Unified Passcode for Computing Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when required to enter multiple passcodes to unlock their computing device and access work-related content, as this can be cumbersome, especially for those who need frequent access to work-related applications.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to specify whether to use a single unified passcode for unlocking the device and accessing all content, or separate passcodes for unlocking and accessing work-related content, with the option to meet administrator-specified criteria for the unified passcode, and the ability to differentiate user interface features for passcode entry screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple passcodes are used to separate device unlocking and work content access, then security compliance with administrator criteria is improved, but user convenience and operation simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple passcode requirements into a single unified passcode that satisfies both device unlocking and work content access. The system merges the authentication mechanisms for personal and organizational data into one authentication event, eliminating the need for separate passcode entries while maintaining security compliance through administrator-defined criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified passcode serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the device unlock passcode and the work content access passcode. This multi-functional approach allows a single authentication credential to fulfill multiple security requirements, reducing operational burden while maintaining the security boundaries between personal and organizational data.
2Ease of operation
If a single unified passcode is used for device unlocking and work content access, then user convenience is improved, but security differentiation between personal and work data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different security policies to different data types even though they share a unified passcode. Organizational data remains protected by administrator-defined criteria and encryption, while personal data follows device-level security policies. The unified passcode provides access to both, but the security properties and protection mechanisms remain locally differentiated based on data classification.
3Reliability
If multiple passcodes are required, then security control over work applications is improved, but time efficiency and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by requiring the unified passcode to be entered once during device unlocking. This preliminary authentication action pre-authorizes access to both personal and organizational content, eliminating the need for subsequent authentication steps when accessing work applications. The security control is established in advance through the unified passcode validation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for creating a unified passcode. One of the methods includes identifying that an application program installed on the system is assigned to a profile for an organization, identifying that the profile requires a passcode to allow access to the application program, providing a user interface with which user input is able to specify whether the system should use separate passcodes to unlock the system and provide access to the application program, receiving first user input that specifies that the system is to use a single passcode to both unlock the system and provide access to the application program, receiving, while the system is locked, second user input that specifies the single passcode, unlocking the system, receiving user input that selects a user interface element to activate the application program, and activating the application program without requesting a passcode.