Computing device with environment aware features

• US 7,869,789 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Chiu, Denny, Hassan, Ahmed E., Wilson, J. F. Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Addy; Anthony S.
• Application Number:
  US12/538,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20100005523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/410, 455/411, 455/412.1, 4554561-457, 455/566, 455/414.1, 455/550.1, 455565-567, 713/193, 713/194, 380247-250
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and mobile electronic device are provided which automatically adjust settings based on the environment of the mobile electronic device. The settings of the mobile electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the mobile electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for providing security to a mobile electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving an input signal from a first input device of the mobile electronic device;

determining a location of the mobile electronic device based on the input signal received from the first input device;

determining a security setting associated with the determined location, wherein the security setting is a home security setting when the mobile electronic device is within a predetermined proximity of a user'"'"'s home as determined by a predetermined home location, a work security setting when the mobile electronic device is within a predetermined proximity of a user'"'"'s work as determined by a predetermined work location, and an other location security setting when the mobile electronic device is not within a predetermined proximity of the home location or the work location; and

automatically applying the determined security setting on the mobile electronic device,

wherein the security setting includes a countdown timer value defining a duration after which the mobile electronic device will be locked if user interaction with the mobile electronic device is not detected, wherein the countdown timer value for the home security setting defines a shorter duration than the countdown timer value for the work security setting, wherein the countdown timer value for the other security setting defines a shorter duration than the countdown timer value for the home security setting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the security setting of each of the home location, work location and other location has a different level of complexity, the level of complexity of each security setting being associated with an extent to which the respective location is a secure location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the security setting includes a predetermined password to unlock the mobile electronic device from a lock mode which places restrictions on user access to the mobile electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the home security setting is more complex than the work security setting, and wherein the other security setting is more complex than the home security setting.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the security setting includes a predetermined password to unlock the mobile electronic device, wherein the predetermined password for the home security setting is more complex than the predetermined password for the work security setting, and wherein the predetermined password for the other security setting is more complex than the predetermined password for the home security setting.

6. A mobile electronic device, comprising:

a processor;

a first input device connected to the processor for receiving inputs;

the processor being configured for determining location information for the mobile electronic device based on input signals received from the first input device; and

a device lock module associated with the processor for;

receiving an input signal from a first input device of the mobile electronic device;

determining a location of the mobile electronic device based on the input signal received from the first input device;

determining a security setting associated with the determined location, wherein the security setting is a home security setting when the mobile electronic device is within a predetermined proximity of a user'"'"'s home as determined by a predetermined home location, a work security setting when the mobile electronic device is within a predetermined proximity of a user'"'"'s work as determined by a predetermined work location, and an other location security setting when the mobile electronic device is not within a predetermined proximity of the home location or work location; and

automatically applying the determined security setting on the mobile electronic device,

wherein the security setting includes a countdown timer value defining a duration after which the mobile electronic device will be locked if user interaction with the mobile electronic device is not detected, wherein the countdown timer value for the home security setting defines a shorter duration than the countdown timer value for the work security setting, wherein the countdown timer value for the other security setting defines a shorter duration than the countdown timer value for the home security setting.

7. The mobile electronic device of claim 6, wherein the security setting includes a predetermined password to unlock the mobile electronic device, wherein the predetermined password for the home security setting is more complex than the predetermined password for the work security setting, and wherein the predetermined password for the other security setting is more complex than the predetermined password for the home security setting.