U.S. patent application number 15/853870 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-17 for electronic apparatus and method of selectively applying security in mobile device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Seungman Kim. Invention is credited to Seungman Kim.
Application Number | 20180139609 15/853870 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52808104 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180139609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Seungman |
May 17, 2018 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SELECTIVELY APPLYING SECURITY IN
MOBILE DEVICE
Abstract
A mobile device includes a display unit to display a screen to
set the mobile device in a security mode and a condition as a safe
zone in the security mode, a user interface to receive a user input
to activate the mobile device, and a control unit to selectively
apply the security mode in response to the user input when a
current condition is identical to the set condition.
Inventors: |
Kim; Seungman; (McLean,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kim; Seungman |
McLean |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52808104 |
Appl. No.: |
15/853870 |
Filed: |
December 25, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15297069 |
Oct 18, 2016 |
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15853870 |
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14181728 |
Feb 17, 2014 |
9509822 |
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15297069 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 52/0274 20130101;
Y02D 70/166 20180101; H04M 1/72566 20130101; Y02D 70/142 20180101;
H04M 1/72563 20130101; H04M 1/72577 20130101; H04M 1/72583
20130101; Y02D 70/26 20180101; H04W 52/0251 20130101; Y02D 70/144
20180101; H04M 1/72572 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04M 1/67
20130101; H04M 1/673 20130101; H04M 1/7253 20130101; H04M 1/66
20130101; Y02D 70/1262 20180101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 12/06 20090101
H04W012/06; H04W 52/02 20090101 H04W052/02; H04M 1/725 20060101
H04M001/725; H04M 1/67 20060101 H04M001/67; H04M 1/673 20060101
H04M001/673 |
Claims
1. A mobile device configured to photograph an object, the mobile
device comprising: an interface unit configured to receive a user
input and to wirelessly communicate with an external device to
transmit or receive a data signal; a switch configured to change
the mobile device from a power saving mode to a normal mode; a
display unit having a panel configured to display a photographing
object, to display a first screen to set a password as a security
mode, a second screen to set an exceptional condition as a safe
zone of the security mode, and a third screen to receive the
password as a security check process of the security mode, wherein
the exceptional condition comprises a wireless communication
condition and an area condition; and a control unit configured to
not display the third screen and to change the mobile device from
the power saving mode to the normal mode without the password as
the safe zone of the security mode when a current location of the
mobile device matches the area condition and when a current
wireless communication of the mobile device matches the wireless
communication condition, and configured to display the third screen
on the display unit and to change the mobile device from the power
saving mode to the normal mode by receiving the password as the
security check process of the security mode when the current
location of the mobile device does not match the area condition or
when the current wireless communication of the mobile device does
not match the wireless communication condition.
2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the wireless
communication condition is a wireless connection between the
interface unit and the external device to transmit or receive the
data signal; and the area condition is an area in which the mobile
device is located.
3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the area condition is
associated with the data signal of the wireless communication
condition.
4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the area condition is an
area which is settable according to communication of the interface
unit with the external device.
5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the area condition
comprises an area defined by a line.
6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the area condition is an
area, a house, or an environment; the current location does not
match the area condition when the mobile device is away from the
area, the house, or the environment; and the current location
matches the area condition when the mobile device is in the area,
the house, or the environment.
7. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the external device
comprises at least one of a WIFI device, a wireless communication
station, a carrier service station, a service provider, a wireless
communication device, a network, another mobile device, a home
appliance, a vehicle, and a medical device.
8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a
sensor to detect a motion of the mobile device or to detect a
motion or image of a user.
9. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the exceptional condition
is set in the second screen after the password is set in the first
screen.
10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the control unit
determines whether the exceptional condition of the security mode
is met, after the mobile device is changed from the normal mode to
the power saving mode after the exceptional condition is set in the
second screen.
11. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the control unit displays
or does not display the third screen to change the mobile device
from the power saving mode to the normal mode, in response to an
operation of the switch after the mobile device is changed from the
normal mode to the power saving mode after the exceptional
condition is set in the second screen.
12. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the control unit performs
the security check process or the exceptional condition in the
security mode, in response to an operation of the switch after the
mobile device is changed from the normal mode to the power saving
mode after the exceptional condition is set in the second
screen.
13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the display unit
displays an unlock message section according to an operation of the
switch; and the display unit displays or does not display the third
screen according to a comparison between a current condition of the
mobile device and the exceptional condition, in response to an
operation of the unlock message section.
14. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the third screen is not
displayed when the switch operates and when a current condition of
the mobile device matches the exceptional condition; and the third
screen is displayed when the switch operates and when the current
condition of the mobile device does not match the exceptional
condition.
15. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the display unit displays
a screen including a menu to indicate a connection state of the
external device in which the interface unit wirelessly communicates
with the external device to transmit or receive the data
signal.
16. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the control unit requires
the password when the area condition is to be changed.
17. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the wireless
communication condition comprises at least one of a selection of
one of external devices, a connection state of the mobile device
with the external device to transmit or receive the data signal,
and a communication method of the mobile device with the external
device by using a carrier, a telephone number, or a personal
character.
18. A mobile device configured to photograph an object, the mobile
device comprising: an interface unit configured to receive a user
input and to wirelessly communicate with an external device to
transmit or receive a data signal; a switch configured to change
the mobile device from a power saving mode to a normal mode; a
display unit having a panel configured to display a photographing
object, to display a first screen to set a password as a security
mode, a second screen to set an exceptional condition as a safe
zone of the security mode, and a third screen to receive the
password as a security check process of the security mode, wherein
the exceptional condition comprises a wireless communication
condition and at least one of an area condition, a time condition,
and a signal condition; and a control unit configured to not
display the third screen and to change the mobile device from the
power saving mode to the normal mode without the password as the
safe zone of the security mode when the switch operates and when a
current condition of the mobile device matches the exceptional
condition, and configured to display the third screen on the
display unit and to change the mobile device from the power saving
mode to the normal mode by receiving the password as the security
process of the security mode when the switch operates or when the
current condition of the mobile device does not match the
exceptional condition.
19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein: the time condition
comprises a time period; and the signal condition comprises a
predetermined signal received from the external device and
recognized by the mobile device.
20. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the wireless
communication condition comprises at least one of: a selection of
one of a plurality of external devices to transmit or receive the
data signal; a connection state of the mobile device with the
external device to transmit or receive the data signal; and a
communication method of the mobile device with the external device
to transmit or receive the data signal by using a carrier, a
telephone number, or a personal character.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This U.S. non-provisional patent application is a
continuation application under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 of US
non-provision patent application Ser. No. 15/297,069, filed on Oct.
18, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.
non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/181,728, filed on
Feb. 17, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,509,822, in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT
1. Field of the Inventive Concept
[0002] The present inventive concept relates to an electronic
apparatus and method of selectively applying a security mode in a
mobile device.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] A conventional electronic mobile device, for example, a
cellular phone, is set to a security mode or a non-security mode.
When the set security mode is set, a user has to input a security
code by enter a password, an image, or a gesture though a user
interface unit. That is, a user has to input the security code
every time to access the mobile device set with the security
mode.
[0004] Even if a user is in a security safe zone, the user has to
enter the security code previously set in the security mode. In
order for the user to avoid inconvenience in the security safe
zone, a user has to disable the security mode to avoid any
inconvenience to enter the security code, and then later enable the
security mode.
[0005] Moreover, since the mobile device is accessed only with the
security code set in the security mode, no one is allowed to access
the mobile device without the set security code. That is, a person
having a high priority or authorization to access the mobile device
cannot access the mobile device of a person having a lower priority
or authorization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT
[0006] The present inventive concept provides an electronic
apparatus to selectively apply a security mode in a mobile
device.
[0007] The present inventive concept provides a method of
selectively applying a security mode in a mobile device.
[0008] The present inventive concept provides a computer readable
medium to contain computer readable codes as a program to execute a
method of selectively applying a security mode in a mobile
device.
[0009] Additional features and utilities of the present inventive
concept will be set forth in part in the description, which follows
and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be
learned by practice of the present inventive concept.
