CONVEYING PRIVILEGE ESCALATION TO USERS

• US 20090300532A1
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Cowan, Crispin
• Application Number:
  US12/130,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20090300532A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/53 by executing in a restricted environment, e.g. sandbox or secure virtual machine

Abstract

Techniques, systems, and apparatuses for conveying privilege escalation to a user are disclosed. In some aspects, a privilege escalation request is initiated in a first operating environment. The first operating environment may foreshorten to reveal a second operating environment associated with the privilege escalation. The second operating environment includes a continuous visual presentation to alert the user of the privilege escalation. A user may complete one or more privileged activities in the second operating environment before returning to the first operating environment.

Claims

1. A method for conveying privilege escalation, the method comprising:

receiving a privilege escalation request;

transitioning from a first environment associated with a first privilege to a second environment associated with a second privilege;

sending display signals to cause the second environment to display a representation of inner workings of a device to visually represent a privilege escalation;

providing an activity in the second environment using the second privilege; and

transitioning to the first environment when the second privilege is terminated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transitioning from a first environment associated with a first privilege to a second environment associated with a second privilege includes foreshortening the first environment for display in the second environment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the foreshortened first environment is dynamic.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the foreshortened first environment includes a visual representation of a cover of the second environment, the cover being open to reveal the second environment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sending display signal to cause the second environment to display the representation of inner workings of the device include the representation of at least one of computing components and mechanical components.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transitioning from the first environment to the second environment includes animating the transition by having the first environment open to reveal the second environment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first environment is foreshortened to represent a cover of a compartment of an apparatus represented by the second operating environment, the apparatus at least one of a computing device and a vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second privilege is higher than the first privilege.

9. One or more computer readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform acts comprising:

causing the display of a first environment associated with a first privilege;

receiving a request to change a privilege from the first privilege to a second privilege; and

causing the display of a second environment associated with the second privilege, the second environment being active during the duration of the second privilege, the second environment include a visual presentation associated with the second privilege.

10. One or more computer readable media as in claim 9, wherein the visual presentation associated with the second privilege include inner workings of at least one of a computing device and a mechanical device.

11. One or more computer readable media as in claim 9, wherein the causing the display of the second environment includes causing the display of a foreshortened first environment, the foreshortened first environment represented a cover positioned to reveal the second environment.

12. One or more computer readable media as in claim 11, wherein the foreshortened first environment includes a latch, the latch enabling a reversion from the second privilege to the first privilege.

13. One or more computer readable media as in claim 9, wherein the visual presentation associated with the second privilege includes a dynamic image.

14. One or more computer readable media as in claim 9, further comprising reverting to the first environment when the second privilege is terminated.

15. A user interface, comprising:

a first portion representing a condensed workspace image prior to entering a privileged state; and

a second portion enabling a user to conduct a privileged activity, the second portion having a workspace defined by;

a privileged task in the foreground, and

a privilege escalation graphic in the background.

16. The user interface of claim 15, wherein the privileged escalation graphic is one of an engine or a circuit board.

17. The user interface of claim 15, further comprising a third portion having a task list including a plurality of privileged tasks for the user to conduct in the work space of the second portion.

18. The user interface of claim 15, wherein the first portion includes a latch.

19. The user interface of claim 15, wherein the first portion is configured to simulate a hood which opens to reveal the second portion.

20. The user interface of claim 15, wherein the privileged escalation graphic includes animation.