System and method for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computerized device

• US 20050268084A1
• Filed: 08/06/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Owen, Russell N., Adams, Neil P., Little, Herbert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,251,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/24 Resetting means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0038 System on Chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Enhanced reset logic is included in a user'"'"'s computerized device so that the device owner (e.g., the user'"'"'s employer) can assure prompt reset (e.g., to insure device use of newly downloaded software versions or other control or security data) while still allowing user convenience (e.g., some limited continued normal use of the device before reset is forced upon the user thus permitting the user to avoid possibly aggravating losses of data and/or ongoing usage).

Claims

1. A method for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computer-based device, said method comprising:

(a) starting a device resetting process when resetting has been determined to be desirable;

(b) as a part of said resetting process, providing at least one instance of a user option for either (i) resetting the device and ending said resetting process or (ii) continuing to enjoy further use of the device without resetting it; and

(c) as a further part of said resetting process and at a time subsequent to step (b) if a user option to reset the device has not yet been taken, then forcing device reset to occur before ending said resetting process and permitting further use of the device.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) can be initiated by an entity other than a user of the device.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein step (a) is initiated by an owner of the device who is not an assigned user of the device.

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein step (a) is automatically initiated by downloading of a computer program or other digital data.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) provides N successive instances of said user option, N being greater than one.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein a predetermined time delay is provided between the occurrence of successive ones of said instances.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein said option is presented with a user-readable notification of the need to reset.

8. A method as in claim 5 wherein said N successive instances each include a user-readable notification of the sequential number of that option.

9. A method as in claim 8 wherein the user-readable notification of the option also includes notification of the maximum number N of instances whereupon reset will be forced.

10. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (c) includes a final user option only to manually cause reset but with no other continued use option.

11. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (c) is performed automatically upon the expiration of a predetermined time after performance of step (b).

12. A method as in claim 1 further comprising providing a notification to the user of a pending required reset to facilitate user-initiated set at a convenient time.

13. A method for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computer-based device, said method comprising:

(a) providing at least one instance of a user option for either (i) resetting a computer-based device when resetting has been determined to be desirable, or (ii) continued use of the device without resetting it; and

(b) forcing reset of the device at a time subsequent to performance of step (a).

14. A method as in claim 13 wherein step (a) can be initiated by an entity other than a user of the device.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein step (a) is initiated by an owner of the device who is not an assigned user of the device.

16. A method as in claim 14 wherein step (a) is automatically initiated by downloading of a computer program or other digital data.

17. A method as in claim 14 wherein step (a) provides N successive instances of said user option, N being greater than one.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein a predetermined time delay is provided between the occurrence of successive ones of said instances.

19. A method as in claim 14 wherein said option is presented with a user-readable notification of the need to reset.

20. A method as in claim 17 wherein said N successive instances each include a user-readable notification of the sequential number of that option.

21. A method as in claim 20 wherein the user-readable notification of the option also includes notification of the maximum number N of instances whereupon reset will be forced.

22. A method as in claim 14 wherein step (b) includes a final user option only to manually cause reset but with no other continued use option.

23. A method as in claim 14 wherein step (b) is performed automatically upon the expiration of a predetermined time after performance of step (a).

24. A method as in claim 13 further comprising providing a notification to the user of a pending required reset to facilitate user-initiated set at a convenient time.

25. Apparatus for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computer-based device, said apparatus comprising:

(a) means for starting a device resetting process when resetting has been determined to be desirable;

(b) means for providing at least one instance of a user option for either (i) resetting the device and ending said resetting process or (ii) continuing to enjoy further use of the device without resetting it; and

(c) means for forcing device reset to occur before ending said resetting process and permitting further use of the device if a user option to reset the device has not been timely taken.

26. Apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said means for starting can be initiated by an entity other than a user of the device.

27. Apparatus as in claim 26 wherein said means for starting is initiated by an owner of the device who is not an assigned user of the device.

28. Apparatus as in claim 26 wherein said means for starting is automatically initiated by downloading of a computer program or other digital data.

29. Apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said means for providing provides N successive instances of said user option, N being greater than one.

30. Apparatus as in claim 29 wherein a predetermined time delay is provided between the occurrence of successive ones of said instances.

31. Apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said option is presented with a user-readable notification of the need to reset.

32. Apparatus as in claim 29 wherein said N successive instances each include a user-readable notification of the sequential number of that option.

33. Apparatus as in claim 32 wherein the user-readable notification of the option also includes notification of the maximum number N of instances whereupon reset will be forced.

34. Apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said means for forcing provides a final user option only manually cause reset but with no other continued use option.

35. Apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said means for forcing operates automatically upon the expiration of a predetermined time after operation of said means for providing.

36. Apparatus as in claim 25 further comprising means for providing a notification to the user of a pending required reset to facilitate user-initiated set at a convenient time.

37. Apparatus for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computer-based device, said apparatus comprising:

means for providing at least one instance of a user option for either (i) resetting a computer-based device when resetting has been determined to be desirable, or (ii) continued use of the device without resetting it; and

(b) means for forcing reset of the device at a time subsequent to operation of said means for providing.

38. A digital storage medium containing a computer program which, when executed, provides a method for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computer-based device, said storage medium comprising a computer program for:

(a) starting a device resetting process when resetting has been determined to be desirable;

(b) as a part of said resetting process, providing at least one instance of a user option for either (i) resetting the device and ending said resetting process or (ii) continuing to enjoy further use of the device without resetting it; and

(c) as a further part of said resetting process, and at a time subsequent to step (b), if a user option to reset the device has not yet been taken, then forcing device reset to occur before ending said resetting process and permitting further use of the device.

39. A digital storage medium containing a computer program which, when executed, provides a method for surely but conveniently causing reset of a computer-based device, said storage medium comprising a computer program for:

(a) providing at least one instance of a user option for either (i) resetting a computer-based device when resetting has been determined to be desirable, or (ii) continued use of the device without resetting it; and

(b) forcing reset of the device at a time subsequent to performance of step (a).