[0010] The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the
present inventive concept may be achieved by providing a mobile
device including a photographing unit configured to photograph an
object, an interface unit configured to receive a user input and to
communicate with an external device to transmit or receive a data
signal, a switch configured to change the mobile device from a
power saving mode to a normal mode, a display unit having a panel
configured to display a photographing object, to display a first
screen to set a password as a security mode, a second screen to set
an exceptional condition as a safe zone of the security mode, and a
third screen to receive the password as a security check process of
the security mode, wherein the exceptional condition comprises a
communication condition and an area condition, and a control unit
configured to not display the third screen and to change the mobile
device from the power saving mode to the normal mode without the
password as the safe zone of the security mode when a current
location of the mobile device matches the area condition and when a
current communication of the mobile device matches the
communication condition, and configured to display the third screen
on the display unit and to change the mobile device from the power
saving mode to the normal mode by receiving the password as the
security check process of the security mode when the current
location of the mobile device does not match the area condition or
when the current communication of the mobile device does not match
the communication condition.
[0011] The communication condition may be a wireless connection
between the interface unit and the external device to transmit or
receive the data signal, and the area condition may be an area in
which the mobile device is located.
[0012] The area condition may be associated with the data signal of
the communication condition.
[0013] The area condition may be an area which is settable
according to communication of the interface unit with the external
device.
[0014] The area condition may include an area defined by a
line.
[0015] The area condition may be an area, a house, or an
environment, the current location may not match the area condition
when the mobile device is away from the area, the house, or the
environment, and the current location may match the area condition
when the mobile device is in the area, the house, or the
environment.
[0016] The external device may include at least one of a WIFI
device, a wireless communication station, a carrier service
station, a service provider, a wireless communication device, a
network, another mobile device, a home appliance, a vehicle, and a
medical device.
[0017] The switch may include a sensor to detect a motion of the
mobile device or to detect a motion or image of a user.
[0018] The exceptional condition may be set in the second screen
after the password is set in the first screen.
[0019] The control unit may determine whether the exceptional
condition of the security mode is met, after the mobile device is
changed from the normal mode to the power saving mode after the
exceptional condition is set in the second screen.
[0020] The control unit may display or may not display the third
screen to change the mobile device from the power saving mode to
the normal mode, in response to an operation of the switch after
the mobile device is changed from the normal mode to the power
saving mode after the exceptional condition is set in the second
screen.
[0021] The control unit may perform the security check process or
the exceptional condition in the security mode, in response to an
operation of the switch after the mobile device is changed from the
normal mode to the power saving mode after the exceptional
condition is set in the second screen.
[0022] The display unit may display an unlock message section
according to an operation of the switch, and the display unit may
display or may not display the third screen according to a
comparison between a current condition of the mobile device and the
exceptional condition, in response to an operation of the unlock
message section.
[0023] The third screen may not be displayed when the switch
operates and when a current condition of the mobile device matches
the exceptional condition, and the third screen may be displayed
when the switch operates and when the current condition of the
mobile device does not match the exceptional condition.
[0024] The display unit may display a screen including a menu to
indicate a connection state of the external device in which the
interface unit communicates with the external device to transmit or
receive the data signal.
[0025] The control unit may require the password when the area
condition is to be changed.
[0026] The communication condition may include at least one of a
selection of one of external devices, a connection state of the
mobile device with the external device to transmit or receive the
data signal, and a communication method of the mobile device with
the external device by using a carrier, a telephone number, or a
personal character.
[0027] The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the
present inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a
mobile device including a photographing unit configured to
photograph an object, an interface unit configured to receive a
user input and to communicate with an external device to transmit
or receive a data signal, a switch configured to change the mobile
device from a power saving mode to a normal mode, a display unit
having a panel configured to display a photographing object, to
display a first screen to set a password as a security mode, a
second screen to set an exceptional condition as a safe zone of the
security mode, and a third screen to receive the password as a
security check process of the security mode, wherein the
exceptional condition comprises a communication condition and at
least one of an area condition, a time condition, and a signal
condition, and a control unit configured to not display the third
screen and to change the mobile device from the power saving mode
to the normal mode without the password as the safe zone of the
security mode when the switch operates and when a current condition
of the mobile device matches the exceptional condition, and
configured to display the third screen on the display unit and to
change the mobile device from the power saving mode to the normal
mode by receiving the password as the security process of the
security mode when the switch operates or when the current
condition of the mobile device does not match the exceptional
condition.
