Safe zones for portable electronic devices

• US 20030017821A1
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David R. Irvin
• Original Assignee: David R. Irvin
• Inventors: Irvin, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,556,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/67 Risk-dependent, e.g. selecting a security level depending on risk profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A security system for a cellular telephone for controlling the status of security features based on location. The invention includes at least one security feature within the cellular telephone that is activated by a triggering event. A memory unit is positioned within the cellular telephone for entering safe zone coordinates. A locator either positioned within, or accessible by, the cellular phone provides for determining the geographic location of the phone. The system compares the present location of the cellular phone with the safe zones maintained in memory. When the triggering event occurs, at least one of the security features is disabled when the cellular phone is within the safe zone coordinates. The security features are maintained enabled when the cellular telephone is outside the safe zone coordinates.

Claims

1. A method of providing security for a portable electronic device comprising:

a. defining at least one geographic safe zone and storing corresponding geocoordinates in the portable electronic device;

b. selectively enabling at least one security feature on the portable electronic device;

c. acquiring the position of the portable electronic device;

d. sensing the occurrence of a triggering event; and

e. in response to the sensing of the triggering event, initiating the at least one security feature conditioned on whether the location of the portable electronic device is outside of the at least one geographic safe zone.

2. The method of claim 1, further including storing a plurality of safe zones within the portable electronic device, each of the safe zones being selectively shaped and sized.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the position of the portable electronic device is performed by a GPS receiver contained within the device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the geographic position of the device is accomplished through a wireless communications system that determines the location of the portable electronic device and forwards the location to the device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the portable electronic device is determined at periodic time intervals.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the portable electronic device is determined at the occurrence of a control function.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the portable electronic device is determined after the occurrence of the triggering event.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the portable electronic device is determined prior to the occurrence of the triggering event.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the position is maintained at a locator and the portable electronic device fetches the location upon the occurrence of the triggering event.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a wireless communications device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wireless communications device is a cellular phone.

13.he. The method of claim 12, further including disabling at least one security feature within each safe zone.

14.he. The method of claim 12, further including defining the safe zones by positioning the wireless communication device at a desired safe zone geographic position and entering corresponding geocoordinates into the memory unit.

15.he. The method of claim 14, further including entering the size and shape of each safe zone into the memory unit.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein defining the at least one safe zone is performed by entering geocoordinates into the memory unit obtained from an independent location device.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the location of the cellular phone is performed at periodic time intervals and stored within the memory unit.

18. The system of claim 12, further including disabling the corresponding security features when the wireless communications device is positioned within a fringe location of a safe zone.

19. The system of claim 12, further including defining safe zones that are geographically positioned within more than one wireless communications system.

12. A method of providing security features of a wireless communications device, the device having a memory unit and at least one security feature that is activated by a triggering event, the method comprising the steps of:

a. defining at least one safe zone having a geographic area and storing the at least one safe zone within the memory unit;

b. selecting which of the at least one security feature will be disabled within each safe zone and storing the selection in the memory unit;

c. thereafter, sensing the occurrence of the triggering event;

d. determining whether the wireless communications device is geographically located within any of the safe zones; and

e. over-riding the security features that are listed within the memory unit for the corresponding safe zone.

20. A method of preventing theft and accidental loss of a wireless communications device comprising:

a. defining a safe zone of a geographic area and storing the safe zone within a memory of the device;

b. enabling a security feature of the device;

c. sensing the occurrence of a triggering event;

d. determining the current position of the device through a locator positioned within the device upon sensing the occurrence of the triggering event;

e. comparing the current position of the device with the safe zone; and

f. initiating the security feature if the device is positioned outside of the safe zone.

21. A wireless communications device having at least one security feature, said device comprising:

a. means for defining at least one geographic safe zone and inputting it into a memory unit within the wireless communications device; and

b. means for determining a geographic location of the cellular telephone;

c. at least one of said security features being disabled when said wireless communications device is positioned within at least one of said safe zones and being enabled when said wireless communications device is positioned outside said safe zones.