Method and apparatus for configuring a device based on proximity to another device

A user device, comprising:

• a memory that is tangible and non-transitory for storing a configuration rule that (i) controls a configuration parameter for the user device, and (ii) is based at least in part on a required proximity between the user device and at least a first enabling device, wherein at least the first enabling device is a general-purpose device;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• determine, without further activation of the configuration rule, whether the configuration rule is satisfied;
• when the configuration rule is satisfied, configure the user device according to the configuration parameter, wherein the user device operates in accordance with the configuration parameter;
• and
• when the configuration rule is not satisfied, (i) disabling the configuration parameter, and (ii) disabling the corresponding user device operation.

An article of manufacture for configuring a user device, comprising a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement:

• establishing, in the user device, a configuration rule for the user device, wherein the configuration rule (i) controls a configuration parameter for the user device, and (ii) is based at least in part on a required proximity between the user device and at least a first enabling device, wherein at least the first enabling device is a general-purpose device, and wherein establishing the configuration rule in the device requires no further activation;
• determining whether the configuration rule is satisfied;
• when the configuration rule is satisfied, configuring the user device according to the configuration parameter, wherein the user device operates in accordance with the configuration parameter;
• and
• when the configuration rule is not satisfied, (i) disabling the configuration parameter, and (ii) disabling the corresponding user device operation.