[0028] The time condition may include a time period, and the signal
condition may include a predetermined signal received from the
external device and recognized by the mobile device.
[0029] The communication condition may include at least one of a
selection of one of a plurality of external devices to transmit or
receive the data signal, a connection state of the mobile device
with the external device to transmit or receive the data signal,
and a communication method of the mobile device with the external
device to transmit or receive the data signal by using a carrier, a
telephone number, or a personal character.
[0030] The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the
present inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a
method performed in the mobile device as described above and
below.
[0031] The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the
present inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a
non-transitional computer-readable medium containing
computer-readable codes as a program to perform the method
described above or below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] These and/or other features and utilities of the present
general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily
appreciated from the following description of the exemplary
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
terminal to communicate with external devices according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electronic terminal
according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept;
[0035] FIGS. 3A-3D are views illustrating an electronic terminal
with a display unit and a user interface unit according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selectively
applying a security mode in a mobile device according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selectively
applying a security mode in a mobile device according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept;
[0038] FIG. 6A is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a
condition for a safe zone in a password setting mode of a mobile
device according to an embodiment of the present inventive
concept;
[0039] FIG. 6B is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a
condition for a non-safe zone in a non-password mode of a mobile
device according to an embodiment of the present inventive
concept;
[0040] FIGS. 7A through 7I are views illustrating screens of a
mobile device to set a condition in a mobile device according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept;
[0041] FIGS. 8A through 8F are views illustrating screens of a
mobile device to perform operations in a safe zone and in a
non-safe zone according to an embodiment of the present inventive
concept; and
[0042] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a mobile device to display a
user input menu within a user finger-reaching area according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of
which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The
exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain the
present general inventive concept while referring to the
figures.
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic terminal apparatus 110 to
communicate with one or more external apparatuses according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept. The electronic
terminal apparatus 110 may be a computer apparatus, a portable
personal computer, a mobile electronic device, a mobile phone, a
mobile tablet apparatus, a mobile tablet computing apparatus, an
audio or video recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a
photographing apparatus, a communication device, etc.
[0045] The external apparatus may be an access point (AP) 120 such
as a wireless access point device to connect to a wired network
using WiFi, WiFi direct, or related standards, a device 130 such as
a Bluetooth device or radio frequency identification (RFID) device,
etc, and a station for wireless communication such as a carrier
service station for 4G, LTE, etc. However, the present general
inventive concept is not limited thereto. It is possible that the
external apparatus may be another electronic apparatus. It is also
possible that the external apparatus may be an apparatus to
communicate with the terminal 110 to transmit and receive data
therebetween, and such an apparatus may be a home appliance, such
as a refrigerator or air conditioner.
[0046] The terminal 110 may be disposed within an area defined by a
line 120a distanced from the AP 120 or an area defined by a line
130a distanced from the device 130. The terminal 110 may
communicate with the AP 120 using the AP-related technology when
being disposed within the area defined by the line 120a, and may
also communicate with the device using the device-related
technology when being disposed within the area defined by the line
130a.
[0047] The terminal 110 may have menus and/or functions to
correspond to data (signal) of the AP 120, the device 130, and the
station 140. The terminal 110 may have menus and functions to
correspond to data (signal) stored in a storage unit of the
terminal 110.
[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic terminal
according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. The
terminal may include a control unit 210, a network interface 220, a
user interface 230, a display unit 240, an audio unit 250, one or
more functional unit 260, a power supply unit 270 including a
battery and a battery charging unit. The above components may be
disposed in or on a housing of the terminal.
[0049] The control unit 110 may control operations of the terminal
and may include a data storage unit, for example, a semiconductor
memory unit. The control unit 110 may be connected to an external
data storage unit disposed in the housing. The housing of the
terminal may include a port such that another external data storage
can be detachably attached to the port of the housing, and the port
may be connected to the control unit 110 to transmit and receive
data.
