Selective Application Password Protection on Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional approaches to protecting information on portable computing devices require users to unlock all applications with a single password, which is inconvenient for accessing non-confidential information and does not adequately secure confidential data when sharing devices with others.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a customizable security feature that allows users to selectively protect specific applications, functions, or data types using a single unlock mechanism, such as a PIN or biometric authentication, enabling quick access to non-confidential content while ensuring protection of confidential information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overall password lock is used to secure all data on the computing device, then security of confidential information is improved, but convenience of accessing non-confidential applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protection mechanism by dividing applications into protected and unprotected categories. Instead of applying a single password lock to all applications, the system selectively applies password protection only to specific applications that contain confidential information, while leaving other applications accessible without password. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining security for confidential data while enabling convenient access to non-confidential applications.
2Reliability
If different passwords are provided for each application to protect confidential information, then security of confidential information is improved, but complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple password protection requirements into a single unified password system. Instead of requiring separate passwords for each protected application, the system uses one overall password that grants access to all protected applications. This combining approach maintains strong security protection for confidential information across multiple applications while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple different passwords, thus resolving the contradiction between security and operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is unlocked to share non-confidential applications with others, then accessibility and sharing capability are improved, but risk of unauthorized access to confidential information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different access states for different applications within the same device. When the device is unlocked, non-confidential applications become accessible with full functionality, while protected applications simultaneously maintain their password-locked state and remain inaccessible. This local differentiation of access permissions enables the device to be shared for non-confidential purposes while locally maintaining security barriers around confidential applications, thus resolving the contradiction between sharing capability and security risk.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments enable a user of an electronic device to selectively secure applications and/or content of the electronic device. For instance, certain embodiments enable a user to password protect applications (e.g., email, calendar, contacts, photos) within a single environment. In some embodiments, a user can selectively secure specific content (e.g., work-related email messages, personal emails, work-related calendar entries, corporate contacts) within an application. Further, some embodiments enable a user to specify which applications and/or types of content the user would like to password protect. For instance, a user that has sensitive work-related information stored on or accessible through the user's device may choose to password protect work-related applications (e.g., work email account) and content (e.g., work documents, work-related calendar entries). By allowing the user to selectively secure certain applications and/or content on the electronic device, the user's interaction with the device is improved and made more convenient.