Methods and system for providing data and telephony security
First Claim
1. A method of maintaining security for a computing device connected to a network to receive incoming communications comprising steps of:
- configuring said computing device such that said computing device switches from an operative mode to a locked mode in response to detection of a preset condition and switches from said locked mode to said operative mode in response to detection of a preset authorization condition, said locked mode establishing a security condition with respect to data access capabilities and communication access capabilities of said computing device;
enabling notification at said computing device when an incoming communication is directed to said computing device; and
enabling access to said communication access capabilities of said computing device in response to detecting said notification that said incoming communication is directed to said computing device, including providing access to handling said incoming communication while maintaining said security condition with respect to said data access capabilities until said detection of said preset authorization condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing security for a computing device include resolving conflicts between a password-protected screen saver and communication notification capabilities by selectively enabling access to specific communications when the computing device is in a locked mode. The screen saver of the computing device is configured to switch the device from a normal operative mode to a locked mode in response to detection of a preset condition, such as the expiration of an idle-time timer. The computing device then remains in the locked mode until a preset authorization condition is recognized, e.g., entering a password. However, with the computing device in the locked mode, a subset of communication access capabilities is enabled. Specifically, notification of incoming communications is enabled. Preferably, connectivity for select types of outgoing calls is also enabled, e.g., connectivity for emergency calls. In the preferred embodiment, the conflicts are resolved by integrating the screen saver with communication access capabilities in a single software package. Also in the preferred embodiment, the communication access capabilities are provided by a telephony over LAN application and a switch to the locked mode is disabled during communication sessions involving the computing device. In other embodiments, while in a locked mode, incoming calls may be preconfigured by the user to selectively break through security features based on caller identification information.
285 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of maintaining security for a computing device connected to a network to receive incoming communications comprising steps of:
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configuring said computing device such that said computing device switches from an operative mode to a locked mode in response to detection of a preset condition and switches from said locked mode to said operative mode in response to detection of a preset authorization condition, said locked mode establishing a security condition with respect to data access capabilities and communication access capabilities of said computing device; enabling notification at said computing device when an incoming communication is directed to said computing device; and enabling access to said communication access capabilities of said computing device in response to detecting said notification that said incoming communication is directed to said computing device, including providing access to handling said incoming communication while maintaining said security condition with respect to said data access capabilities until said detection of said preset authorization condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a computing device connected to a network to receive incoming communications, a security system comprising:
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screen saver means for selectively establishing a security condition with respect to disabling data access capabilities and communication access capabilities of said computing device, said screen saver means having a locked mode and an operative mode, said screen saver means being in said locked mode when said security condition is established; means for recognizing a predefined authorization sequence to override said locked mode of said screen saver means, thereby switching said screen saver means from said locked mode to said operative mode in which said data access and communication access capabilities are enabled; and means for enabling a first set of communication access capabilities of said computing device in response to detection of an incoming communication with said screen saver means in said locked mode, said first set including enabling handling of said incoming communication while said screen saver means remains in said locked mode with respect to said data access capabilities and with respect to a second set of said communication access capabilities. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of maintaining security for a computing device connected to a network to handle incoming and outgoing telephone calls having at least one of voice and video information, said method comprising steps of:
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timing periods of inactivity by said computing device; automatically switching said computing device from an operative mode to a screensaver mode when a period of inactivity exceeds a predetermined time period, including securing access to data and outgoing call capabilities of said computing device while enabling notification of an incoming call; monitoring a communications line connecting said communication device to said network to detect incoming calls; providing a notification at said computing device in response to detecting an incoming call; enabling handling of said incoming call while maintaining said computing device in said screensaver mode with respect to data and outgoing call capabilities; and switching said computing device from said screensaver mode to said operative mode in response to input of a password to said computing device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of maintaining security for a computing device connected to a network to receive incoming communications comprising steps of:
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enabling screen saver capability for protecting data accessible via said computing device; establishing an idle time threshold for switching said screen saver capability from a normal operation mode to a locked mode in which said data is protected from access; monitoring data accesses and communication sessions involving said computing device to detect periods of inactivity exceeding said idle time threshold; triggering a switch from said normal operation mode to said locked mode upon detecting an absence of a data access and a communication session for a period exceeding said idle time threshold; and returning said computing device to said normal operation mode upon detecting a preset authorization condition.
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Specification