Satellite Device Independent Account Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices typically require a companion device for operation, limiting their functionality without continuous or periodic communication with a paired smartphone or tablet, and they often lack the ability to function independently, especially for users without a compatible companion device or those requiring specific account management.
Innovation Solution
A satellite device that can operate independently, configured to work with a user or user account different from the companion device, allowing it to access and synchronize information such as calendars and media through family or enterprise accounts, with cryptographic key generation for secure association and management, enabling standalone operation without reliance on a paired smartphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wearable electronic devices are paired with a companion device for operation, then the device can access various data and services, but the device cannot function independently without a paired smartphone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parent account as an intermediary that manages child accounts. The parent account creates and manages accounts for users without smartphones, enabling the wearable device to function independently while maintaining secure account management through the parent account's credentials stored on the companion device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments account management into parent and child accounts. The parent account handles complex authentication and device pairing, while the child account enables independent operation of the wearable device. This segmentation allows the wearable to function independently while the parent account provides backend management support
2Ease of operation
If a wearable device is configured to work with a different user account than the companion device, then user autonomy is enhanced, but account association and authentication become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The parent account performs preliminary actions by creating child accounts and establishing authentication credentials before the wearable device needs to operate independently. The companion device pre-stores the child account credentials, enabling the wearable to authenticate independently without real-time companion device involvement
Solution Approach 2:
The parent account acts as an intermediary that bridges the companion device and the wearable device. It creates the child account that the wearable uses for independent operation, while the parent maintains management authority through the companion device, simplifying the association process
3Reliability
If cryptographic keys are generated to associate the satellite device with family accounts, then secure access to shared data is enabled, but the initial configuration process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating cryptographic keys and associating them with family accounts during initial setup. The parent account automatically creates child accounts and establishes secure connections, eliminating manual configuration of cryptographic parameters and reducing initial setup complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide for a satellite device that can be associated with a user account of a minor aged (e.g., child or adolescent) user that does not have a smartphone that can be used as a companion device to the satellite device. The satellite device can be configured to be used as a primary device, without reliance upon a paired smartphone. Certain information can be synchronized with the satellite device via the association with the family account. During initial configuration, a set of cryptographic keys can be generated to associate the account of the satellite device with the set of accounts in the family. The satellite device can then access calendars, media, or other data that is shared with user accounts within a family of user accounts.