Apparatus and method for controlled sharing of personal information
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlled sharing of personal information, the apparatus being operable in a plurality of information sharing modes, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of applications each independently operable to share personal information with other devices according to the information sharing modes;
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory and operable to execute computer executable instructions to;
detect a request on the device to alter the information sharing mode; and
alter the information sharing mode in response to the detected request by notifying the plurality of applications of the detected request and controlling the ability of the plurality of applications to share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode, the altering comprising ensuring the plurality of applications share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlled sharing of personal information are provided which allow confident and accurate indications of, and alterations to, the level of personal information being shared by all personal information sharing capable (i.e. source) applications of a portable electronic device. Controlled personal information sharing is achieved through the application of sharing modes which are enabled through the cooperation of a plurality of applications which share personal information, a detecting module which detects requests to control the continued sharing of personal information and a controlling module controls the continued sharing of personal information by the plurality of applications. A universal sharing toggle is provided which allows a user of a portable electronic device to control the sharing of all personal information by the device. A personal information sharing icon is provided which gives a user of a portable electronic device a quick indication of the present state of the device'"'"'s sharing mode. In cooperation, the universal sharing toggle and personal information sharing icon provide a user of a portable electronic device with a highly useable and efficient mechanism to control the amount of privacy provided by the device by restricting or allowing personal information to be shared.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlled sharing of personal information, the apparatus being operable in a plurality of information sharing modes, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of applications each independently operable to share personal information with other devices according to the information sharing modes; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and operable to execute computer executable instructions to; detect a request on the device to alter the information sharing mode; and alter the information sharing mode in response to the detected request by notifying the plurality of applications of the detected request and controlling the ability of the plurality of applications to share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode, the altering comprising ensuring the plurality of applications share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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6. A method to control sharing of personal information from a portable electronic device to other devices, the method comprising:
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operating the portable electronic device in a plurality of information sharing modes, the portable electronic device comprising a plurality of applications each independently operable to share personal information with the other devices according to the information sharing modes; detecting a request on the device to alter information sharing mode; and altering the information sharing mode in response to the detected request by notifying the plurality of applications of the detected request and controlling the ability of the plurality of applications to share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode, the altering comprising ensuring the plurality of applications share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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11. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions to control sharing of personal information from a portable electronic device to other devices, the portable electronic device being operable in a plurality of information sharing modes and comprising a plurality of applications each independently operable to share personal information with the other devices according to the information sharing modes, the computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
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detecting a request on the device to alter the information sharing; and altering the information sharing mode in response to the detected request by notifying the plurality of applications of the detected request and controlling the ability of the plurality of applications to share personal information according to the requested information sharing, the altering comprising ensuring the plurality of applications share personal information according to the requested information sharing mode.
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Specification