Context-Based Authentication Mode Selection

• US 20160055324A1
• Filed: 08/20/2014
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Agarwal, Nidhi
• Granted Patent: US 9,589,118 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/082 applying multi-factor authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

A system and method for configuring authentication of a mobile communications device entail detecting user context and device context factors and determining whether a current authentication mode is impractical or unfeasible in view of such factors. User context information of interest includes any indication that the user is driving or in a meeting for example. Context factors of interest include for example such factors as light, noise, or user activities such as driving. Based on this user context and device context, if the currently set authentication mode is impractical or unfeasible, then the device may select an available alternative authentication mode and reconfigure the device for that mode.

Claims

1. A method of authenticating a user of a mobile communications device comprising:

receiving an indication that the user desires to unlock the device;

determining one or more device context factors regarding a current context of the device and determining one or more user context factors;

evaluating whether a currently selected authentication mode of the device is compatible with the determined one or more device context factors user context factors; and

allowing the user to authenticate using the currently selected authentication mode if it is determined that the currently selected authentication mode is compatible with the determined device context factors user context factors while otherwise changing the authentication mode to an authentication mode that is compatible with the determined device context factors user context factors.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein determining the user context factors includes determining whether the user of the device is likely driving a vehicle.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein determining whether the user of the device is likely driving a vehicle includes detecting motions at the device that are consistent with movement within a vehicle.

4. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein determining whether the user of the device is likely driving a vehicle includes one of detecting a vehicle area network that is associated with a vehicle of the user and detecting a driving indicator.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein determining one or more device context factors includes determining an ambient noise level at the device.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the currently selected authentication mode is compatible with the one or more device context factors includes determining whether the ambient noise level is too high to allow use of the currently selected authentication mode when the currently selected authentication mode requires user voice-based authentication.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein determining one or more device context factors includes determining an ambient light level at the device.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein evaluating whether the currently selected authentication mode is compatible with the one or more device context factors includes determining whether the ambient light level is too low to allow use of the currently selected authentication mode when the currently selected authentication mode requires user image-based authentication.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is one of a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, and a laptop computer.

10. A mobile communications device having adaptive authentication comprising:

one or more sensors or interfaces for detecting one or more user context factors and one or more device context factors;

one or more user input elements configured to accept user authentication; and

a processor configured to support a plurality of authentication modes and to switch between authentication modes based on at least one of the user context factors and the device context factors by evaluating whether a current authentication mode is compatible with the user context factors and the device context factors and allowing the user to authenticate via the one or more user input elements using the current authentication mode if the current authentication mode is compatible with the user context factors and the device context factors, and otherwise switching the authentication mode of the device to an authentication mode that is compatible with the user context factors and the device context factors.

11. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 10 wherein detecting one or more device context factors includes detecting context factors indicative of whether the user of the device is driving a vehicle.

12. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 11 wherein the context factors indicative of whether the user of the device is driving a vehicle include motions at the device that are consistent with movement within a vehicle.

13. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 11 wherein context factors indicative of whether the user of the device is driving a vehicle include at least one of a proximity of a vehicle area network that is associated with a vehicle of the user and a driving indicator.

14. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 10 wherein detecting the one or more device context factors includes detecting an ambient noise level at the device.

15. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 14 wherein evaluating whether the current authentication mode is compatible with the user context factors and the device context factors includes determining whether the ambient noise level is too high to allow use of the current authentication mode when the current authentication mode requires user voice-based authentication.

16. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 10 wherein detecting one or more device context factors includes detecting an ambient light level at the device.

17. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 16 wherein evaluating whether the current authentication mode is compatible with the user context factors and the device context factors includes determining whether the ambient light level is too low to allow use of the current authentication mode when the current authentication mode requires user image-based authentication.

18. The mobile communications device in accordance with claim 10 wherein the mobile communications device is one of a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, and a laptop computer.

19. A method of configuring an authentication mode of a mobile communications device comprising:

comparing user context and device context requirements of a current authentication mode to current user context and device context conditions at the mobile communications device; and

switching from the current authentication mode to an alternative authentication mode if one or both of the user context and device context requirements of the current authentication mode are not compatible with the current user context and device context of the mobile communications device but the user context and device context requirements of the alternative authentication mode are compatible with the current user context and device context at the mobile communications device.

20. The method in accordance with claim 19 wherein the mobile communications device is one of a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, and a laptop computer.