Dynamic Security Mode Selection via Wireless Authenticator Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless devices rely primarily on passwords for authentication, which can be inconvenient and do not adapt well to different security environments, lacking flexibility in managing accessibility and security modes based on location or context.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple wireless authenticator devices (such as NFC tags and QR codes) that associate distinct security modes with specific accessibility attributes, allowing the device to dynamically adjust locking and unlocking mechanisms, timeout settings, and resource access based on the authenticator device's location and configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless authenticator devices are used with distinct security modes, then authentication convenience and adaptability to different environments are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different security environmentsVSAvoidcomplexity of authentication system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system is segmented into multiple distinct security modes (e.g., first security mode and second security mode), each associated with specific wireless authenticator devices. Each security mode independently manages accessibility attributes such as timeout periods and authentication requirements, allowing the system to handle different environmental contexts separately without overwhelming complexity in a single unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and applies different security modes based on the detected wireless authenticator device and its associated accessibility attributes. The timeout period and authentication requirements are adjusted in real-time according to the specific security mode activated, enabling the system to adapt to changing security environments without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If multiple wireless authenticator devices with different accessibility attributes are implemented, then ease of operation in various contexts is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring security attributes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of authentication in different contextsVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting security attributes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless authenticator devices (such as NFC tags or QR code devices) serve as intermediaries that carry encoded accessibility attribute information. When a user brings the authenticator device near the protected device, the intermediary transfers security mode information wirelessly, eliminating the need for the user to manually detect or measure complex security attributes while still providing context-aware authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a simplified copy of security attribute information within the wireless authenticator device. Instead of requiring the user to understand or measure complex security configurations, the authenticator device stores a condensed version of the accessibility attributes (such as timeout periods and authentication requirements) that can be easily read and applied by the protected device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If security modes are dynamically adjusted based on authenticator device location, then adaptability to security environments is improved, but loss of time for authentication processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability based on locationVSAvoidtime for authentication processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Accessibility attribute information, including timeout periods and authentication requirements, is pre-configured and stored within the wireless authenticator device before use. When the authenticator is detected, the system retrieves the pre-stored security mode information immediately without needing to perform time-consuming analysis or measurement, thereby reducing authentication processing time while maintaining location-based adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2809046B1Associating distinct security modes with distinct wireless authenticators

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 BLACKBERRY LTD

AI summary

In some aspects, a first device detects information encoded in a wireless authenticator device based on a wireless interaction between the first device and the wireless authenticator device. The first device detects the information while securing resources on the first device according to a first security mode. Based on the detected information, the first device selects a second security mode associated with the wireless authenticator device. The first device then applies the selected second security mode. The selected second security mode is one of multiple distinct security modes. Each of the multiple distinct security modes is associated with a respective one of multiple wireless authenticator devices and defines accessibility attributes of the resources on the first device.