Access to applications of an electronic processing device solely based on geographic location
US7080402B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2111
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Applications/functions within an electronic processing device having a GPS card and antenna, such as a laptop or personal digital assistant, can be enabled only when in a specified geographic location. For each critical application/function, its accessibility is programmed to be enabled/disabled only in specified geographic regions. No additional passwords are required: access or abortion of an running program are automatic. The geographic regions can be input into the electronic processing device using GPS processing or using a graphical user interface on a map. Other methods of determining the boundaries of the appropriate geographic regions for each applications/functions are disclosed. An application/function will not be opened if the electronic device is not within the geographic region associated with the application/function. When an existing application/function is running and the user changes geographic regions, an abort message is automatically generated for those applications/functions that should not be active in the new geographic regions. A GPS card and antenna within the electronic processing device receive and process the device's current location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.