Wearable Proximity Authentication for Mobile Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security measures for accessing mobile devices and corporate networks can be overly burdensome for authorized users, particularly in time-sensitive situations, as they often require full-strength passwords, which can hinder quick access and lead to lost earnings or profits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a wearable computing device, such as a smart watch or Google Glass, serves as a physical security token, allowing users to access protected systems by satisfying a reduced security measure, like a four-digit code, when within a specified proximity, and reverting to full-strength security when out of range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full-strength password protection is implemented to enhance security, then security is improved, but access speed and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic security measures that adapt based on context. The system automatically adjusts authentication requirements from full-strength passwords to reduced measures (like PINs or biometric only) when the wearable device is detected nearby, and vice versa when it's absent. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making security strength variable rather than fixed, allowing fast access when safe and strong security when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device serves as an intermediary that mediates between the user and the protected system. It continuously communicates proximity status to the protected device, which then autonomously adjusts authentication requirements. This intermediary enables the system to understand user intent and context, automatically selecting appropriate security levels without user intervention, thus resolving the time-security tradeoff.
2Reliability
If full-strength password protection is implemented to enhance security, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts authentication complexity based on the presence of the wearable device. When the wearable is detected, the system switches from requiring full-strength passwords to accepting simpler authentication methods. This dynamic behavior maintains strong security when the wearable is absent while providing ease of operation when it's present, resolving the contradiction between security and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The protected system autonomously monitors wearable device proximity and self-adjusts authentication requirements without user input. The system serves itself by automatically understanding when reduced security measures are appropriate based on physical context, eliminating the need for users to manually switch between security modes and improving operational ease.
3Loss of time
If reduced security measures are used to improve access speed, then access time is reduced, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic security that automatically strengthens or weakens authentication requirements based on contextual signals from the wearable device. When the wearable is present and active, reduced security measures are permitted; when absent or inactive, full security measures are enforced. This dynamic adaptation ensures security is only reduced when contextually appropriate, resolving the contradiction between access speed and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from the wearable device's proximity and status signals to adjust security measures in real-time. The wearable provides feedback about user presence and intent, and the protected system responds by adjusting authentication requirements accordingly. This feedback loop ensures security is dynamically matched to actual risk levels, allowing fast access when safe and strong security when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing a user with an option to access a protected system by satisfying a reduced security measure is disclosed. An attempt by the user to access the protected system is detected. It is detected that a first security token system is within a first proximity to the protected system. Based on the detecting of the attempt by the user to access the protected system and the detecting that the first security token system is within the first proximity, the user is provided with the option to access the protected system by satisfying the reduced security measure.