Method for changing mobile communication device functionality based upon receipt of a second code

• US 10,360,364 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2017
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lookout Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lookout Incorporated
• Inventors: Robinson, William, Mahaffey, Kevin Patrick, Buck, Brian James
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhao, Don G
• Application Number:
  US15/687,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20170372055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1008 Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/104 Location integrity, e.g. secure geotagging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The method disclosed herein provides for performing device authentication based on the of proximity to another device, such as a key device. When a key device is not near a mobile communications device, an unlock screen is allowed to be presented on a display screen. Based on the mobile communications device receiving a first code to unlock the mobile communications device, the mobile communications device is unlocked in a first mode. Based on receiving a second code while the unlocked mobile communications device is in the first mode, the unlocked mobile communications device changes from the first mode to a second mode, wherein a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the second mode is greater than a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the first mode.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

initiating a first timer configured to expire after a first time period has elapsed while a mobile communications device is locked;

determining whether a key device is near the mobile communications device during the first time period;

in response to a determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device, unlocking the mobile communications device by a behavior modification module in the mobile communications device, the unlocked mobile communications device being in a first mode;

receiving a code while the unlocked mobile communications device is in the first mode; and

changing the unlocked mobile communications device from the first mode to a second mode when the code is correct and the code was received during the first time period, wherein a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the second mode is greater than a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the first mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking the mobile communications device includes bypassing an unlock screen.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising during the step of unlocking the mobile communications device by a behavior modification module:

allowing a homepage that is displayed following the entry of an unlock code to be displayed on the electronic screen of the mobile communications device without the unlock code having been inputted into the mobile communications device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device is based on the key device and the mobile communications device being connected to a same access point.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device is based on a strength of a signal from the key device being outside of a threshold value.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device is based on the key device and the mobile communications device being in a same geographical area.

7. A method comprising:

displaying, on an electronic screen of a mobile communications device, an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code and an option to check for a presence of a key device;

receiving a selection of the option to check for a presence of a key device;

checking, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communications device, for the presence of the key device;

when the presence of the key device is detected, unlocking the mobile communications device without receiving the unlock code, into a first mode having a first level of functionality;

while the mobile communications device is in the first mode, receiving the unlock code; and

when the unlock code is correct, unlocking the mobile communications device from the first mode to a second mode having a second level of functionality different from the first level of functionality.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is near the mobile communications device, not locking the mobile communications device.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is no longer near the mobile communications device, locking the mobile communications device.

10. A method comprising:

displaying, on an electronic screen of a mobile communications device, an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code, and an option to check for a presence of a key device;

receiving a selection of the option to check for a presence of a key device;

checking, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communications device, for the presence of the key device;

when the presence of the key device is detected, unlocking the mobile communications device into a first mode having a first level of functionality without receiving the unlock code;

receiving the unlock code while the mobile communications device is in the first mode; and

when the unlock code is incorrect, maintaining the first mode on the mobile communications device and not unlocking the mobile communications device into a second mode having a second level of functionality different from the first level of functionality.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

when the mobile communications device is in the first mode and after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is near the mobile communications device, not locking the mobile communications device.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

when the mobile communications device is in the first mode and after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is no longer near the mobile communications device, locking the mobile communications device.

13. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a mobile communications device, cause the mobile communications device to:

initiate a first timer configured to expire after a first time period has elapsed while a mobile communications device is locked;

determine whether a key device is near the mobile communications device during the first time period;

in response to a determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device, unlock the mobile communications device by a behavior modification module in the mobile communications device, the unlocked mobile communications device being in a first mode;

receive a code while the unlocked mobile communications device is in the first mode; and

change the unlocked mobile communications device from the first mode to a second mode when the code is correct and the code was received during the first time period, wherein a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the second mode is greater than a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the first mode.

14. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions which, during the step of unlocking the mobile communications device by a behavior modification module, cause the mobile communications device to:

allow a homepage that is displayed following the entry of an unlock code to be displayed on the electronic screen of the mobile communications device without the unlock code having been inputted into the mobile communications device.

15. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device is based on the key device and the mobile communications device being connected to a same access point.

