Dynamic Mobile Screen Timeout Adjustment via Location Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device security measures, such as screen timeouts, often balance convenience and security, but fail to adapt dynamically to the user's environment, leading to either unnecessary password entries in low-risk areas or increased theft risk in high-risk areas due to fixed timeout settings.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring ambient wireless signals, geo-location, and audio noise to dynamically adjust screen timeout intervals based on perceived risk, using RFID tags and location-based data to automatically shorten timeouts in high-risk areas and lengthen them in low-risk areas, with user-defined risk settings and IT department customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard minimum timeout interval (e.g., 5 minutes) is set on mobile devices, then security risk is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent password entries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeout intervals that automatically adjust based on the device's geographic location and environmental risk factors. The timeout setting changes from static to dynamic, allowing the system to extend timeouts in low-risk areas (improving convenience) while maintaining short timeouts in high-risk areas (maintaining security).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timeout parameter based on location data and risk assessment. By monitoring geographic coordinates and comparing them against databases of high-risk locations (theft-prone areas, unauthorized zones), the system adjusts the timeout interval parameter to optimize both security and user experience.
2Ease of operation
If timeout intervals are extended to reduce password entry frequency, then user convenience improves, but security risk increases in high-risk areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different timeout settings to different geographic locations. Instead of using a uniform timeout interval, the system tailors the timeout duration to the specific location's risk profile, allowing extended timeouts in safe areas while maintaining short timeouts in high-risk areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors location data and risk factors, providing feedback to dynamically adjust timeout intervals. This closed-loop control ensures that timeout settings respond in real-time to changing environmental conditions and location contexts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If location-based dynamic timeout adjustment is implemented, then security and convenience are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location data and risk assessment databases as intermediary elements between the device and timeout control. These intermediaries process complex environmental information and translate it into simple timeout parameter adjustments, reducing the burden on the device's own complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing multi-functional components in mobile devices (GPS/location services, database access, standard timeout mechanisms) to implement dynamic timeout adjustment without requiring entirely new specialized hardware or systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for altering a mobile electronic device's screen timeout based on a check-in of a mobile device at a venue. A ringtone can be altered in addition to the password timeout time. Nearby venues and/or locations may be recognized and the time out can be adjusted based on the determined risk which may include the crime risk.