Variable Authentication Module for Mobile Device Power State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user verification systems in electronic devices require frequent password entry, leading to reduced usability due to the need for authentication upon resuming from low-power modes, which can be inconvenient and annoying for users.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a system of modules to assess the device's operating status, maintaining a history of statuses and trust indicators to determine the necessary authentication level, allowing for bypass of user verification in trusted conditions, such as consistent power states or locations, thereby reducing the need for password entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the device enters low-power mode frequently to extend battery life, then energy efficiency is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent authentication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication requirement dynamically adapts based on the device's power state history and operating conditions. The system transitions between different authentication levels (full authentication, reduced authentication, or no authentication) depending on whether the device is waking from sleep, idle, or active states, allowing frequent low-power mode usage without constant user interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes trust indicators and authentication states before the user needs to interact with the device. By tracking power state history and determining authentication requirements in advance based on trusted conditions, the system prepares the authentication level needed when the device wakes, avoiding post-wake authentication delays
2Reliability
If the device requires password verification upon resuming from low-power mode to maintain security, then security is improved, but usability deteriorates due to constant authentication prompts
Solution Approach 1:
Different authentication levels are applied to different power state transitions and operating conditions. Instead of a uniform authentication requirement, the system applies localized authentication policies based on specific trusted conditions (e.g., waking from idle vs. deep sleep, trusted locations, consistent usage patterns), providing security where needed while eliminating unnecessary authentication prompts
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication requirement dynamically adapts based on the device's power state history and operating conditions. The system transitions between different authentication levels (full authentication, reduced authentication, or no authentication) depending on whether the device is waking from sleep, idle, or active states, allowing frequent low-power mode usage without constant user interruption
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are disclosed for variable authentication requirements. The apparatus includes an operating status module identifying a change in an operating status of a device and maintaining a history of operating statuses, and an access control module comparing a current operating status with a previous operating status. The apparatus also includes a profile module maintaining a trust indicator for each operating status. The access control module determines a level of authentication required to unlock the device in response to the trust indicator associated with the current operating status. The method includes identifying a change in an operating status of a device and maintaining a history of operating statuses, and comparing a current operating status with a previous operating status. The method also includes maintaining a trust indicator for each operating status, and determining a level of authentication required to unlock the device in response to the trust indicator associated with the current operating status.