Wireless/wired mobile communication device with option to automatically block wireless communication when connected for wired communication

• US 8,099,060 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Kirkup, Michael G., Brown, Michael K., Little, Herbert A., Robertson, Ian, Brown, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peaches, Randy
• Application Number:
  US10/976,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20060094442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,636 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.4, 455/456.4, 455/69, 455/426.2, 455/575.6, 455/575.7, 455/74.1, 361/683
• US Class Current: 455/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile wireless communication device also has at least one wired communication port. Enhanced security is achieved by permitting the device to automatically disable one or more wireless ports when connected to a wired port. Specific combinations/permutations of such automatic control may be effected by use of an IT Policy also resident on the device.

Claims

1. A mobile wireless communication device comprising:

a plurality of communication ports including at least two wireless communication ports and at least one wired port;

a computer driven control circuit connected to control communication via each of said plural ports; and

at least one security sub-routine incorporated into said control circuit;

the security sub-routine comprising computer program code for automatically;

selecting, so as to enforce a security policy resident within the control circuit, at least one wireless communication port, but not all of said at least two wireless communication ports, when said at least one wired port becomes connected for use, thereby leading to a selected wireless communication port;

disabling said selected wireless communication port; and

enabling said selected wireless communication port when a new wired disconnection is sensed,

wherein said at least one security sub-routine effects said automatic control by calling and utilizing an application program interface (API) for said at least one wireless communication port.

2. A mobile communication device as in claim 1 wherein said at least one wireless communication port includes an infra-red wireless transceiver circuit.

3. A mobile communication device as in claim 1 wherein said at least one wired port includes a USB port.

4. A mobile communication device as in claim 1 wherein said at least one wireless communication port includes an infra-red wireless transceiver circuit and said at least one wired port includes a USB port.

5. A non-transitory digital storage medium containing a computer program for controlling a mobile wireless communication device comprising a plurality of communication ports including at least two wireless communication ports and at least one wired port, a computer driven control circuit connected to control communication via each of said plural ports, and at least one security sub-routine incorporated into said control circuit, the security sub-routine comprising computer program code for automatically:

selecting, so as to enforce a security policy resident within the control circuit, at least one wireless communication port, but not all of said at least two wireless communication ports, when said wired port becomes connected for use, thereby leading to a selected wireless communication port;

disabling said selected wireless communication port; and

enabling said selected wireless communication port when a new wired disconnection is sensed

wherein said at least one security sub-routine effects said automatic control by calling and utilizing an application program interface (API) for said at least one wireless communication port.

6. The non-transitory digital storage medium as in claim 5 wherein said at least one wired communication port includes a USB port incorporated into a cradle for holding said mobile wireless communication device while it is wire-connected to a base unit.

7. A method for securing communication of a mobile wireless communication device having a plurality of communication ports including at least two wireless communication ports and at least one wired port, said method comprising:

selecting, so as to enforce a security policy, at least one wireless communication port, but not all of said at least two wireless communication ports, when said at least one wired port becomes connected for use, thereby leading to a selected wireless communication port;

disabling said selected wireless communication port; and

enabling said selected wireless communication port when a new wired disconnection is sensed.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one wireless communication port includes an infra-red wireless transceiver circuit.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one wired port includes a USB port.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one wireless communication port includes an infra-red wireless transceiver circuit and said at least one wired port includes a USB port.