System and method for providing context-aware computer management using smart identification badges

• US 20020152211A1
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Jam, Mehrban
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A system and method for context-aware computer management is disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of, assigning database information clearance levels; assigning smart badges one of the clearance levels; identifying smart badges having a lowest clearance level; and providing access to database information having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level. The system of the present invention includes a database storing information differentiated by several clearance levels; a beacon; a set of smart badges, in visible communication with the beacon and assigned one of the clearance levels; a system service module, connected to the beacon, for identifying a lowest clearance level assigned to the smart badges; and a software application, connected to the service module and the database, for providing access to information within the database having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level.

Claims

1. A method for context-aware computer management comprising the steps of:

assigning database information a plurality of clearance levels;

assigning each smart badge within a set of visible smart badges one of the clearance levels;

identifying smart badges having a lowest clearance level; and

providing access to database information having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

updating the set of visible smart badges in response to a change in smart badge visibility status.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

recalculating the lowest clearance level in response to the change in smart badge visibility status.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

recording the smart badge visibility status of each smart badge within an activity log.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing step includes the step of:

providing access to the database information to smart badge wearers assigned to the smart badges.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

preventing access to the database when the smart badge visibility status is set to invisible for a predetermined timeout.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

writing data items to the smart badges.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

pre-reading the data item from the smart badge during idle periods.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of

defining a badge removal confidence level indicating whether each smart badge has been continuously worn by corresponding assigned smart badge wearers.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

assigning an expiration period to each of the smart badges; and

de-authenticating and erasing all data stored on a smart badge whose expiration period has been exceeded.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the assigning each smart badge step includes the step of:

configuring a predetermined smart badge visibility range.

14. The computer-usable medium of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

updating the set of visible smart badges in response to a change in smart badge visibility status.

15. The computer-usable medium of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

recalculating the lowest clearance level in response to the change in smart badge visibility status.

16. The computer-usable medium of claim 13 wherein the providing step includes the step of:

providing access to the database information to smart badge wearers assigned to the smart badges.

17. The computer-usable medium of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

preventing access to the database when the smart badge visibility status is set to invisible for a predetermined timeout.

18. The computer-usable medium of claim 13 further comprising the step of

defining a badge removal confidence level indicating whether each smart badge has been continuously worn by corresponding assigned smart badge wearers.

19. The computer-usable medium of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

assigning an expiration period to each of the smart badges; and

de-authenticating and erasing all data stored on a smart badge whose expiration period has been exceeded.

12. A method for context-aware computer management comprising the steps of:

assigning database information a plurality of clearance levels;

assigning each smart badge within a set of visible smart badges one of the clearance levels;

identifying smart badges having a lowest clearance level;

providing access to database information having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level;

updating the set of visible smart badges in response to a change in smart badge visibility status; and

recalculating the lowest clearance level in response to the change in smart badge visibility status.

13. A computer-usable medium embodying computer program code for context-aware computer management, comprising the steps of:

assigning database information a plurality of clearance levels;

assigning each smart badge within a set of visible smart badges one of the clearance levels;

identifying smart badges having a lowest clearance level; and

providing access to database information having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level.

20. A system for context-aware computer management comprising:

means for assigning database information a plurality of clearance levels;

means for assigning each smart badge within a set of visible smart badges one of the clearance levels;

means for identifying smart badges having a lowest clearance level;

means for providing access over the computer to database information having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level;

means for updating the set of visible smart badges in response to a change in smart badge visibility status; and

means for recalculating the lowest clearance level in response to the change in smart badge visibility status.

21. A system for context-aware computer management comprising:

a database, including information differentiated by a plurality of clearance levels;

a first beacon;

a set of smart badges, in visible communication with the first beacon, each badge assigned one of the clearance levels;

a system service module, coupled to the beacon, for identifying a lowest clearance level assigned to the smart badges; and

a software application, coupled to the service module and the database, for providing access to information within the database having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first beacon includes:

a wide angle RF beacon.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a second diffuse IR beacon, coupled to the service module, limited to detecting smart badges within a workroom.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the smart badges include:

biometric sensors for detecting when a smart badge has been removed from an assigned smart badge wearer.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the service module defines a smart badge visibility status, and recalculates the lowest clearance level in response to a change in the visibility status.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the application logs smart badge wearers assigned to visible smart badges onto a computer.