Patent ID: 12231896

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms used in example embodiments will be briefly explained, and example embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Terms used in the disclosure are selected as general terminologies currently widely used in consideration of the configuration and functions of the disclosure, but can be different depending on intention of those skilled in the art, a precedent, appearance of new technologies, and the like. Further, in specific cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected. In this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in the description of the corresponding embodiments. Accordingly, the terms used in the description should not necessarily be construed as simple names of the terms, but be defined based on meanings of the terms and overall contents of the disclosure.

The example embodiments may vary, and may be provided in different example embodiments. Various example embodiments will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, this does not necessarily limit the scope of the example embodiments to a specific embodiment form. Instead, modifications, equivalents and replacements included in the disclosed concept and technical scope of this disclosure may be employed. While describing various example embodiments, if it is determined that the specific description regarding a known technology obscures the gist of the disclosure, the specific description may be omitted.

The terms such as “first,” “second,” and so on may be used to describe a variety of elements, but the elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms used herein are simply intended to explain specific example embodiments, and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “include”, “comprise”, “is configured to,” etc., of the description are used to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combination thereof, and they should not exclude the possibilities of combination or addition of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or a combination thereof.

The example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail below. However, various example embodiments may be realized in a variety of different configurations, and are not limited to descriptions provided herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not described in detail where they would obscure the disclosure with unnecessary detail.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an example system according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1, the electronic apparatus100may perform communication with an external device200, and when it is identified that the external device200is close to the electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus100may be unlocked and unlock authorization restriction.

The external device200may, for example, be a device previously registered in the electronic apparatus100as a trusted device. For example, a user10of the external device200may be the same as the user10of the electronic apparatus100, and the user10of the external device200may perform authentication on the electronic apparatus100to unlock the electronic apparatus, authorization restriction, or the like.

Before the user10directly authenticates the electronic apparatus100, if the external device200is identified as being close to the electronic apparatus100, the electronic apparatus100may identify that the user10is close to the electronic apparatus100, and even when the user10does not perform authentication, the electronic apparatus100may be unlocked and unlock authorization restriction, or the like.

The electronic apparatus100may identify whether the external device200is close using various types of communication methods. For example, the electronic apparatus100may perform direct communication (e.g., device-to-device communication) with the external device200and identify strength of the signal received from the external device200. When the strength of the signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the electronic apparatus100may unlock the electronic apparatus100and unlock restrictions on access authorization, or the like.

As another example, the electronic apparatus100may identify a distance to the external device200based on the strength of the signal received from the external device200. When a distance to the external device200is less than a threshold distance, for example, when the electronic apparatus100identifies that the external device200is close, the electronic apparatus100may unlock the electronic apparatus100, unlock restrictions on access authorization, or the like.

The access authorization may refer, for example, to control authorization for various types of electronic apparatus100, such as authorization for the user10to access, read, record, and execute programs, processes, data, directories, files, etc. of the electronic apparatus100. Hereinafter, it may be referred to as authorization.

When the electronic apparatus according to the prior art predicts and estimates the distance to the external device200based on the strength of the signal received from the external device200, strength of a signal transmitted by each external device200may not be constant. Since there may be a deviation between the external devices200, there may be a problem in that the electronic apparatus identifies (or predicts) a distance somewhat inaccurately.

For example, an external device A transmits a signal relatively stronger than an external device B, and in reality, even when the external device A and the external device B are respectively spaced apart from the electronic apparatus by the same distance, the electronic apparatus may identify that the external device A is located closer than the external device B.

Accordingly, there was a problem in that the electronic apparatus unlocks authorization restriction even when the external device200is not located close to the electronic apparatus, or the electronic apparatus does not unlock the authorization restriction even when the external device200is located close to the electronic apparatus.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic apparatus100unlocks the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100based on the strength of the signal received from the external device200while minimizing and/or reducing an occurrence of the problems described above.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic apparatus according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.2, the electronic apparatus100includes a communication interface (e.g., including communication circuitry)110and a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)120.

The electronic apparatus100according to various example embodiments may include at least one of, for example, and without limitation, a set-top box, smartphone, tablet PC, mobile phone, video phone, e-book reader, desktop PC, laptop PC, workstation, server, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable multimedia player (PMP), MP3 player, Kiosk, or the like. However, the electronic apparatus100may be implemented as various types of electronic apparatuses such as, for example, and without limitation, a wearable device corresponding to at least one of an accessory type (e.g., watch, ring, bracelet, anklet, necklace, glasses, contact lens, or head-mounted-device (HMD)), fabric or cloth-embedded type (e.g., e-cloth), a robot, a projector, a server or the like. The external device200shown inFIG.1may also be implemented as various types of electronic apparatuses.

