APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF POLICIES UPON A WIRELESS DEVICE

• US 20130078979A1
• Filed: 08/27/2012
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bell, Michael, Lovich, Vitali
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for changing one or more functional or operational aspects of a wireless device, such as upon the occurrence of a certain event. In one embodiment, the event comprises detecting that the wireless device is within range of one or more other devices. In another variant, the event comprises the wireless device associating with a certain access point. In this manner, various aspects of device functionality may be enabled or restricted (device “policies”). This policy enforcement capability is useful for a variety of reasons, including for example to disable noise and/or light emanating from wireless devices (such as at a movie theater), for preventing wireless devices from communicating with other wireless devices (such as in academic settings), and for forcing certain electronic devices to enter “sleep mode” when entering a sensitive area.

Claims

1-42. -42. (canceled)

43. A wireless device, comprising:

a processor;

one or more wireless interfaces in data communication with the processor; and

logic in data communication with the processor and the one or more wireless interfaces, the logic configured to;

receive a first signal from a network device, the first signal configured to request modification of one or more operational functions of the wireless device;

determine whether the network device has permission to modify the one or more operational functions; and

when the network device has permission, implement at least one of the permitted modifications to the one or more functions.

44. The wireless device of claim 43, wherein the determination of whether the network device has permission is based at least in part on logic configured to request a user of the wireless device to permit the modification of the one or more operational functions.

45. The wireless device of claim 43, further comprising logic configured to monitor reception of a second signal, the second signal operative to reverse the modifications caused by the first signal.

46. The wireless device of claim 43, wherein the wireless device comprises logic configured to mute an audible ringer.

47. The wireless device of claim 43, further comprising logic configured:

to monitor for a presence of the first signal; and

when the presence of the first signal is no longer detected, revert the modified one or more functions to a previous setting of the one or more functions prior to the implementation of the one or more modifications.

48. A method of operating a wireless network, comprising:

receiving at a mobile device a transmission comprising at least one command capable of causing modification of at least one functionality of the mobile device;

evaluating whether the received at least one command includes an appropriate permission to modify the at least one functionality; and

when the received at least one command is determined to have the appropriate permission, modifying the at least one functionality responsive to the received at least one command.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the transmission is received responsive to the mobile device entering a first area.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising reverting the modifications caused by the received at least one command upon the mobile device leaving the first area.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the act of evaluating further comprises prompting a user of the mobile device for permission to modify the at least one functionality.

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

wherein in response to the act of modifying the at least one functionality, notifying a network entity of the modification.

53. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which are configured to, when executed by a processor:

receive a command from a network entity, the command configured to modify one or more functions of a mobile device;

determine whether the received command has permission to modify the one or more functions; and

modify the one or more functions when the received command is determined to have permission.

54. A base station apparatus comprising:

a processor;

at least one wireless interface in data communication with the processor; and

logic in data communication with the processor and the at least one wireless interface, the logic configured to;

detect a mobile device comprising one or more modifiable functions; and

transmit a first command to cause adjustment of the one or more modifiable functions.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the detection of the mobile device comprises detecting that the mobile device is within a prescribed range.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, the logic further configured to:

determine when the mobile device exits the prescribed range; and

transmit a second command to revert the adjustments caused by the first command to the mobile device based at least in part on the determination of the mobile device exiting the prescribed range.

57. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the one or more modifiable functions comprises Bluetooth inquiry and pairing function logic configured to selectively disable at least one of the inquiry and pairing functions.

58. A method of modifying a set of functions within a mobile device, wherein the mobile device comprises a set of functions, comprising:

detecting when the mobile device enters a first zone; and

requesting modification of at least one function of the set of functions based at least in part on the detecting.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

detecting that the mobile device has exited the first zone; and

requesting reversion of the modified at least one function of the determined first set of functions based at least in part on the detecting that the mobile device has exited.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the detection of the mobile device being within a first zone is performed using at least global positioning system (UPS) signals.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the detection of the mobile device being within a first zone is based on association or attempted association of the wireless device with a wireless base station or access point.

62. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which are configured to, when executed by a processor:

detect when a mobile device is within a first range;

determine a first set of functions of the mobile device; and

transmit a request to modify at least one function of the first set of functions based at least in part on the detection when the mobile device is within the first range.