Abstract
Virtual assistant applications can be accessed directly from a host device such as a smartphone itself or from paired peripherals such as earbuds. In many use contexts, the use of a virtual assistant requires the virtual assistant to be able to access applications on the host device or refer to past interactions with the user. However, for security and privacy reasons, access to such information requires strict authentication. The requirement of physically unlocking the host device is cumbersome. This disclosure leverages the capabilities of wearable devices to retain a connection to a host device while the wearable devices are worn, and to store data on device. In particular, the earbuds once worn and paired to a host device can store an authentication token. Alternatively, the authentication token can be stored on the host device. The authentication token remains valid as long as the earbuds stay in-ear and remain paired to the host device. The authentication token corresponds to a device state for the host device where the host device itself is locked, but the earbuds can continue to access the host device as if the host device were unlocked. Enabling the host device to be accessed for user-specific data enables personalized query responses to queries provided to a virtual assistant application via the earbuds without requiring the user to perform an unlock action on the host device.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Barros, Brett and Wunderlich, Lauren, "Authentication State Preservation by Peripherals to Enable Personal Data Access from Paired Primary Devices", Technical Disclosure Commons, (March 05, 2024)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/6750