[0050] The network interface unit 220 may communicate with an
external network apparatus, for example, the AP 120, the device
130, and the station which are illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0051] The user interface unit 230 may receive a user input to
control operations of the terminal. The user interface unit 230 may
include a physical button or key board such as QWERTY keyboard. The
user interface unit 230 may have a sensor to detect a user gesture
as a user input. The user interface unit 230 may include a
microphone to detect a user voice as a user input. The user
interface unit 230 may be a sensor to detect an image as a user
input. The display unit 240 may include a screen to display an
image corresponding to operations of the terminal. The display unit
240 may include a panel or a touch screen to perform a function to
display an image and also a function to receive a user input. The
user interface unit 230 and the display unit 240 may be formed as a
single integrated body. The audio unit 250 may be a speaker and/or
a microphone.
[0052] The functional unit 260 may be a photographing unit to
photograph an object and to generate a signal corresponding to the
photographing object. The signal may be processed in the control
unit 210, displayed in the display unit 240, and/or transmitted to
the external apparatus through the network interface unit 220.
[0053] The power supply unit 270 may be connectable to an external
power source using a wired and/or wireless method.
[0054] The control unit 210 is configured to selectively perform a
security mode according to a condition set by a user when the
terminal receives a user input corresponding to a power-on, an
activation mode in response to a deactivation mode, a wake-up mode
in response to a sleep mode, and/or a normal mode in response to a
power-saving mode. The activation, wake-up, and normal mode may be
usable as a common function of the terminal or may be usable
differently, according to a design or user preference. The
condition may be a safe zone condition in a security mode or may be
a non-safe zone in a non-security mode, for example. After the
condition is set in a normal mode of the terminal, the terminal is
changed to the deactivation mode (the sleep mode or the
power-saving mode) a predetermined time after the normal mode or a
predetermined time after no user input. And then the terminal
provides a process for the security mode or does not provide the
process for the security mode according to the condition when being
changed to the activation mode (wake-up mode or the normal mode)
according to the user input.
[0055] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrating an electronic terminal 300 formed
with a display unit and a user interface unit to display screens
300a-300d corresponding to operations of the electronic terminal
300 according to an embodiment of the present inventive
concept.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the screen 300a of the terminal
300 A does not show an image according to a deactivation mode, a
sleep mode, or a power saving mode. The terminal 300 may have a
power switch 311 and a switch 312 as a user input. The power switch
311 may be usable to turn on and off the terminal, and the switch
312 may be usable to change a mode of the terminal 300, that is, to
change from the deactivation mode, the sleep mode, or the power
saving mode to an activation mode, a wake-up mode, or a normal
mode. The switch 312 may be a sensor to detect a motion of the
terminal 300 or to detect a motion (image) of a user as a user
input.
[0057] When the switch 312 of FIG. 3A is selected, the screen 300b
of FIG. 3B may be displayed on a display unit to unlock or select a
security process to access the terminal 300 in a security mode. The
screen 300b may include a state section 321 and a menu section 322.
The state section 321 may include a communication state with the AP
120, the device 130, and/or the station 321 of FIG. 1, and may also
include other states corresponding to operations or functions set
in the terminal 300 or environment around the terminal 300. The
other states may include a time display or a battery state display,
a temperature state display, a weather state display, etc. When the
terminal 300 is in a power-on state, the terminal monitors,
detects, determines, and/or performs communications with external
devices to correspond to the above-described states of the state
section 321.
[0058] When a menu to unlock the terminal 300 is selected from the
screen 300b, the screen 300c is displayed to show a security check
process, for example, a password input process, as illustrated in
FIG. 3C. The screen 300c may include a state section 331 and a menu
section 332 having a password indication section 332a and a
password input section 332b. When a password input by the user
through the password input section 332b is identical to a password
previously stored therein, the terminal 300 displays the screen
300d to show a state section 341 and a menu section 342 with menus
(or icons) 342a.
