical measurements matching the one or more policy settings. Other embodiments are described herein.