Method for monitoring and controlling photographs taken in a proprietary area

• US 8,405,730 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2012
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Wun, Archer Chi Kwong
• Primary Examiner(s): Fan, Chieh M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garces-Rivera, Angel L
• Application Number:
  US13/479,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00103 specially adapted for radio transmission, e.g. via satellites H04N1/00098 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4406 Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity mechanisms actuated y cards, PIN or the like in apparatus for dispensing G07F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/444 to a particular document or image or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

Method for avoiding unauthorized images of a proprietor'"'"'s information from being transmitted outside the proprietor'"'"'s control. A photographic image captured with a camera incorporated upon the wireless handheld communication device is wirelessly transmitted to a proprietor'"'"'s server. The image is stored on the server after capture and transmission, preferably while the device is still in the photography-restricted geographical area that is under the control of the proprietor of the server. Once at the server, the photographic image is analyzed to determine whether or not the image is authorized for dissemination outside the proprietor'"'"'s control. Local storage of the photographic image can be prevented on the device which assures that the transmission and storage of the photographic image on the proprietor'"'"'s server is exclusive.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers, a photographic image captured with a camera incorporated upon a wireless handheld communication device, with the photographic image being substantially simultaneously wirelessly transmitted to the one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers and to a designated destination;

storing the photographic image by the one or more proprietor'"'"'s server in the event the photographic image has been captured while the device is in a photography-restricted geographical area under the control of the proprietor of the one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers; and

analyzing, by the one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers, the photographic image and determining whether the photographic image is authorized for dissemination outside the proprietor'"'"'s control.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising matching the stored photographic image with information identifying the device with which the image was captured.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the information identifying the device comprises at least one of a device specific code, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card identifier, and a phone number associated with the device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising matching the stored photographic image with information identifying an operator associated with the identified device with which the image was captured.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising determining release conditions of the stored photographic image based upon the identity of the probable operator.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein control over photographic functionalities of the device is wirelessly affected by a provider of wireless communication services to the device as an accommodation to the proprietor of the photography-restricted geographical area.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers providing an administrative policy to the device with the administrative policy controls photographic functionalities of the device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the administrative policy is provided to the device via wireless transmission.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising the one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers providing geographical boundaries which control the photographic functionalities of the device based at least on a location of the device and the geographical boundaries.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the geographical boundaries are provided to the device via wireless transmission.

11. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising transmitting, by the one or more proprietor'"'"'s servers, a message to the device enabling photographic functionalities of the device.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the enablement of the photographic functionalities of the device is limited to a predefined period of time.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the enablement of the photographic functionalities of the device is limited to a predefined number of photographs.

14. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the enablement of the photographic functionalities of the device requires telephonic communication between the device and security personnel associated with the proprietor.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the proprietor is one of a company, university and a government agency.