Wireless Leash for Mobile Device Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in ensuring that their mobile communication devices are secured and personal data is protected when the devices are misplaced or taken without their knowledge, as existing solutions do not effectively lock down or shut down the devices in a timely manner once they are out of the user's possession.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device leash that communicates via short-range wireless communication (such as NFC, BLUETOOTH®, or ZIGBEE®) with the device, triggering actions to control access or functionality when the device is outside a predetermined range, including powering down, locking, limiting application access, presenting a false user interface, or notifying the user, and optionally sending the device's location to a third party.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the user manually detects and responds to device separation, then the user can control device access, but time delay allows wrongful possessors to gain access to personal data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting device separation through wireless communication loss and immediately executing pre-configured actions (powering down, locking, or making personal data inaccessible) without waiting for user detection or response, thereby eliminating time delay and ensuring timely data protection
2Reliability
If the device is immediately powered down or locked upon separation detection, then personal data is protected, but the user loses access control flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control by allowing users to configure multiple response actions (power down, lock device, or make personal data inaccessible) and select the appropriate level of restriction based on their specific needs, enabling flexible user control while maintaining strong data protection capabilities
3Ease of operation
If the device remains accessible when separated, then the user maintains access control, but personal data becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by automatically executing protective measures (powering down, locking, or rendering personal data inaccessible) as soon as separation is detected, proactively preventing unauthorized access before it can occur rather than reacting after a breach attempt
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
Effectively secures the device and protects personal data by ensuring it is inaccessible or locked when out of the user's range, providing immediate notification and potential location tracking to prevent unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
a first short-range wireless communication device disposed in a mobile communication device is outside of the range for short-range wireless communication for receiving and/or transmitting signals from and/or to a second short-range wireless communication device
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication device leash is provided which communicates via short-range-wireless communication (e.g., Near-Field Communication (NFC), BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE® or the like) with an associated mobile communication device. Once the mobile communication device is outside of the short-range wireless communication range (or outside of a predetermined range within the short-range wireless communication range) an action is triggered to control access to the mobile communication device itself and/or access functionality provided by the mobile communication device. The leash may be a simplistic wireless device, such as a wristband, card device or smart tag device having the sole function of controlling access to the mobile communication device itself (e.g., shutdown or locking the device) and/or access functionality provided by the mobile communication device (e.g., locking certain application or limiting access to data within certain applications).