The communication interface110may refer to a configuration for the electronic apparatus100to communicate with at least one external device200to exchange signals/data. For this operation, the communication interface110may include a circuit or various communication circuitry. The communication interface110may include a wireless communication module, a wired communication module, or the like.

For example, the communication interface110may directly communicate with the external device200to receive a signal from the external device200. For example, the communication interface110may receive signal/data from an external device (e.g., source device), an external storage medium (e.g., USB memory), an external server (e.g., web hard drive) through a communication method such as an AP-based Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN network), Bluetooth, Zigbee, wired/wireless Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Ethernet, IEEE 1394, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union (AES/EBU), Optical, Coaxial, or the like.

The processor120may include various processing circuitry and control the overall operation of the electronic apparatus100.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may be implemented, for example, and without limitation, as a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, an artificial intelligence (AI), a timing controller (T-CON) that processes a digital image signal. However, it is not limited thereto, and may include one or more of, for example and without limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a dedicated processor, microcontroller unit (MCU), micro processing unit (MPU), controller, application processor (AP), or communication processor (CP), ARM processor, or may be defined with a corresponding term. In addition, the processor120may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) or large-scale integration (LSI) with a built-in processing algorithm, or may be implemented in the form of field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The processor120according to an embodiment of the disclosure may receive a signal from the external device200through the communication interface110and identify the strength of the received signal. For example, the processor120may identify (or predict, estimate, etc.) a distance to the external device200based on the strength of the signal received from the external device200.

For example, the processor120may control the communication interface110to communicate with the external device200. For example, the electronic apparatus100may perform two-way short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with the external device200.

When strength of the identified signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the processor120according to an embodiment of the disclosure may unlock authorization restriction for the electronic apparatus100.

For example, if the strength of the signal is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the processor120may identify that the external device200is located within a threshold distance to the electronic apparatus100and unlock the authorization restriction on the electronic apparatus100.

As another example, when the strength of the identified signal is less than the threshold value, the processor120may maintain the authorization restriction for the electronic apparatus100. For example, if the strength of the signal is less than the threshold value, the processor120may identify that the external device200is not located within a threshold distance to the electronic apparatus100and maintain the authorization restriction on the electronic apparatus100. In the above example, the processor120may unlock or maintain the authorization restriction based on the strength of the signal, or as another example, identify (or predict, estimate) the distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200based on the strength of the signal to unlock or maintain the authorization restriction.

Hereinafter, it is assumed, by way of non-limiting example, that the threshold distance is 1 m for convenience of description.

However, when an actual distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is 1 m, a distance to the external device200identified by the electronic apparatus100based on strength of the signal may be different from the actual distance. For example, an actual distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200may be different from the distance from the external device200identified by the electronic apparatus100based on the strength of the signal according to various reasons such as specifications of a signal transmission module included in the external device200, specifications of a signal reception module included in the electronic apparatus100, or a combination characteristic between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200, surrounding environment (e.g., indoor walls, furniture, home appliances, etc.) of the electronic apparatus100and the external device200, a moving speed of the user10holding the external device200, or the like.

Due to such differences, even though the actual distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is less than 1 m, strength of the signal identified by the processor120may be less than a threshold value, or a distance identified based on the strength of the signal may be 1 m or more. Since the actual distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is less than 1 m, that is, less than the threshold distance, the processor120is supposed to unlock the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100, but the processor120maintains the authorization restriction. In this case, the electronic apparatus100may adjust a threshold value or a threshold distance in order to properly unlock the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100according to the strength of the signal received from the external device200.

A detailed description thereof will be described in greater detail below with reference toFIG.3.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating an example electronic apparatus for adjusting a threshold value according to various embodiments;

Referring toFIG.3, it is assumed when a location of the electronic apparatus100is fixed, the external device200is implemented as a wearable device, and the user10moves, a distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200changes.

However, this is an example, and various embodiments of the disclosure may be applied if the distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is changed regardless of respective implementation examples of the electronic apparatus100and the external device200.FIG.3assumes that a threshold distance is 1 m and that a second area2is within the threshold distance of 1 m.

