Mobile Device Email Validation Controller for Password Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in efficiently recovering forgotten passwords for mobile wireless communications devices, as existing methods are lengthy and cumbersome, often requiring multiple steps and email verification processes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile wireless communications device with a controller that determines if an email address is associated with the device, sends a validation request to a validation server, and waits for a validation email to validate the application, reducing the time and effort required for password recovery by using a unique login key extracted from the validation email.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional password recovery processes are used, then security is maintained through multiple verification steps, but user convenience deteriorates due to lengthy and cumbersome procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword recovery processVSAvoidtime required for password recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending the validation email in advance and preparing the reset link with expiration logic before the user actually needs to reset the password. The validation email is queued and sent immediately upon request, reducing waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential validation functionality from the complex multi-step password recovery process. Instead of requiring users to navigate through multiple verification steps, the system extracts the core validation need and fulfills it through a single email with a reset link, removing unnecessary intermediate steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple verification steps are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidvalidation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The validation email serves as an intermediary carrier that transmits the reset link and validation token from the server to the user. This intermediary approach simplifies the system architecture by using a well-established communication channel (email) rather than implementing complex in-app verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of validation delivery from multiple interactive steps to a single asynchronous email message. The expiration time parameter is introduced to maintain security while simplifying the user interaction model, allowing the validation process to complete in the background without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated validation emails are sent, then productivity is improved by reducing manual intervention, but loss of information increases if emails are not received or are filtered as spam

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword recovery efficiencyVSAvoidvalidation email delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides preliminary instructions to users on how to access their validation email, including guidance on checking spam folders and alternative email addresses. This preliminary information delivery helps prevent loss of validation information due to email filtering issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by allowing users to request re-sending of validation emails and by providing status information about the validation process. This feedback loop helps recover from delivery failures and ensures that users can complete the password recovery process even if initial emails are lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2559277B1Mobile wireless communications device having validation feature and related methods
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2559277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2559277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2559277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller coupled to the wireless transceiver. The controller may be configured to determine if an email address is associated with the mobile wireless communications device. The controller may further be configured to wirelessly send a validation request to a validation server based upon the email address, and wait for a validation email to be wirelessly received from the validation server based upon the validation request if the email address is associated with the wireless communications device, and if the validation email is wirelessly received, then validate access an application based upon the validation email.