IP Library Granted Patent US 10,631,167
Granted Patent B2
US 10,631,167 · App. 16/402,866 · Granted Apr 21, 2020

Computing device with environment aware features

Inventors: Ahmed E. Hassan (Kingston, CA); Denny Chiu (Milton, CA); John Ferguson Wilson (Waterloo, CA)
Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
H04W12/08G06F21/31G06F21/62H04M1/66H04M1/72572H04M1/72577H04W4/021H04W4/029G06F2221/2105G06F2221/2111G06F2221/2137H04M1/72519H04W4/02H04W88/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,631,167
App. No.
16/402,866
Granted
Apr 21, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic device is provided which automatically adjusts settings based on the environment of the electronic device. The settings of the electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the electronic device.

Claims (37)

1. An electronic device comprising:

a processor configured to:

determine that the electronic device is in a first location;

automatically lock the electronic device as a result of an absence of user interaction with the electronic device before expiry of a first time period, wherein the first time period is based on the first location;

determine that the electronic device is in a second location, wherein the second location is different than the first location; and

automatically lock the electronic device as a result of an absence of user interaction with the electronic device before expiry of a second time period, wherein the second time period is based on the second location, and wherein the second time period is different than the first time period.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on GPS.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on communication using a short-range communications system.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on communication with a wireless LAN.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on communication with a base station.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on communication with another device.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on location of the electronic device relative to another device.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a current location of the electronic device based on proximity of the electronic device relative to its user.

9. A method performed by an electronic device, the method comprising:

determining that the electronic device is in a first location;

automatically locking the electronic device as a result of an absence of user interaction with the electronic device before expiry of a first time period, wherein the first time period is based on the first location;

determining that the electronic device is in a second location, wherein the second location is different than the first location; and

automatically locking the electronic device as a result of an absence of user interaction with the electronic device before expiry of a second time period, wherein the second time period is based on the second location, and wherein the second time period is different than the first time period.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on GPS.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication using a short-range communications system.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication with a wireless LAN.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication with a base station.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication with another device.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on location of the electronic device relative to another device.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on proximity of the electronic device relative to its user.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

determine that the electronic device is in a first location;

automatically lock the electronic device as a result of an absence of user interaction with the electronic device before expiry of a first time period, wherein the first time period is based on the first location;

determine that the electronic device is in a second location, wherein the second location is different than the first location; and

automatically lock the electronic device as a result of an absence of user interaction with the electronic device before expiry of a second time period, wherein the second time period is based on the second location, and wherein the second time period is different than the first time period.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on GPS.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication using a short-range communications system.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication with a wireless LAN.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication with a base station.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on communication with another device.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on location of the electronic device relative to another device.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein a current location of the electronic device is determined based on proximity of the electronic device relative to its user.

Assignments (8)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDED PATENT NUMBER TO REMOVE PATENT NO. 8,873,407 AT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 64066 FRAME 1. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE DATE MARCH 20, 2023. Recorded Feb 2, 2026
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 074921/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE COVER SHEET AT PAGE 50 TO REMOVE 12817157 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 063471 FRAME 0474. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 064806/0669 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT 12817157 APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064015 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064807/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064066/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064015/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 063471/0474 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2019
From: HASSAN, AHMED E.; CHIU, DENNY; WILSON, J.F. SEAN
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 049075/0631 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 3, 2019
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 049085/0351 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 16017074 · Jun 25, 2018
Continuation 15137685 · Apr 25, 2016
Continuation 14853486 · Sep 14, 2015
Continuation 14260375 · Apr 24, 2014
Continuation 12987583 · Jan 10, 2011
Division 12538851 · Aug 10, 2009
Continuation 11687354 · Mar 16, 2007
Continuation 10786030 · Feb 26, 2004
Related Publication 20190261183A1 · Aug 22, 2019