Mobile Device Locking Timer Restart via Vehicle Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smartphones automatically lock the screen after a predefined period of inactivity, requiring users to re-enter their password while driving, which can lead to distracted driving and compromises security due to the need for easy, guessable passwords.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that restarts the locking timer of a mobile device when it detects movement, allowing users to enter their password before driving and maintaining access without the need for re-entry, while enabling stronger, longer passwords for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the smart phone automatically re-locks the user screen after a predefined period of inactivity, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the user must re-enter the password while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the locking behavior adaptive to the user's activity state. The system transitions from a static locking policy to a dynamic one where the lock status changes based on whether the user is driving (detected via sensor signals) or stationary. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain security when needed while enabling continuous access during driving without requiring password re-entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of lock status based on the detected driving state. When vehicle movement is detected, the system changes the lock parameter from locked to unlocked, allowing continuous access. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adjusting the security level dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed locking policy, thus enabling both security and ease of operation in different contexts.
2Ease of operation
If the user enters a trivial password such as '1111' to provide convenience while driving, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates because the trivial password is easy to guess
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the authentication requirement based on the driving state. When the user is detected to be driving, the system allows continuous access without requiring password entry, thereby maintaining ease of operation. When not driving, the system enforces password authentication to maintain security. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for trivial passwords while ensuring security when the device is stationary.
3Reliability
If the smart phone implements an extended lockout period or data deletion after multiple failed password attempts, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the user must focus on entering the correct password to avoid triggering the lockout
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the authentication behavior based on the driving state. When driving is detected, the system suspends the lockout period and allows continuous access, eliminating the stress of avoiding triggered lockouts. When not driving, the system enforces the lockout policy to maintain security. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by removing the distraction of lockout avoidance during driving while maintaining security through enforced authentication during stationary periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique controls access to a computerized resource of a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, etc.). The technique involves, in response to successfully authenticating a user, unlocking access to the computerized resource of the mobile device and starting a timer which is configured to lock access to the computerized resource of the mobile device upon timer expiration. The technique further involves, after the timer is started and while access to the computerized resource of the mobile device is unlocked, receiving a sensor signal from sensor circuitry. The sensor signal indicates whether the mobile device is in a vehicle that is currently moving. The technique further involves, in response to the sensor signal indicating that the mobile device is in a vehicle that is currently moving, restarting the timer which is configured to lock access to the computerized resource of the mobile device upon timer expiration.