Dynamic Icon Path Unlocking for Anti-Fingerprint Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unlocking methods for electronic devices, such as smartphones, are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to visible traces like sweat stains and fingerprints, which can be exploited to compromise security and lead to economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic unlocking method that characterizes unlocking passwords through specific touch operations on a randomly arranged icon path, increasing the complexity by varying the direction and distance, and includes a processing unit to manage and verify these inputs, making it difficult for unauthorized users to replicate the correct sequence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional unlocking methods (password or figure) are used, then the unlocking process is simple and easy to operate, but the security is compromised due to visible traces like sweat stains and fingerprints that can be exploited to compromise security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic unlocking interface where icon positions are randomly arranged on the circular path for each unlocking attempt. This dynamic repositioning ensures that even if traces are left on the screen, they cannot be reused for subsequent unlocking attempts, thereby maintaining security while keeping the operation simple for legitimate users who know their password
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameters of the unlocking interface by varying the positions of icons on the circular path. Each unlocking attempt presents a different configuration of icons, making it impossible to replicate the same trace pattern. This parameter variation resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through parameter diversity while preserving ease of operation through consistent interaction mechanics
2Reliability
If the unlocking password is fixed and static, then the operation is simple, but the traces remain visible and can be easily replicated by unauthorized users
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking mechanism transitions from a static password system to a dynamic icon-arrangement system. Icons are positioned at varying locations on a circular path based on the user's password, creating a unique trace pattern for each attempt. This dynamic approach increases anti-unauthorized access capability while the underlying mechanism remains relatively simple, involving only positional variations of existing interface elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a circular path dimension for icon arrangement, moving beyond traditional linear or grid-based layouts. By distributing icons along a circular trajectory with varying radial and angular positions, the system creates a two-dimensional search space that significantly increases complexity for unauthorized access while maintaining a relatively simple implementation based on polar coordinate positioning
3Ease of operation
If multiple attempts are allowed for unlocking, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the number of attempts needed increases security risk as traces can be observed and analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows multiple unlocking attempts while mitigating security risks by dynamically repositioning icons on the circular path for each attempt. This ensures that traces from previous attempts cannot be used to deduce the correct password, as the icon positions change with each new configuration. Users retain the ability to make multiple attempts, but each attempt presents a fresh security challenge
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic unlocking method and an electronic apparatus using the same method are proposed. The method includes the following steps: recording an unlocking password combination including at least one unlocking password, where each unlocking password is characterized by a touch operation initiating from a specific icon and sliding toward a specific direction along a specific path by a specific distance; displaying an unlocking screen including a plurality of predetermined icons, where the predetermined icons are randomly arranged on the specific path; receiving at least one unlocking input performed on the predetermined icons; when the at least one received unlocking input completely matches the unlocking password combination, unlocking the electronic apparatus.