Mobile device having increased security that is less obtrusive

• US 8,412,158 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Forutanpour, Babak, Momeyer, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, MAHENDRA R
• Application Number:
  US12/858,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20120046012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/411, 455/416, 455/456.2, 455/456.1, 455/410, 455/445, 235/382, 235/375, 713/194, 713/170, 713/183, 705/14.27, 705/40, 705/44, 710/306, 370/338, 370/395.21, 726/24, 726/2, 726/1, 726/5, 726/25, 726/6, 340/573.4
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/40 Security arrangements using identity modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for a mobile device to provide increased security that is less obtrusive. A mobile device includes a display device, a user interface, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to: implement a monitoring function to monitor the operation of the mobile device and to implement a plurality of monitor functions; and implement an authentication process to compare the plurality of monitor functions to a time period to determine an authentication value, wherein if the authentication value exceeds a threshold, a lock screen is implemented on the display device, and a user is required to enter a valid passcode through the user interface for authentication. Each monitor function may be associated with a pre-determined weight such that different monitor functions are given different priorities.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a display device;

a user interface;

a pressure sensor;

a processor configured to execute instructions to;

implement a monitoring process to monitor operation of the mobile device and to implement a plurality of monitor functions;

wherein the monitoring process is implemented after a user has entered a valid passcode;

wherein at least one of the plurality of monitor functions is based upon pressure sensor readings from the pressure sensor;

implement an authentication process to compare the plurality of monitor functions to a time period to determine an authentication value;

wherein if the authentication value exceeds a threshold, a lock screen is implemented on the display device, and

the user is required to enter the valid passcode through the user interface for authentication, and

when the threshold is not exceeded, the user is not required to enter the valid passcode;

wherein each monitor function is associated with a pre-determined weight; and

a memory configured to store the instructions.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined weights for the monitor functions are selected by the user.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is located on at least one of a backside, a frontside, or a side of the mobile device to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

4. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein the pressure sensor is at least one of a resistive pressure sensor or a capacitive pressure sensor.

5. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein the pressure sensor measures at least one of finger pressure, grip pressure, number of fingers, left hand use, right hand use, multiple hand use, location, or position to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon purchases utilizing a web browser.

7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of a contact list being deleted, different devices being called, different devices calling the mobile device, or different web sites being visited.

8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in battery charging.

9. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of different usage of applications, deletion of applications, or addition of applications.

10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in web sites visited.

11. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of changes of usernames or passwords associated with applications.

12. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon GPS locations being different from usual GPS locations.

13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein a monitor function is based upon a change in vocal sounds.

14. A method to provide security for a mobile device comprising:

monitoring operation of the mobile device;

performing a monitor process to implement a plurality of monitor functions; and

wherein the monitor process is implemented after a user has entered a valid passcode;

wherein at least one of the plurality of monitor functions is based upon pressure sensor readings from a pressure sensor;

performing an authentication process to compare the plurality of monitor functions to a time period to determine an authentication value;

wherein each monitor function is associated with a pre-determined weight;

wherein if the authentication value exceeds a threshold,

implementing a lock screen on a display device of the mobile device, and

requiring the user to enter the valid passcode through a user interface of the mobile device for authentication; and

wherein if the threshold is not exceeded, the user is not required to enter the valid passcode.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising allowing the user to select the pre-determined weights for the monitor functions.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is located on at least one of a backside, a frontside, or a side of the mobile device to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensor is at least one of a resistive pressure sensor or a capacitive pressure sensor.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensor measures at least one of finger pressure, grip pressure, number of fingers, left hand use, right hand use, multiple hand use, location, or position to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon purchases utilizing a web browser.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of a contact list being deleted, different devices being called, different devices calling the mobile device, or different web sites being visited.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in battery charging.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of different usage of applications, deletion of applications, or addition of applications.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in web sites visited.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of changes of usernames or passwords associated with applications.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon GPS locations being different from usual GPS locations.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein a monitor function is based upon a change in vocal sounds.

27. A mobile device comprising:

means for monitoring operation of the mobile device;

means for pressure sensing;

means for performing a monitor process to implement a plurality of monitor functions; and

wherein the monitor process is implemented after a user has entered a valid passcode; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of monitor functions is based upon pressure sensor readings from the means for pressure sensing;

means for performing an authentication process to compare the plurality of monitor functions to a time period to determine an authentication value;

wherein each monitor function is associated with a pre-determined weight;

wherein if the authentication value exceeds a threshold,

means for implementing a lock screen on a display device of the mobile device, and

means for requiring the user to enter the valid passcode through a user interface of the mobile device for authentication; and

wherein if the threshold is not exceeded, the user is not required to enter the valid passcode.

28. The mobile device of claim 27, further comprising means for allowing the user to select the pre-determined weights for the monitor functions.

29. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein the means for pressure sensing is located on at least one of a backside, a frontside, or a side of the mobile device to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

30. The mobile device of claim 29, wherein the means for pressure sensing is at least one of a resistive pressure sensor or a capacitive pressure sensor.

31. The mobile device of claim 29, wherein the means for pressure sensing measures at least one of finger pressure, grip pressure, number of fingers, left hand use, right hand use, multiple hand use, location, or position to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

32. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon purchases utilizing a web browser.

33. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of a contact list being deleted, different devices being called, different devices calling the mobile device, or different web sites being visited.

34. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in battery charging.

35. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of different usage of applications, deletion of applications, or addition of applications.

36. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in web sites visited.

37. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of changes of usernames or passwords associated with applications.

38. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon GPS locations being different from usual GPS locations.

39. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein a monitor function is based upon a change in vocal sounds.

40. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code for;

monitoring operation of the mobile device;

performing a monitor process to implement a plurality of monitor functions; and

wherein the monitor process is implemented after a user has entered a valid passcode; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of monitor functions is based upon pressure sensor readings from a pressure sensor;

performing an authentication process to compare the plurality of monitor functions to a time period to determine an authentication value;

wherein each monitor function is associated with a pre-determined weight;

wherein if the authentication value exceeds a threshold,

implementing a lock screen on a display device of the mobile device, and

requiring the user to enter the valid passcode through a user interface of the mobile device for authentication; and

wherein if the threshold is not exceeded, a the user is not required to enter the valid passcode.

41. The computer program product of claim 40, further comprising code for allowing the user to select the pre-determined weights for the monitor functions.

42. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the pressure sensor is located on at least one of a backside, a frontside, or a side of the mobile device to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

43. The computer program product of claim 42, wherein the pressure sensor is at least one of a resistive pressure sensor or a capacitive pressure sensor.

44. The computer program product of claim 42, wherein the pressure sensor measures at least one of finger pressure, grip pressure, number of fingers, left hand use, right hand use, multiple hand use, location, or position to provide pressure sensor readings for the monitor function.

45. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon purchases utilizing a web browser.

46. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of a contact list being deleted, different devices being called, different devices calling the mobile device, or different web sites being visited.

47. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in battery charging.

48. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of different usage of applications, deletion of applications, or addition of applications.

49. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon changes in web sites visited.

50. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon at least one of changes of usernames or passwords associated with applications.

51. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon GPS locations being different from usual GPS locations.

52. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a monitor function is based upon a change in vocal sounds.