The processor120according to an embodiment may identify strength of the signal received from an external device200′ located in a first area1. When the strength of the signal is less than a threshold value, the processor120may maintain authorization restriction. The processor120may identify a distance based on the strength of the signal, and maintain authorization restriction when the identified distance is equal to or greater than a threshold distance. However, hereinafter, it is assumed that the processor120identifies strength of the signal and identifies whether the strength of the signal is greater than or less than a threshold value to unlock or maintain the authorization restriction, for convenience of description.

When the external device200′ is located in the first area1, strength of the signal received by the processor120is sufficiently weak than the threshold value, such that a probability that the processor120unlocks the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100is low.

As another example, when a signal is received from an external device200′ located in a third area3, since an external device200″′ is located within the threshold distance, that is, strength of the signal received from the external device200″′ is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the processor120may unlock the authorization restriction. When the external device200′″ is located in the third region3, the received strength of the signal is sufficiently strong, and thus a probability that the processor120does not unlock the authorization restriction is low.

As another example, when a signal is received from an external device200″ located in the second area2, the electronic apparatus100may identify the external device200″ is located within the threshold distance, and (identify the external device200″ is located in the third area3), or is located outside the threshold distance (identify the external device200″ is located in the first area1). In other words, since the strength of the signal identified by the processor120has an error, the processor120may have a problem of maintaining the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100even though the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100should be unlocked. As another example, although the processor120should maintain the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100, there may be a problem of unlocking the authorization restriction.

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating an example algorithm for adjusting a threshold distance according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.4, when a specific condition is satisfied, the processor120may automatically adjust (e.g., auto-adjustment) a threshold value.

According to a table shown on the left ofFIG.4, a threshold value auto-adjustment triggering condition includes a case in which strength of a received first signal is less than the threshold value (Proximity: OUT). As another example, a case in which a distance identified based on the strength of the first signal is greater than or equal to a threshold distance is included.

According to an embodiment, when the strength of the first signal is less than RSSI value (e.g., threshold value), the processor120may identify that the external device200is not close and thus maintain authorization restriction.

Satisfaction Condition of Auto-Adjustment Case 1

When authentication of the electronic apparatus100is completed after the first signal is received, the processor120may adjust RSSI value (e.g., the threshold value) based on strength of at least one signal received from the external device200before the first signal is received. For example, when the authentication of the electronic apparatus100is completed within a specific time (within N seconds inFIG.4) while maintaining the authorization restriction as the strength of the first signal is less than the RSSI value, the processor120may adjust the threshold value based on the strength of at least one signal received from the external device200for a threshold time before the first signal is received.

For example, the processor120may identify strength distribution of at least one signal received from the external device200during a time when the first signal is received 5 seconds before the first signal is received, and identify an error range (e.g., standard deviation) of the strength of at least one signal based on the identified distribution. The processor120may adjust the threshold value based on the identified error range.

The authentication for the electronic apparatus100may include at least one of a password input, a pattern input, or biometric authentication by the user10.

Referring toFIG.4, the electronic apparatus100may be implemented as a smartphone, and when authentication by the user10is completed within N seconds after the first signal is received and the smartphone is unlocked (Phone: Unlock), when the first signal is received, although the electronic apparatus100is supposed to identify, based on strength of the first signal, that the external device200is close to the electronic apparatus100and unlock authorization restriction (strength of first signal1>threshold value), the electronic apparatus100identifies the strength of the first signal is less than a threshold value (strength of first signal1<threshold value) according to various reasons such as specifications of a signal transmission module provided in the external device200, specifications of a signal reception module provided in the electronic apparatus100, or combination characteristics between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200, surrounding environment of the electronic apparatus100and the external device200(e.g., indoor walls, furniture, home appliances, etc.), and a moving speed of the user10holding the external device200, or the like,

Accordingly, the electronic apparatus100may adjust the threshold value in order to properly unlock the authorization restriction using the strength of the signal received from the external device200. For example, the electronic apparatus100may decrease the threshold value by an error range (e.g., standard deviation) corresponding to strength distribution of at least one signal received from the external device200during a time when the first signal is received N seconds before the first signal is received. N seconds may be variously changed according to its manufacturer's settings and the user's settings such as 0.5 seconds, 1 second, and 5 seconds, or the like.

Satisfaction Condition of Auto-Adjustment Case 2

The processor120according to an embodiment may adjust the threshold value based on strength of a new signal, that is, a second signal continuously received after the first signal, while the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100is maintained.

