Lock Screen Authentication via Intra-Body Communication Gesture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information processing apparatuses, such as multifunctional devices and smartphones, require users to take extra steps for user authentication after unlocking, which is not user-friendly, even when techniques allow for one-gesture unlocking and function selection.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a touch-enabled display with a lock screen that includes an unlock icon and function icons, where user authentication is conducted via intra-body communication technology, allowing users to unlock and select functions with a single gesture without additional authentication steps, and displaying permitted functions in a visually distinct manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user authentication is required after unlocking, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to extra steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the authentication process with the unlock gesture by detecting user identity through intra-body communication during the swipe gesture itself. The authentication result determines which screen is displayed after unlocking, eliminating the need for a separate authentication step while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs authentication in advance by detecting the user's identity through intra-body communication before the unlock gesture is completed. The authentication result is ready when the gesture ends, allowing the appropriate screen to be displayed immediately without requiring post-unlock authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple screens are displayed based on authentication, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically displays different screens (first screen or second screen) based on the authentication result obtained during the unlock gesture. The display content adapts to the user's identity and authentication status without requiring complex manual configuration or additional user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically performs authentication and screen selection based on detected user identity, eliminating the need for users to manually configure or navigate through multiple authentication screens. The apparatus serves itself by making intelligent decisions about which screen to display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2960749B1Information processing apparatus, method of controlling a lock screen displayed while the information processing apparatus is locked, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP2960749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2960749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus (1) comprises: a touch-enabled display means (22); a lock means (3) that locks the information processing apparatus (1); a display control means (35) that displays a lock screen on the display means (22), the lock screen having a first icon (221) for unlock and one or more second icons (222a)∼(222f) each representing a function, and that refreshes the lock screen, when a user moves the first icon (221), such that the first icon (221) is present at a different position; an unlock means (3) that unlocks the information processing apparatus (1); a recognition means (3) that recognizes a function as being selected, the function being represented by the one second icon or one of the second icons (222a)∼(222f) being present at the position where the user releases the first icon (221); a user information obtaining means (36) that obtains user information; and an authentication means (38) that conducts user authentication with the obtained user information while the user is moving the first icon (221).