Switching an application, user, and security context based on device orientation

• US 8,464,337 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Mathew, Ashvin J., Estroff, Eric J., Schauer, Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): Cervetti, David Garcia
• Application Number:
  US12/830,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20100275256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 726/17, 713/164, 713/166
• US Class Current: 726/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A computer is adapted for changing one or more of the application, security, or user contexts based on the orientation of a component, such as a monitor. Changing the context responsive to the reorientation allows two or more users to use the same hardware to complete a transaction requiring at least two perspectives, for example, buyer and seller. In the background, transaction end points may be changed as well as establishment of a secure channel for supporting confidentiality of a user and their personal information. The computer so equipped may be applicable to many situations involving two parties, such as hospitals, personnel/human relations, banking, government benefits, and retail.

Claims

1. A method of adapting a computer for use in multiple operating environments, the method comprising:

associating, on the computer, each of the multiple operating environments with a respective orientation of a component integral to the computer, the component being adapted for use in at least a first orientation and a second orientation;

activating, on the computer, a first operating environment associated with the first orientation in response to orientation of the component in the first orientation, the first operating environment supporting a first application selected based on a first combination of user, function, and role;

detecting reorientation of the component to the second orientation; and

automatically activating, on the computer, a second operating environment associated with the second orientation, the second operating environment supporting a second application selected based on a second combination of user, function, and role.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises switching between a data entry application and an approval application based on component orientation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a role-based user identity based on component orientation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a security context based on component orientation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a function-defined user identity based on component orientation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first operating environment supports entry of data by a user of the computer, and the second operating environment supports transfer of the data from the computer to a remote server.

7. A computer comprising:

a processing unit for executing computer-executable instructions; and

memory storing computer-executable instructions for;

associating each of a plurality of operating environments with a respective orientation of a display of the computer, the display being adapted for use in at least a first orientation and a second orientation;

activating a first operating environment in response to orientation of the display in a first orientation, the first operating environment supporting a first application selected based on a first combination of user, function, and role;

detecting reorientation of the display to the second orientation; and

automatically activating a second operating environment associated with the second orientation, the second operating environment supporting a second application selected based on a second combination of user, function, and role.

8. The computer of claim 7, wherein the memory further stores computer-executable instructions for causing the display of the computer to be blank in a transition zone between the first orientation and the second orientation.

9. The computer of claim 7, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a function-defined user identity based on orientation of the display.

10. The computer of claim 7, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises switching between a data entry application and an approval application based on orientation of the display.

11. The computer of claim 7, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a security context based on orientation of the display.

12. The computer of claim 7, wherein the display is integral to the computer.

13. The computer of claim 7, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a role-based identity based on orientation of the display.

14. A computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method of comprising:

associating each of a plurality of operating environments with a respective orientation of the computing device;

activating a first operating environment in response to a first orientation of the computing device, the first operating environment supporting a first application selected based on a first combination of user, function, and role;

detecting reorientation of the computing device to a second orientation of the computing device; and

automatically activating a second operating environment associated with the second orientation of the computing device, the second operating environment supporting a second application selected based on a second combination of user, function, and role.

15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises opening a secure communication channel between the computing device and a remote server when the computing device is in the second orientation.

16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the remote server is in communication with the computing device over a wireless link.

17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:

verifying a digital signature of the second application; and

launching the second application when the digital signature is verified.

18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a security context based on orientation of the computing device.

19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a function-defined user identity based on orientation of the computing device.

20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein automatically activating the second operating environment comprises changing a role-based user identity based on orientation of the computing device.