US 6,651,173 B1 · Calendar-induced desktop security

Abstract

For events scheduled within a user's calendar, a security mode is associated with the event. At the start of the scheduled event, the calendar notifies the security module of the security mode and the security mode is initiated. Different security modes may be defined, such as locking the system indefinitely, until the user unlocks the system with the password, locking the system for the duration of the event, or setting a shorter or longer inactivity period for a timer activated lock. Different event types may thus be matched with appropriate security modes, providing better overall security. The security mode, once initiated, may be maintained until the end of the schedule event, at which time the system may revert to a default security mode. Alternatively, the security mode may, by user specification or by default, be maintained until a different security mode is requested by the user, utilizing a password. The security system thus takes into consideration a user's behavior and scheduled activities in activating a system lock or other security mode.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method of calendar-induced security of data processing systems, said method comprising:

creating a calendar entry within a user calendar on a data processing system;
and
associating a security parameter with the calendar entry, wherein the associated security parameter specifies a security mode associated with operation of the data processing system to be initiated upon reaching a start time for the calendar entry.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Calendar-induced desktop security

Life of this patent

Calendar-induced desktop security

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30