Operating session reauthorization in a user-operated device
First Claim
1. A method of authorizing a user to operate a user-operated device, the method comprising:
- performing an authentication process to start an operating session;
detecting when the user is not operating the user-operated device;
suspending the operating session if the user has not operated the user-operated device for a first predetermined period;
continuing the operating session if the user performs an authentication-update process within a second predetermined time period after the operating session is suspended, wherein the authentication-update process comprises selection of at least two predetermined characters by the user; and
continuing the operating session if the user performs the authentication process after the operating session is suspended and the second predetermined time period is exceeded.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An authorization-update process for use in a user-operated device re-authorizes an operating session after a rapid idle timeout using the authorization-update process, which has fewer steps than a normal authorization process. The re-authorization process can require only a single entry or input event by the user in response to a prompt by the device to re-authorize the user and continue to the operating session. Thus, the authorization-update process is significantly faster than re-authorization in the conventional manner. In one embodiment, the prompt includes a display of several characters. The user selects a predetermined character to re-authenticate the user, thereby continuing the operating session from the same point at which the idle timeout occurred. In a further aspect, the user has a predetermined time period to select the correct character to continue the operation session. Not meeting the time requirement or selecting a wrong character or icon will cause the device to require a full authorization process to enable the user to operate the device. Alternatively, the authorization update process may use the position of the cursor or a voice signal to re-authorize the operating session.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of authorizing a user to operate a user-operated device, the method comprising:
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performing an authentication process to start an operating session; detecting when the user is not operating the user-operated device; suspending the operating session if the user has not operated the user-operated device for a first predetermined period; continuing the operating session if the user performs an authentication-update process within a second predetermined time period after the operating session is suspended, wherein the authentication-update process comprises selection of at least two predetermined characters by the user; and continuing the operating session if the user performs the authentication process after the operating session is suspended and the second predetermined time period is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for authorizing a user to operate a user-operated device, the apparatus comprising:
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means for authenticating a user to start an operating session; means for detecting when the user is not operating the user-operated device; means for suspending the operating session if the user has not operated the user-operated device for a first predetermined period; and means for updating authentication of the user and re-entering the operating session if the user updates authentication within a second predetermined time period, wherein the user updates the authentication by selecting at least two predetermined characters. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A device that is operable by a user during an operating session, the device comprising:
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a user interface configured to provide user-understandable signals and to receive signals from the user; and a control unit coupled to the user interface, wherein the control unit is configured to; perform an authentication process with the user, the authentication process determining whether a user attempting to operate the device is an authorized user, wherein an operating session is started if the control unit determines that the user is an authorized user, the device entering an authenticated mode, measure elapsed time from when the user last operated the device when the device is in the authenticated mode, the elapsed time being reset each time the user operates the device while the device is in the authenticated mode, suspend the authenticated operating session if the elapsed time measured by the user reaches a first predetermined value, the device entering a suspended mode, perform an authentication-update process with the user, wherein the authentication-update process comprises the user selecting at least two predetermined characters, the authentication-update process determining whether the user is an authorized user, wherein the device re-enters the authenticated mode to continue the operating session if the user completes the authentication-update process before the elapsed time reaches a second predetermined value, and if the elapsed time exceeds the second predetermined time period, perform the authentication process with the user before re-entering the authenticated mode to continue the operating session. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of authorizing a user to operate a user-operated device, the method comprising:
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performing an authentication process to start an operating session; detecting when the user is not operating the user-operated device; suspending the operating session if the user has not operated the user-operated device for a first predetermined period; continuing the operating session if the user performs an authentication-update process within a second predetermined time period after the operating session is suspended, wherein the authentication-update process comprises the user inputting two predetermined characters; and continuing the operating session if the user performs the authentication process after the operating session is suspended and the second predetermined time period is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification