Transferable device with alterable usage functionality

• US 20080032682A1
• Filed: 06/23/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Tegreene, Clarence T., Lord, Robert W., Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D., Wood, Lowell L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,106,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• 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 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8088 involving increased rates, e.g. spam messaging billing differentiation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/886 limit per terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/053 remote terminal provisioning, e.g. of applets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42136 Administration or customisation of services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 Transfer of terminal data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method and device for providing a transferable device with alterable usage functionality includes but is not limited to a method including receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device, responding to the request from the user by activating a first mode, the first mode to alter the one or more functions on the mobile device, and enabling a remote authentication function to allow the user to remotely alter the first mode to at least a second mode.

Claims

1. A method for altering functionality of a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device;

responding to the request from the user by activating a first mode, the first mode to alter the one or more functions on the mobile device; and

enabling a remote authentication function to allow the user to remotely alter the first mode to at least a second mode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device includes:

receiving the request from the user to restrict the one or more functions of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving the request from the user to restrict the one or more functions of the mobile device includes:

restricting the one or more functions of the mobile device to a base function set.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the restricting the one or more functions of the mobile device to a base function set includes:

defining the base function set to restrict the one or more functions of the mobile device to functions independent of user personalization.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the restricting the one or more functions of the mobile device to a base function set includes:

determining the base function set as a restricted set of the one or more functions, the restricted set allowing any incoming telephone calls and restricting all outgoing telephone calls to a predetermined list of recipients.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device includes:

receiving the request from the user via a network connection activated by one or more of a first mode key on the mobile device, a cryptographic signal over the network connection, a voice command to the mobile device, a remote activation character sequence provided over the network connection, a wireless signal provided to the mobile device, a fingerprint activation module on the mobile device, and a first mode locking device attachable to the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the receiving the request from the user via a network connection activated by one or more of a first mode key on the mobile device, a cryptographic signal over the network connection, a voice command to the mobile device, a remote activation character sequence provided over the network connection, a wireless signal provided to the mobile device, a fingerprint activation module on the mobile device, and a first mode locking device attachable to the mobile device includes:

receiving the request over a wireless network responsive to a first mode activation signal.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the responding to the request from the user by activating a first mode, the first mode to alter the one or more functions on the mobile device includes:

verifying availability of the first mode for the mobile device; and

transmitting a self-actuated code to the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the verifying availability of the first mode for the mobile device includes:

determining, for each of the one or more functions, whether the one or more functions on the mobile device are included in a fee plan associated with the user; and

disabling each of the one or more functions not included in the fee plan.

10. A method for a mobile device comprising:

receiving an activation signal to implement a generic mode with reduced functionality; and

reducing the functionality of the mobile device in response to the activation signal to enable the mobile device to function without one or more user-personalized features.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the receiving an activation signal to implement a generic mode with reduced functionality includes:

receiving the activation signal from a user via one or more of a button activator on the mobile device, a voice command to a network interface, a voice command to the mobile device, a key combination on the mobile device, a fingerprint recognition module on the mobile device, and a touch screen icon on the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the receiving an activation signal to implement a generic mode with reduced functionality includes:

receiving the indication from a network coupled to a service provider associated with the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the reducing the functionality of the mobile device in response to the activation signal to enable the mobile device to function without one or more user-personalized features includes:

reducing the functionality to the generic mode via identifying one or more of a default functionality setting, a factory-implemented setting and/or a user-specified generic mode setting.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the reducing the functionality of the mobile device in response to the activation signal to enable the mobile device to function without one or more user-personalized features includes:

altering the functionality of the mobile device to include basic functions of the mobile device included in a fee plan associated with the user.

15. A method for altering available services of a portable device, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a user to alter one or more available services on the portable device; and

implementing a fee-based alternative service for each service specified in the request from the user.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

responding to a termination request from the user to terminate the fee-based alternative service by substantially immediately terminating the fee-based alternative service.

17. A method for determining usage of a mobile device comprising:

transferring the mobile device;

selectively determining which of one or more features to restrict in connection with the transferring the mobile device; and

activating an instruction on the mobile device to provide near real-time restriction of the one or more features of the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the selectively determining which of one or more features to restrict in connection with the transferring the mobile device includes:

limiting one or more time periods associated with the one or more features.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the selectively determining which of one or more features to restrict in connection with the transferring the mobile device includes:

limiting operability associated with the one or more features.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the selectively determining which of one or more features to restrict in connection with the transferring the mobile device includes:

increasing one or more fees associated with the one or more features after a predetermined period of time.

21. A method for shared usage of a mobile device, the method comprising:

providing a first mode of operation for the mobile device to enable a first user to have access to certain functional aspects of the mobile device;

providing a second mode of operation for the mobile device to enable a second user to have access to a subset of the certain functional aspects; and

enabling a user-actuated transfer from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing a first mode of operation for the mobile device to enable a first user to have access to certain functional aspects of the mobile device includes:

providing a first profile on the mobile device for the first user, the first profile associating the first user to the first mode of operation for the mobile device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing a second mode of operation for the mobile device to enable a second user to have access to a subset of the certain functional aspects includes:

providing a second profile on the mobile device for the second user, the second profile accessible by the first user and the second user, the second profile editable only by the first user to provide the subset of the certain functional aspects.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the enabling a user-actuated transfer from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation includes:

responding to the user-actuated transfer via one or more of a network connection, a key sequence entered on the mobile device, a voice activated mode change request, and an internet request.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the enabling a user-actuated transfer from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation includes:

identifying a current user of the mobile device as the first user; and

determining an available second mode of operation in response to receiving a request for the user-actuated transfer.

26. A method for providing shared usage of a mobile device comprising:

enabling certain functional aspects of the mobile device on behalf of a first primary user; and

preventing access by a secondary user to a portion of the certain functional aspects in response to a user-initiated request.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the enabling certain functional aspects of the mobile device on behalf of a first primary user includes:

enabling personalization of one or more of the functional aspects of the mobile device on behalf of the first primary user, the personalization including one or more of a personal phone book, a skin for the mobile device, access to an internet port, and access to text messaging.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the preventing access by a secondary user to a portion of the certain functional aspects in response to a user-initiated request includes:

preventing access by the secondary user to the one or more of the functional aspects according to one or more filters available to the first primary user.

29. A computer program product comprising:

a signal bearing medium bearing at least one of;

one or more instructions for receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device;

one or more instructions for responding to the request from the user by activating a first mode, the first mode to alter the one or more functions on the mobile device; and

one or more instructions for enabling a remote authentication function to allow the user to remotely alter the first mode to at least a second mode.

30. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the signal bearing medium comprises:

a recordable medium.

31. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the signal bearing medium comprises:

a transmission medium.

32. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the request from the user to restrict the one or more functions of the mobile device.

33. The computer program product of claim 32 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving the request from the user to restrict the one or more functions of the mobile device includes:

one or more instructions for restricting the one or more functions of the mobile device to a base function set.

34. The computer program product of claim 33 wherein the one or more instructions for restricting the one or more functions of the mobile device to a base function set includes:

one or more instructions for defining the base function set to restrict the one or more functions of the mobile device to functions independent of user personalization.

35. The computer program product of claim 33 wherein the one or more instructions for restricting the one or more functions of the mobile device to a base function set includes:

one or more instructions for determining the base function set as a restricted set of the one or more functions, the restricted set allowing any incoming telephone calls and restricting all outgoing telephone calls to a predetermined list of recipients.

36. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device includes:

one or more instructions for receiving the request from the user via a network connection activated by one or more of a first mode key on the mobile device, a cryptographic signal over the network connection, a voice command to the mobile device, a remote activation character sequence provided over the network connection, a wireless signal provided to the mobile device, a fingerprint activation module on the mobile device, and a first mode locking device attachable to the mobile device.

37. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for responding to the request from the user by activating a first mode, the first mode to alter the one or more functions on the mobile device includes:

one or more instructions for verifying availability of the first mode for the mobile device; and

one or more instructions for transmitting a self-actuated code to the mobile device.

38. The computer program product of claim 37 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying availability of the first mode for the mobile device includes:

one or more instructions for determining, for each of the one or more functions, whether the one or more functions on the mobile device are included in a fee plan associated with the user; and

one or more instructions for disabling each of the one or more functions not included in the fee plan.

39. A mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

an activation module configured for receiving a request from a user to alter one or more functions of the mobile device; and

a functionality module in communication with the activation module, the functionality module configured for reducing the functionality of the mobile device in response to the activation signal to enable the mobile device to function without one or more user-personalized features.

40. The mobile device of claim 39 wherein the functionality module and the activation module are coupled to the processor, located within the processor, and/or located in the memory.

41. The mobile device of claim 39 wherein the activation module is configured for activation module configured for receiving an activation signal to implement a generic mode with reduced functionality.

42. The mobile device of claim 41 wherein the activation module is configured for receiving the request from the user via a network connection activated by one or more of a first mode key on the mobile device, a cryptographic signal over the network connection, a voice command to the mobile device, a remote activation character sequence provided over the network connection, a wireless signal provided to the mobile device, a fingerprint activation module on the mobile device, and a first mode locking device attachable to the mobile device.

43. The mobile device of claim 41 wherein the activation module is configured to enable a user-actuated transfer from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation.

44. The mobile device of claim 39 wherein the functionality module is configured to identify a current user of the mobile device and determine an available mode of operation in response to receiving a request for the user-actuated transfer.