Mobile Banking Feature Locking by Time and Safe Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile application security measures, such as biometric and multi-factor authentication, are inadequate in preventing real-time financial transactions forced by criminals during robberies, necessitating impractical user actions like deleting apps or limiting account balances.

Innovation Solution

Implementing systems and methods to disable or enable mobile application features based on time and location, using a computer program to manage feature access through icons, messages, and location monitoring, allowing secure access only when safe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication are used, then security is improved, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional user actions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically disabling payment features before the user is in a risky situation. The user sets time parameters in advance, and the system proactively disables features when the time period expires or when location monitoring indicates the user is in a risky area, eliminating the need for real-time user intervention during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring location and time conditions without requiring continuous user input. The location monitoring service and time-based control work autonomously to disable/enable features based on pre-set criteria, reducing the burden on the user during stressful situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the phone is kept out when outside at night to avoid robbery, then security is improved, but convenience and productivity are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccessibility to payment features
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making feature accessibility changeable based on real-time conditions. The payment feature dynamically transitions between enabled and disabled states according to time parameters and location monitoring, allowing the user to maintain phone accessibility while having features automatically restricted when risky conditions are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality by applying different access levels to different features based on contextual conditions. Instead of completely disabling the application, the system selectively disables only specific features (like payment transfers) when risky conditions are detected, while maintaining access to other features such as viewing account information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the amount of money in checking accounts is limited, then security is improved, but the usability and functionality of the banking application is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making feature accessibility changeable based on real-time conditions. The payment feature dynamically transitions between enabled and disabled states according to time parameters and location monitoring, allowing the user to maintain phone accessibility while having features automatically restricted when risky conditions are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4645193A1Systems and methods for time and/or location based disabling of mobile application functionality
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA
  • EP4645193A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4645193A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4645193A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method may include: (1) receiving, at a computer program, such as a mobile banking application, executed by an electronic device, a request to disable a feature of the computer program, such as a payment feature, for a time period; (2) disabling, by the computer program, the feature; (3) determining, by the computer program, that the time period has passed; and (4) enabling, by the computer program, the feature. The feature may be disabled by removing an icon to access the feature, and may be enabled by adding the icon to access the feature. The method may also include: monitoring, by the computer program, a location of the electronic device; determining, by the computer program, that the electronic device is in a registered location; and enabling, by the computer program, the feature even if the time period has not passed.