Mobile Device Automatic Protection via RFID Separation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing mobile devices require user intervention to activate protection measures, which can be inadequate when the user is unaware of or unable to respond to theft or loss, especially if they do not have access to another device.

Innovation Solution

A method that automatically activates protection actions in a mobile device when it is separated from its associated support for an extended period, using a radio identification tag (RFID) to identify the support and trigger actions such as data destruction, alarm emission, or message sending, without requiring user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user intervention is required to activate protection measures, then the user can control when protection is applied, but the protection fails when the user is unaware of or unable to respond to theft or loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection activation reliabilityVSAvoiduser intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device automatically detects its own separation from the support and triggers protection measures without requiring user intervention. The device monitors the presence of the support through RFID communication and autonomously activates protection when separation exceeds the threshold duration, making the system self-protecting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures protection measures and thresholds before theft or loss occurs. The user sets the maximum separation duration and selected protection actions in advance, so that when separation occurs, the predetermined protection is automatically triggered without requiring real-time user decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If automatic protection is triggered by separation duration, then protection activates without user intervention, but false activation may occur during legitimate temporary separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic protection triggeringVSAvoidfalse activation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a configurable time parameter (maximum separation duration) as the trigger threshold. By adjusting this temporal parameter, the system distinguishes between legitimate temporary separations and actual theft or loss scenarios, reducing false activations while maintaining automatic protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protection actions include data destruction, then fraudulent use is prevented, but legitimate user access is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraudulent use preventionVSAvoidlegitimate user access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system dynamically adapts its response based on the separation duration. It implements a graduated protection strategy where less severe measures (alarm emission, message sending) are triggered first, with more severe measures (data destruction) reserved for prolonged separations indicating actual theft or loss, thus balancing security with legitimate user access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple protection actions are available, then the system can respond appropriately to different theft scenarios, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection response flexibilityVSAvoidprotection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user selects only the protection actions they consider necessary for their specific needs. The system implements a subset of available protection measures rather than all possible actions, reducing complexity while maintaining adequate protection flexibility for individual users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures automatic and secure protection of mobile devices from unauthorized use by automatically triggering protective measures when the device is stolen or lost, reducing the risk of fraudulent exploitation and simplifying the user's experience by eliminating the need for direct intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a radio identification tag (RFID), which identifies the carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1965328B1Securitisation method and mobile device thus secured

Publication Date: 2015.01.14 COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE ET FINANCIERE D INGENIERIE INGENICO SA

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Figure 3

AI summary

The method involves performing protection of a mobile device when a scalable value attains a threshold value, where the device executes a protection action. The scalable value, which is enabled automatically, is positioned when the device and a base type support are detected in a common neighborhood. The scalable value is positioned at a value remote from the threshold value so as to allow the scalable value to be naturally close to the threshold value when the mobile device and the support are not detected in the common neighborhood. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a mobile device comprising a protection unit (2) a support of mobile device comprising a data transmitting unit.