For example, when the strength of the received new signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value in a state in which the authorization restriction is maintained, the processor120may unlock the authorization restriction. When there is no user input to the electronic apparatus within a threshold time after the authorization restriction is unlocked, the processor120may adjust the threshold value based on the strength of the received new signal.

Referring toFIG.4, when strength of the second signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value (e.g., a distance identified (or predicted, estimated) according to the strength of the signal is less than the threshold distance (Proximity IN)), the processor120may unlock the authorization restriction. After the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100is unlocked, when there is no user input within a threshold time (e.g., N seconds), although the electronic apparatus100is supposed to identify, based on strength of the second signal, that the external device200is not close to the electronic apparatus100and maintain authorization restriction (strength of second signal2<threshold value), the electronic apparatus100identifies that the strength of the second signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value (strength of second signal1>RSSI value) according to various reasons such as specifications of a signal transmission module provided in the external device200, specifications of a signal reception module provided in the electronic apparatus100, or combination characteristics between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200, surrounding environment of the electronic apparatus100and the external device200(e.g., indoor walls, furniture, home appliances, etc.), and a moving speed of the user10holding the external device200, or the like,

Accordingly, the electronic apparatus100may adjust the threshold value in order to properly unlock the authorization restriction using the strength of the signal received from the external device200. For example, the electronic apparatus100may increase the threshold value by an error range (e.g., standard deviation) corresponding to strength distribution of at least one signal received from the external device200during − (minus) N/2 seconds before and + (plus) N/2 seconds after the second signal is received.

According to Case 1 in the embodiment described above, when authentication by the user10is completed within N seconds, even though an actual distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200at a time when the first signal is received is in a threshold distance, it may refer, for example, to the processor120identifying that strength of the first signal is less than a threshold value (or that the distance identified based on the strength of the first signal is greater than or equal to the threshold distance (Proximity OUT)), and thus the processor120may adjust the threshold value based on a distribution of the strength of the signal received from the external device200for a threshold time before the first signal is received. For example, the processor120may decrease (e.g., 1 m to 1.2 m) a threshold distance corresponding to the threshold value. When a signal of the same or similar strength is received thereafter, the processor120may unlock the authorization restriction without maintaining the restriction.

Further, according to Case 2 in the embodiment described above, if there is no user input within N seconds in a state in which the authorization restriction is unlocked based on the strength of the second signal, although an actual distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200exceeds the threshold distance when the second signal is received, this may refer, for example, to the processor120identifying that the strength of the second signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value (or, the distance identified based on the strength of the second signal is less than the threshold distance (Proximity IN)), the processor120may adjust the threshold value based on the distribution of the strength of at least one signal received from the external device200before and after the threshold time from when the second signal is received. For example, the processor120may increase (e.g., 1 m to 0.8 m) a threshold distance corresponding to the threshold value. When a signal of the same or similar strength is received thereafter, the processor120may maintain the authorization restriction without unlocking the restriction.

Hereinafter, auto-adjustment satisfaction conditions Case 1 and Case 2 may be collectively referred to as an event, for convenience of description.

The processor120according to an embodiment of the disclosure may adjust the threshold value when the number of occurrences (or the number of satisfactions) of an event is equal to or greater than the threshold number.

Referring toFIG.4, when the event occurs M times, the processor120may adjust the threshold value according to strength of the first signal or strength of the second signal.

As another example, when a predetermined (e.g., specified) time passes after adjusting the threshold value, the processor120may readjust the threshold value based on a distribution of intensities of signals received for a predetermined time period. For example, the processor120may readjust the threshold value at regular time intervals, such as once a day, once a week, or the like.

The processor120may adjust the threshold value based on the strength of the signal, and a detailed description thereof will be provided with reference toFIG.5.

FIG.5is a graph illustrating an example error in strength of the signal according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.5, it is a graph illustrating a distribution of RSSI values for each distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200. The RSSI value may be a value corresponding to the strength of the signal.

For example, if the distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is 1 m, the RSSI value may be distributed within −49 to −56 (dBm), and when the distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is 2 m, the RSSI value may be distributed within −59 to −67 (dBm). The specific numerical values are examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

When the auto-adjustment triggering condition and the auto-adjustment satisfaction condition shown inFIG.4are satisfied, the processor may adjust the strength of the first signal, that is, the RSSI value of the first signal, and the threshold value based on the distribution of the RSSI value of at least one signal received from the external device200for a threshold time before the first signal is received (Case 1). As another example, the processor120may adjust the threshold value based on the RSSI value of the second signal and the distribution of the RSSI value of at least one signal received from the external device200before/after the threshold time from a time the second signal is received (Case 2).

