Mobile Terminal Notification Segmentation for Secure Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile payment applications lack robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches when users lose their devices, as malicious users can exploit password retrieval functions via SMS or email to gain control and alter payment information.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a security policy on mobile terminals that requires users to enter a password to access notification messages related to sensitive applications, ensuring only prompt information is displayed initially, and allowing content access only after correct password entry, thereby enhancing security and user control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If password retrieval function is provided via SMS or email, then user convenience is improved, but security is worsened because malicious users can exploit this function to gain unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword retrieval convenienceVSAvoidinformation security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The notification message is segmented into two parts: prompt information (visible without password) and content information (visible only after password authentication). This segmentation allows the system to provide user convenience while maintaining security, as the malicious user can only see the prompt information without the actual content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authentication by requiring password input before displaying the full notification content. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information while still allowing legitimate users to retrieve passwords conveniently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If full notification message content is displayed, then user experience is improved, but security is worsened because sensitive information becomes accessible to unauthorized users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidunauthorized access to sensitive information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The notification message content is divided into prompt information (displayed to all users) and sensitive content (displayed only after authentication). This resolves the contradiction by providing good user experience for legitimate users while preventing unauthorized access through the segmentation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Password authentication acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the notification content. It mediates access control, allowing legitimate users to view full content while blocking malicious users, thus resolving the contradiction between user experience and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If password authentication is required for notification messages, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses simple segmentation of message display (prompt vs. content) rather than complex authentication systems. This approach improves security while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the implementation relies on basic conditional logic rather than complex security infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3457308B1Method for improving information security and terminal
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3457308B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3457308B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3457308B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method and a terminal for enhancing information security. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal, an open instruction of a sensitive application; starting a security policy of the sensitive application; when a notification message related to the sensitive application is received, displaying prompt information that the notification message arrives; and when an instruction for opening the notification message is received, displaying a prompt for entering a password. According to the method for enhancing information security provided in the present invention, a preset security policy is automatically started when the sensitive application is used. When the notification information related to the sensitive application is received, a corresponding password needs to be entered. This enhances information security, facilitates use by a user, and improves user experience.