Switching an Application, User, and Security Context Based on Device Orientation

• US 20100275256A1
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Estroff, Eric J., Schauer, Josef, Mathew, Ashvin J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,464,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A computer is adapted for changing one or more of the application, security, or user contexts based on the orientation of a component, such as a monitor. Changing the context responsive to the reorientation allows two or more users to use the same hardware to complete a transaction requiring at least two perspectives, for example, buyer and seller. In the background, transaction end points may be changed as well as establishment of a secure channel for supporting confidentiality of a user and their personal information. The computer so equipped may be applicable to many situations involving two parties, such as hospitals, personnel/human relations, banking, government benefits, and retail.

Claims

1. A method of adapting a computer for use in multiple contexts comprising:

providing a component integral to the computer adapted for use in either a first orientation or a second orientation;

associating a first operating environment with the first orientation and a second operating environment with the second orientation;

determining the component is in the second orientation; and

automatically selecting the second operating environment associated with the second orientation of the component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the first operating environment with the first orientation includes setting the first orientation with respect to a position of a first user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically selecting the second operating environment comprises executing an application that communicates with a local database and assigns a role to the first user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically selecting the second operating environment comprises setting a security context for the second operating environment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the second operating environment comprises setting a function-defined user identity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first operating environment has a data entry role and the second operating environment has an authentication role.

7. A computer for use in a plurality of user contexts comprising:

a memory for storing data for each of the plurality of user contexts according to an orientation of the computer;

a sensor that determines the orientation of the computer; and

a processing unit that uses orientation data from the sensor to select and present an appropriate user context from the plurality of user contexts according to the orientation of the computer and presents the selected user context until the computer is changed to a different orientation.

8. The computer of claim 7, wherein the processing unit causes a display of the computer to be blank in a transition zone between a first orientation and a second orientation.

9. The computer of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of user contexts comprise a function-defined user identity.

10. The computer of claim 7, wherein the processing unit interprets the orientation data from the sensor to determine a first user zone, a second user zone, and a transition region between the first and second user zones.

11. The computer of claim 7, further comprising an interrupt function coupled to the sensor to alert the processing unit to a change in the orientation of the computer.

12. The computer of claim 7, wherein the sensor determines the orientation of the entire computer when determining the orientation of the computer.

13. The computer of claim 7, wherein the memory stores a configuration program that when executed on the computer permits programming the plurality of user contexts according to the orientation of the computer.

14. A method of presenting different user contexts to a plurality of users of a device based on orientation of the device, the method comprising:

determining a first user position of the device;

associating the first user position of the device with a first operating environment;

determining a second user position of the device;

associating the second user position of the device with a second operating environment;

determining a transition zone between the first and second user position;

presenting the first operating environment when the device is in the first user position;

presenting the second operating environment when the device is in the second user position; and

disabling a display of the device when the device is in the transition zone.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein presenting the second operating environment comprises opening a secure communication channel between the device and a remote process.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the remote process is running on an other device where the other device is in communication with the device over a wireless link.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein presenting the second operating environment comprises:

checking a digital signature of a locally stored application; and

launching the locally stored application when the digital signature is verified.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein presenting the second operating environment comprises setting a security context.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the second operating environment includes an application context and a user context.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising assigning different roles to each of the first and second operating environments.