Trusted device
A trusted device, such as a wristwatch, is provided with authentication circuitry, used to perform an authentication operation to switch the trusted device into an authenticated state. Retention monitoring circuitry monitors the physical possession of the trusted device by the user following the authentication operation and switches the trusted device out of an authenticated state if the trusted device does not remain in the physical possession of the user. While the trusted device remains in the physical possession of the user, communication triggering circuitry is used to detect a request to establish communication with a target device that is one of a plurality of different target devices and communication circuitry is used to communicate with that target device using an authenticated identity of the user.
1. A wearable device corresponding to a wristwatch, necklace, or a ring comprising:
authentication circuitry configured to perform an authentication operation between a user and said wearable device to authenticate the wearable device, and thereby switch said wearable device to an authenticated state;
retention circuitry comprising two or more retention detectors configured to continue to monitor a physical relationship of said wearable device with said user and to determine a retention probability that said wearable device maintains that physical relationship with said user, wherein the physical relationship includes said user wearing said wearable device corresponding to the wristwatch or necklace on a part of the user's body; and
wherein the authentication circuitry is configured to perform reauthentication by performing an authentication operation between said user and said wearable device when said wearable device retention probability falls below a threshold retention probability level, the threshold retention probability level being adjustable based on (i) a time since authentication and (ii) monitoring of the physical relationship of said wearable device with said user,
wherein the threshold retention probability level is adjusted at a slower rate when a first number of the two or more retention detectors detects the user has continued to wear the wearable device since a prior authentication operation than when less than the first number of detectors detects the user has continued to wear the wearable device since a prior authentication operation.
2. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein if the re-authentication operation fails or the wearable device no longer has a physical relationship with said user, the wearable device is configured to switch said wearable device to out of the authenticated state; or
wherein if the re-authentication operation is successful, the wearable device is configured to increase the retention probability.
3. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wearable device is in an unlocked state for use by the user when the wearable device is in the authenticated state.
4. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
communication circuitry to perform authenticated communication with a target device while said wearable device remains in the authenticated state.
5. The wearable device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the target device is in an unlocked state for use by the user when the wearable device is the authenticated state.
6. The wearable device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the target device is configured to accept a payment when the wearable device is in the authenticated state.
7. The wearable device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the target device is at least one of a point-of-sale terminal, tablet computer, laptop computer, smartphone, and door lock.
8. The wearable device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the wearable device is configured to reduce said retention probability as time elapses since said authentication operation.
9. An wearable device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the initial authentication operation has an initial authentication threshold resulting in an initial rate of false positive authentication.