ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SELECTIVELY APPLYING SECURITY MODE IN MOBILE DEVICE

A computer-readable medium contains codes as a program to perform a method of a mobile device having a memory, a sensor, a camera, a panel to display a menu image and to receive a user input, and a network interface to communicate with an external device. The method includes detecting a motion of the mobile device by using the sensor, activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph an object when the mobile device is in a time condition, and not activating the camera in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

1. Field of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept relates to an electronic apparatus and method of selectively applying a security mode in a mobile device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional electronic mobile device, for example, a cellular phone, is set to a security mode or a non-security mode. When the set security mode is set, a user has to input a security code by enter a password, an image, or a geniture though a user interface unit. That is, a user has to input the security code every time to access the mobile device set with the security mode.

Even if a user is in a security safe zone, the user has to enter the security code previously set in the security mode. In order for the user to avoid inconvenience in the security safe zone, a user has to disable the security mode to avoid any inconvenience to enter the security code, and then later enable the security mode.

Moreover, since the mobile device is accessed only with the security code set in the security mode, no one is allowed to access the mobile device without the set security code. That is, a person having a high priority or authorization to access the mobile device cannot access the mobile device of a person having a lower priority or authorization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The present inventive concept provides an electronic apparatus to selectively apply a security mode in a mobile device.

The present inventive concept provides a method of selectively applying a security mode in a mobile device.

The present inventive concept provides a computer readable medium to contain computer readable codes as a program to execute a method of selectively applying a security mode in a mobile device.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present inventive concept may be achieved by providing a computer-readable medium containing codes as a program to perform a method of a mobile device having a memory, a sensor, a camera, a panel to display a menu image and to receive a user input, and a network interface to communicate with an external device, the method including detecting a motion of the mobile device by using the sensor, activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph an object when the mobile device is in a time condition.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a computer-readable medium containing codes as a program to perform a method of a mobile device having a memory, a sensor, a camera, a panel to display a menu image and to receive a user input, and a network interface to communicate with an external device, the method including detecting a motion of the mobile device by using the sensor, activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph an object when the mobile device is in a time condition, and displaying the menu image to receive a password in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a computer-readable medium containing codes as a program to perform a method of a mobile device having a memory, a sensor, a camera, a panel to display a menu image and to receive a user input, and a network interface to communicate with an external device, the method including detecting a motion of the mobile device by using the sensor, activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph an object when the mobile device is in a time condition, and not activating the camera in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

The time condition may include a period of time.

The method may further include detecting the motion of the mobile device by using the sensor in a power saving mode.

The method may further include activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph the object in a power saving mode when the mobile device is in the time condition.

The method may further include activating the camera to photograph the object in a normal mode.

The method may further include activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph the object in a power saving mode when the mobile device is in the time condition, and activating the camera in a normal mode.

The method may further include activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph the object in a power saving mode when the mobile device is in the time condition, and not displaying the menu image corresponding to the photographed object on the panel, and activating the camera in a normal mode to photograph the object, and displaying the menu image corresponding to the photographed object on the panel.

The method may further include unlocking the mobile device from a power saving mode to a normal mode according to a user identification process comprising the photographed object and a reference stored in the memory.

The method may further include controlling the panel to display a password input menu to receive a password in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

The method may further include unlocking the mobile device from a power saving mode to a normal mode according to a password when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

The motion may include a moving state and a stationary state at an end of the moving state, and the method may further include detecting the stationary state as the detected motion of the mobile device.

The motion may include a plurality of moving directions, and the method may further include a predetermined one of the plurality of moving directions as the detected motion.

The panel may include a user finger unreachable area and a user finger reachable area, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display the menu image at the user finger reachable area such that a user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device reaches the menu image.

The panel may include a line defining a user finger unreachable area and a user finger reachable area, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display the menu image at the user finger reachable area such that a user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device reaches the menu image.

The panel may include a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display a password input user menu to receive a password at the user finger reachable area such that the user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device inputs the password.

The panel may include a line defining a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display a password input user menu to receive a password at the user finger reachable area such that the user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device inputs the password.

The panel may include a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and the method may further include photographing the object by using the camera in a normal mode, and controlling the panel to display the menu image corresponding to the photographed object at the user finger reachable area.

The panel may include a line defining a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and the method may further include photographing the object by using the camera in a normal mode, and controlling the panel to display the photographed object at the user finger reachable area.

The panel may include a user finger unreachable area and a user finger reachable area, the method may further include controlling the panel to display a password input user menu to receive a password in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition; and the method may further include controlling the panel to display the password input user menu at the user finger reachable area such that a user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device reaches the password input user menu to input the password.

The panel may include a line defining a user finger unreachable area and a user finger reachable area, the method may further include controlling the panel to display a password input user menu to receive a password in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display the password input user menu at the user finger reachable area such that a user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device reaches the password input user menu to input the password.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a computer-readable medium containing codes as a program to perform a method of a mobile device having a memory, a sensor, a camera, a panel to display a menu image and to receive a user input, the panel comprising a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and a network interface to communicate with an external device, the method including detecting a motion of the mobile device by using the sensor, activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph an object when the mobile device is in a time condition, not activating the camera in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition, and controlling the panel to display the menu image at the user finger reachable area such that a user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device reaches the menu image.

The time condition may include a period of time.

The method may further include detecting the motion of the mobile device by using the sensor in a power saving mode.

The method may further include activating the camera in response to the detected motion to photograph the object in a power saving mode when the mobile device is in the time condition.

The method may further include controlling the panel to display the menu image to receive a password.

The method may further include controlling the panel to display the menu image to receive a password when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

The method may further include unlocking the mobile device from a power saving mode to a normal mode according to a user identification process comprising the photographed object and a reference stored in the memory.

The motion may include a moving state and a stationary state at an end of the moving state, and the method may further include detecting the stationary state as the detected motion of the mobile device.

The motion may include a plurality of moving directions, and the method may further include a predetermined one of the plurality of moving directions as the detected motion.

The panel may further include a line defining the user finger unreachable area and the user finger reachable area.

The method may further include controlling the panel not to display the photographed object.

The method may further include controlling the panel to display a symbol corresponding to the photographed object.

The method may further include activating the camera to photograph the object in a normal mode, and controlling the panel to display the menu image corresponding to the photographed object.

a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing codes as a program to perform a method of a mobile device having a panel, a network interface, and a functional unit, the method including controlling the panel to display a menu image and to receive a password, controlling the network interface to detect an external device, controlling the functional unit to sense a motion of the mobile device and to photograph a user, unlocking the mobile device according to a user identification process of photographing the user to identify an authorized user in response to the sensed motion when the mobile device is in a time condition, and unlocking the mobile device according to the password in response to the sensed motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition.

The user identification process may further include determining whether the photographed user represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the determination indicating that the photographed user represents the authorized user.

The user identification process may further include determining whether the photographed user represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the password when the photographed user does not represent the authorized user.

The method may further include performing a second user identification process which comprises determining whether the detected external device represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the second user identification process indicating that the detected external device represents the authorized user.

The method may further include performing a second user identification process which comprises determining whether the detected external device represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the password when the determination of the second user identification process indicates that the detected external device does not represent the authorized user.

The method may further include performing a second user identification process including communicating with the detected external device through a network and determining whether the communication represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the determination of the second user identification process indicating that the communication represents the authorized user.

The method may further include performing a second user identification process which comprises communicating with the detected external device through a network and determining whether the communication represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the password when the determination of the second user identification process indicates that the communication does not represent the authorized user.

The time condition may include a period of time.

The user identification process may further include determining whether the photographed user represents the authorized user, the method may further include performing a second user identification process when the determination of the user identification process indicates that the photographed user does not represents the authorized user, the second user identification process may include determining whether the detected external device represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the determination of the second user identification process indicating that the detected external device represents the authorized user.

The user identification process may further include determining whether the photographed user represents the authorized user, the method may further include performing a second user identification process when the determination of the user identification process indicates that the photographed user does not represent the authorized user, the second user identification process may include determining whether the detected external device represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the password when the determination of the second user identification process indicates that the detected external device does not represent the authorized user.

The method may further include performing a second user identification process which comprises determining whether the detected external device represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to at least one of the user identification process and the second user identification process.

The method may further include performing a second user identification process which comprises determining whether the detected external device represents the authorized user, and the method may further include unlocking the mobile device according to the password when the user identification process and the second user identification process indicate that the photographed user and the detected external device do not represent the authorized user.

The motion may include a moving state and a stationary state indicating that a user is in front of the panel for a period of time at an end of the moving state, and the functional unit may sense the stationary state for the period of time as the sensed motion.

The method may further include controlling the panel to display a user menu for the user identification process, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display the user menu for the user identification process at a user finger reachable area such that a finger of a hand holding the mobile device can reach the user menu.

The panel may include a user finger unreachable area and a user finger reachable area, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display a user menu for the user identification process at the user finger reachable area.

The method may further include controlling the panel to display a symbol representing the user identification process.

The panel may include a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and the method may further include controlling the panel to display a security check process of receiving the password at the user finger reachable area such that the user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device reaches the security check process.

The panel may display a line defining a user finger reachable area and a user finger unreachable area, and the method may furtherer include controlling the panel to display a security check process of receiving the password at the user finger reachable area such that the user finger of a user hand holding the mobile device inputs the password.

The mobile device may further include a sensor to detect a brightness, and the unlocking the mobile device according to the user identification process may further include activating the user identification process of photographing the user to identify the authorized user according to the detected brightness in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is in the time condition, and unlocking the mobile device according to the user identification process.

The mobile device may further include a sensor to detect a brightness, and the method may further include not activating the user identification process according to the detected brightness in response to the detected motion when the mobile device is in the time condition, and unlocking the mobile device according to the password.

The unlocking the mobile device according to the user identification process of photographing the user to identify the authorized user in response to the sensed motion when the mobile device is in the time condition may further include controlling the mobile device for the user to access a normal mode. The unlocking the mobile device according to the password in response to the sensed motion when the mobile device is not in the time condition may further include controlling the mobile device for the user to access the normal mode.

The medium may comprise a storage device. The medium may be stored in a computer system. The medium may be distributed over a network.

The medium may be distributed over network coupled to a computer system.

The medium may be distributed over network coupled to a computer system so that the codes are stored in a distributed fashion.

The medium may be transmitted through a carrier wave.

The medium may be transmitted through an Internet.

The medium may be transmitted through a wired or wireless transmission.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept while referring to the figures.

FIG.1illustrates an electronic terminal apparatus110to communicate with one or more external apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. The electronic terminal apparatus110may be a computer apparatus, a portable personal computer, a mobile electronic device, a mobile phone, a mobile tablet apparatus, a mobile tablet computing apparatus, an audio or video recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a photographing apparatus, a communication device, etc.

The external apparatus may be an access point (AP)120such as a wireless access point device to connect to a wired network using WiFi, WiFi direct, or related standards, a device130such as a Bluetooth device or radio frequency identification (RFID) device, etc, and a station140for wireless communication such as a carrier service station for 4G, LTE, etc. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. It is possible that the external apparatus may be another electronic apparatus. It is also possible that the external apparatus may be an apparatus to communicate with the terminal110to transmit and receive data therebetween, and such an apparatus may be a home appliance, such as a refrigerator or air conditioner.

The terminal110may be disposed within an area defined by a line120A distanced from the AP120or an area defined by a line130A distanced from the device130. The terminal110may communicate with the AP120using the AP-related technology when being disposed within the area defined by the line120a, and may also communicate with the device130using the device-related technology when being disposed within the area defined by the line130A.

The terminal110may have menus and/or functions to correspond to data (signal) of the AP120, the device130, and the station140. The terminal110may have menus and functions to correspond to data (signal) stored in a storage unit of the terminal110.

FIG.2illustrates a block diagram of an electronic terminal according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. The terminal may include a control unit210, a network interface220, a user interface230, a display unit240, an audio unit250, one or more functional unit260, a power supply unit270including a battery and a battery charging unit. The above components may be disposed in or on a housing of the terminal.

The control unit210may control operations of the terminal and may include a data storage unit, for example, a semiconductor memory unit. The control unit210may be connected to an external data storage unit disposed in the housing. The housing of the terminal may include a port such that another external data storage can be detachably attached to the port of the housing, and the port may be connected to the control unit110to transmit and receive data.

The network interface unit220may communicate with an external network apparatus, for example, the AP120, the device130, and the station140which are illustrated inFIG.1.

The user interface unit230may receive a user input to control operations of the terminal. The user interface unit230may include a physical button or key board such as QWERTY keyboard. The user interface unit230may have a sensor to detect a user gesture as a user input. The user interface unit230may include a microphone to detect a user voice as a user input. The user interface unit230may be a sensor to detect an image as a user input. The display unit240may include a screen to display an image corresponding to operations of the terminal. The display unit240may include a panel or a touch screen to perform a function to display an image and also a function to receive a user input. The user interface unit230and the display unit240may be formed as a single integrated body. The audio unit250may be a speaker and/or a microphone.

The functional unit260may be a photographing unit to photograph an object and to generate a signal corresponding to the photographing object. The signal may be processed in the control unit210, displayed in the display unit240, and/or transmitted to the external apparatus through the network interface unit220.

The power supply unit270may be connectable to an external power source using a wired and/or wireless method.

The control unit210is configured to selectively perform a security mode according to a condition set by a user when the terminal receives a user input corresponding to a power-on, an activation mode in response to a deactivation mode, a wake-up mode in response to a sleep mode, and/or a normal mode in response to a power-saving mode. The activation, wake-up, and normal mode may be usable as a common function of the terminal or may be usable differently, according to a design or user preference. The condition may be a safe zone condition in a security mode or may be a non-safe zone in a non-security mode, for example. After the condition is set in a normal mode of the terminal, the terminal is changed to the deactivation mode (the sleep mode or the power-saving mode) a predetermined time after the normal mode or a predetermined time after no user input. And then the terminal provides a process for the security mode or does not provide the process for the security mode according to the condition when being changed to the activation mode (wake-up mode or the normal mode) according to the user input.

FIGS.3A-3Dillustrating an electronic terminal300formed with a display unit and a user interface unit to display screens300A-300D corresponding to operations of the electronic terminal300according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

As illustrated inFIG.3A, the screen300A of the terminal300A does not show an image according to a deactivation mode, a sleep mode, or a power saving mode. The terminal300may have a power switch311and a switch312as a user input. The power switch311may be usable to turn on and off the terminal, and the switch312may be usable to change a mode of the terminal300, that is, to change from the deactivation mode, the sleep mode, or the power saving mode to an activation mode, a wake-up mode, or a normal mode. The switch312may be a sensor to detect a motion of the terminal300or to detect a motion (image) of a user as a user input.

When the switch312ofFIG.3Ais selected, the screen300B ofFIG.3Bmay be displayed on a display unit to unlock or select a security process to access the terminal300in a security mode. The screen300bmay include a state section321and a menu section322. The state section321may include a communication state with the AP120, the device130, and/or the station321ofFIG.1, and may also include other states corresponding to operations or functions set in the terminal300or environment around the terminal300. The other states may include a time display or a battery state display, a temperature state display, a weather state display, etc. When the terminal300is in a power-on state, the terminal monitors, detects, determines, and/or performs communications with external devices to correspond to the above-described states of the state section321.

When a menu322A to unlock the terminal300is selected from the screen300b, the screen300C is displayed to show a security check process, for example, a password input process, as illustrated inFIG.3C. The screen300C may include a state section331and a menu section332having a password indication section332A and a password input section332B. When a password input by the user through the password input section332B is identical to a password previously stored therein, the terminal300displays the screen300D to show a state section341and a menu section342with menus (or icons)342A.

When a first predetermined condition is set in the terminal300as a safe zone in a security mode (password setting mode), the screen300A is changed to the screen300D without displaying the screens300B and300C when the first predetermined condition is met. When the first predetermined condition is not met, the terminal displays the screens300B and300C to require a security process to enter a password. When a second predetermined condition is set in the terminal300as a non-safe zone in a non-security mode (no password setting), the terminal displays the screens300A,300B,300C, and300D to normally access the terminal when the second predetermined condition is met. When the second predetermined condition is not met, the terminal300may not display the screens300B and300C.

The state section341of the screen300D may include an image corresponding to the safe zone and/or the non-safe zone according to the security mode and/or non-security mode, respectively. The state section341may not be selectable by a user as a user input. The menu section342of the screen300D may include one or more menus342A selectable by a user as a user input to perform a function or operation of the terminal300. The menu section342of the screen300D may include a settings menu (icon) to set the security mode, the non-security mode, the safe zone, and/or the non-safe zone, etc.

FIG.4illustrates a method of selectively applying a security mode in a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

A power-on or activation switch is on in operation410, a control unit of the mobile device determines whether a predetermined condition is met in operation420. When the predetermined condition is met, that is, the mobile device is in a safe zone, the mobile device operates a normal mode in operation430such that a user can access the mobile device. When the predetermined condition is not met in operation420, that is, the mobile device is not in the safe zone, the mobile device requires a user to enter a password in operation440to authorize the user to access of the mobile device.

FIG.5illustrates a method of selectively applying a security mode in a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept

A predetermined condition is set in the mobile device in operation510. When an activation switch is selected in operations520A or520B, a security mode is not performed to enter a normal mode in operation530or the security mode is performed in operation540when the predetermined condition is not met in operation510. That is, the mobile device selectively performs the security mode according to selection of an activation switch as a user input. The mobile device selectively requires a user to perform the security mode. For example, when the mobile device is in a safe zone according to the predetermined condition, the user is not required to process the security mode to enter a password. However, the mobile device is not in the safe zone according to the predetermined condition, the user is still required to process the security mode to enter a password. Here, the password may be a character, number, motion, audio, and/or image.

FIG.6Aillustrates a method of setting a condition for a safe zone in a password setting mode of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept

A user selects a settings menu in operation610, and then selects a password setting menu in operation620to set the mobile device as a security (password setting) mode or a non-security (no-password setting) mode.

A predetermined condition for a safe zone is selected in operation630, and then is set in operation640.

FIG.6Billustrates a method of setting a condition for a non-safe zone in a non-password mode of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

When a user selects a non-security (no-password setting) mode or does not set a security mode in the settings menu in operation650, the settings menu may further include a menu to select a non-safe zone (or password-required zone) in operation660. The predetermined condition can be set in operation670such that the mobile device monitors a current condition thereof to determine whether the current condition meets the predetermined condition. When the predetermined condition is met, the mobile device requires the user to enter a password to access the mobile device in the non-security mode of the mobile device. When the predetermined condition is not met, the mobile device does not require the user to enter the password in a similar manner to the non-security mode.

FIGS.7A through7Iillustrate screens700A through700I of a mobile device to set a condition for a safe zone of a security mode or a non-safe zone of a non-security mode according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

When a settings menu (button or icon)710is selected in the screen700A of the mobile device as a user input inFIG.7A, the screen700B ofFIG.7Bis displayed on a display unit and/or user input unit of the mobile device to show a selection of “security setting”721to set a security (password) as a security mode, a selection of “all”722to apply the security mode to all functions or operations of the mobile device, and a selection of a “safe zone”723to prevent the security mode in a predetermined condition. It is possible that the selection of “all”722and selection of “safe zone”723may be displayed in a separate screen from a screen of the security setting721, that is, the selection of “all”722and selection of “safe zone”723may be displayed, performed, or selected independently after the security setting721is performed to set the security mode.

When a menu of the safe zone723is selected, the screen700C is displayed to show an area menu731and/or a time menu732as the predetermined condition. It is possible that both the area menu731and the time menu732can be selected and set as the predetermined condition. It is also possible that only one of the area menu731and the time menu732can be selected and set as the predetermined condition.

When the time menu732is selected, a specific time or a time period is set as the safe zone, using a new screen. Setting a specific time or a time period is well known, detail descriptions thereof will be omitted. When the time menu is performed to set the predetermined condition of the safe zone, the mobile device releases the security mode at the specific time or during the time period such that the user can access the mobile device without the security process according to the set time menu.

When the area menu731is selected, one or more area settings are displayed on the screen700D ofFIG.7D. The one or more area settings may include a WiFi selection menu741, a Bluetooth selection menu742, and a communication method selection menu743.

When the WiFi menu741is selected, at least one WiFi network751can be input, detected and then displayed, or selected as a safe zone in the screen700E ofFIG.7E. When a user with a mobile device stays in a house of the user, for example, and an AP is located as a home use inside the house of the user, the AP as a home use may be reliable network and environment to the user and thus the home AP can be set as a safe zone. In this case, the user does not have to enter a password every time to activate or access the mobile device within an accessible area of the AP and/or inside the house. However, when a user with a mobile device stays away from the AP, the mobile device requires the user to enter the password since the predetermined condition is not met or the mobile device cannot communicate with the AP or lost a signal from the AP.

When the Bluetooth (device) is selected, at least one device761can be input, detected and then displayed, or selected as a safe zone in the screen700fofFIG.7F. When a user with a mobile device is in a vehicle owned by the user, for example, the Bluetooth and/or the vehicle may be reliable network and environment to the user and thus the device can be set as a safe zone. In this case, the user does not have to enter a password every time to activate or access the mobile device within an access area of the device, that is, within an inside of the vehicle.

It is possible that when a user vehicle is set as the device or the AP for the safe zone and when a signal indicating an emergence, for example, traffic collision or accident to the vehicle, is generated from the vehicle and then transmitted to the mobile device through the Bluetooth or WiFi, the mobile device can recognize the received signal as a predetermined condition of a safe zone so that the user can access and/or use the mobile device without entering a password in the security mode of the mobile device. Here, the vehicle and the mobile device are configured to recognize the signal as a portion of the predetermined condition of a safe zone. In this case, a combination of the selected device and a specific or predetermined signal from the selected device can be set as the safe zone of the mobile device, and when the mobile device receives the signal from the device, so that the user can access or use the mobile device without performing a security check process in a security mode of the mobile device.

It is also possible that when a user medical device is set as the device or the AP for the safe zone and when a signal indicating an emergence for example, a life threatening situation or accident to the user, is generated from the medical device and then transmitted to the mobile device through the Bluetooth or WIFi, the mobile device can recognize the received signal as a predetermined condition of a safe zone so that the user can access and/or use the mobile device without entering a password in the security mode of the mobile device. Here, the medical device and the mobile device are configured to recognize the signal as a portion of the predetermined condition of safe zone. In this case, a combination of the selected device and a specific or predetermined signal from the selected device can be set as a predetermined condition of the safe zone of the mobile device, and when the mobile device receives the signal from the device, so that the user can access or use the mobile device without performing a security check process in a security mode of the mobile device.

When the communication method743is selected, one or more communication methods (CMs)771and772can be selected and set as a safe zone on the screen700gofFIG.7G. In this case, a carrier name771and/or telephone number772can be reliable to the user. That is, when the user communicates with the person of the telephone number772and the carrier name771, the user does not have to enter a password to use the mobile device.

In the screen700H ofFIG.7H, at least one or a combination of the Wifi, Bluetooth, and communication method can be selected and/or set in a menu781as safe zone.

When the security mode is not selected or set in the settings menu710of the screen700a, a menu791of non-safe zone can be selected and set such that the mobile device is set to perform a security mode in a non-security mode of the mobile device. For example, an AP, a device, or a communication method is set as the non-safe zone using one or more non-safe zone selection processes similar to the safe zone selection processes ofFIGS.7D through7H.

FIGS.8A through8Fillustrate screens800athrough800fof a mobile device to perform operations in a safe zone and in a non-safe zone according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept

FIG.8Aillustrates the screen800A, a power on/off switch811, and an activation switch812.FIG.8Billustrates the screen800B including a state section821and a menu section822. The state section821may be similar to the state section321,331, and341ofFIGS.3B,3C and3D. The state section821may include a state indicator821A to indicate a predetermined state and/or a safe zone in a security mode. The states displayed on the state section821may not be selectable by a user as a user input. The menu section822may include one or more menus822A and822B which are displayable on a display unit and/or selectable by a user as a user input.

When a current condition matches the predetermined condition as the safe zone, the mobile device displays the screen800B by skipping a security mode process. It is possible that the mobile device can display on the screen800C with a state section831and a menu section832including a text message832A and selection menus832B relating to the displayed text832A when the mobile device receives the test message832A. It is also possible that the mobile device can display on the screen800D with a state section841and a menu section842including a telephone call message842A including selection menus relating to the telephone call message842A when the mobile device receives the telephone call such that the user can access and use the mobile device.

The screen800E ofFIG.8Eillustrates a state section851and a menu section852including at least one menu853. The screen800E may be displayed when a password is entered in a security (password-setting) mode, when a predetermined condition of a safe zone is met in the security mode, or when a password is entered in a non-security mode and in a non-safe zone. The menu853may be a settings menu to select, change, or modify settings of the mobile device. In this case, it is possible that the mobile device may require the user to enter a password to select, change, or modify settings when the screen800E is displayed when a predetermined condition of a safe zone is met in the security mode and accordingly a security mode is not preformed.

FIG.9illustrates a mobile device900to display a state section911and a user menu section912according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept. A user U holds the mobile device900using one hand. At least one of user fingers UF of the user one hand can be usable to select a menu to input a user input. The user menu section912may include a user menu area912B and a non-user menu area912C which are defined by a line912A to be a user-finger reachable area and a user-finger unreachable area, respectively. One or more menus or images displayed within the user menu area can be selectable by a user using a finger without assistance of the other hand finger, and one or more menus or images displayed within the non-user menu area912C may not be reachable selectable by the user using the same finger. It is possible that the non-user menu area912C may not include a menu to be selectable by a user as a user input. Accordingly, a user can control the mobile device with one hand.

FIGS.10A,10B,10c, and10D are graphs schematically illustrating a motion of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. The graph ofFIG.10Aillustrates the motion of the mobile device. The motion of the mobile device may be represented by a pattern (or movement pattern) P1with amplitudes with respect to a movement axis. The amplitudes may be represented with respect to a time axis. The mobile device may be movable and/or rotatable in up and down directions, back and forth directions, side directions, different directions, etc. The amplitudes may be exaggerated by eliminating crossing portions in which the mobile device changes the directions thereof and/or by eliminating relatively small portions of the amplitudes before or after the direction changes. Values of the amplitudes may be an absolute value.

The mobile device may be same as the mobile device illustrated inFIG.2. The functional unit260of the mobile device may include a photographing unit to photograph an object, and a sensing unit to sense the mobile device and/or a user of the mobile device. The functional unit260may be a unit to perform a process including a motion detection process and a user identification process, which are described above and also will be described later. The sensing unit may include a first sensor unit to sense a motion state of the mobile device, a second sensor unit to sense an environmental state, for example, brightness/darkness, of the mobile device, and a third sensor unit to sense a state of the user of the mobile device. However, the mobile device is not limited thereto. The functional unit260may further include a medical detector to detect a medical state of the user of the mobile device.

The first sensor unit of the functional unit260may include sensors including, for example, gyro sensors, to detect a motion state of the mobile device. The first sensor unit may sense a movement, that is, the motion state, of the mobile device when the user of the mobile device moves, walks, or runs, or when the mobile device moves or rotates according to a movement of an apparatus in which the user and the mobile device may be disposed. The control unit210of the mobile device receives signals output from the functional unit250of the mobile device. An output of the first sensor unit of the function unit260may be represented by the pattern P1ofFIG.10A.

When the mobile device is in a non-operational mode, such as a deactivation mode, a sleep mode, a power saving mode, and a turn-off mode, the mobile device may be partially activated, that is, the functional unit260and the control unit210, for example, of the mobile device may operate to monitor (or detect) the motion state of the mobile device during the non-operational mode. When the user wants to change the non-operational mode to an operational mode, such as a normal mode, a user hand may hold the mobile device and then may place the mobile device in front of a user face within a length of a user arm from the user face when the user is in a stationary state or in a movable state, or the user or the user hand may touch the mobile device within the length of the user arm when the mobile device is in the stationary state and is disposed on a table, for example, which is not in the movable state. The mobile device may recognize a moment in which the mobile device is about to be changed from the non-operational mode to the operational mode according to a movement pattern, that is, the motion state of the mobile device.

Here, the operational mode may include a partial operational mode and a full operational mode. In the partial operational mode, the user may be allowed to access one of full functions of the normal mode of the mobile device without the security check process requiring the password. In the partial operational mode, the one of the full functions of the normal mode may be a photographing function to photograph an object and display the photographed object on a screen of the display unit240ofFIG.2. In the full operational mode including the normal mode, the user may be allowed to access all the functions of the mobile device by performing the security check process when a condition is not met or without performing the security process when the condition is met, as described above.

The mobile device may periodically monitor (or detect) the state of the mobile device. For example, the mobile device may repeatedly monitor the state of the mobile device during the non-operational mode and/or during the operational mode according to a user or design preference. When the mobile device monitors the state of the mobile device during the operational mode, the control unit210may extern a time period after which a mode of the mobile device is changed from the operational mode to the non-operational mode, for example, the power saving mode, according to the motion state of the mobile device and a photographed image of the functional unit260, which will be described later. Therefore, if the mobile device is set to change the operational mode to the non-operational mode five minutes after no input from the user to the mobile device, the five minutes may be changed to seven minutes, for example, by extending two more minutes, according to a determination of the control unit210by using sensed data including the motion state of the mobile device and/or the photographed image of the functional unit260, for example.

AlthoughFIGS.10A through10Dillustrates the motion state of the mobile device when the mobile device is changed from the operational mode to the non-operational mode, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The motion state of the mobile device may be detected during the operational mode periodically, for example, every a tenth second period. The motion state of the mobile device may be detected during the non-operational mode periodically, for example, every a half second period. However, the above-described a tenth second period and a half second period are examples, and thus the periods may vary according to a user or design preference or according to a user habit, for example, a movement pattern, with the mobile device.

Referring back toFIG.10A, the sensing unit senses the motion state of the mobile device and outputs signals to the control unit210. The signals correspond to the pattern P1. When the pattern P1is changed from a first certain amplitude to a second certain amplitude, for example, a zero level, at a time T1, the control unit260may determine that the user is about to access the mobile device at a moment S1. According to experiments, the user holds the mobile device at least in a relatively stationary state or a relatively stable state at least at the time T1, to use the mobile device at the moment S1, and the holding state of the mobile device by the user is represented by the change in the amplitude of the pattern P1.

At the moment S1, the control unit210determines that the mobile device is disposed in front of the user face within the length of the user arm, and then activates the functional unit260to photograph an object which is a person disposed in front of the mobile device. The control unit210may analyze the photographed person according to a comparison method of comparing a photographed object with an image of an authorized user, which may be stored in a memory of the mobile device, and then determine whether the person, that is, the photographed object, is the authorized user. The comparison method may be a facial recognition method. If the control unit210recognizes the person as the authorized user, the control unit210controls the mobile device to operate the normal mode without performing the security checking process. If the control unit210does not recognize the person as the authorized user, the control unit2310performs the security checking process requiring the person or the user to enter the password to access the normal mode of the mobile device.

If the image of the authorized image is stored in a memory of an external device, the control unit activates the network interface220to communicate with the external device and to send the photographed image to the external device. When the external device determines whether the received image is identical to the stored image of the authorized user, the external device outputs the determination to the network interface220of the mobile device. According to the received determination from the external device, the control units determines whether to perform the security checking process before allowing the person or user to access the normal mode of the mobile device.

The time T1may be same as the moment S1. However, there may be a time lag between the moment S1and the time T1. The time lag may be a certain short period of time, for example, a quarter second. The control unit210analyzes the pattern P1to see a first pattern before the time T1and a second pattern at the time T1. The control unit210may recognize a significant amplitude change or a different pattern change in the pattern S1, and then may determine that the user is in a state to change the non-operational mode to the operational mode or that the mobile device is touched by the user to operate the normal mode.

At the moment S1, the user may select an icon corresponding to the partial operational mode, for example, a camera icon to photograph an object, which may not require the security check process when the mobile device is changed from the non-operational mode to the operational mode. In this case, the control unit210may operate the partial operational mode. However, the control unit210may extract an image from the photographed object and may compare the extracted image with the image of the authorized user. If the control unit210recognizes the extracted image to correspond to the image of the authorized user, the control unit210may allow the user to access the normal mode of the mobile device without the security check process. The photographing unit may include a first photographing unit to photograph the object during the partial operational mode and a second photographing unit to photograph a person in front of the mobile device to determine whether the person is the authorized user. The control unit210may control the first photographing unit and the second photographing unit to perform the above-described operations. The photographed image of the first photographing unit may be displayed on the display unit240. However, the photographed image of the second photographing unit may not be displayed on the display unit240. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The photographed image of the second photographing unit may be displayed on the display unit240, or a symbol representing the photographed image of the second photographing unit may be displayed on the display unit.

FIG.10Billustrates a pattern P2of the mobile device. The mobile device is in a stationary state, that is, a not-moving state, until a time T2A, is changed from the stationary state to a moving state between the time T2A and a time T2B, and then is changed to a stop state at the time T2B. The control unit210determines that the user touches (or picks up) the mobile device and/or is about to use the mobile device. Accordingly, the control unit210may allow the user to use the normal mode of the mobile device according to a detection of a movement pattern of the mobile device and a user identification process. According to experiments, the user touches the mobile device, which is in a stationary state or a stable state, at least between the time T2A and the time T2B, to use the mobile device at the moment S2, and the touching (or holding) state of the mobile device by the user is represented by the change in the amplitudes of the pattern P2.

FIG.10Cillustrates a pattern P3of the mobile device. The mobile device may move and/or rotate in different directions. Here, differently fromFIG.10Aignoring the crossing portions of the amplitudes with respect to the time axis,FIG.10Cillustrates a crossing portion of the amplitudes with respect to the time axis. A portion of the pattern P3just before a time T3A and/or a portion of the movement pattern P3just after the time T3A may be different from a portion of the movement pattern P3at a time T3B. The control unit210analyzes the portions of the pattern P3and determines that the mobile device is in front of the user face at the time T3B according to the detected pattern P3of the mobile device. And thus, the control unit210may perform the user identification process by activating the photographing unit to photograph a person, and may determine whether the person is the authorized user. The control unit210may extract a portion of the photographed image, and then may compare the extracted portion to the image of the authorized user. According to experiments, the user holds the mobile device at least in a relatively stationary state or a relatively stable state at least at the time T3B, to use the mobile device at the moment S3, and the holding state of the mobile device by the user is represented by the change in the amplitudes of the pattern P3

FIG.10Dillustrates a pattern P4of the mobile device. The mobile device may repeatedly move and/or rotate in different directions. Here, differently fromFIG.10Aignoring the crossing portions of the amplitudes with respect to the time axis,FIG.10Dillustrates a number of crossing portions of the amplitudes with respect to the time axis in the movement pattern P4. A number of the crossing portions of the movement pattern P4before a time T4A may be different from a portion of the pattern P4at a time T4B. Amplitudes of the pattern P4may be different from the amplitudes of the patterns P1, P2, and P3. The user and the mobile device may be disposed inside a moving apparatus, for example, a vehicle or a train. The user holding the mobile device may ride a bicycle. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The user having the mobile phone may jog along a road. According to experiments, the user holds or touches the mobile device at least in a relatively stationary state or a relatively stable state at least at the time T4, to use the mobile device at the moment S4, and the holding or touching state of the mobile device by the user is represented by the change in the amplitudes of the pattern P4.

The control unit210analyzes the pattern P4and determines that the mobile device is disposed in front of the user face at the time T4B according to the detected pattern P4of the mobile device. And thus, the control unit210may perform the user identification process by activating the photographing unit to photograph a person in front of the mobile device, and may determine whether the person is the authorized user. The control unit210may extract a portion of the photographed image, and then may compare the extracted portion to the image of the authorized user.

When the user having the mobile device moves, the mobile device may receive a phone call. The user may stop to enter the password to the mobile device to answer the phone call. However, the mobile device may detect the motion of the mobile device, detect the pattern of the mobile device, detect a characteristic of the pattern, and then determine that the user is to use the mobile phone, is disposed in front of the display unit240of the mobile device, and/or is about to answer the phone call. Since the mobile device recognizes a person holding or touching the mobile phone as the authorized user of the mobile device, the authorized user may easily answer the phone call without the security check process of entering the password which is set in the mobile device to access the normal mode of the mobile device.

AlthoughFIGS.10A through10Drespectively illustrate the patterns P1through P4, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Another movement pattern of the mobile device may be used to perform a movement pattern detection process and a user identification process as described above, as long as the another pattern of the mobile device corresponds to a case in which a person holds or touches the mobile device and/or is disposed in front of the mobile device to use the mobile device or to use the normal mode of the mobile device.

According to an embodiment, the control unit210of the mobile device may not activate the photographing unit until the detected movement pattern matches at least one of reference patterns which represent that the user is to use the mobile device, or until the portion of the detected movement pattern approaches to a certain level representing a situation in which the user is to use the mobile device. That is, the control unit210of the mobile device may activate the photographing unit when a predetermined pattern is detected or when a predetermined portion of a pattern is detected. However, when the user identification fails, that is, when the person holding and touching the mobile device is not the authorized user, the control unit210of the mobile device may maintain the non-operational mode without performing the security check process or the person has to select a key of the mobile device to enter the password in the security check process to use the normal mode of the mobile device.

The second sensing unit may detect brightness around the mobile device. If a brightness level is lower than a predetermined level, the control unit210may not activate the photographing unit since the environment state of the mobile device is not sufficient to operate the photographing unit to photograph the person or object. If the brightness level is not lower than the predetermined level, the control unit210may activate the photographing unit since the environment state of the mobile device is sufficient to control the photographing unit to photograph the person or object The detection of the brightness by the second sensing unit may prevent an unnecessary activation of the photographing unit in the lower level of the brightness around the mobile device. In this case, the control unit210may perform the security check process or maintain the non-operational mode. When the non-operational mode is maintained, the control unit210may perform the security check process when a user selects a key to access the normal mode of the mobile device.

The third sensing unit may be usable to detect any signal from the user in the user identification process. Although the photographing unit is used for the user identification process by photographing the person in front of the mobile device, the third sensing unit may be used for the user identification process instead of the photographing unit if the user identification process uses the signal from the user rather than using the photographed image, if the environmental state of the mobile device is not sufficient to photograph an object, or if the photographing unit is unusable or malfunctions. The signal from the user may be a signal from a user's own additional device, such as a user watch. The user's own additional device may send to the mobile device the signal representing that the user is the authorized user of the mobile device. In this case, the mobile device is set to communicate with the third sensing unit and to recognize the signal representing the authorized user of the mobile device. The third sensing unit and the network interface220may be a single unit.

According to an embodiment, the control unit210of the mobile device may selectively activate one or more units of the mobile device illustrated with reference toFIGS.1through9according to a time period or according to the motion of the mobile device to perform an internal process including a motion detection process and a user identification process. And thus, the security checking process is selectively applied to allow the user to access the normal mode of the mobile device.

FIG.11illustrates a method of selectively applying a security check process in the mobile device ofFIG.2according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

At operation1110, the control unit210of the mobile device may detect a condition of the mobile device. The condition may include a connection condition in which the mobile device is connected to an external device, an area condition in which the mobile device and/or the external device are disposed in an area, a time condition in which the mobile device is to operate at a time, a signal condition in which the mobile device receives a predetermined signal from the external device, a movement pattern and user identification condition in which the mobile device detects a movement pattern and performs a user identification according to the movement pattern, and any combination thereof. Hereinafter, the above-described conditions may be referred to as an internal process which is performed in the mobile device with or without informing the user of the internal process. The internal process may be informed to the user through the display unit240of the mobile device. The informing of the internal process to the user may include displaying an image or message on the display unit240and/or generating an audio signal through the audio unit250of the mobile device.

At operation1120, the control unit210of the mobile device may determine whether the condition is met. If the condition is met, the mobile device does not require a security check process and allows the user to access the normal mode of the mobile device at operation1130. However, the condition is not met, the mobile device requires the security check process at operation1140before allowing the user to access the normal of the mobile device at operation1130.

FIG.12illustrates a method of selectively applying a security check process in the mobile device ofFIG.2according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept

Referring toFIGS.10A through12, the motion of the mobile device is detected, the movement pattern of the mobile device is detected, and then the control unit210of the mobile device determines whether the user holds (or picks up) or touches the mobile device and is to use the mobile device according to the detected movement pattern. That is, at operation1210, the control unit210may determines whether one of the detected movement patterns matches a predetermined reference pattern and/or whether a portion of the detected movement patterns matches a predetermined portion of a predetermined reference pattern.

At operation1220, when the control unit210may recognize that the user holds or touches the mobile device or is in front of the mobile device, to use the mobile device, by determining that one of the detected movement patterns matches at least one of reference pattern and/or by determining that a portion of the detected movement patterns matches at least one of reference portions of the reference patterns, the control unit210may perform the user sensing and/or identification process to identify the person who holds or touches the mobile device or is in front of the mobile device, to use the mobile device. If the person is the authorized user, the mobile device changes the mobile device from the non-operational mode to the operational mode and/or allows the user to access the normal mode of the mobile device. The mobile device may further include a storage memory as the functional unit260to store the reference patterns and the reference portions of the reference patterns.

The control unit210may control the display unit240to display an image (or message) which corresponds to information on the above-described process or the photographed image. However, the control unit210may control the display unit240not to display any image or message which corresponds to the information on the above-described process or the photographed image, so that a power consumption is reduced. In this case, a user may not recognize the above-described process internally performed by the control unit210of the mobile device.

Therefore, the mobile device is able to recognize a user who wants to use the mobile device or wants to change the non-operational mode to the operational mode, with or without informing the user of an internal process (that is, the above-described process) of the mobile device. Therefore, the user may conveniently use the mobile device without entering the password to the mobile device when the condition is met.

As described above, the mobile device may operate the normal mode of the mobile device without performing the security check process, according to the motion detection and the photographed image.

As described above, the mobile device may operate the normal mode of the mobile device according to the photographed object and the sensed motion of the functional unit, without a user input to the security check process.

As described above, the mobile device may operate the normal mode of the mobile device by internally performing the motion and image sensing process.

As described above, the mobile device may change a non-operational mode to an operation mode corresponding to the normal mode by performing an internal process corresponding to the motion and image sensing process without informing the user of the internal process.

As described above, the mobile device may extend a time period of the operational mode without a user input according to the operations of the functional unit of the mobile device.

As described above, the mobile device may change a non-operational mode to an operation mode corresponding to the normal mode without a user input to the mobile device.

As described above, the user may use one hand to hold or touch the mobile device and the user may not use the other hand to access the normal mode of the mobile device since the mobile device internally perform the motion and image sensing process. In this case, the mobile device does not require the other hand to select a key of the mobile device or to operate the security check process to enter the password to the mobile device in the security mode of the mobile device. Even if the user is a handicapped person, the user may access the normal mode of the mobile device by touching the mobile device by using any portion of the user body.

As illustrated above, a mobile device can be set in a security mode and a safe zone may be set in the security mode so that the mobile device does not require a user to enter a password when a current condition matches a condition of the safe zone.

The conditional of the safe zone may include a connection condition in which an external device is connected to the mobile device according to a wireless or wired method, an area condition in which the mobile device and/or the external device are disposed in an area, a time condition in which the mobile device is to operate at a time, a signal condition in which the mobile device receives a certain signal from an external device, and an internal process condition in which the mobile device internally performs an internal process corresponding to the motion detection and user identification process, without informing the user of the performance of the internal process.