Automatic security locking method and system for wireless-enabled devices

• US 7,257,374 B1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Creigh, George Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US11/008,759
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 455/456.4, 455/410, 455/425, 455 411- 413
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/382 for resource allocation, admission control or handover
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A security system for wireless devices such as mobile phones includes a wireless signal transmitter, and a signal strength detector and microprocessor associated with the wireless device being safeguarded. The microprocessor disables or locks the wireless device if the measurement by the detector of the strength of the signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter is less than a predetermined value, thereby indicating that there is more than a predetermined separation distance between the protected device and the transmitter, i.e., that, e.g., someone has taken the device. The disabled wireless device stays disabled until the measured signal strength is again greater than the predetermined value. Once this value is reached the device is automatically unlocked or enabled.

Claims

1. A method for selectively disabling a wireless-enabled device, said method comprising:

transmitting a short range wireless signal using one of (i) said wireless-enabled device and (ii) a second device separate from the wireless-enabled device;

receiving a predetermined threshold value from the user of the wireless-enabled device;

measuring, using the other of the second device and the wireless-enabled device, signal strength of the signal;

automatically disabling at least one function of the wireless-enabled device when the signal strength is less than the predetermined threshold value; and

automatically reenabling the at least one function of the wireless-enabled device when the signal strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said disabling of the at least one function comprises locking the wireless-enabled device so as to prevent use thereof.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signal strength is measured periodically.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the wireless-enabled device comprises a wireless handset and disabling of the at least one function comprises locking the handset against making outgoing calls.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said disabling of at least one function further comprises locking the handset against receiving incoming calls.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing a bypass option for bypassing the disabling step.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein a password is received by the wireless-enabled device prior to executing the bypass option.

8. A method according to claim 6 further comprising deactivating the bypass option after a predetermined time period.

9. A security system, comprising:

a portable transmitter, adapted to be carried or worn on the person of a user of the system, for transmitting a short range wireless signal; and

a portable wireless-enabled device including a user interface for receiving a threshold value from the user, wherein the portable wireless-enable device measures the signal strength of the short range wireless signal, and disables at least one function of the wireless-enabled device when the measured signal strength is less than the predetermined threshold value.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said transmitter is contained in a device comprising one of a set of earphones, a writing instrument, eyeglasses and a wristwatch.

11. A system according to claim 9 wherein said wireless-enabled device measures the signal strength of said signal periodically.

12. A system according to claim 9 wherein the portable wireless-enabled device comprises a wireless handset and wherein the at least one disabled function includes the function for making outgoing calls.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the at least one disabled function includes the function for receiving incoming calls.

14. A system according to claim 9 wherein the wireless-enabled device is operable to bypass the automatic disabling of the at least one function.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the bypass option is executed upon receipt of a valid password.

16. A system according to claim 14 wherein the bypass option is deactivated after a predetermined time period.

17. A method for selectively locking a Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset, said method comprising:

transmitting a Bluetooth signal using a transmitter separate from the handset;

receiving a user-designated threshold value representing a maximum distance that the transmitter can be separated from the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset;

monitoring said signal using the wireless handset;

automatically locking the wireless handset to prevent use of the handset when a determination is made that the strength of the monitored signal is less than the user-designated threshold value; and

automatically unlocking the wireless handset when the signal strength is equal to or greater than the user-designated threshold value.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said transmitter is incorporated in a device that is wearable on the person of a user or a device capable of being carried on the person of a user.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said transmitter is incorporated in a device comprising one of a set of earphones, a writing instrument, eyeglasses and a wristwatch.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein locking the handset prevents both incoming and outgoing calls.

21. A method according to claim 17 wherein the method further comprises providing a bypass option for bypassing the locking step.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the bypass option is executed upon receipt of a valid password.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein the bypass option is deactivated after a predetermined time period.