Automated device access
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorMatthew E. LAST
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of unlocking a locked device includes receiving a device identifier over a wireless communication protocol, determining if the device identifier is associated with a list of trusted devices, transmitting a request to generate an acoustic signal over the wireless communication protocol based on the determination, receiving the acoustic signal as an audio sound generated external to the locked device, estimating a distance between a source of the audio sound and the locked device, and unlocking the locked device based on the estimation.
Claims20
A method for enabling first device to cause a second device operating in a locked state to transition into operating in an unlocked state, the method comprising, at the first device:
- authenticating with the second device;
- receiving, from the second device, a request to generate an audio signal;
- and
- causing the audio signal to be generated, wherein:
- the audio signal enables the second device to calculate a physical distance between the first device and the second device, and
- the second device transitions into the unlocked state when the physical distance satisfies a threshold value.
At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor included in a first device, cause the first device to cause a second device operating in a locked state to transition into operating in an unlocked state, by carrying out steps that include:
- authenticating with the second device;
- receiving, from the second device, a request to generate an audio signal;
- and
- causing the audio signal to be generated, wherein:
- the audio signal enables the second device to calculate a physical distance between the first device and the second device, and
- the second device transitions into the unlocked state when the physical distance satisfies a threshold value.
A first device configured to transition from operating in a locked state to an unlocked state, the first device comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to:
- authenticate with a second device;
- causing an audio signal to be generated;
- receiving, from the second device, an audio file that corresponds to the audio signal;
- calculating, based on the audio signal and the audio file, a physical distance between the first device and the second device;
- and
- transitioning into the unlocked state when the physical distance satisfies a threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.