For example, when identifying that both the auto-adjustment triggering condition and the auto-adjustment satisfaction condition CASE 1 are satisfied and adjusting the threshold value, the processor may decrease the threshold value by an error range (standard deviation) corresponding to a distribution of RSSI values of at least one signal received for a threshold time before the first signal is received. For example, when the threshold RSSI value is −49 (dBm) and an average of the RSSI values of at least one signal received during the threshold time before the first signal is received is −58 (dBm), the processor120may adjust the threshold RSSI value (Threshold) to be close to −58 (dBm).

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example adjusted threshold value according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.6, when a signal is received from the external device200located in the second area2after the processor120adjusts the threshold value, since the RSSI value according to the strength of the received signal is equal to or greater than the adjusted RSSI value (optimized unlock area inFIG.6), the processor120may identify the external device200is located close to the electronic apparatus100. The processor120may unlock the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating an example initial threshold distance according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.7, when the electronic apparatus100enters an initial setting mode, the processor120according to an embodiment may provide a guide such that the electronic apparatus100and the external device200are spaced apart by a threshold distance.

According to an embodiment, the processor120may provide a guide such that the user10holding the external device200is located about 1 m away from the electronic apparatus100. 1 m is an arbitrary number and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In this case, since the user10arbitrarily separates the electronic apparatus100from the external device200, the distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is not an actual distance of 1 m, and an error may exist.

However, the user10may place the electronic apparatus100and the external device200apart by about 1 m according to a guide provided by the electronic apparatus100in that the user10may set a location at which the user10wants the authorization restriction to be automatically unlocked, that is, the threshold distance.

The processor120may set an initial threshold value based on the strength of the signal received from the external device200. The initial threshold value may refer to a threshold value before being adjusted by the processor120and an RSSI value corresponding to strength of the signal received from the external device200.

For example, the processor120may acquire an RSSI value according to the strength of the signal received from the external device200while the guide is provided, and set a threshold value to the acquired RSSI value. For example, the processor120may set the threshold value based on an average of RSSI values of the strengths of the plurality of signals received from the external device200for 15 seconds.

According to the various embodiments described above, a threshold value optimized for a behavior pattern of the user10and a combination features of the electronic apparatus100and the external device200may be set, and since the threshold is reset in consideration of the user's10usage pattern and usage environment (e.g., indoor environment characteristics), an optimized unlock area may be set.

FIG.8is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an electronic apparatus according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.8, the electronic apparatus100may include a communication interface (e.g., including communication circuitry)110, a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry)120, a memory130, a display140, an operation interface (e.g., including various circuitry)150, and an input/output interface (e.g., including input/output circuitry)160. A description duplicated withFIG.2may not be repeated here.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the memory130included in the electronic apparatus100may be implemented as an internal memory such as a ROM (e.g., electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), a RAM, or the like, included in the processor140, or may be implemented as a memory separate from the processor140. In this case, the memory130may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in the electronic apparatus100or may be implemented in the form of a memory detachable to the electronic apparatus100depending on a purpose of data storage. For example, data for driving the electronic apparatus100may be stored in a memory embedded in the electronic apparatus100, and data for an extended function of the electronic apparatus100may be stored in a memory detachable from the electronic apparatus100. The memory embedded in the electronic apparatus100may be implemented as at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash, etc.), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD), and the memory detachable from the electronic apparatus100may be implemented as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.), external memory that can be connected to the USB port (e.g., USB memory), or the like.

For example, the memory130according to an embodiment of the disclosure may store adjustable range information of a threshold value (or threshold distance). For example, since the threshold value is an area where authorization restriction is automatically unlocked, it is highly relevant to security issues. When the threshold value is infinitely reduced, there is a problem in that it is identified that a distance between the electronic apparatus100and the external device200is close, the authorization restriction of the electronic apparatus100is automatically unlocked even if the user10does not want it. Accordingly, the memory130may store the adjustable range information of the threshold value. For example, the adjustable range may not exceed a maximum of 8 m. The specific numerical values are only examples.

