Privilege Mode Switching Using Contextual Triggers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack the ability to automatically revert to default privilege modes after temporary changes, often requiring manual intervention by the managing user, which can lead to incorrect usage privileges for managed users.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that uses circumstantial triggers, such as distance between devices, location, or calendar events, to automatically transition an electronic device between different privilege modes, ensuring it reverts to the default mode when the trigger conditions are met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual intervention is used to change privilege modes, then the managing user can control device usage, but the device may remain in incorrect privilege modes requiring continuous manual monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivilege mode accuracyVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors circumstantial triggers (location, distance between devices, calendar events) and autonomously transitions privilege modes without requiring continuous manual intervention from the managing user. The device serves itself by detecting trigger conditions and applying appropriate privilege mode changes, eliminating the need for ongoing manual monitoring while maintaining accurate privilege settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If automatic privilege mode transition is implemented, then the device can adjust settings automatically, but the system complexity increases with multiple trigger conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic mode transitionVSAvoidtrigger condition monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic privilege mode transition system is segmented into distinct, independent trigger condition modules: location-based triggers, distance-based triggers (between managing and managed devices), and calendar event triggers. Each module operates independently, monitoring its specific condition type and triggering mode transitions when its conditions are met. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by breaking down the complex monitoring task into manageable, specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple privilege modes are supported, then the device can adapt to different usage scenarios, but the difficulty of managing privilege settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage scenario adaptationVSAvoidprivilege mode management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic privilege mode management where the active privilege mode automatically changes based on current circumstantial triggers. Instead of requiring the managing user to statically configure and manually switch between multiple privilege modes, the system dynamically selects and applies the appropriate privilege mode based on real-time conditions such as device location, distance from the managing device, or calendar events. This dynamic approach simplifies management by automating the selection process while maintaining high adaptability to different usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12489842B2Modifying privilege modes on an electronic device based on circumstantial triggers
Publication Date: 2025.12.02 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
  • US12489842B2 patent drawing
  • US12489842B2 patent drawing
  • US12489842B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method provides techniques for modifying privilege modes on an electronic device based on circumstantial triggers. The method includes identifying, by at least one processor of an electronic device, a context corresponding to a circumstantial trigger. The method includes transitioning the electronic device from operating according to a first privilege mode to operating according to a second privilege mode in response to detecting a start of the circumstantial trigger. The method includes transitioning the electronic device from operating according to the second privilege mode to operating according to the first privilege mode in response to detecting an end of the circumstantial trigger.