[0059] When a first predetermined condition is set in the terminal
300 as a safe zone in a security mode (password setting mode), the
screen 300a is change to the screen 300d without displaying the
screens 300b and 300c when the first predetermined condition is
met. When the first predetermined condition is not met, the
terminal displays the screens 200b and 300c to require a security
process to enter a password. When a second predetermined condition
is set in the terminal 300 as a non-safe zone in a non-security
mode (no password setting), the terminal displays the screens 300a,
300b, 300c, and 300d to normally access the terminal when the
second predetermined condition is met. When the second
predetermined condition is not met, the terminal 300 may not
display the screens 300b and 300c.
[0060] The state section of the screen 300d may include an image
corresponding to the safe zone and/or the non-safe zone according
to the security mode and/or non-security mode, respectively. The
state section may not be selectable by a user as a user input. The
menu section 342 of the screen 300d may include one or more menus
selectable by a user as a user input to perform a function or
operation of the terminal 300. The menu section 342 of the screen
300d may include a settings menu (icon) to set the security mode,
the non-security mode, the safe zone, and/or the non-safe zone,
etc.
[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of selectively applying a
security mode in a mobile device according to an embodiment of the
present inventive concept.
[0062] A power-on or activation switch is on in operation 410, a
control unit of the mobile device determines whether a
predetermined condition is met in operation 420. When the
predetermined condition is met, that is, the mobile device is in a
safe zone, the mobile device operates a normal mode in operation
430 such that a user can access the mobile device. When the
predetermined condition is not met in operation 420, that is, the
mobile device is not in the safe zone, the mobile device requires a
user to enter a password in operation 440 to authorize the user to
access the mobile device.
[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of selectively applying a
security mode in a mobile device according to an embodiment of the
present inventive concept.
[0064] A predetermined condition is set in the mobile device in
operation 510. When an activation switch is selected in operations
520A or 520B, a security mode is not performed to enter a normal
mode in operation 530 or the security mode is performed in
operation 540 when the predetermined condition is not met in
operation 510. That is, the mobile device selectively performs the
security mode according to selection of an activation switch as a
user input. The mobile device selectively requires a user to
perform the security mode. For example, when the mobile device is
in a safe zone according to the predetermined condition, the user
is not required to process the security mode to enter a password.
However, the mobile device is not in the safe zone according to the
predetermined condition, the user is still required to process the
security mode to enter a password. Here, the password may be a
character, number, motion, audio, and/or image.
[0065] FIG. 6A illustrates a method of setting a condition for a
safe zone in a password setting mode of a mobile device according
to an embodiment of the present inventive concept
[0066] A user selects a settings menu in operation 610, and then
selects a password setting menu in operation 620 to set the mobile
device as a security (password setting) mode or a non-security
(no-password setting) mode.
[0067] A predetermined condition for a safe zone is selected in
operation 630, and then is set in operation 640.
[0068] FIG. 6B illustrates a method of setting a condition for a
non-safe zone in a non-password mode of a mobile device according
to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.
[0069] When a user selects a non-security (no-password setting)
mode or does not set a security mode in the settings menu in
operation 650, the settings menu may further include a menu to
select a non-safe zone (or password-required zone) in operation
660. The predetermined condition can be set in operation 670 such
that the mobile device monitors a current condition thereof to
determine whether the current condition meets the predetermined
condition. When the predetermined condition is met, the mobile
device requires the user to enter a password to access the mobile
device in the non-security mode of the mobile device. When the
predetermined condition is not met, the mobile device does not
require the user to enter the password in a similar manner to the
non-security mode.
[0070] FIGS. 7A through 7I illustrate screens 700a through 7I of a
mobile device to set a condition for a safe zone of a security mode
or a non-safe zone of a non-security mode according to an
embodiment of the present inventive concept.
[0071] When a settings menu (button or icon) 710 is selected in the
screen 700a of the mobile device as a user input in FIG. 7A, the
screen 700b of FIG. 7B is displayed on a display unit and/or user
input unit of the mobile device to show a selection of "security
setting" 721 to set a security (password) as a security mode, a
selection of "all" 722 to apply the security mode to all functions
or operations of the mobile device, and a selection of a "safe
zone" 723 to prevent the security mode in a predetermined
condition. It is possible that the selection of "all" 722 and
selection of "safe zone" 723 may be displayed in a separate screen
from a screen of the security setting 721, that is, the selection
of "all" 722 and selection of "safe zone" 723 may be displayed,
performed, or selected independently after the security setting 721
is performed to set the security mode.
