Protecting Personal Information Upon Sharing a Personal Computing Device

• US 20150169900A1
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Inventors: Papakipos, Matthew Nicholas, Ondrejka, Cory Rudolph, Tseng, Erick
• Granted Patent: US 9,817,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes

Abstract

In particular embodiments, a temporary user is able to use another'"'"'s personal computing device in shared mode for a short period of time while experiencing a personalized user interface. An indication is detected that a personal computing device associated with a primary user is to be shared with a temporary user. Access to local personal information associated with the primary user is disabled if it is stored on the personal computing device. Access to remote personal information of the primary user that is accessible from the personal computing device is disabled. A personalized user interface incorporating personal information associated with the temporary user is presented on the personal computing device for the temporary user. Personal information of the primary user is not accessible by the temporary user, and vice versa. When shared mode is to be terminated, all personal information of the temporary user is deleted.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

pre-loading, by a computing device, information associated with a potential temporary user, wherein the information is pre-loaded after an invitation to use the computing device was sent to the potential temporary user, the invitation comprising log-in information;

receiving, by the computing device, user input comprising the log-in information; and

providing, by the computing device, a personalized interface based at least in part on the information associated with the potential temporary user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the invitation was sent by the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is identified in the invitation sent to the potential temporary user.

4. The method of claim 1, the invitation further comprising a secure authorization code.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to the sending of the invitation, displaying, by the computing device, an interface inviting the potential temporary user to enter the log-in information.

6. The method of claim 1, the computing device comprising a personal computing device, further comprising one or more of hiding, deleting, or disabling access to personal information of a primary user of the personal computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising terminating, by the computing device, the personalized interface in response to:

receiving, by the computing device, an indication to terminate the personalized user interface;

or

detecting, by the computing device, an event that warrants termination of the personalized user interface.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, by the computing device, after terminating the personalized interface, removing or deleting the pre-loaded information associated with the potential temporary user.

9. One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media of a computing device embodying software that is operable when executed to:

pre-load information associated with a potential temporary user, wherein the information is pre-loaded after an invitation to use the computing device was sent to the potential temporary user, the invitation comprising log-in information;

receive user input comprising the log-in information; and

provide a personalized interface based at least in part on the information associated with the potential temporary user.

10. The media of claim 9, wherein the invitation was sent by the computing device.

11. The media of claim 9, the invitation further comprising a secure authorization code.

12. The media of claim 9, wherein the software is further operable when executed to, in response to the sending of the invitation, displaying an interface inviting the potential temporary user to enter the log-in information.

13. The media of claim 9, the computing device comprising a personal computing device, wherein the software is further operable when executed to hide, delete, or disable access to personal information of a primary user of the personal computing device.

14. The media of claim 9, wherein the software is further operable when executed to terminate the personalized interface in response to:

receiving an indication to terminate the personalized user interface;

or

detecting an event that warrants termination of the personalized user interface.

15. A computing device comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors being operable when executing the instructions to;

pre-load, by the computing device, information associated with a potential temporary user, wherein the information is pre-loaded after an invitation to use the computing device was sent to the potential temporary user, the invitation comprising log-in information;

receive, by the computing device, user input comprising the log-in information; and

provide, by the computing device, a personalized interface based at least in part on the information associated with the potential temporary user.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the invitation was sent by the computing device.

17. The computing device of claim 15, the invitation further comprising a secure authorization code.

18. The computing device of claim 15, wherein processors are further operable when executing the instructions to, in response to the sending of the invitation, displaying an interface inviting the potential temporary user to enter the log-in information.

19. The computing device of claim 15, the computing device comprising a personal computing device, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to hide, delete, or disable access to personal information of a primary user of the personal computing device.

20. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to terminate the personalized interface in response to:

receiving an indication to terminate the personalized user interface;

or

detecting an event that warrants termination of the personalized user interface.