Credential Interface Routing to Cut Redundant User Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing credentials on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring multiple key presses and wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a credential management system that dynamically displays service-specific or federated credential interfaces based on user input, reducing the need for redundant inputs and enhancing user interaction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex user interface with multiple key presses is used to manage credentials, then the system can provide comprehensive credential management functionality, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential management functionalityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures credential interfaces and automatically determines which interface to display based on the service type. When a user selects a service, the system has already prepared the appropriate credential management interface in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through multiple interfaces or key presses to find the right one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The credential manager acts as an intermediary between the user and various service-specific credential interfaces. It provides a unified entry point that automatically routes to the appropriate service-specific interface based on the selected service, reducing the cognitive burden and interaction steps required from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple key presses are required to access credential interfaces, then the system can maintain structured navigation, but user time and device energy are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface navigation structureVSAvoiduser time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-determines which credential interface should be displayed based on the selected service before the user completes their selection. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to press multiple keys to navigate through hierarchical interfaces, as the system has already positioned itself at the correct interface level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface navigation is made dynamic by automatically adapting the displayed interface based on the selected service. Instead of a static multi-level navigation structure that requires fixed key sequences, the system dynamically adjusts the interface presentation to match the user's selection, reducing navigation steps while maintaining structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a unified credential interface is displayed for all services, then the user interface is simplified, but the system cannot efficiently handle service-specific credential requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidcredential management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The credential management system is segmented into a unified credential manager interface and service-specific credential interfaces. The unified manager provides a simple entry point for all services, while service-specific interfaces handle the detailed credential requirements. This segmentation allows both simplicity in access and efficiency in handling service-specific needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The credential manager serves as an intermediary layer that maintains interface simplicity for the user while enabling efficient service-specific credential handling underneath. It translates simple user selections into appropriate service-specific interface displays, bridging the gap between simplicity and specialized functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If redundant input steps are required in credential management, then the system can ensure complete credential verification, but cognitive burden on the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential verification completenessVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to the user by automatically displaying the appropriate credential interface based on the selected service. This feedback mechanism eliminates unnecessary input steps by showing users only the relevant credential verification steps for their selected service, reducing cognitive burden while maintaining complete verification through service-specific interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of which credential interface is needed based on the service selection before requiring user input. This preliminary action filters out redundant verification steps that would be necessary in a generic interface, allowing complete credential verification through service-specific interfaces without increasing user cognitive load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250371128A1Managing credentials

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to managing credentials. Some techniques are for displaying information related to credentials in accordance with some embodiments. Other techniques are for displaying notifications regarding the saving of credentials in accordance with some embodiments.