[0072] When a menu of the safe zone 723 is selected, the screen
700c is displayed to show an area menu 731 and/or a time menu 732
as the predetermined condition. It is possible that both the area
menu 731 and the time menu 732 can be selected and set as the
predetermined condition. It is also possible that only one of the
area menu 731 and the time menu 732 can be selected and set as the
predetermined condition.
[0073] When the time menu 732 is selected, a specific time or a
time period is set as the safe zone, using a new screen. Setting a
specific time or a time period is well known, detail descriptions
thereof will be omitted. When the time menu is performed to set the
predetermined condition of the safe zone, the mobile device
releases the security mode at the specific time or during the time
period such that the user can access the mobile device without the
security process according to the set time menu.
[0074] When the area menu 731 is selected, one or more area
settings are displayed on the screen 700d of FIG. 7D. The one or
more area settings may include a WiFi selection menu 741, a
Bluetooth selection menu 742, and a communication method selection
menu 743.
[0075] When the WiFi menu 741 is selected, at least one WiFi
network 751 can be input, detected and then displayed, or selected
as a safe zone in the screen 700e of FIG. 7E. When a user with a
mobile device stays in a house of the user, for example, and an AP
is located as a home use inside the house of the user, the AP as a
home use may be reliable network and environment to the user and
thus the home AP can be set as a safe zone. In this case, the user
does not have to enter a password every time to activate or access
the mobile device within an accessible area of the AP and/or inside
the house. However, when a user with a mobile device stays away
from the AP, the mobile device requires the user to enter the
password since the predetermined condition is not met or the mobile
device cannot communicate with the AP or lost a signal from the
AP.
[0076] When the Bluetooth (device) is selected, at least one device
761 can be input, detected and then displayed, or selected as a
safe zone in the screen 700f of FIG. 7F. When a user with a mobile
device is in a vehicle owned by the user, for example, the
Bluetooth and/or the vehicle may be reliable network and
environment to the user and thus the device can be set as a safe
zone. In this case, the user does not have to enter a password
every time to activate or access the mobile device within an access
area of the device, that is, within an inside of the vehicle.
[0077] It is possible that when a user vehicle is set as the device
or the AP for the safe zone and when a signal indicating an
emergence, for example, traffic collision or accident to the
vehicle, is generated from the vehicle and then transmitted to the
mobile device through the Bluetooth or WiFi, the mobile device can
recognize the received signal as a predetermined condition of a
safe zone so that the user can access and/or use the mobile device
without entering a password in the security mode of the mobile
device. Here, the vehicle and the mobile device are configured to
recognize the signal as a portion of the predetermined condition of
a safe zone. In this case, a combination of the selected device and
a specific or predetermined signal from the selected device can be
set as the safe zone of the mobile device, and when the mobile
device receives the signal from the device, so that the user can
access or use the mobile device without performing a security check
process in a security mode of the mobile device.
[0078] It is also possible that when a user medical device is set
as the device or the AP for the safe zone and when a signal
indicating an emergence for example, a life threatening situation
or accident to the user, is generated from the medical device and
then transmitted to the mobile device through the Bluetooth or
WIFi, the mobile device can recognize the received signal as a
predetermined condition of a safe zone so that the user can access
and/or use the mobile device without entering a password in the
security mode of the mobile device. Here, the medical device and
the mobile device are configured to recognize the signal as a
portion of the predetermined condition of safe zone. In this case,
a combination of the selected device and a specific or
predetermined signal from the selected device can be set as a
predetermined condition of the safe zone of the mobile device, and
when the mobile device receives the signal from the device, so that
the user can access or use the mobile device without performing a
security check process in a security mode of the mobile device.
[0079] When the communication method 743 is selected, one or more
communication methods (CMs) 771 and 772 can be selected and set as
a safe zone on the screen 700g of FIG. 7G. In this case, a carrier
name 771 and/or telephone number 772 can be reliable to the user.
