Methods and apparatuses for selectively disabling functionality of a device

• US 20050170850A1
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Beaver, Brian, Saton, Robert, Edwards, Eric, Fisher, Clay, Manowitz, Neal
• Application Number:
  US10/771,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170850A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.400
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions

Abstract

In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for selectively disabling functionality of a device detect a device; detect a device type of the device; and transmit a signal to the device for selectively disabling a function of the device based on the device type.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a device;

detecting a device type of the device; and

transmitting a signal to the device for selectively disabling a function of the device based on the device type.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising detecting a location of the device.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein disabling the function is based on the location of the device.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising detecting a profile containing a device type field and a function field.

5. The method according to claim 4 further comprising storing the profile with a storage module.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the function is producing an audible alert.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the function is emitting an audible sound from the device.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the function is capturing an image with the device.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the device is a camera.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the device is a cellular phone.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the device is a portable music device.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the device is a video camera.

14. A system comprising:

means for detecting a device;

means for detecting a device type of the device; and

means for transmitting a signal to the device for selectively disabling a function of the device based on the device type.

15. A method comprising:

detecting a device;

detecting a location of the device;

detecting a device type of the device; and

selectively disabling a function of the device based on the location and the device type.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising requesting a payment from the device for restoring the function.

17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising restoring the function of the device in exchange for the payment.

18. The method according to claim 15 further comprising recalling a profile including an area field, a device type field, and a function field for disabling the function of the device.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the device type is an image capturing device.

20. The method according to claim 15 wherein the device type is a cellular phone device.

21. The method according to claim 15 wherein disabling the function turns the device off.

22. The method according to claim 15 wherein disabling the function prevents the device from emitting sound.

23. The method according to claim 15 wherein disabling the function prevents the device from capturing an image.

24. A system, comprising:

a recognition module for detecting a device and a device type of the device;

a location module for detecting a location of the device; and

a storage module configured for storing a profile that selectively disables a function of the device based on the device type and the location of the device.

25. The system according to claim 24 further comprising a transaction module configured to handle a payment request in exchange for restoring the function of the device.

26. The system according to claim 24 wherein the recognition module further comprises detecting an identity of the device.

27. The system according to claim 24 further comprising an interface module for communicating with the device.

28. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

detecting a device;

detecting a location of the device;

detecting a device type of the device; and

selectively disabling a function of the device based on the location and the device type.