Lock Screen Emergency Call Disambiguation During Password Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communication devices face inefficiencies when processing emergency calls from lock screens, leading to unnecessary resource usage and potential erroneous calls due to the overlap of password entry and emergency call initiation, causing waste of processing resources and bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that distinguish between password entry and emergency call initiation by receiving password input data and controlling the display to provide instructions for emergency calls only when necessary, ensuring the password dialog box is not obscured and resources are conserved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device automatically initiates emergency call dialog box when receiving emergency number sequences during password input, then emergency call functionality is improved, but device complexity and processing resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency call functionalityVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of emergency number sequences during password input and prepares the emergency call dialog box in advance, but delays its display until the password input is complete. This allows the system to detect potential emergency calls early while avoiding premature resource consumption and dialog box display during the password input process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that monitors password input for emergency number sequences without immediately triggering the emergency call dialog box. This intermediary layer allows the system to identify potential emergency calls while maintaining the password input flow, and only activates the full emergency call functionality when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the device displays emergency call dialog box during password input, then emergency call response is improved, but loss of time for legitimate password entry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency call responseVSAvoidpassword entry time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects emergency number sequences during password input in advance and prepares the emergency call dialog box, but delays its actual display until after the password input is complete. This preliminary detection without immediate interruption ensures that legitimate password entry is not delayed while still maintaining readiness for emergency calls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing of emergency call dialog box display based on the state of password input. The dialog box is conditionally displayed only after password input completion, creating a dynamic response that adapts to the user's input pace and avoids unnecessary time loss for legitimate password entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the device places itself in emergency call ready mode during password input, then emergency call capability is improved, but use of energy and processing resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency call capabilityVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of emergency number sequences during password input and conditionally places the device in emergency call ready mode only when an emergency sequence is detected. This approach maintains energy efficiency by avoiding unnecessary emergency mode activation while still ensuring emergency call capability is available when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different processing quality levels based on the input context: during password input, it performs lightweight detection of emergency sequences without full emergency call processing. This local quality adjustment reduces processing resource consumption during normal password entry while maintaining high readiness for actual emergency calls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8538403B2Method and apparatus for disambiguating an emergency call attempt during password entry for unlocking a mobile device

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus for unlocking a mobile communication device are provided, the mobile communication device comprising an input device, and a display device, the mobile communication device enabled to initiate emergency calls in a locked state. Password input data is received via the input device, when the mobile communication device is in the locked state, the password input data for unlocking the mobile communication device, the password input data comprising at least a sequence of characters for initiating an emergency call. In response to receiving the sequence of characters for initiating the emergency call, the display device is controlled to provide a representation of instructions to initiate the emergency call upon receipt of emergency call initiate data from the input device.