Wearable Proximity Sensor for Secure Access Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face challenges in securely transitioning between reduced and increased access modes, particularly when a wearable device is being worn and within a threshold distance of a mobile device, as existing methods often require frequent security challenges and may revert to reduced access modes after inactivity, disrupting user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile computing device and a wearable computing device that communicate via wireless protocols, using sensors to detect wear and proximity, allowing secure transition to increased access mode based on wear and proximity, with optional security challenges, and maintaining access mode as long as the wearable device is worn and within range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the computing device requires frequent security challenges to transition between access modes, then security is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions by establishing a secure connection between the mobile computing device and wearable computing device before the user needs to access functionality. Once the wearable device is authenticated and linked to the mobile device, the user gains access to increased functionality without needing to repeatedly provide security challenges, thus maintaining security while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable computing device acts as an intermediary authentication mechanism. Instead of requiring the user to directly provide security challenges (such as passwords or biometric data) each time they want to access functionality, the wearable device serves as a mediator that has already performed the authentication, allowing seamless access to both devices.
2Reliability
If the access mode reverts to reduced mode after inactivity, then security is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to unnecessary mode changes during wear and proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors feedback signals from the wearable computing device (such as wear detection and proximity indicators) to determine when the user is actively using both devices together. Based on this feedback, the system maintains the increased access mode as long as the wearable device is being worn and is in proximity to the mobile device, preventing unnecessary mode reverts while preserving security through ongoing authentication.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system can include a mobile computing device and a wearable computing device. The wearable computing device can include a sensor that outputs an indication that the wearable computing device is being worn. In some examples, one or both of the devices can be operable to determine that the devices are within a threshold distance of each other. Responsive to receiving the indications that the wearable computing device is being worn and the devices are withi the threshold distance of each oter, one or both of the devices can be operable to change an accss mode of computing environment provided by the respective device from a reduced access mode to an increased access mode.