Wearable Clasp NFC Authentication Bypass for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices require frequent authentication code entry for security, which is cumbersome and increases the risk of unauthorized access, especially for users who need to access their devices frequently.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communications system that includes a user-wearable device with a clasp and a mobile device, utilizing near field communication (NFC) circuits to bypass manual authentication by enabling device functions when the clasp is in a closed position, and reverting to standard password entry if the clasp is opened or the devices are not in proximity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual authentication code entry is required for each device access, then security is maintained, but user convenience and access speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by detecting the presence of the wearable device and establishing a trusted relationship in advance. When the mobile device detects the wearable device via NFC, it automatically validates the user's identity without requiring manual code entry, thus resolving the contradiction between security and convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable device serves as an intermediary authentication mechanism between the user and the mobile device. Instead of directly entering authentication codes, the user simply needs to have the wearable device in proximity, which mediates the authentication process and provides both security and convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If authentication code entry is required for every access, then unauthorized access is prevented, but access time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidaccess speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a trusted relationship between the mobile device and wearable device in advance through NFC detection. This preliminary authentication allows subsequent accesses to be granted immediately without requiring repeated authentication code entry, thus improving access speed while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device automatically performs authentication by detecting the wearable device's presence and validating the pre-established trusted relationship. This self-service authentication mechanism eliminates the need for manual code entry, thereby improving productivity while maintaining unauthorized access prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If NFC-based automatic authentication is implemented, then user convenience and access speed improve, but security against unauthorized access may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation by detecting the wearable device's presence and verifying the pre-established trusted relationship before granting access. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized users with the legitimate wearable device can access the mobile device, maintaining security while enabling convenient automatic authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device continuously monitors for the presence of the wearable device and validates authentication credentials in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic authentication is only granted when the legitimate wearable device is detected, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides secure and expedited access to mobile device functions without repeated authentication, while preventing unauthorized access by requiring manual entry when the user-wearable device and mobile device are not in close proximity or the clasp is open.

Implementation Method 1

NFC technology is commonly used for contactless short-range communications based on radio frequency identification (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction to enable communication between electronic devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2378748B1Wireless communications system providing mobile device authentication bypass based upon user-wearable security device and related methods
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2378748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2378748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2378748B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communications system may include a user-wearable device including a clasp having open and closed positions, a first wireless security circuit (WSC), and a first controller coupled to the clasp and the first WSC. The system may further include a mobile wireless communications device including a portable housing, an input device(s), a second WSC carried by the portable housing and configured to communicate with the first WSC when in close proximity therewith, and a second controller carried by the portable housing and coupled to the second WSC and the input device(s). The second controller may be configured to enable mobile wireless communications device(s) function based upon a manual entry of an authentication code via the input device(s), and bypass the manual entry and enable the mobile wireless communications device function(s) based upon a communication from the user-wearable device and a position of the clasp.