Digital Key Access Control During Low-Battery Device Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a portable computing device's battery energy reaches a low level, the user interface shuts down, making it impossible to unlock the device and use the digital key to access a secure system, especially if a power source is not available, and allowing unauthorized access if a configuration setting enables key use without authentication.
Innovation Solution
The device prompts the user to enable a configuration setting that allows digital key use without authentication when it shuts down due to low battery, requiring prior user authentication to set this option, ensuring secure access to the digital key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the device shuts down when battery energy reaches a low level, then power consumption is reduced, but access to the digital key becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into two operational modes: a first operational state where the device shuts down completely to conserve energy, and a second operational state where the device remains partially operational to allow digital key access. The controller selectively transitions between these states based on battery energy levels and configured settings, enabling the system to optimize between power consumption and operational accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the device allows digital key use when shut down, then access is maintained, but unauthorized access risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by obtaining user input before the shutdown occurs that configures whether digital key access should be permitted in the shutdown state. The controller stores this configuration and applies it only after the device shuts down, ensuring that the security setting is established in advance while maintaining the ability to control access based on user preferences and security requirements.
3Reliability
If user authentication is required to enable digital key access on shutdown, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by using the existing user interface and input mechanisms already present in the portable computing device to obtain configuration input from the user. The controller processes this input and automatically configures the digital key access behavior without requiring additional authentication hardware or complex verification systems, leveraging the device's existing capabilities to maintain security while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery-powered portable computing device, including a digital key for providing access to an external secure system, 2024/043979 detects that a remaining battery energy has reduced to a second predefined level higher than a first predefined level, wherein at least a portion of the device is programmed to shut down when the remaining battery energy drops to the first predefined level. In response to the detection, the device prompts a user to selec t a configuration to allow′ use of the digital key when at least a portion of the device has shut down and allows use of the digital key-after the device is shut down if allowed by the user selected configuration.