Computing device, method and system for controlling the accessibility of data

Inventors: Norman Shaw (Warmington, GB); John Pragnell (Warmington, GB)

Assignee: EXACTTRAK LIMITED

G06F21/6218 G06F21/602 H04L9/3213 H04W12/63

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12694141
App. No.: 17/599,364
Granted: Jul 28, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A computing device for controlling the accessibility of data is described herein. A first network interface is configured to communicate via a first network, and a second network interface is configured to communicate via a second network. A processor is coupled to the first and second network interfaces. The processor is configured to make a determination about whether to provide access to data in response to receiving a first token via the first network, and a second token via the second network. The determination about whether to provide access to data is based on a comparison of the first token and the second token.

Claims (31)

1 . A computing device for controlling the accessibility of selected components coupled to the computing device, the computing device comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate with at least one beacon in proximity to the computing device; and

wherein the computing device is configured to receive, via the network interface, at least one signal from the at least one beacon, and wherein the computing device is configured to make a determination about whether to provide access to the components based on

(a) a security policy received from an authentication server or held locally on the computing device, wherein the security policy determines permissions of users of the computing device;

(b) the received at least one signal from the at least one beacon; and

wherein the at least one signal from the at least one beacon comprises information indicative of a location of the at least one beacon and wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based at least on the information indicative of the location of the at least one beacon.

2 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device comprises a first network interface for communicating over a first network and a second network interface for communicating over a second network, and wherein the computing device is configured to receive the at least one signal from the at least one beacon via the first network interface, and the security policy from the second network interface.

3 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is configured to make a determination about whether to provide access to the selected components also based on information relating to the user of the computing device and/or a unique identifier of the computing device, and wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based also on a unique identifier of the computing device.

4 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein providing access to the selected components is controlled via a physical means, wherein the physical means comprises at least one of (i) a physical switch and (ii) a power control module.

5 . The computing device of claim 1 , wherein providing access to the selected components comprises providing access to at least one of memory, audio sensors and imaging sensors coupled to the computing device.

6 . A method for controlling the accessibility of selected components coupled to a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining beacon information from at least one beacon in proximity to the computing device; and

determining whether to provide access to the selected components based on

(a) a security policy received from an authentication server or held locally on the computing device, wherein the security policy determines permissions of users of the computing device;

(b) the beacon information; and

wherein the beacon information comprises information indicative of a location of the at least one beacon and wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based at least on the information indicative of the location of the at least one beacon.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the method comprises receiving the at least one signal from the at least one beacon via a first network, and receiving the security policy from a second network.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the method comprises making a determination about whether to provide access to the selected components also based on a unique identifier of the computing device.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based also on the information relating to the user of the computing device and/or a unique identifier of the computing device.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein providing access to the selected components is controlled via a physical means, wherein the physical means comprises at least one of (i) a physical switch and (ii) a power control module.

11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein providing access to the selected components comprises providing access to at least one of memory, audio sensors and imaging sensors coupled to the computing device.

12 . An authentication server for controlling the accessibility of selected components coupled to a computing device, wherein the authentication server is configured to obtain beacon information based on at least one beacon in proximity to the computing device; and

determine the accessibility of components based on the beacon information and a security policy;

wherein the authentication server is configured to determine location information from the obtained beacon information;

wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based at least on the information indicative of the location of the at least one beacon.

13 . The authentication server of claim 12 , wherein the authentication server is configured to make a determination about whether to provide access to the selected components also based on information relating to the user of the computing device and/or a unique identifier of the computing device.

14 . The authentication server of claim 12 , wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based at least on the information indicative of the location of the at least one beacon, wherein the authentication server is configured to make a determination about whether to provide access to the selected components also based on information relating to the user of the computing device and/or a unique identifier of the computing device and wherein the security policy defines the accessibility of selected components based also on the information relating to the user of the computing device and/or a unique identifier of the computing device.

15 . The authentication server of claim 12 , wherein the authentication server is configured to provide access to the selected components by triggering the sending of a first token to the computing device via a first network, and a second token to the computing device via a second network, wherein the authentication server is configured to send the second token to the computing device via a second network and via the at least one beacon.

16 . The authentication server of claim 12 , wherein providing access to the selected components comprises providing access to at least one of memory, audio sensors and imaging sensors coupled to the computing device.