Terminal device and termainal device operation management system and operation management method

• US 20030073448A1
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Yoshizaki, Yoshihiko, Yamauchi, Kana, Ozeki, Satoshi, Takano, Masahito, Nakamura, Mie, Sawayanagi, Kazumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,013,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A portable terminal includes a function to detect its own location. The owner of such terminal registers in advance an area in which he expects to be for a given time slot as conditions for operation. The portable terminal verifies its location with respect to the operation conditions set by the owner, and where it is determined that the operation conditions are not met, the portable terminal disables itself, prohibiting its use. Where a pre-registered password is subsequently input, the portable terminal cancels this prohibition. Consequently, if the owner loses the portable terminal while away from home or the office, for example, a third party cannot operate the portable terminal, and moreover, unless the owner-registered password is input, the prohibition is not cancelled, thereby preventing disclosure of the data and other information stored in the portable terminal.

Claims

9-1. A terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said prohibiting means prohibits operations other than the operation for inputting the authentication information.

10. A method to managing an operation of a terminal device, comprising the steps of:

detecting the location of the terminal device;

determining whether or not the detected location meets prescribed conditions;

prohibits the operation of the terminal device when it is determined that the prescribed conditions are not met;

inputting authentication information; and

canceling the prohibition of the operation of the terminal device when the pre-registered authentication information is input while the operation of the terminal device.

11. A method to managing an operation of a terminal device, comprising the steps of:

detecting the location of the terminal device;

transmitting to an external device location information that indicates the detected location;

receiving from the external device a return signal in response to the location information;

prohibits the operation of the terminal device according to the received return signal;

inputting authentication information; and

canceling the prohibition of the operation of the terminal device when the pre-registered authentication information is input while the operation of the terminal device.