SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SURELY BUT CONVENIENTLY CAUSING RESET OF A COMPUTERIZED DEVICE

• US 20090327677A1
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Adams, Neil P., Little, Herbert A., Owen, Russell N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,176,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/24 Resetting means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0038 System on Chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Enhanced reset logic is included in a user'"'"'s computerized device so that the device owner (e.g., the user'"'"'s employer) can assure prompt reset (e.g., to insure device use of newly downloaded software versions or other control or security data) while still allowing user convenience (e.g., some limited continued normal use of the device before reset is forced upon the user thus permitting the user to avoid possibly aggravating losses of data and/or ongoing usage).

Claims

1. A method for initiating a reset of a computer-based device comprising:

detecting, by the device, an indication that a reset process is to be started;

initializing, by the device, a notification counter to a predetermined maximum number N, N being greater than 1;

displaying a reset notification at the user interface, the reset notification comprising representations of reset-now and reset-later;

detecting a selection, at the user interface, of one of the reset notification representations;

if the selected reset notification comprises reset-later, indicate 1 less notification count remains, continue operation of the device without resetting, repeat displaying a reset notification at the user-interface after an amount of time;

if the selected reset notification comprises reset-now, begin reset process; and

if no further notification counts remain, begin reset process.

2. The method of claim 1 where the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised receiving a reset command.

3. The method of claim 1 where the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised detecting that code needs to be installed.

4. The method of claim 1 where the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised receiving encryption keys.

5. The method of claim 1 where the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised receiving owner-data.

6. The method of claim 1 where the amount of time is the same amount of time between each displaying a reset notification.

7. The method of claim 1 where the amount of time is set by a policy.

8. The method of claim 1 where the indication of 1 less notification count comprises subtracting 1 from N, and, where the no further notification counts comprises N=0.

9. The method of claim 1 where the displaying a reset-notification comprises leaving the reset notification visible on the user-interface between detecting a first selection comprising reset-later and a second selection of one of the reset notification representations.

10. A digital storage medium containing a computer program configured to, when executed by a computer-based device configured to execute the computer program, carry out the actions of:

detecting an indication that a reset process is to be started;

initializing a notification counter to a predetermined maximum number N, N being greater than 1;

displaying a reset notification at the device user interface, the reset notification comprising representations of reset-now and reset-later;

detecting a selection at the user interface of one of the reset notification representations;

if the selected reset notification comprises reset-later, indicate 1 less notification count remains, continue operation of the device without resetting, repeat displaying a reset notification at the user-interface after an amount of time;

if the selected reset notification comprises reset-now, begin reset process; and

if no further notification counts remain, begin reset process.

11. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised receiving a reset command.

12. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised detecting that code needs to be installed.

13. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised receiving encryption keys.

14. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the indication that a reset process is to be started comprised receiving owner-data.

15. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the amount of time is the same amount of time between each displaying a reset notification.

16. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the amount of time is set by a policy.

17. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the indication of 1 less notification count comprises subtracting 1 from N, and, where the no further notification counts comprises N=0.

18. The digital storage medium of claim 10 further configured such that the displaying a reset-notification comprises leaving the reset notification visible on the user-interface between detecting a first selection comprising reset-later and a second selection of one of the reset notification representations.