Method and apparatus for accessing authentication credentials within a credential vault

1. A method at a computing device, the method comprising:

detecting, at the computing device, a trigger that authentication is pending for an application or service, wherein the trigger comprises placing input focus on a user interface of the computing device into a password entry area;

determining, by operating system of the computing device a state of a credential vault, wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;

displaying, on a user interface of the computing device, an icon indicating the state of the credential vault;

when the credential vault is in a locked state,

upon detecting the trigger, activating, by the operating system of the computing device, an authentication mechanism on the computing device for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;

displaying, on the user interface, at least one icon indicating a type of the authentication mechanism;

receiving, by the operating system of the computing device input corresponding to the type of authentication mechanism to unlock the credential vault;

verifying, at the credential vault, that the authentication mechanism produced a successful authentication;

sending, by the credential vault to the operating system of the computing device, a message indicating successful authentication when the authentication mechanism produced the successful authentication;

unlocking the credential vault in response to successful authentication of the authentication mechanism without changing the focus on the user interface for the application or service; and

updating the icon to show the credential vault is in an unlocked state.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the trigger includes starting an authentication process for the application or service.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.

9. A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory for storing instruction code,

wherein the instruction code causes the computing device to:

detect a trigger that authentication is pending for an application or service, wherein the trigger comprises placing input focus on a user interface of the computing device into a password entry area;

determine, by operating system of the computing device a state of a credential vault, wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;

display, on a user interface of the computing device, an icon indicating the state of the credential vault;

when the credential vault is in a locked state,

upon detecting the trigger, activate, by the operating system of the computing device, an authentication mechanism on the computing device for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;

display, on the user interface, at least one icon indicating a type of the authentication mechanism;

receive, by the operating system of the computing device input corresponding to the type of authentication mechanism to unlock the credential vault;

verify, at the credential vault, that the authentication mechanism produced a successful authentication;

send, by the credential vault to the operating system of the computing device, a message indicating successful authentication when the authentication mechanism produced the successful authentication;

unlock the credential vault in response to successful authentication of the authentication mechanism without changing the focus on the user interface for the application or service; and

update the icon to show the credential vault is in an unlocked state.

10. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the credential vault stores a password for the application or service.

11. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the credential vault stores a key to enable or launch the application or service.

12. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the trigger includes starting an authentication process for the application or service.

13. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a biometric sensor.

14. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a wireless tag proximity sensor.

15. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the authentication mechanism comprises a camera.

16. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein verification of input from the authentication mechanism is done within the credential vault.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program code for execution on a processor of a computing device, the program code comprising instructions for:

detecting, at the computing device, a trigger that authentication is pending for an application or service, wherein the trigger comprises placing input focus on a user interface of the computing device into a password entry area;

determining, by operating system of the computing device a state of a credential vault, wherein the application or service is distinct from the credential vault;

displaying, on a user interface of the computing device, an icon indicating the state of the credential vault;

when the credential vault is in a locked state,

upon detecting the trigger, activating, by the operating system of the computing device, an authentication mechanism on the computing device for the credential vault without changing focus on the user interface for the application or service;

displaying, on the user interface, at least one icon indicating a type of the authentication mechanism;

receiving, by the operating system of the computing device input corresponding to the type of authentication mechanism to unlock the credential vault;

verifying, at the credential vault, that the authentication mechanism produced a successful authentication;

sending, by the credential vault to the operating system of the computing device, a message indicating successful authentication when the authentication mechanism produced the successful authentication;

unlocking the credential vault in response to successful authentication of the authentication mechanism without changing the focus on the user interface for the application or service; and

updating the icon to show the credential vault is in an unlocked state.