Method and apparatus for performing security control by using captured image

• US 9,558,338 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Lee, Tsung-Yin
• Primary Examiner(s): Serrao, Ranodhi
• Assistant Examiner(s): FIORILLO, JAMES N
• Application Number:
  US13/670,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20140129646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/305 by remotely controlling device operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data

Abstract

A method for performing security control includes selectively controlling at least one camera module of an electronic device to capture at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device. For example, the method includes: activating a screen lock function that is associated with a password; and when it is detected that a string that differs from the password is entered, controlling the module to capture the image and outputting the image. In another example, the method includes: activating a remote control function, allowing the electronic device to be remotely controlled, through at least one of a telecommunication network and a wireless local area network, by an application that runs on a processor of another electronic device; and based upon remote control of the application, controlling the camera module to capture the image and outputting the image. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for performing security control, the method being applied to an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

when a screen lock function of the electronic device is activated, receiving data for accessing the electronic device;

performing a checking operation by comparing the received data with stored data, the checking operation for determining whether the screen lock function should be deactivated;

generating a checking result of the checking operation indicating whether or not the received data matches the stored data;

generating a trigger signal according to the checking result to selectively deactivate the screen lock function of the electronic device; and

when the checking result of the checking operation indicates that the screen lock function should not be deactivated, controlling at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture at least one image indicating an environment of the electronic device at a time of the generating the checking result of the checking operation and outputting the at least one image so it can be accessed by an authenticated user of the electronic device,

wherein the screen lock function is associated with at least one of a password, a predetermined drawing pattern, a personal identification number (PIN) code of the electronic device or a biometric operation; and

wherein the checking result detects at least one of;

a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a drawing pattern that differs from the pre-determined drawing pattern is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a code that differs from the PIN code of the electronic device is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

or

a biometric operation that does not match corresponding information that is stored within the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the at least one image further comprises:

sending an electronic mail (e-mail) through the Internet to a domain which can be accessed by the authenticated user of the electronic device with the at least one image being attached to the e-mail.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein outputting the at least one image further comprises:

sending the e-mail from a first predetermined e-mail account to a second predetermined e-mail account, allowing the at least one image to be received by utilizing the second predetermined e-mail account through another electronic device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein outputting the at least one image further comprises:

sending the e-mail from a first predetermined e-mail account to the first predetermined e-mail account, allowing the at least one image to be received by utilizing the first predetermined e-mail account through another electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the at least one image further comprises:

displaying at least one portion of the at least one image on a screen of the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

displaying a predetermined message on the screen, allowing a person who enters a string to simultaneously or non-simultaneously view the predetermined message and his/her own image, an image within the at least one image.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the checking operation comprises at least one biometric checking operation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one biometric checking operation comprises at least one of a face recognition operation, an iris recognition operation, a fingerprint recognition operation, or a vein recognition operation.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a predetermined message on a screen of the electronic device, allowing a person who enters a string to be encouraged to return the electronic device to an owner of the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the screen lock function is associated with a password;

and

the step of controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image for security of the electronic device further comprises;

when it is detected that a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function, controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the screen lock function is associated with a predetermined drawing pattern;

and

the step of controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image for security of the electronic device further comprises;

when it is detected that a drawing pattern that differs from the predetermined drawing pattern is input to try deactivating the screen lock function, controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the screen lock function is associated with a personal identification number (PIN) code of the electronic device;

and

the step of controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image for security of the electronic device further comprises;

when it is detected that a code that differs from the PIN code is input to try deactivating the screen lock function, controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device.

13. An apparatus for performing security control, the apparatus comprising:

at least one portion of an electronic device;

a storage unit; and

a processing circuit arranged to control operations of the electronic device,

wherein when a screen lock function of the electronic device is activated, the processing circuit receives data for accessing the electronic device, performs a checking operation by comparing the received data with stored data, the checking operation for determining whether the screen lock function should be deactivated, generates a checking result of the checking operation indicating whether or not the received data matches the stored data, and generates a trigger signal according to the checking result to selectively deactivate the screen lock function of the electronic device;

wherein when the checking result of the checking operation indicates that the screen lock function should not be deactivated, the processing circuit controls at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture at least one image indicating an environment of the electronic device at a time of the generating the checking result of the checking operation, temporarily stores image data of the at least one image in the storage unit, and outputs the at least one image, so it can be accessed by an authenticated user of the electronic device, for security of the electronic device;

wherein the screen lock function is associated with at least one of a password, a predetermined drawing pattern, a personal identification number (PIN) code of the electronic device or a biometric operation; and

wherein the checking result detects at least one of;

a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a drawing pattern that differs from the pre-determined drawing pattern is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a code that differs from the PIN code of the electronic device is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

