Identity verification using location over time information

1. A method for verifying the identity of a user of a mobile device, the method comprising:

determining, by the mobile device, the location of the mobile device over recent time to obtain a current route;

comparing, by the mobile device, a feature of the current route to characteristic features of previous routes; and

verifying, by the mobile device, the user if the feature of the current route matches a characteristic feature of the previous routes; and

prompting, by the mobile device, the user to enter authentication information to enable storing of routes if the feature of the current route does not match a characteristic feature of the previous routes.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

acquiring the location of the mobile device over time to obtain a plurality of routes;

identifying characteristic features of the plurality of routes; and

storing the characteristic features of the plurality of routes.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising assigning weightings to the characteristic features.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein determining the location of the mobile device over time comprises recording location coordinates and times.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the mobile device, location and time information from the user.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

limiting operation of the mobile device if a new route is detected, until the user's identity is verified by another method.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the characteristic features of previous routes are stored on the mobile device.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the characteristic features include a start position, an end position, locations at which the user spent more than a predetermined amount of time, and locations visited by the user more than a predetermined number of times.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the prompting occurs at regular time intervals.

10. A mobile device comprising:

a positioning unit for identifying the location of the mobile device at a plurality of times to obtain a current route and a plurality of previous routes;

a processor operable to receive routes from the positioning unit, to identify characteristic features of the plurality of previous routes, and to identity a feature of the current route; and

a memory, coupled to the processor and operable to store the characteristic features of the plurality of previous routes,

wherein the processor is further operable to compare the feature of the current route with the characteristic features of the plurality of previous routes and verify the identity of the user if the feature of the current route matches a characteristic feature of the plurality of previous routes; and

to prompt a user of the mobile device to enter authentication information to enable storing of routes if the feature of the current route does not match a characteristic feature of the plurality of previous routes.

11. A mobile device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the positioning unit comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS).

12. A mobile device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the positioning unit comprises a radio frequency positioning unit.

13. A mobile device in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising a wireless communication circuit operable to access a remote device associated with the user, wherein the processor is operable to verify the identity of a user prior to the wireless communication circuit attempting to access the remote device.

14. A mobile device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the characteristic features include a start position, an end position, locations at which the user spent more than a predetermined amount of time, and locations visited by the user more than a predetermined number of times.

15. A mobile device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the processor is further operable to prompt the user at regular time intervals.

16. A mobile device operable to verify the identity of a user of the mobile device, the mobile device comprising:

a means for determining the location of the mobile device over recent time to obtain a current route; and

a means for comparing a feature of the current route to characteristic features of previous routes stored on the mobile device and for verifying the identity of the user if the feature of the current route matches a characteristic feature of previous routes; and

a means for prompting the user to enter authentication information to enable storing of routes if the feature of the current route does not match a characteristic feature of the previous routes.

17. A mobile device in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising:

a means for acquiring the location of the mobile device over time to obtain a plurality of routes;

a means for identifying characteristic features of the plurality of routes; and

a memory means for storing the characteristic features of the plurality of routes in the mobile device.

18. A mobile device in accordance with claim 17 , further comprising an interface means for enabling the user to activate and deactivate the means for tracking the location of the mobile device over time.

19. A mobile device in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the characteristic features include a start position, an end position, locations at which the user spent more than a predetermined amount of time, and locations visited by the user more than a predetermined number of times.

20. A mobile device in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the prompting occurs at regular time intervals.