The display140may display various screens. For example, the display140may provide a guide.

The display140may be implemented as a display including, for example, and without limitation, a self-luminous element or a display including a non-light-emitting device and a backlight. For example, the display may be implemented in various types of displays such as, for example, and without limitation, liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED) displays, light emitting diodes (LED), micro LED, Mini LED, plasma display panel (PDP), quantum dot (QD) displays, quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), or the like. In the display140, a driving circuit, a backlight unit, or the like, which may be implemented in the form of an a-si TFT, a low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, an organic TFT (OTFT), or the like may also be included. Meanwhile, the display140may be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a rollable display, a three-dimensional (3D) display, a display in which a plurality of display modules are physically connected, or the like.

The operation interface150may include various circuitry and may be implemented as a button, a touch pad, a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, or may be implemented as a touch screen capable of performing the above-described display function and manipulation input function. The button may refer to various types of buttons such as a mechanical button, a touch pad, a wheel, etc. formed in an arbitrary area such as a front portion, a side portion, a rear portion, or the like of the exterior of body of the electronic apparatus100.

The input/output interface160may include various input/output circuitry and be an interface one of High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Display Port (DP), Thunderbolt, Video Graphics Array (VGA) port, RGB port, a D-subminiature (D-SUB), and a digital visual interface (DVI).

The input/output interface160may input/output at least one of audio and video signals.

Depending on the implementation, the input/output interface160may include a port for inputting and outputting only an audio signal and a port for inputting and outputting only a video signal as separate ports, or may be implemented as a single port for inputting and outputting both an audio signal and a video signal.

FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling an electronic apparatus according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.9, the control method of the electronic apparatus may identify strength of the signal received from an external device (S910).

If the identified strength of the signal is greater than or equal to the threshold (S920: Y), the authorization restriction on the electronic apparatus may be unlocked (S930).

As another example, when the strength of the identified signal is less than a threshold value (S920: N), the authorization restriction may be maintained (S940), and when authentication for the electronic apparatus is completed after the signal is received, the threshold value may be adjusted based on the strength of at least one signal received from an external device before the signal is received (S950).

The adjusting S950may include identifying the strength of at least one signal received for a threshold time before the signal is received, and adjusting the threshold value based on a distribution of the strength of the at least one signal.

The adjusting S950may include identifying the strength of a new signal continuously received in a signal in a state in which the authorization restriction is maintained, and unlocking the authorization restriction when the strength of the new signal is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

The control method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include adjusting a threshold value based on the strength of a new signal when there is no user input to the electronic apparatus within a threshold time after the authorization restriction is unlocked.

The external device according to an embodiment may be a device pre-registered in the electronic apparatus to unlock the authorization restriction when a distance to the electronic apparatus is less than the threshold distance.

The control method according to an embodiment may further include identifying a distance to an external device based on the strength of a signal and identifying whether the identified distance is less than a threshold distance, wherein the threshold distance may correspond to the threshold value.

According to the method for controlling may further include based on entering an initial setting mode, providing a guide such that the external device and the electronic apparatus are spaced apart by a threshold distance, and setting a threshold value based on the strength of the signal received from the external device while the guide is provided.

The providing the guide may include, when the external device is an unregistered device or when performing first communication with the external device, enter the initial setting mode and provide the guide.

The adjusting S950according to an embodiment may include readjusting the threshold value when an event occurs more than a threshold number of times or when a predetermined (e.g., specified) time elapses after adjusting the threshold value, the event may be an event in which the authentication is completed within a predetermined time in a state that the authorization restriction is maintained according to the strength of the identified signal being less than the threshold value.

Authentication according to an embodiment may include at least one of password input, pattern input, and biometric authentication by a user.

In addition, according to an embodiment, various embodiments described above may be implemented in a recording media that may be read by a computer or a similar device to the computer by suing software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the processor itself. In a software configuration, various embodiments described in the disclosure such as a procedure and a function may be implemented as separate software modules. The software modules may respectively perform one or more functions and operations described in the disclosure

According to various embodiments described above, computer instructions for performing processing operations of the electronic apparatus100according to the various embodiments described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium may cause a particular device to perform processing operations on the device according to the various embodiments described above when executed by the processor of the particular device.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium may semi-permanently store data and is available of reading by the device. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be CD, DVD, a hard disc, Blu-ray disc, USB, a memory card, ROM, or the like.

The foregoing example embodiments and advantages are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the example embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.