Security For A Personal Communication Device

• US 20080034217A1
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: McQuaide, Arnold Chester
• Granted Patent: US 8,161,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/675 the user being required to insert a coded card, e.g. a smart card carrying an integrated circuit chip
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

Security is provided to a communication device configured to accept a physical key device. A public mode of operation is activated for the communication device when the physical key is not accepted by the personal communication device. The public mode of operation allows access to a first set of functions of the communication device, where the public mode of operation prohibits access to a second set of functions of the communication device. A personal mode of operation is activated for the communication device when the key is accepted by the personal communication device, where the personal mode of operation allows access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device. A private mode may also be activated upon authentication of a user of the device, where the private mode allows access to a third set of functions. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A security system for a communication device, comprising:

an interface to the communication device configured to accept a physical key device; and

logic of the communication device configured to activate a public mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the communication device, the logic further configured to activate a personal mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key device is accepted by the communication device, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device.

2. The system of claim 1, the logic further configured to:

relay to a communication network that the physical key device is not accepted by the communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated when the public mode of communication is not being employed.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical key device is an electronic device.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphical user interface to the communication device configured to prompt a user to select which features of the communication device are designated as being accessible during a public mode of operation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic of the communication device is further configured to activate a private mode of operation that allows access to functions that require authentication of a user of the personal communication device when the physical key is accepted by the communication device and the user has been authenticated by the communication device.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a biometric sensor built into the communication device, wherein the logic is configured to authenticate whether the user of the communication device is a particular identity using the biometric sensor and to activate the private mode of operation in response to a positive identification of the user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical key device is unique to the communication device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical key device is built into a protective case for the communication device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a cellular telephone.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a remote control.

11. A method for providing security to a communication device comprising:

detecting acceptance of a physical key by the communication device;

activating a public mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key is detected to not be accepted, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the communication device; and

activating a personal mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key is detected to be accepted, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

deactivating the public mode of operation after a set time period has expired when the physical key is removed.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

relaying to a communication network that the physical key is not accepted by the communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the communication device when the physical key is not accepted by the communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated when the public mode of communication is not being employed.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

prompting a user to select which features of the communication device are designated as being accessible during a public mode of operation.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

activating a private mode of operation that allows access to functions that require authentication of a user of the personal communication device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

biometrically authenticating whether the user of the communication is an authorized user of the communication device.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the physical key is regarded as being accepted if the physical key is within range of being detected by the communication device using near field detection technology.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the public mode of operation prohibits device settings for the communication device from being changed by a user of the communication device, the device settings comprising at least a volume setting and designation of which capabilities are accessible to public users.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication device comprises a cellular telephone.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the communication device comprises a remote control.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing information in the physical key that is accessed during a personal mode of operation by the communication device.

22. A security system for a communication device, comprising:

an electronic physical key for a communication device, the physical key configured to enable a public mode of operation to be activated in the communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the communication device, the physical key further configured to enable activation of a personal mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key is accepted by the communication device, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the communication device relays to a communication network that the physical key device is not accepted by the communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated when the public mode of communication is not being employed.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the physical key is further enabled to a private mode of operation to be activated in the communication device when the physical key is accepted by the communication device and a user has been authenticated by the personal communication device.