US 8,577,294 B2Granted

Bluetooth security profile

AssigneeAT&T Mobility II LLC

InventorsMark Edward Causey, Scott M. Andrus, Adrianne B. Luu, Kevin W. Jones

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Abstract

A user configurable security profile defining relationships between a plurality of communications devices is utilized to secure a communications device in response to an occurrence of an event. In an example embodiment, the devices are linked together using a short range wireless communications protocol. If one of the devices becomes disconnected from the link, another device determines what actions to take based on the profile and the specific actions associated with the disconnected device. A device can be unlocked by providing a code, PIN, password, or the like. A legitimate disconnection from the link, such as turning a device off, or the battery dying, will not result in the remaining devices being locked. If a device is stolen and not recovered, the user can reconfigure the security profile to exclude the stolen device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

receiving, at a wireless communications device, profile data indicative of being provided by a wireless network device, the profile data comprising:
a first device identifier for a first device,
a second device identifier for a second device,
an event, and
a user-defined device action associated with the event;
monitoring, at the wireless communications device, a first value of received signal strength of first point-to-point wireless communications with the first device;
determining, at the wireless communications device, that the first value of received signal strength is below a first predetermined value of received signal strength;
determining, at the wireless communications device, that the first value of received signal strength being below the first predetermined value of received signal strength corresponds to the event;
responsive to determining that the first value of received signal strength being below the first predetermined value of received signal strength corresponds to the event, determining, at the wireless communications device, instructions based on the user-defined device action, wherein the instructions comprise an instruction to lock a user interface of the second device;
and
transmitting the instructions from the wireless communications device to the second device using second point-to-point wireless communications.

8 more elements

A wireless communications device comprising:

a memory comprising instructions and profile data received from a wireless network device, the profile data comprising:
a first device identifier for a first device,
a second device identifier for a second device,
an event, and
a user-defined device action associated with the event;
and
a processor coupled to the memory that, when executing the instructions, effectuates operations comprising:
monitoring a first value of received signal strength of first point-to-point wireless communications with the first device;
determining that the first value of received signal strength is below the user-defined value of received signal strength;
determining that the first value of received signal strength being below the first predetermined value of received signal strength corresponds to the event;
responsive to determining that the first value of received signal strength being below the first predetermined value of received signal strength corresponds to the event, determining first instructions based on the user-defined device action, wherein the first instructions comprise an instruction to lock a user interface of the second device;
and
transmitting the first instructions to the second device using a second point-to-point wireless communications.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/401,897Filed 22 Feb 2012 · continuation
Priority: 25 Oct 2007
Published: US 2012/0208463 A116 Aug 2012
Granted: 5 Nov 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G08B 21/0247
Data exchange details, e.g. data protocol: system arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
G08B 13/1427
By lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles: with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
G08B 21/0213
Specific application combined with child monitoring using a transmitter-receiver system: system disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded
G08B 21/0277
Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child: communication between units on a local network,…