Mobile Device Physical State Based Account Functionality Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user account security systems rely on authentication credentials, which can be compromised, leading to unauthorized access, and multi-factor authentication methods are inconvenient and do not allow users to control access levels dynamically.
Innovation Solution
Modifying user account functionality based on the physical state of a mobile device, where rules associated with the device's state determine available functionalities, allowing the server system to authorize or deny actions accordingly without explicit user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If authentication credentials (username and password) are used to control access, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened because credentials can be discovered by unauthorized third parties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the security parameter from static credentials to dynamic physical state conditions. The system monitors physical parameters (device state, location, motion) and uses these changing parameters to dynamically control account functionality, making security adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces physical state conditions as an intermediary between the user and the account functionality. Instead of direct credential-based access, the system uses physical device state as a mediating factor that must be satisfied for certain functionalities to be accessible, adding a layer of security without requiring additional user actions.
2Reliability
If multi-factor authentication is implemented to improve security, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs security verification automatically without requiring user action. The mobile device continuously monitors its own physical state and automatically communicates this information to the server system, which then adjusts account functionality accordingly. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually provide additional authentication factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The security mechanism operates continuously in the background without interrupting user workflow. The physical state monitoring and authentication adjustments happen automatically and continuously, ensuring security is maintained without requiring periodic user intervention or additional authentication steps.
3Ease of operation
If static access permissions are granted to user accounts, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability is worsened because access levels cannot be dynamically controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static access permissions into dynamic ones by linking account functionality to the physical state of the mobile device. As the device's physical state changes (location, motion, device state), the accessible functionalities automatically adjust, providing real-time adaptability while maintaining simple user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed relating to the modification of user account functionality based on a physical state of a mobile device. For example, in some embodiments, a mobile device may detect one or more physical states associated with the device. The mobile device may compare the one or more physical states to a set of rules for a user account associated with a user, where a given one of the set of rules specifies one or more functionalities, of the user account, to modify in response to one or more of the rules being satisfied. Further, in response to the one or more physical states satisfying a first rule of the set of rules, the mobile device may send, to a server system associated with the user account, a request to modify one or more functionalities associated with the user account.