16. A system, comprising a mobile communications device with at least one processor and memory and instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the mobile communications device to:

initiate a first timer configured to expire after a first time period has elapsed while a mobile communications device is locked;

determine whether a key device is near the mobile communications device during the first time period;

in response to a determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device, unlock the mobile communications device by a behavior modification module in the mobile communications device, the unlocked mobile communications device being in a first mode;

receive a code while the unlocked mobile communications device is in the first mode; and

change the unlocked mobile communications device from the first mode to a second mode when the code is correct and the code was received during the first time period, wherein a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the second mode is greater than a level of functionality of the mobile communications device in the first mode.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising instructions which, during the step of unlocking the mobile communications device by a behavior modification module, cause the mobile communications device to:

allow a homepage that is displayed following the entry of an unlock code to be displayed on the electronic screen of the mobile communications device without the unlock code having been inputted into the mobile communications device.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the determination that the key device is near the mobile communications device is based on the key device and the mobile communications device being connected to a same access point.

19. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a mobile communications device, cause the mobile communications device to:

display, on an electronic screen of the mobile communications device, an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code and an option to check for a presence of a key device;

receive a selection of the option to check for a presence of a key device;

check, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communications device, for the presence of the key device;

when the presence of the key device is detected, unlock the mobile communications device, without receiving the unlock code, into a first mode having a first level of functionality;

while the mobile communications device is in the first mode, receive the unlock code; and

when the unlock code is correct, unlock the mobile communications device from the first mode to a second mode having a second level of functionality different from the first level of functionality.

20. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, check whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is near the mobile communications device, not lock the mobile communications device.

21. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, check whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is no longer near the mobile communications device, lock the mobile communications device.

22. A system, comprising a mobile communications device with at least one processor and memory and instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the mobile communications device to:

display, on an electronic screen of the mobile communications device, an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code and an option to check for a presence of a key device;

receive a selection of the option to check for a presence of a key device;

check, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communications device, for the presence of the key device;

when the presence of the key device is detected, unlock the mobile communications device, without receiving the unlock code, into a first mode having a first level of functionality;

while the mobile communications device is in the first mode, receive the unlock code; and

when the unlock code is correct, unlock the mobile communications device from the first mode to a second mode having a second level of functionality different from the first level of functionality.

23. The system of claim 22 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, check whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is near the mobile communications device, not lock the mobile communications device.

24. The system of claim 22 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, check whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is no longer near the mobile communications device, lock the mobile communications device.

25. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a mobile communications device, cause the mobile communications device to:

display, on an electronic screen of the mobile communications device, an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code, and an option to check for a presence of a key device;

receive a selection of the option to check for a presence of a key device;

check, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communications device, for the presence of the key device;

when the presence of the key device is detected, unlock the mobile communications device into a first mode having a first level of functionality without receiving the unlock code;

receive the unlock code while the mobile communications device is in the first mode; and

when the unlock code is incorrect, maintain the first mode on the mobile communications device and not unlock the mobile communications device into a second mode having a second level of functionality different from the first level of functionality.

26. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 25 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

when the mobile communications device is in the first mode and after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, check whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is near the mobile communications device, not lock the mobile communications device.

27. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 25 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

when the mobile communications device is in the first mode and after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is no longer near the mobile communications device, locking the mobile communications device.

28. A system, comprising a mobile communications device with at least one processor and memory and instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the mobile communications device to:

display, on an electronic screen of the mobile communications device, an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code, and an option to check for a presence of a key device;

receive a selection of the option to check for a presence of a key device;

check, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communications device, for the presence of the key device;

when the presence of the key device is detected, unlock the mobile communications device into a first mode having a first level of functionality without receiving the unlock code; and

receive the unlock code while the mobile communications device is in the first mode; and

when the unlock code is incorrect, maintain the first mode on the mobile communications device and not unlock the mobile communications device into a second mode having a second level of functionality different from the first level of functionality.

29. The system of claim 28 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

when the mobile communications device is in the first mode and after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, check whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is near the mobile communications device, not lock the mobile communications device.

30. The system of claim 28 further including instructions causing the mobile communications device to:

when the mobile communications device is in the first mode and after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communications device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communications device; and

when the key device is no longer near the mobile communications device, locking the mobile communications device.