Security for a personal communication device

• US 8,161,290 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: McQuaide, Arnold Chester Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US11/458,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20080034217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,100 Days
• Field of Search: 713182-186
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/675 the user being required to insert a coded card, e.g. a smart card carrying an integrated circuit chip
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

Security is provided to a communication device configured to accept a physical key device. A public mode of operation is activated for the communication device when the physical key is not accepted by the personal communication device. The public mode of operation allows access to a first set of functions of the communication device, where the public mode of operation prohibits access to a second set of functions of the communication device. A personal mode of operation is activated for the communication device when the key is accepted by the personal communication device, where the personal mode of operation allows access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device. A private mode may also be activated upon authentication of a user of the device, where the private mode allows access to a third set of functions. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A security system for a personal communication device, comprising:

a physical interface to the personal communication device configured to accept a physical key device for the personal communication device, wherein the physical key device is unique and individual to the personal communication device; and

logic of the personal communication device configured to activate a public mode of operation for the personal communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the personal communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the personal communication device, the logic further configured to activate a personal mode of operation for the personal communication device when the physical key device is accepted by the personal communication device, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the personal communication device;

logic of the personal communication device configured to automatically deactivate the public mode of operation after a set time period has expired when the physical key device is removed from the personal communication device,

wherein the second set of functions comprises device feature settings previously set by a user of the personal communication device to be activated for the personal mode of operation; and

the logic is further configured to relay to a communication network that the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the personal communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated by the communication network when the public mode of communication is not being employed,

wherein the personal communication device comprises a remote control to at least one of a television set and a television set top box.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical key device is an electronic device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphical user interface to the personal communication device configured to prompt the user to select which features of the personal communication device are designated as being accessible during a public mode of operation.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the logic of the personal communication device is further configured to activate a private mode of operation that allows access to functions that require authentication of the user of the personal communication device when the physical key is accepted by the personal communication device and the user has been authenticated by the personal communication device, wherein the private mode of operation is a mode of operation in addition to the public mode of operation and the personal mode of operation.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a biometric sensor built into the personal communication device, wherein the logic is configured to authenticate whether the user of the personal communication device is a particular identity using the biometric sensor and to activate the private mode of operation in response to a positive identification of the user.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical key device is built into a protective case for the personal communication device.

7. A method for providing security to a communication device comprising:

detecting acceptance of a physical key by the communication device, wherein the physical key is unique and individual to the communication device;

activating a public mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key is detected to not be accepted, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the communication device;

automatically deactivating the public mode of operation after a set time period has expired when the physical key is removed from the communication device;

activating a personal mode of operation for the communication device when the physical key is detected to be accepted, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device, wherein the second set of functions comprises device feature settings previously set by a user of the communication device to be activated for the personal mode of operation; and

relaying to a communication network that the physical key is not accepted by the communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the communication device when the physical key is not accepted by the communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated by the communication network when the public mode of communication is not being employed,

wherein the communication device comprises a remote control to at least one of a television set and a television set top box.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

prompting the user to select which features of the communication device are designated as being accessible during a public mode of operation.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

activating a private mode of operation that allows access to functions that require authentication of the user of the communication device, wherein the private mode of operation is a mode of operation in addition to the public mode of operation and the personal mode of operation.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

biometrically authenticating whether the user of the communication is an authorized user of the communication device.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the physical key is regarded as being accepted if the physical key is within range of being detected by the communication device using near field detection technology.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the public mode of operation prohibits device settings for the communication device from being changed by the user of the communication device, the device settings comprising at least a volume setting and designation of which capabilities are accessible to public users.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

storing information in the physical key that is accessed during a personal mode of operation by the communication device.

14. A security system for a communication device, comprising:

an electronic physical key for a personal communication device, the physical key configured to enable a public mode of operation to be activated in the personal communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the personal communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the personal communication device, the physical key further configured to enable activation of a personal mode of operation for the personal communication device when the physical key is accepted by the personal communication device, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the personal communication device, wherein;

the physical key is unique and individual to the personal communication device;

the second set of functions comprises device feature settings previously set by a user of the personal communication device to be activated for the personal mode of operation; and

the personal communication device relays to a communication network that the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the personal communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated by the communication network when the public mode of communication is not being employed,

wherein the personal communication device automatically deactivates the public mode of operation after a set time period has expired when the physical key is removed from the communication device,

wherein the personal communication device comprises a remote control to at least one of a television set and a television set top box.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the physical key is further enabled to a private mode of operation to be activated in the personal communication device when the physical key is accepted by the personal communication device and a user has been authenticated by the personal communication device, wherein the private mode of operation is a mode of operation in addition to the public mode of operation and the personal mode of operation.