Device Property Control System for User Identity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of shared computing devices often face dissatisfaction due to device property settings not aligning with their preferences, as these settings are typically configured by the owner and can be difficult for secondary users to change, especially if they are unfamiliar with the device.

Innovation Solution

A device property control system that automatically adjusts settings based on the user's identity, switching to owner-specified settings for trusted users and demonstration mode settings for untrusted users, using biometric information to determine user roles and configure device properties such as brightness, theme, and interaction modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If device property values are manually changed by secondary users, then device settings can be adjusted to user preferences, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming for users unfamiliar with the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of changing device settingsVSAvoidtime required to navigate settings screens

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple sets of device property values corresponding to different user profiles (owner, trusted secondary users, untrusted secondary users). When a user is detected, the system automatically applies the pre-configured settings for that user type without requiring manual navigation through settings screens, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically detects the current user and self-adjusts its property values without requiring manual intervention. The system uses biometric sensors and user detection mechanisms to identify the user and automatically applies the appropriate configuration, making the device serve itself rather than requiring user configuration efforts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If device property values are automatically changed based on user detection, then user experience is enhanced and time is saved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different usersVSAvoidcomplexity of user detection and settings management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments users into distinct categories (owner, trusted secondary users, untrusted secondary users) with different property value configurations. This segmentation allows the complex adaptability requirements to be managed through discrete, pre-defined user profiles rather than requiring continuous complex decision-making, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by changing discrete parameter sets (pre-configured property values) rather than dynamically adjusting individual parameters. Each user type has a complete set of pre-determined parameters, and the system simply switches between these parameter sets based on detected user identity, making the complexity manageable through parameterization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If demonstration mode settings are applied to untrusted secondary users, then device capabilities are best showcased, but the settings may not align with any specific user's preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of demonstrating device capabilitiesVSAvoiduser satisfaction with settings

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts device property values based on the detected user type. For untrusted secondary users, it automatically switches to demonstration mode settings that optimize the display of device capabilities. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the settings flexible enough to serve different purposes (productivity vs. personal preference) depending on the user context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12079639B2Automatically changing device property values for a secondary user of a device

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

A device property control system determines whether a current user of a device is an owner of the device, a trusted secondary user of the device, or an untrusted secondary user of the device. The system maintains device property values for the owner as well as each trusted secondary user of the device. When the current user of the device changes, the system determines whether the current user is the owner or a trusted secondary user and if so changes the device property values to those previously used by the owner or one of the trusted secondary users (whichever is the current user of the device). However, if the current user is an untrusted secondary user, the device property control system changes the device property values to demonstration mode device property values that are expected to best demonstrate the capabilities of the device.