That is, when the user communicates with the person of the
telephone number and the carrier name, the user does not have to
enter a password to use the mobile device.
[0080] In the screen 700h of FIG. 7H, at least one or a combination
of the Wifi, Bluetooth, and communication method can be selected
and/or set in a menu 781 as safe zone.
[0081] When the security mode is not selected or set in the
settings menu 710 of the screen 700a, a menu 791 of non-safe zone
can be selected and set such that the mobile device is set to
perform a security mode in a non-security mode of the mobile
device. For example, an AP, a device, or a communication method is
set as the non-safe zone using one or more non-safe zone selection
processes similar to the safe zone selection processes of FIGS. 7D
through 7H.
[0082] FIGS. 8A through 8F illustrate screens 800a through 800f of
a mobile device to perform operations in a safe zone and in a
non-safe zone according to an embodiment of the present inventive
concept
[0083] FIG. 8A illustrates the screen 800a, a power on/off switch
811, and an activation switch 812. FIG. 8B illustrates the screen
800b including a state section 821 and a menu section 822. The
state section 821 may be similar to the state section 321, 331, and
341 of FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D. The state section 821 may include a
state indicator 821a to indicate a predetermined state and/or a
safe zone in a security mode. The states displayed on the state
section 821 may not be selectable by a user as a user input. The
menu section 822 may include one or more menus 822a and 822n which
are displayable on a display unit and/or selectable by a user as a
user input.
[0084] When a current condition matches the predetermined condition
as the safe zone, the mobile device displays the screen 800b by
skipping a security mode process. It is possible that the mobile
device can display on the screen 800c with a state section 831 and
a menu section 832 including a text message 832a and a selection
menus 832b relating to the displayed text message 832a when the
mobile device receives the test message. It is also possible that
the mobile device can display on the screen 800d with a state
section 841 and a menu section 842 including a telephone call
message 842a including selection menus relating to the telephone
call message 842a when the mobile device receives a telephone call
such that the user can access and use the mobile device.
[0085] The screen 800e of FIG. 8E illustrates a state section 851
and a menu section 852 including at least one menu 853. The screen
800e may be displayed when a password is entered in a security
(password-setting) mode, when a predetermined condition of a safe
zone is met in the security mode, or when a password is entered in
a non-security mode and in a non-safe zone. The menu 852 may be a
settings menu to select, change, or modify settings of the mobile
device. In this case, it is possible that the mobile device may
require the user to enter a password to select, change, or modify
settings when the screen 800e is displayed when a predetermined
condition of a safe zone is met in the security mode and
accordingly a security mode is not preformed.
[0086] FIG. 9 illustrates a mobile device 900 to display a state
section 911 and a user menu section 912 according to an embodiment
of the present general inventive concept. A user U holds the mobile
device 900 using one hand. At least one of user fingers UF of the
user one hand can be usable to select a menu to input a user input.
The user menu section 912 may include a user menu area 912b and a
non-user menu area 912c which are defined by a line to be a
user-finger reachable area and a user-finger unreachable area,
respectively. One or more menus or images displayed within the user
menu area can be selectable by a user using a finger without
assistance of the other hand finger, and one or more menus or
images displayed within the non-user menu area 912c may not be
reachable selectable by the user using the same finger. It is
possible that the non-user menu area 912c may not include a menu to
be selectable by a user as a user input. Accordingly, a user can
control the mobile device with one hand.
[0087] The present general inventive concept can also be embodied
as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium. The
computer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recording
medium and a computer-readable transmission medium. The
computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that
can store data as a program which can be thereafter read by a
computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium
include a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a
flash memory, a semiconductor chip package, CD-ROMs, magnetic
tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The
computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over
network coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code
is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The
computer-readable transmission medium can transmit carrier waves or
signals (e.g., wired or wireless data transmission through the
Internet). Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments to
accomplish the present general inventive concept can be easily
construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present
general inventive concept pertains.
[0088] As illustrated above, a mobile device can be set in a
security mode and the security mode can be set with a safe zone so
that a mobile device does not require a user to enter a password
when a current condition matches a predetermined condition of the
safe zone.
[0089] Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general
inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in
these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is
defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *