Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method for controlling contents and an electronic device thereof are provided. An operation method of an electronic device includes the operations of setting an access authority for one or more contents, if there is a request for an access of at least one application to the contents, resetting the access authority for the contents, and controlling the access by the application to the contents in accordance with the reset access authority of the application for the contents.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 14, 2015 and assigned Serial No. 10-2015-0006857, and a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on May 18, 2015 and assigned Serial No. 10-2015-0068766, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to controlling an access authority of an application for contents. 
         [0003]    The Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of Things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a combination of the IoT technology and the Big Data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged. As technology elements, such as “sensing technology,” “wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure,” “service interface technology,” and “Security technology” have been demanded for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched. 
         [0004]    Such an IoT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things. IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected cars, smart grid, health care, smart appliances and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing Information Technology (IT) and various industrial applications. 
         [0005]    In a mobile communication terminal, a user may additionally install an external application performing a specific function in addition to applications embedded in an electronic device. In case of additionally installing the external application, the external application requests, at its installation, the user to provide an access authority for contents, so as to access the user&#39;s contents. In case that the application requests for the access authority for the contents, there may be a case where the purpose for application&#39;s requesting for the access authority for the contents is unclear. Also, there may be a case where it is difficult for the user to know whether the access authority requested by the application is necessary for which function of the application. Also, there may be a case where, owing to the access authority, although an operation unwanted by the user is generated, the user may have difficulty in recognizing the unwanted operation. As such, the electronic device cannot install the corresponding application if the user denies the access authority request. Accordingly, there is a need for a method for, even while installing an application requesting for an access authority, controlling the access authority of the corresponding application. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling an access authority of an application to contents. 
         [0007]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for controlling an access authority of an application having no direct access authority. 
         [0008]    An electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit to set an access authority for contents and, if there is a request for an access by an application to the contents, reset the access authority for the contents, and control the access by the application to the contents in accordance with the access authority that has been reset for the contents, and a display unit to display a result of controlling the access by the application. 
         [0009]    An operation method of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes the operations of setting an access authority for contents, if there is a request for an access by an application to the contents, resetting the access authority for the contents, and controlling the access by the application to the contents in accordance with the access authority that has been reset for the contents. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a contents access scheme in an electronic device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate an example of a scheme of accessing to a specific application in an electronic device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a contents access authority management technique according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  illustrate an example of designating access control target contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow of an operation of granting an access authority for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate an example of access control at the time of user direct input according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  illustrate an example of access control at the time of background input according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow of an operation of contents access control according to the presence or absence of user input and background input according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example of resetting an access authority of an application for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates an example of managing an access list by contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates an example of managing a background permission/block list according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a case where a user directly accesses to contents through an application having been set as access prohibition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates an example of application control at the time of accessing to contents through another application according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates a flow of an operation of access control according to contents access according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates a flow of an operation for contents control according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B ,  FIG. 16C  illustrate a screen for controlling an electronic device at the time of access of an application to contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates a flowchart for controlling an electronic device at the time of access of an application to contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  illustrates a flow of an operation for controlling an electronic device in case that a newly installed application holds an access authority for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  illustrates a screen for access restriction management in case that a newly installed application holds an access authority for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20A ,  FIG. 20B , and  FIG. 20C  illustrate a display screen for locking application control by contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  illustrates a flow of control according to setting of locking target contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 22A ,  FIG. 22B ,  FIG. 22C , and  FIG. 22D  illustrate an example of control for access restriction dependent on a contents storage space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  illustrates a display screen for locking control over a personal information storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  illustrates a flow of an operation for locking control over a personal information storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  illustrates a block diagram of a device for contents control according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present disclosure, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the disclosure in unnecessary detail. 
         [0037]    Below, the present disclosure describes a technology for contents control. In the following description, an electronic device may include at least one of a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an electronic book (e-book) reader, a desktop Personal Computer, a Laptop Personal Computer, a netbook computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), an MPEG Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player, a mobile medical instrument, a camera, or a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted Device (HMD) such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch). 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a contents access scheme in an electronic device. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , applications  120 ,  130 , and  140  each may attempt to access to contents  110 . If the applications  120 ,  130 , and  140  each hold access authorities for the contents  110 , the applications  120 ,  130 , and  140  each may use the contents  110 . 
         [0040]    Assuming that a specific application  150  holds no access authority for the contents  110 , the specific application  150  may access the contents  110  through another application  140  for which access is permitted. If using the aforementioned method, because even the specific application  150  holding no access authority is accessible to the contents  110 , a problem may occur in which information may be leaked or compromised with a user not recognizing the information leakage. To solve this problem, one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may check access authorities of another application  140  for which access is permitted and the specific application  150  having sent an access request to another application  140 , and perform control according to the access authorities. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate an example of a scheme of accessing to a specific application in an electronic device. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , a second application  220  may exist in a sandbox form. The second application  220  may operate within a Linux process, and use only its own allocated resources. The second application  220  may include constituent elements such as a broadcast receiver  222 , an activity  224 , and a contents provider  226 . The broadcast receiver  222  may provide a method for forwarding a message between respective constituent elements. The activity  224  may process a user input. The contents provider  226  may allow a first application  210  to use a database of the second application  220 . 
         [0043]    In case that the first application  210  intends to access to the second application  220 , the access to the second application  220  may use Inter-Process Communication (IPC). In this case, the first application  210  attempting access may perform a desired function, or send an intent to an application having desired data. 
         [0044]    In case that the first application  210  forwards a message to the second application  220  to which the first application  210  intends to access, the message may be forwarded to the contents provider  226  through the broadcast receiver  222 . If the first application  210  sends an intent message to the second application  220 , the intent message may be forwarded to the contents provider  226  through the activity  224 . Upon receiving an access request from the first application  210 , the contents provider  226  may check an authority of the first application  210  having attempted access. Thereafter, in case that the first application  210  having attempted the access holds an access authority for data  228 , the contents provider  226  may permit the access of the first application  210  to data  228 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , a first application  240  may access to a third application  230  through a second application  250 . In case that the first application  240  does not hold an authority of access to the third application  230  intended to be accessed, the first application  240  may attempt access to the third application  230  through the second application  250  holding the authority of access to the third application  230 . In case that there is an access request of the first application  240 , a contents provider  232  of the third application  230  may regard the access request of the first application  240  as an access request of the second application  250  for which access is permitted, and permit the access of the first application  240  to data  234  Accordingly, although the second application  250  having sent an access request holds an access authority for the data  234 , there is a need to determine whether the second application  250  attempts to access to the third application  230  through an access request of the first application  240 . If the second application  250  attempts to access to the third application  230  through the access request of the first application  240 , there is a need to check an access authority of the first application  240 , and block an access of the first application  240  in accordance with the checking result. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  illustrates a contents access authority management technique according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a client application  310  may include various applications including a Social Networking Service (SNS) application  312 , a search application  314 , a cloud application  316 , and a shopping application  318 . The various applications of the client application  310  may attempt to access to contents  321 ,  323 ,  325 ,  327 , and  329  of user contents  320 , respectively. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that the various applications of the client application  310  attempt to access to the contents  321 ,  323 ,  325 ,  327 , and  329  of the user contents  320 , respectively, an electronic device may manage access authorities of the various applications at block  330 . 
         [0048]    For example, the electronic device may add an access authority of a specific application to an once-permission or permission list, or add the access authority of the specific application to a block list, or add the access authority of the specific application such that background access is unavailable. 
         [0049]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may add an access authority of a specific application to a once-permission or permission list, or add the access authority of the specific application to an always permission list. Or, in case that the specific application attempts to access to specific contents, the electronic device may compulsorily stop the specific application or delete the specific application. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  illustrate an example of designating access control target contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0051]    A method for contents control according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may designate contents whose access will be controlled. The contents control method for designating the contents whose access will be controlled may be a system automatic designation method or a user selection designation method. In case of using the system automatic designation method, an electronic device may automatically designate a list of basic private applications and notify this to a user. If the user agrees to the designated private application list, the private application list may be designated as management target contents. 
         [0052]    Or, in case of using the user selection designation method, the user may directly designate a list of basic private applications, and may perform collective access prohibition designation or access prohibition cancelation for the designated contents. Even individual access prohibition designation or access prohibition cancelation is available. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the user may designate the management target contents through the user selection designation method.  FIG. 4A  illustrates an example of designating the private application list. The user may add contents, which will be designated as the management target contents, to a management target folder and manage a list of management target contents  410 . According to one exemplary embodiment, the user may add an application to the list of management target contents  410  through a drag scheme. Alternatively, the user may remove an application from the list of management target contents  410  through the drag scheme.  FIG. 4B  illustrates an example of access setting in the list of management target contents  410 . The user may designate contents to be access prohibition  422  or access permission  424  by the collective designation or the individual designation, as denoted by reference numeral  420  of  FIG. 4B . 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow of an operation of granting an access authority for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0055]    In case that a user installs an application, except for applications that do not request an access authority for contents in an electronic device, if the user does not agree to the access authority request of the application, the user may not install the application in the electronic device. Therefore, the user has to agree to the access authority request of the application. Accordingly, in case that a new application is installed in step  510 , the installed application may be granted an access authority for specific contents to acquire the access authority from the user. 
         [0056]    In step  520 , the electronic device may determine if the installed application holds an access authority for access control contents. In detail, the electronic device may determine if the installed application holds an access authority for contents included in a management target contents list. If the installed application holds the access authority for the contents, in step  530 , the electronic device may reset the access authority of the installed application for the contents. 
         [0057]    For concrete example, in case that the Social Networking Service (SNS) application  312  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is newly installed and, in the installation operation, requests and acquires an access authority for the contents  321  and  323 , if the SNS application  312  accesses to the contents  321  or  323 , the electronic device may reset an access authority level of the SNS application  312  for the contents  321  or  323 . 
         [0058]    For another example, in case that the access prohibition  422  of the installed application for contents included in the list of management target contents  410  is set as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the electronic device may reset the access prohibition  422  of the installed application for the list of management target contents  410 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate an example of access control at the time of user direct input according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0060]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may perform application access control dependent on the presence or absence of user input. In case that the application requests access to the management target contents  410 , if checking that the application accesses to the management target contents  410  through user input, the electronic device may permit the access by the application to the management target contents  410 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an example of a case where an application accesses to contents through a user input. For example, an application  620  illustrated in  FIG. 6A  may be an SNS application (e.g., the SNS application  312  of  FIG. 3 ), and contents  630  may be photos. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that a user  610  may directly access to the contents  630  through the installed application  620 , the electronic device may detect an application operation state as denoted by reference numeral  550 . 
         [0062]    In detail, the electronic device may determine if the access by the application accessing to the contents  630  is an access to the contents  630  through an external application. If it is determined that the access by the application  620  is the access through the external application, the electronic device may check a user input. If the user input is checked, the electronic device may permit the access by the application  620  to the contents  630 . According to illustration of  FIG. 6A , in case that the application  620  accesses to the contents  630 , if the user input is checked, the electronic device may permit the access by the application  620  to the contents  630 . Accordingly to this, the application  620  may access to the contents  630  and then perform an operation  640  using the contents  630 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the application  620  may perform an operation related with the contents  630 . For example, the application  620  may upload photo contents to a web. 
         [0063]    Even in case that an access authority of a specific application is set as “Access block” (or “Access denial”) in accordance with the access authority management  330  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in a specific case, the electronic device may permit the access of the specific application of which the access authority is set as “Access block” to specific contents. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, although the access authority of the application is set as “Access block,” in case that a user directly accesses to the contents through the application of which the access authority is set as “Access block,” the electronic device may set to permit the access by the application to the contents. 
         [0064]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of control to prevent an erroneous operation caused by authority resetting.  FIG. 6A  assumes an example of, in case that the user directly accesses through the application  620 , always permitting the access. Compared with  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B  assumes an example of a case where a user  610  directly accesses to contents  670  through an application  660  having been set as “Access block.” 
         [0065]    For example,  FIG. 6B  illustrates an example of a case where the application  660  is in the form of an SNS application (e.g., the SNS application  312  of  FIG. 3 ) having been set as “Access block” accesses to the contents  670  in the form of photos. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that the user  610  accesses to the contents  670  through the application  660  having been set as “Access block,” the electronic device may detect an application operation state  680 . At this time, in case that an erroneous operation occurs due to “Access block” in accordance with the application operation state  680 , the electronic device may notify this to the user  610 . 
         [0066]    In detail, the electronic device may determine if the access by the application  660  accessing to the contents  670  is an access to the contents  670  through an external application. If it is determined that the access by the application  660  is the access through the external application, the electronic device may check a user input. If the user input is checked, the electronic device may permit the access by the application  660  to the contents  670 . According to illustration of  FIG. 6B , in case that the application  660  having been set as “Access block” accesses to the contents  630 , if the user input is checked, the electronic device may notify the user  610  that the access to the contents  630  is prohibited and send the user  610  a request for resetting the access setting of the application  660  having been set as “Access block,” as denoted by reference numeral  690 . According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the user  610  may select one of “Always permission,” “Permission only at user input,” and “Always prohibition,” and again perform the access setting of the application  660 . If the user  610  selects “Always permission,” an access authority of the application  660  having been set as “Access block” may be changed into “Access permission.” If the user  610  selects “Permission only at user input,” the application  660  having been set as “Access block” may be changed to be basically set as “Access block” and, only when a user input is checked, access to the contents  670 . Also, in case that the user  610  selects “Always prohibition,” the application  660  having been set as “Access block” is set as “Always access block” against the contents  670  irrespective of the presence or absence of user input. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  illustrate an example of access control at the time of background input according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0068]    In an electronic device, even in case that there is no user input, an application may attempt to access to contents. The present disclosure calls a case where the application accesses to the contents without this user input, a background input. The presence or absence of background input may be checked by sensing user activation or inactivation through screen off, Central Processing Unit (CPU) background, etc. Also, in case that a user accesses to the contents through the application, the electronic device may determine if the application is operating a function related with the corresponding contents, and check the presence or absence of background input. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 7A , in case that a specific application accesses to specific contents, the electronic device may detect an operation state of the specific application. If the specific application operates without a user input, the electronic device may notify the user that the specific application accesses to the contents by a self-function, and request the user to set an access authority of the specific application. 
         [0070]    In an example of  FIG. 7A , the application  710  may be an SNS application (e.g., the SNS application  312  of  FIG. 3 ), and the contents  720  may be photo contents. In case that the application  710  having been set as “Access block” accesses to the contents  720 , the electronic device may detect an application operation state  730  and determine if the access by the application  710  is an access through a user input. Otherwise, the electronic device may determine that the access by the application  710  is an access through a background input, and display an access message  740  using the background input, to a user. For one example, the access message  740  may display “application is accessing to contents by a self-function” and also, may display an authority of the application  710  and a danger caused by the authority of the application  710 . In the example of  FIG. 7A , in case that the application  710  accesses to the contents  720  by the background input, the access message  740  may display that the application  710  is available for photo and video photographing, and display the authority (e.g., transmission to the outside) of the application  710 . Accordingly to this, the user may set the access authority of the application  710  by selecting one of “Always permission,” “Permission only at user input,” and “Always prohibition.” In case that the user sets the access authority of the application  710  for the contents  720  as “Always permission,” the access authority of the application  710  for the contents  720  changes from access block to access availability. If the user changes the access authority of the application  710  into “Permission only at user input,” the electronic device may add the application  710  to a background block list to block the access by the application  710  when the application  710  accesses to the contents  720  later through the background input. Also, in case that the user sets the access authority of the application  710  as “Always prohibition,” the application  710  may be set to always block the access by the application  710  irrespective of the presence or absence of user input and background input. 
         [0071]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in an example of  FIG. 7B , in case that the application  710  having been set as “Access block” accesses to the contents  720 , the electronic device may detect an application operation state  730  and determine if the access by the application  710  is an access through a user input. Otherwise, the electronic device may determine that the access by the application  710  is an access through a background input, and display an access message  760  using the background input, to a user. For one example, the access message  760  may display “application is accessing to contents by a self-function” and also, may display an authority of the application  710  and a danger caused by the authority of the application  710 . In the example of  FIG. 7B , in case that the application  710  accesses to the contents  720  by the background input, the access message  760  may display that the application  710  is available for photo and video photographing, and display the authority (e.g., transmission to the outside) of the application  710 . Accordingly to this, in case that the application  710  accesses to the contents  720 , the electronic device may display the access message  760  to the user such that the user may control the application  710 . The access message  760  may be a screen including “Always permission”  762 , “Permission only this time”  764 , “App compulsory termination”  766 , and “App deletion”  768  options. 
         [0072]    In case that the user selects the “Always permission”  762  option, the electronic device may always permit the access by the application  710  to the contents  720  and no longer notify that the application  710  accesses to the contents  720 . 
         [0073]    If the user selects the “Permission only this time”  764  option, the electronic device may once permit the access by the application  710 . In case that the user selects “Permission only this time”  764  option, when the application  710  accesses the contents  720  later, the electronic device may again display the access message  760  to the user. 
         [0074]    If the user selects the “App compulsory termination”  766  option, the electronic device may stop the application  710 . Also, if the user selects the “App deletion”  768  option, the electronic device may delete the application  710 . 
         [0075]    The aforementioned exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an example of a case where an application is an SNS application (e.g., the SNS application  312  of  FIG. 3 ) and contents are photo contents, but this is for description convenience, and it should be noted that the scope of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited only to the SNS application (e.g., the SNS application  312  of  FIG. 3 ) and the photo contents, but may be applied even to other applications and other contents. 
         [0076]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow of an operation of contents access control according to the presence or absence of user input and background input according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0077]    In step  810 , an electronic device may determine if an application accesses to access control (or management) target contents. If the application accesses to contents not being an access control target, the electronic device may not perform the contents access control. 
         [0078]    In case that the application accesses to the access control target contents, in step  820 , the electronic device may determine if the access by the application is an access through a user input. If the access by the application is the access through the user input, in step  830 , the electronic device permits the access by the application. 
         [0079]    In case that the application accesses to the access control target contents, in case that the access by the application is not the access through the user input, for example, in case that it is a contents access through a background input, in step  840 , the electronic device may determine if the contents access through the background input is permitted. If the contents access through the background input is blocked, the electronic device may proceed to step  850  and block the access by the application. If the contents access through the background input is permitted, the electronic device may proceed to step  830  and permit the access by the application to the contents. 
         [0080]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example of resetting an access authority of an application for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0081]    In case that a specific application accesses to specific contents, an electronic device may determine if an access authority is reset to the application, and may control contents access in accordance with the resetting or non-resetting. The resetting of the access authority of the application may be performed after of installation of a new application having an access authority or upon occurrence of access by the application to designated contents. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , in case that a first application  910  and a second application  920  attempt to access to data  944  of a third application  940 , the electronic device may determine if access authorities of the first application  910  and the second application  920  have been reset. In case that the access authorities of the first application  910  and the second application  920  have been reset, the electronic device may check the presence or absence of the reset access authorities of the first application  910  and the second application  920  for contents. In case that the reset access authorities exist, the electronic device may permit the access by the first application  910  and the second application  920  to the data  944 . In an example of  FIG. 9 , the electronic device may perform authority control  930  to determine the presence or absence of resetting of the access authorities of the first application  910  and the second application  920  through an authority resetting application list  932 . In the example of  FIG. 9 , assuming that the access authority of the second application  920  has not been reset, the electronic device may control to reset the access authority of the second application  920  having attempted the access. In contrast, in case that the access authority of the first application  910  is reset and the reset access authority is permitted for contents access, the first application  910  may access the data  944  via a contents provider  942  of the third application  940 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 10  illustrates an example of managing an access list by contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0084]    In case that a specific application accesses to specific contents, an electronic device may determine if the application holds an access authority for the specific contents, and may control contents access in accordance with the presence or absence of the access authority. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , in case that a first application  1010  and a second application  1020  attempt to access to data  1044  of a third application  1040 , the electronic device may check access authorities of the first application  1010  and the second application  1020 . In case that the access authorities of the first application  1010  and the second application  1020  exist, the electronic device may permit the access by the first application  1010  and the second application  1020  holding the access authorities to the data  1044 . In an example of  FIG. 10 , the electronic device may perform authority control  1030  to check a access permission list that has previously been stored, and block list  1032  and determine the presence or absence of the access authorities of the first application  1010  and the second application  1020 . In the example of  FIG. 10 , assuming that the access authority of the second application  1020  for the data  1044  of the third application  1040  has not been set, the electronic device may control to set the access authority of the second application  1020  having attempted the access and add the access authority of the second application  1020  to the permission or block list. In contrast, in case that the access authority of the first application  1010  is permitted for the data  1044 , the first application  1010  may access the data  1044  via a contents provider  1042  of the third application  1040 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 11  illustrates an example of managing a background permission/block list according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0087]    In case that a specific application accesses specific contents, an electronic device may determine if the application accesses the specific contents through a background input, and may control contents access in accordance with the presence or absence of the background input. The electronic device may set to make contents access through an external application available only at user input through control dependent on the presence or absence of the background input. 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , in case that a first application  1110  and a second application  1120  attempt to access data  1144  of a third application  1140 , the electronic device may check access authorities of background inputs of the first application  1110  and the second application  1120 , and in case that the access authorities of the first application  1110  and the second application  1120  exist, the electronic device may permit the access by the first application  1110  and the second application  1120  holding the access authorities to the data  1144 . 
         [0089]    In an example of  FIG. 11 , the electronic device may perform authority control  1130  to check a background input access permission list  1132  that has been previously stored, and determine the presence or absence of the access authorities of the first application  1110  and the second application  1120 . In the example of  FIG. 11 , assuming that the background input access authority the second application  1120  for the data  1144  of the third application  1140  has not been set, the electronic device may control to set the background input access authority of the second application  1120  having attempted the access and add the background input access authority of the second application  1120  to the background input access permission list  1132  or add the background input access authority of the second application  1120  to a background input access denial list. In contrast, in case that the background input access authority of the first application  1110  is permitted for the data  1144 , the first application  1110  may access the data  1144  via a contents provider  1142  of the third application  1140 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a case where a user directly accesses to contents through an application having been set as access prohibition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0091]    Even in case that a specific application having been set as “Access block” accesses to specific contents, if the access by the application is a direct access of a user, an electronic device may permit the access by the application to the specific contents 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , if a first application  1210  of which an access authority level is set as “Access block” attempts to access to data  1234  of a third application  1230 , the electronic device may determine if the access of the first application  1210  is an access through a user input. If the access of the first application  1210  is the access through the user input the electronic device may permit the access of the first application  1210  to the data  1234  of the third application  1230 . 
         [0093]    In an example of  FIG. 12 , the electronic device may perform authority control  1220  and may check an access authority of the first application  1210  attempting the access, through previously stored access permission and block list  1222 . If the access authority of the first application  1210  is set to permit the access through the user direct input, the first application  1210  may access to the data  1234  via a contents provider  1232  of the third application  1230 . If the access authority of the first application  1210  has not been set to permit the access through the user direct input, the electronic device may send a user a notification for setting the access authority of the first application  1210  to permit the access through the user direct input, and may perform authority setting according to this. 
         [0094]      FIG. 13  illustrates an example of application control at the time of accessing to contents through another application according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0095]    In case that a specific application, or a first application, accesses specific contents through another application, or a second application, if the second application holds an access authority for the specific contents, an electronic device may check the presence or absence of an access authority of the first application for the specific contents. 
         [0096]    In an example of  FIG. 13 , the electronic device may perform authority control  1330 , to check a previously stored access permission list  1332  and determine the presence or absence of access authorities of applications. In the example of  FIG. 13 , it is assumed that the second application  1320  holds an access authority for data  1344  of a third application  1340 . The electronic device may determine if the access by the second application  1320  attempting the access is performed through a request of another application (i.e., the first application  1310 ). If the second application  1320  attempts to access the data  1344  through the request of another application (i.e., the first application  1310 ), the electronic device may check the presence or absence of an access authority of the first application  1310 . If even the first application  1310  holds the access authority for the data  1344  or the access by the second application  1320  is performed through a user direct input, the electronic device may permit the access by the second application  1320  to the data  1344  of the third application  1340 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 14  illustrates a flow of an operation of access control according to contents access according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , in case that an application accesses to contents, in step  1410 , an electronic device may determine whether an access authority of the application is set. Whether the access authority of the application is set may be determined through the previously stored authority resetting application list  932  of  FIG. 9 . If the access authority of the application has not been set, in step  1415 , the electronic device may request a user to grant the access authority to the application. 
         [0099]    If the access authority of the application is set, in step  1420 , the electronic device may check an access authority level of the application. The access authority level may be checked through the previously stored access permission list  1332  and block list  1032  of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0100]    If the access authority level of the application is set as “Always permission” or “Once permission,” in step  1430 , the electronic device may determine if the access by the application is an access through a request of another application. If the access by the application is the access through the request of another application, in step  1435 , the electronic device may check an access authority of another application. If the access by the application is not the access through the request of another application, the electronic device may proceed to step  1450  and permit the access by the application. 
         [0101]    If the access authority level of the application is set as “Access block,” in step  1460 , the electronic device may determine if the access by the application is an access through a user input. If the access by the application is not the access through the user input, the electronic device may proceed to step  1470  and deny the access by the application. If the access by the application is the access through the user input, the electronic device may proceed to step  1465  and send an access restriction notification to a user to request the user to grant the access authority to the application. 
         [0102]    If the access authority level of the application is set as “Permission of access through user input,” in step  1440 , the electronic device may determine if the access by the application is the access through the user input. If the access by the application is not the access through the user input, the electronic device may proceed to step  1470  and deny the access by the application. If the access by the application is the access through the user input the electronic device may proceed to step  1450  and permit the access by the application. 
         [0103]      FIG. 15  illustrates a flow of an operation for contents control according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , in step  1510 , an electronic device may determine if an access authority is reset to an application requesting the access authority for access target contents. The access target contents may be designated according to a preset contents list or be directly designated by user&#39;s selection. Resetting of the access authority may be performed after the application is installed or in case that the application accesses the designated contents. If the access authority of the application has not been reset, the electronic device may request a user to reset the access authority of the application. Also, the electronic device may check if the request for the access authority of the application is made through a user input. If the request for the access authority of the application is made through the user input, the electronic device may permit the access by the application. 
         [0105]    In step  1520 , the electronic device may check an access authority level of the application. By checking the access authority level of the application, if the access authority level of the application has not been set, the electronic device may control to request the user to set the access authority level of the application. The access authority level may include “Access permission,” “Access block,” “Access permission only at user input,” etc. 
         [0106]    In step  1530 , the electronic device performs control dependent on the access authority level of the application. If the access authority level of the application is set as “Access block,” the electronic device may block the access by the application. However, although the access authority level of the application is set as “Access block,” if the access by the application is an access through a user input, the electronic device may permit the access by the application. Also, if the access authority level of the application is “Access permission,” the electronic device may permit the access by the application. If the access by the application is a contents access through a request of another application, the electronic device may check an access authority level of another application. If the access authority level of another application is “Access permission,” the electronic device may permit the access by the application. If the access authority level of another application is “Access block,” the electronic device may block the access by the application. Although the access authority level of another application is “Access block,” if the access of another application is an access through a user input, the electronic device may permit the access by the application. 
         [0107]      FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B ,  FIG. 16C  illustrate a screen for controlling an electronic device at the time of access by an application to contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIG. 16A , the electronic device may display a screen for displaying personal information monitoring or non-monitoring. The screen for displaying the personal information monitoring or non-monitoring may include an environment setting part  1610 , a personal information monitoring icon  1620 , a personal information monitoring display part  1630 , and a personal information monitoring activation or non-activation display part  1640 .  FIG. 16A  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a screen of setting an environment of the electronic device. The electronic device may include options other than options illustrated in  FIG. 16A . The personal information monitoring icon  1620  and the personal information monitoring display part  1630  for monitoring personal information may be displayed using other terms or icons. 
         [0109]    Referring to  FIG. 16B , a user may select an option for personal information monitoring displayed in the electronic device. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that the user selects the option for the personal information monitoring, an icon for displaying the activation or non-activation of the selected option for the personal information locking may be changed. In case that the user selects the option for the personal information monitoring, the icon for displaying the activation or non-activation of the selected option may be displayed as “On” or “Off.” 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 16C , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that the user selects the option for the personal information monitoring, a screen of  FIG. 16C  may be displayed. By displaying the screen of  FIG. 16C , the electronic device may allow the user to set contents of which personal information will be monitored.  FIG. 16C  illustrates examples of photo  1650 , text  1660 , and position  1670  contents, but the contents are displayed for description convenience and contents other than the contents may be displayed. 
         [0111]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user presets a monitoring target, the preset monitoring target may be set as a target for personal information monitoring with the screen of  FIG. 16C  not being displayed. Also, in case that the user selects an option for personal information monitoring according to the setting, all contents may be set as targets for personal information monitoring as well with the screen of  FIG. 16C  not being displayed. 
         [0112]      FIG. 17  illustrates a flowchart for controlling an electronic device at the time of access by an application to contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , in step  1710 , the electronic device may start personal information monitoring. The personal information monitoring may be activated or inactivated by selecting the personal information monitoring icon  1620  or the personal information monitoring display part  1630  illustrated in  FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B ,  FIG. 16C . The personal information monitoring may start as a user activates the personal information monitoring. 
         [0114]    In step  1720 , the electronic device may set monitoring target contents in accordance with user&#39;s selection. By displaying the screen of  FIG. 16C , the electronic device may set to allow the user to select the monitoring target contents. 
         [0115]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user presets a monitoring target, the preset monitoring target may be set as a target for personal information monitoring with the screen of  FIG. 16C  not being displayed. Also, in case that the user selects an option for personal information monitoring according to the setting, all contents may be set as targets for personal information monitoring as well with the screen of  FIG. 16C  not being displayed. 
         [0116]    In step  1730 , in case that a specific application accesses the monitoring target contents, the electronic device may display a notification of the access to the user. The electronic device may display the screen of  FIG. 7B  and, in case that a specific application accesses the monitoring target contents, the electronic device may display a screen capable of selecting whether to always permit a notification, whether to only once permit the notification, whether to compulsorily stop the application, or whether to delete the application. 
         [0117]    In step  1740 , the electronic device may perform control according to user&#39;s selection. If the user selects the “Always permission”  762  option of  FIG. 7B , the electronic device may always permit the access by the application  710  and no longer notify that the application  710  accesses the contents  720 . 
         [0118]    If the user selects the “Permission only this time”  764  option, the electronic device may once permit the access by the application  710 . In case that the user selects the “Permission only this time”  764  option, the electronic device may again display the access message  760  to the user, when the application  710  accesses the contents  720  later. 
         [0119]    If the user selects the “App compulsory termination”  766  option, the electronic device may stop the application  710 . Also, if the user selects the “App deletion”  768  option, the electronic device may delete the application  710 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 18  illustrates a flow of an operation for controlling an electronic device in case that a newly installed application holds an access authority for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0121]      FIG. 18  illustrates controlling the electronic device in case that a specific application is newly installed and the newly installed application holds an access authority for specific contents. 
         [0122]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , in step  1810 , the electronic device may start personal information monitoring. The personal information monitoring may be activated or inactivated by selecting the personal information monitoring icon  1620  or the personal information monitoring display part  1630  illustrated in  FIG. 16A ,  FIG. 16B ,  FIG. 16C . The personal information monitoring may start as a user activates the personal information monitoring. 
         [0123]    In step  1820 , the electronic device may set monitoring target contents in accordance with user&#39;s selection. By displaying the screen of  FIG. 16C , the electronic device may set to allow the user to select the monitoring target contents. 
         [0124]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user presets a monitoring target, the preset monitoring target may be set as a target for personal information monitoring with the screen of  FIG. 16C  not being displayed. Also, in case that the user selects an option for personal information monitoring according to the setting, all contents may be set as targets for personal information monitoring as well with the screen of  FIG. 16C  not being displayed. 
         [0125]    In step  1830 , in case that the newly installed application holds the access authority for the monitoring target contents, the electronic device may display a screen for access control to the user. The screen may be the screen of  FIG. 7B . 
         [0126]    In step  1830 , in case that the newly installed application accesses the monitoring target contents, the electronic device may display a notification of the access to the user. The electronic device may display the screen of  FIG. 7B  and, in case that a specific application accesses the monitoring target contents, the electronic device may display a screen capable of selecting whether to always permit a notification, whether to only once permit the notification, whether to compulsorily stop the application, or whether to delete the application. 
         [0127]    In step  1840 , the electronic device may perform control according to user&#39;s selection. If the user selects the “Always permission”  762  option of  FIG. 7B , the electronic device may always permit the access by the application  710  and no longer notify that the application  710  accesses the contents  720 . 
         [0128]    If the user selects the “Permission only this time”  764  option, the electronic device may once permit the access by the application  710 . In case that the user selects the “Permission only this time”  764  option, the electronic device may again display the access message  760  to the user, when the application  710  accesses the contents  720  later. 
         [0129]    If the user selects the “App compulsory termination”  766  option, the electronic device may stop the application  710 . Also, if the user selects the “App deletion”  768  option, the electronic device may delete the application  710 . 
         [0130]      FIG. 19  illustrates a screen for access restriction management in case that a newly installed application holds an access authority for contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0131]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , in case that the newly installed application accesses monitoring target contents, an electronic device may display a screen for controlling the access of the newly installed application to the monitoring target contents. In the screen for controlling the access to the monitoring target contents, a danger warning display part  1910  may display a screen of warning a danger of an expected operation resulting from the execution of the newly installed application. 
         [0132]    A display part  1920  for displaying a list of authorities related to a plurality of designated personal contents may display a list of authorities related to the monitoring target contents. 
         [0133]    A selection part  1930  for selecting a user selection option may display the selection option to the user such that the user may control the application. In an example of  FIG. 19 , the electronic device may display to the user an option  1932  for always permitting the access control screen, an option  1934  for only once permitting the access control screen, an option  1936  for compulsorily termination of the application, and an option  1938  for deleting the application. 
         [0134]      FIG. 20A ,  FIG. 20B , and  FIG. 20C  illustrate a display screen for locking application control by contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0135]      FIG. 20A  illustrates an example of a screen for personal information locking. Referring to  FIG. 20A , the electronic device may display a screen for displaying personal information locking or non-locking. The screen for displaying the personal information locking or non-locking may include an environment setting part  2010 , a personal information locking icon  2020 , a personal information locking display part  2030 , and a personal information locking activation or non-activation display part  2040 .  FIG. 20A  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a screen of setting an environment of the electronic device. The electronic device may include options other than options illustrated in  FIG. 20A . The option for personal information locking may be displayed using other terms or icons. A user may select an option for personal information locking displayed in the electronic device. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that the user selects the option for the personal information locking, an icon for displaying the activation or non-activation of the selected option for the personal information locking may be changed. In case that the user selects the option for the personal information locking, the icon for displaying the activation or non-activation of the selected option may be displayed as “On” or “Off.” 
         [0136]      FIG. 20B  illustrates an example of displaying a list of locking target contents. Referring to  FIG. 20B , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in case that the user selects the option for the personal information locking, a screen of  FIG. 20B  may be displayed. By displaying the screen of  FIG. 20B , the electronic device may allow the user to set contents for personal information locking.  FIG. 20B  illustrates only photo  2050 , text  2052 , position  2054 , address book  2056 , and schedule  2058  contents, but these are illustrated for description convenience and contents other than the contents may be displayed. 
         [0137]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user presets a locking target, the preset locking target may be set as a target for personal information locking with the screen of  FIG. 20B  not being displayed. Also, in case that the user selects an option for personal information locking according to the setting, all contents may be set as targets for personal information locking as well with the screen of  FIG. 20B  not being displayed. 
         [0138]    Referring to  FIG. 20B , the electronic device may display contents to be set as a locking target. The user may select specific contents among the contents displayed in the electronic device. Also, the user may select specific contents among the contents displayed in the electronic device, and select, as a personal information locking exception application, an application among applications accessing the selected contents. 
         [0139]      FIG. 20C  illustrates an example of a screen of a case of selecting the specific contents among the contents displayed in the electronic device. Referring to  FIG. 20C , in case that the user selects the specific contents among the contents displayed on the screen of  FIG. 20B , the electronic device may display applications accessing the selected contents. Accordingly to this, the user may select a specific application among the displayed applications, and set to make the access by the selected application to the specific contents available despite that the specific contents are the locking target. If the user does not set the personal information locking exception application for the specific contents being the locking target, the access of all the applications to the specific contents may be blocked.  FIG. 20C  illustrates only “Cloud1”  2062 , “SNS”  2064 , and “Cloud2”  2006  applications, but these are for understanding of the drawings and other applications may be displayed. 
         [0140]      FIG. 21  illustrates a flow of control according to setting of locking target contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0141]    In step  2110 , an electronic device may start personal information protection. After displaying the screen of  FIG. 20A , the electronic device may start the personal information protection, if a user selects a personal information locking option. 
         [0142]    In step  2120 , the electronic device may set blocking target contents. After displaying the screen of  FIG. 20B , the electronic device may control such that the user selects specific contents and sets the selected contents as the blocking target contents. 
         [0143]    In step  2130 , the electronic device may set a block exception application for the blocking target contents. After displaying the screen of  FIG. 20C , the electronic device may control such that the user selects a specific application and sets the selected application as the block exception application. 
         [0144]    In step  2140 , the electronic device may prohibit the block exception application from accessing the blocking target contents. In step  2130 , when applications other than the set application accesses the blocking target contents, the electronic device may prohibit the other applications from accessing to the blocking target contents. 
         [0145]      FIG. 22A ,  FIG. 22B ,  FIG. 22C , and  FIG. 22D  illustrate an example of control for access restriction dependent on a contents storage space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0146]    Referring to  FIG. 22A , an electronic device may divide a storage space and store contents in the divided storage space. Referring to  FIG. 22A , the electronic device may use a basic storage space  2210  and a separate storage space  2220 . To perform contents control dependent on a storage space, a user may store contents to be controlled dependent on the storage space, in the separate storage space  2220 . Referring to  FIG. 22A , the separate storage space  2220  may include a general storage space  2222  and a contents storage space  2230 . The contents storage space  2230  may include photo  2232 , text  2234 , and address book  2236  storage spaces. Only the photo  2232 , text  2234 , and address book  2236  storage spaces are illustrated for the sake of explanation of the drawings, but storage spaces for contents other than the contents may be included. 
         [0147]    Referring to  FIG. 22B , if user&#39;s using of the electronic device is not sensed, the electronic device may hide the contents stored in the separate storage space  2220  from being displayed. If a specific application requests access to the hidden contents, the electronic device may provide the specific application with information except for information about the hidden contents and control the access by the application to the hidden contents. 
         [0148]    Referring to  FIG. 22C , if the user&#39;s using of the electronic device is not sensed, the electronic device may permit an access by an application having an access authority for storage of contents among the contents stored in the separate storage space  2220 . For example, the electronic device may set such that a specific application performs storing of the address book  2236  contents when the user does not use the electronic device in relation with the address book  2236  contents. In this case, even when the user does not use the electronic device in relation with the address book  2236  contents, the electronic device may set to permit the specific application to access the address book  2236  contents and perform the storing of the address book  2236  contents. At this time, the specific application cannot check information about contents other than the address book  2236  contents and can check only information about the address book  2236  contents and therefore, an access of the specific application to the contents other than the address book  2236  contents may be unavailable. 
         [0149]    Referring to  FIG. 22D , the electronic device may set the storage space such that a specific application may check only information about specific contents even when the user is using the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may set such that the specific application checks information about specific contents in the form of photo  2232  and the general storage space  2222 . Accordingly to this, even when the user is using the electronic device, the specific application may access the specific contents in the form of photo  2232  and general storage space  2222  whose information is acquirable. Therefore, the electronic device may access the specific contents in the form of photo  2232  and the general storage space  2222  and perform a function of the specific application. 
         [0150]      FIG. 23  illustrates a display screen for locking control over a personal information storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0151]    Referring to  FIG. 23 , an electronic device may display a screen for displaying the locking or non-locking of a personal information storage device. The screen for displaying the locking or non-locking of the personal information storage device may include an environment setting part  2310 , a personal information storage device locking icon  2320 , a personal information storage device locking display part  2330 , and a personal information storage device locking activation or inactivation display part  2340 . The electronic device may include options other than options illustrated in  FIG. 23 . An option for displaying the locking or non-locking of the personal information storage device may be displayed using other terms or icons. If a user activates the personal information storage device locking option, the electronic device may perform control over a set storage space. 
         [0152]      FIG. 24  illustrates a flow of an operation for locking control over a personal information storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0153]    In step  2410 , an electronic device may set locking of a personal information storage device. The electronic device may display the screen of displaying the locking or non-locking of the personal information storage device illustrated in  FIG. 23 , to a user. Accordingly to this, in case that the user performs an input for activating the personal information storage device locking or non-locking, the electronic device may perform the personal information storage device locking or non-locking. 
         [0154]    In step  2420 , the electronic device may set locking target contents. The electronic device may display a list of contents to the user, and control to set such that the user sets the locking target contents, or use previously stored locking target contents information to set the locking target contents. 
         [0155]    In step  2430 , the electronic device may select a locking exception application. The electronic device may set a specific application as the locking exception application such that it can exceptionally permit, although setting the locking target contents in step  2420 , an access by the specific application to the locking target contents. 
         [0156]    In step  2440 , the electronic device may sense a user&#39;s access. If the user&#39;s access is sensed, the electronic device may proceed to step  2450  and provide a specific application that the user is executing with information about preset specific contents, to make an access by the specific application to the preset specific contents available. Accordingly to this, the specific application may acquire the information about the specific contents and perform an operation using the specific contents. 
         [0157]    If the user&#39;s access is not sensed, in step  2460 , the electronic device may determine if the locking exception application accesses specific contents. If an application accessing the specific contents is the locking exception application in step  2460 , the electronic device may proceed to step  2450  and provide the locking exception application with information about the specific contents. Accordingly to this, the specific application may acquire the information about the specific contents and perform an operation using the specific contents. 
         [0158]    If an application not being the locking exception application accesses the specific contents in step  2460 , the electronic device may proceed to step  2470  and not provide the application not being the locking exception application with the information about the specific contents. Accordingly to this, the application not being the locking exception application may not acquire the information about the specific contents and therefore, the application may not perform the operation using the specific contents. 
         [0159]      FIG. 25  illustrates a block diagram of a device for contents control according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0160]    Referring to  FIG. 25 , the device may include a communication unit  2510 , a control unit  2520 , a storage unit  2530 , and a display unit  2540 . 
         [0161]    The communication unit  2510  may perform a function for transmitting/receiving a signal through a wireless channel, such as signal band conversion, amplification, etc. For example, the communication unit  2510  may include a transmission filter, a reception filter, an amplifier, a mixer, an oscillator, a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and the like. In  FIG. 25 , only one antenna is illustrated, but the communication unit  2510  may have a plurality of antennas. The communication unit  2510  may be denoted as a transmission unit, a reception unit, a transmission/reception unit, or a communication unit. 
         [0162]    The storage unit  2530  may store data such as a basic program, an application program, setting information, etc. for an operation of the device for contents control. Particularly, the storage unit  2530  may store information related with an access authority for access control. And, the storage unit  2530  may provide stored data through a request of the control unit  2520 . 
         [0163]    The control unit  2520  may control general operations of a device for managing the electronic device. The control unit  2520  may include an access control unit  2525 . The access control unit  2525  may, for example, control the device for contents control to perform the procedures illustrated in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an operation of the control unit  2520  is given as follows. 
         [0164]    The control unit  2520  may determine if an access authority of an application requesting the access authority for access target contents is reset. The access target contents may be designated in accordance with a preset contents list or be directly designated by user&#39;s selection. Resetting of the access authority of the application may be performed after the application is installed or the application accesses the designated contents. If the access authority of the application has not been reset, the control unit  2520  may request the user to reset the access authority of the application. Also, the control unit  2520  may determine whether an access request of the application is made through a user input. If the access request of the application is made through the user input, the control unit  2520  may permit the access by the application. 
         [0165]    The control unit  2520  checks an access authority level of the application. The control unit  2520  may check the access authority level of the application. If the access authority level of the application has not been set, the control unit  2520  may control to request the user to set the access authority level of the application. The access authority level of the application may include “Access permission,” “Access block,” “Access permission only at user input,” etc. 
         [0166]    The control unit  2520  may perform control dependent on the access authority level of the application. In case that the access authority level of the application is set as “Access block,” the control unit  2520  may block an access by the application, but, although the access authority level of the application is “Access block,” if an access by the application is an access through a user input, the control unit  2520  may permit the access by the application. Also, in case that the access authority level of the application is “Access permission,” the control unit  2520  may permit the access by the application. If the application accesses contents through a request of another application, the control unit  2520  may check an access authority level of another application. If the access authority level of another application is “Access permission,” the control unit  2520  may permit the access by the application. If the access authority level of another application is “Access block,” the control unit  2520  may block the access by the application. Although the access authority level of another application is “Access block,” if an access of another application is an access through a user input, the control unit  2520  may permit the access by the application. 
         [0167]    The display unit  2540  may receive information from the control unit  2520  and display the received information in the electronic device. For example, the display unit  2540  may display an access authority level of an application, resetting of an access authority of the application, and a danger caused by the access authority of the application, etc., on the basis of a result of controlling the access authority for the contents from the control unit  2520 . 
         [0168]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an effect of protecting user&#39;s personal information through controlling an access authority of an application for user contents within an electronic device, and blocking an operation unwanted by a user, thereby being able to decrease the battery consumption of the electronic device. Also, it may prevent an erroneous operation of the application caused by the controlling the access authority of the application for the contents. 
         [0169]    Methods according to exemplary embodiments stated in claims and/or specification of the present disclosure may be implemented in a form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0170]    If the methods are implemented by the software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (i.e., software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium are configured to be executable by one or more processors within an electronic device. The one or more programs may include instructions for enabling the electronic device to execute the methods according to the exemplary embodiments stated in the claims and/or specification of the present disclosure. 
         [0171]    These programs (i.e., software modules or software) may be stored in a Random Access Memory (RAM), a non-volatile memory including a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disk storage device, a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or an optical storage device of other form, and a magnetic cassette. Or, the programs may be stored in a memory constructed by a combination of some or all of them. Also, each constructed memory may be included in plural as well. 
         [0172]    Also, the programs may be stored in an attachable storage device accessible to the electronic device through a communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and a Storage Area Network (SAN), or a communication network constructed by a combination of them. This storage device may access a device performing an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure through an external port. Also, a separate storage device on the communication network may access the device performing the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as well. 
         [0173]    In the aforementioned concrete exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, constituent elements included in the disclosure have been expressed in the singular number or plural number in accordance with the proposed concrete exemplary embodiments. But, the expression of the singular number or plural number is merely selected suitable to a proposed situation for description convenience, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural constituent elements. The constituent element expressed in the plural number may be constructed in the singular number, or the constituent element expressed in the singular number may be constructed in the plural number. 
         [0174]    While a concrete exemplary embodiment is described in a detailed description of the present disclosure, it is undoubted that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to and defined by the described exemplary embodiments, and should be defined by not only the claims described below but also equivalents to these claims.