Emergency Communication Interface for Passcode-Locked Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices in a passcode-locked state prevent unauthorized access but hinder emergency communication with preselected contacts, such as family or friends, when the user is unavailable, thereby delaying essential information exchange during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow communication with preselected emergency contacts and access to their information without entering an unlocked state, using a passcode-locked screen interface, enabling emergency users to initiate communication services like calls, messages, or video chats while maintaining the passcode-locked state until an authenticated passcode is received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the computing device is in a passcode-locked state to prevent unauthorized access, then device security is improved, but emergency communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device access control into two distinct modes: full access when unlocked and restricted emergency access when locked. The emergency communication functionality is separated from the main device operations, allowing it to function independently through the passcode lock screen without requiring full device unlock. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling emergency communication while maintaining overall device security.
Solution Approach 2:
The passcode lock screen serves as an intermediary interface that mediates between the locked state (security requirement) and emergency communication needs. It provides a specialized input interface that accepts emergency contact information and communication requests without requiring the device to be fully unlocked, thus enabling emergency communication while preserving the security of the locked state.
2Reliability
If the passcode-locked state restricts access to all device functions, then unauthorized access is prevented, but emergency contact access is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring emergency contact information and communication preferences while the device is unlocked. During an emergency, this pre-configured information is immediately accessible through the passcode lock screen without requiring device unlock or additional configuration steps, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables skipping the normal device unlock process for emergency communications. By allowing emergency contact access directly through the passcode lock screen interface, the system rushes through the security verification step that would normally be required, prioritizing speed of emergency communication while maintaining the integrity of the locked state for other device functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and techniques for establishing communication between a user device in a passcode-locked stated and a computing device associated with an emergency contact are described. In one example, a method includes receiving, by a first computing device, a request to communicate with an emergency contact while the first computing device is in a passcode-locked state. The request may be received via a passcode lock screen displayed at the first computing device, the passcode-locked state may restrict access to the first computing device, and the emergency contact may be one of at least one emergency contact preselected by a user. The example method also includes, responsive to receiving the request, initiating, by the first computing device, a communication service on the first computing device during the passcode-locked state, and transmitting, via the communication service, data from the first computing device to a second computing device associated with the emergency contact.