or

a biometric operation that does not match corresponding information that is stored within the electronic device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing circuit sends an electronic mail (e-mail) thorough Internet with the at least one image being attached to the e-mail.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processing circuit sends the e-mail from a first predetermined e-mail account to a second predetermined e-mail account, allowing the at least one image to be received by utilizing the second predetermined e-mail account through another electronic device.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processing circuit sends the e-mail from a first predetermined e-mail account to the first predetermined e-mail account, allowing the at least one image to be received by utilizing the first predetermined e-mail account through another electronic device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing circuit displays at least one portion of the at least one image on a screen of the electronic device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing circuit displays a predetermined message on the screen, allowing a person who enters a string to simultaneously or non-simultaneously view the predetermined message and his/her own image, an image within the at least one image.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the checking operation comprises at least one biometric checking operation;

and

the processing circuit utilizes at least one optical input module of the electronic device to input biometric information, for performing the at least one biometric checking operation.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one optical input module comprises a front camera of the electronic device and/or a specific scanner module of the electronic device;

and

the at least one biometric checking operation comprises at least one of a face recognition operation, an iris recognition operation, a fingerprint recognition operation, or a vein recognition operation.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing circuit displays a predetermined message on a screen of the electronic device, allowing a person who enters a string to be encouraged to return the electronic device to an owner of the electronic device.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen lock function is associated with a password;

and

when it is detected that a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function, the processing circuit controls the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen lock function is associated with a predetermined drawing pattern;

and

when it is detected that a drawing pattern that differs from the predetermined drawing pattern is input to try deactivating the screen lock function, the processing circuit controls the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen lock function is associated with a personal identification number (PIN) code of the electronic device;

and

when it is detected that a code that differs from the PIN code is input to try deactivating the screen lock function, the processing circuit controls the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the at least one image and outputting the at least one image, for security of the electronic device.

25. A method for performing security control, the method being applied to an electronic device, the method comprising:

activating a remote control function of the electronic device based upon a trigger signal, allowing the electronic device to be remotely controlled, through at least one of a telecommunication network and a wireless local area network, by an application that runs on a processor of another electronic device; and

based upon remote control of the application that runs on the processor of the other electronic device, activating a security procedure by controlling at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture at least one image at a time of the security procedure activation and outputting the at least one image so it can be accessed by an authenticated user of the electronic device;

wherein the security procedure further comprises;

activating a screen lock function based upon remote control of the application that runs on the processor of the other electronic device, wherein the screen lock function is associated with at least one of a password, a predetermined drawing pattern, a personal identification number (PIN) code of the electronic device or a biometric operation;

receiving data to try deactivating the screen lock function;

performing a checking operation based upon remote control of the application that runs on the processor of the other electronic device, by comparing the received data with data stored on the other electronic device; and

generating a checking result of the checking operation based upon remote control of the application that runs on the processor of the other electronic device, indicating whether or not the received data matches the data stored on the other electronic device;

wherein the checking result detects at least one of;

a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a drawing pattern that differs from the pre-determined drawing pattern is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a code that differs from the PIN code of the electronic device is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

or

a biometric operation that does not match corresponding information that is stored within the electronic device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein outputting the at least one image further comprises:

displaying at least one portion of the at least one image on a screen of the electronic device.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

displaying a predetermined message on the screen, allowing a person to simultaneously or non-simultaneously view the predetermined message and his/her own image, an image within the at least one image.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

in a situation where the remote control function of the electronic device is activated, automatically displaying a predetermined message on the screen, allowing a person to simultaneously or non-simultaneously view the predetermined message and his/her own image, an image within the at least one image.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein outputting the at least one image further comprises:

sending an electronic mail (e-mail) thorough Internet with the at least one image being attached to the e-mail.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

wherein the screen lock function is associated with a password; and

when it is detected that a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function, controlling the at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture the image and outputting the image.

31. A computer program product implemented on a non-transitory computer readable medium, having program instructions for instructing a processor of the non-transitory computer readable medium to perform a method comprising the steps of:

when a screen lock function of the electronic device is activated, receiving data for accessing the electronic device;

performing a checking operation by comparing the received data with stored data, the checking operation for determining whether the screen lock function should be deactivated;

generating a checking result of the checking operation indicating whether or not the received data matches the stored data;

generating a trigger signal according to the checking result to selectively deactivate the screen lock function of the electronic device; and

when the checking result of the checking operation indicates that the screen lock function should not be deactivated, controlling at least one camera module of the electronic device to capture at least one image indicating an environment of the electronic device at a time of the generating the checking result of the checking operation and outputting the at least one image, so it can be accessed by an authenticated user of the electronic device, for security of the electronic device;

wherein the screen lock function is associated with at least one of a password, a predetermined drawing pattern, a personal identification number (PIN) code of the electronic device or a biometric operation; and

wherein the checking result detects at least one of;

a string that differs from the password is entered to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a drawing pattern that differs from the pre-determined drawing pattern is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

a code that differs from the PIN code of the electronic device is input to try deactivating the screen lock function;

or

a biometric operation that does not match corresponding information that is stored within the electronic device.