Wireless Range-Based Device Unlocking with Dynamic Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices require repetitive user input such as pressing buttons or entering codes to unlock, which can be inconvenient for authorized users who are within proximity of the device.
Innovation Solution
Devices communicate wirelessly to determine transit times of signals and range measurements, using a batch filter to minimize false positives and negatives, allowing authorized users to unlock with minimal input by determining if they are within a dynamic 'unlock bubble' based on device type, environment, and signal characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless signals are used for device unlocking, then user convenience is improved, but false positive unlock decisions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple wireless signal measurements to continuously refine the unlock decision. Range measurements from transmitted and received wireless signals are fed back into the system to determine whether to unlock, creating a closed-loop decision process that improves reliability while maintaining convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs more measurements than the minimum single measurement would require. Multiple wireless signals are transmitted and received to obtain multiple range measurements, and these are processed collectively to make the unlock decision, reducing false positives while maintaining user convenience
2Measurement precision
If multiple wireless signals are transmitted and received for accurate range measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple range measurements into a single comprehensive unlock decision. Rather than treating each measurement separately, the system combines the information from multiple transmitted and received wireless signals to make the final determination, improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The first device autonomously processes multiple wireless signal measurements and makes the unlock decision without requiring external intervention or complex external processing systems. The device serves itself by internally handling the complex signal processing and decision-making
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
Enables authorized users to unlock devices with minimal interaction by ensuring accurate range measurements and dynamic threshold adjustments, reducing false positives and negatives.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by the first device, transit times of the at least one received wireless signal and the at least one transmitted wireless signal. The method also includes determining, by the first device, one or more range measurements between the first device and the second device based at least in part on the transit times
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for unlocking a first device based on signals transmitted between the first device and a second device are disclosed. A disclosed technique includes receiving, by a first device, at least one wireless signal from a second device; transmitting, by the first device, at least one wireless signal to the second device; determining, by the first device, transit times of the at least one received wireless signal and the at least one transmitted wireless signal; determining, by the first device, one or more range measurements between the first device and the second device based at least in part on the transit times; determining, by the first device, an unlock decision based at least in part on the one or more range measurements; and causing, by at least the first device, the first device to unlock if the unlock decision is positive.