Abstract
A system is described that enables a computing device (e.g., a mobile phone, smartwatch, tablet computer, etc.) to detect or couple with a companion computing device to detect various contextual signals and automatically lock the computing device based on the various contextual signals. The computing device may use one or more sensors (e.g., infrared cameras, near-field microwave sensors, cameras, microphones, etc.) to detect user inputs, measure wireless signal characteristics, capture images, determine a location of the computing device, etc. as contextual signals. The computing device may analyze these contextual signals to lock the computing device automatically (i.e., change the computing device from operating in a first access state to operating in a second access state that restricts usage of one or more features, applications, or other functionalities of the computing device relative to the first access state). For example, if a user walks away from the computing device, the computing device may use a radio detection and ranging (radar) system to detect that the user is no longer in front of the computing device and, in response, may automatically lock the computing device. In various instances, a companion computing device may couple with the computing device to detect or otherwise determine contextual signals which may be provided to and used by the computing device to lock the device automatically.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hurwitz, Jonathan D. and Gilbert, Christina, "INTELLIGENTLY LOCKING A DEVICE BASED ON CONTEXTUAL SIGNALS", Technical Disclosure Commons, (January 14, 2020)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/2869