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 and a User Equipment (UE) for controlling access to location information about the UE are provided. The UE includes a controller configured, upon sensing access to the location information about the UE by an application operating in an operating system (OS) of the UE, to match a rule defining access authorization of the application to the location information, and to determine whether to allow or deny access of the application to the location information based on the access authorization, and a display configured to display a screen under control of the controller.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims the benefit under 35 §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 22, 2014 and assigned Serial No. 10-2014-0048132, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL HELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus for controlling access to location information about a User Equipment (UE), and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling access to location information about a UE capable of executing an application, such as a smart device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [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 anew 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]    Owing to the recent dramatic development of information and communication technology and hardware/software technology for mobile communication terminals, various types of terminals such as mobile communication terminal, Personal Computer (PC), and the like are configured to execute various functions (programs or applications) through a high-speed mobile communication network. Particularly, smart devices such as ‘smartphone’ and ‘tablet PC’ are popular. A variety of applications can be installed or deleted freely in a smart device. 
         [0006]    Applications installed in a smartphone acquire and use location information. For example, a specific application of a UE can acquire location information about the UE and transmit the location information to a server of a network and the server provides a service based on the location information about the UE. However, since the location history of the UE is stored. in the server, the location of a user may be disclosed unintentionally. Because other personal information can be derived from the location information, the location information about the user (that is, the UE) is important information requiring security rather than simple location information. 
         [0007]    However, users are not aware on the whole that various applications acquire their location information and their personal information can be disclosed from the location information. When an application is installed, a conventional smartphone notifies a user that the application acquires the user&#39;s location information or displays a query asking the user whether to allow the application to acquire the location information, on a User Interface (UI). However, since the notification or query regarding location information acquisition is one of mandatory steps for application installation, users tend not to pay proper attention to the notification or query. 
         [0008]    Moreover, with (not specific application-level control but) Operating System (OS)-level control of access to location information about a UE or control of access to location information at the moment of installing an application, various environments that may be generated during execution of the application are not coped with appropriately as well as the characteristics of applications having various requirements for location information are not reflected. 
         [0009]    The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    An aspect of the present disclosure is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object to provide a method and apparatus for controlling access to location information, which reflects characteristics of applications having various requirements or appropriately copes with an environment change of a user executing an application. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for, when a user does not want disclosure of his or her location information, restricting access to the location information and facilitating settings regarding the location information in various cases of using applications. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for controlling access to location information on an application basis. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a User Interface (UI) for setting whether to allow access to location information according to an environment change of a User Equipment (UE) or a user. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a UI for setting location information access, which enables immediate handling of an attempt to access to location information during execution of an application. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a User Equipment (UE) is provided for controlling access to location information about the UE. The UE includes a controller configured, upon sensing access to the location information about the UE by an application operating in an operating system (OS) of the UE, to match a rule defining access authorization of the application to the location information, and to determine whether to allow or deny access of the application to the location information based on the access authorization, and a display configured to display a screen under control of the controller. 
         [0016]    In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a UE is provided for controlling access to location information about the UE. The UE includes a controller configured, upon sensing access to the location information about the UE by an application operating in an OS of the UE, to match a rule defining access authorization of the application to the location information, and to determine whether to allow or deny access of the application to the location information based on the access authorization, and a display configured to display a screen under control of the controller. In the absence of the rule, the controller controls the display to output a notification indicating an attempt of the application to access the location information. 
         [0017]    in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for controlling access to location information about a UE, performed by the UE. The method includes, upon sensing access to the location information about the UE by an application operating in an OS of the UE, matching a rule defining access authorization of the application to the location information, and determining whether to allow or deny access of the application to the location information based on the access authorization. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for controlling access to location information about a UE, performed by the UE. The method includes, upon sensing access to the location information about the UE by an application operating in an OS of the matching a rule defining access authorization of the application to the location information, and determining whether to allow or deny access of the application to the location information based on the access authorization. In the absence of the rule, the method further includes outputting a notification indicating an attempt of the application to access the location information. 
         [0019]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a method for controlling access to location information about a User Equipment (UE) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an exemplary screen that indicates an attempt of an application to access location information by a notification bar in a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a screen that, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information, notifies a user of the access attempt according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a screen that, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information, notifies a user of the access attempt according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a location condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a time condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2F  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an event condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2G  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an application state condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2H  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a UE state condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a screen that displays a location information access history of an application on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a screen for controlling access of an application to location information, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a screen for controlling access of an application to location information, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3D  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a location condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a time condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3F  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an event condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3G  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an application state condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3H  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a UE state condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3I  illustrates a screen that displays a location information access history of a specific application on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3J  illustrates a screen on which one or more points displayed on a map are selected to control access of an application to location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a menu for setting location information access on an application basis, which is displayed in a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a screen for setting location information access on an application basis according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a screen for checking and changing location information access settings on an application basis according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0043]      FIG. 4D  illustrates a screen for checking location information access settings on an application basis using a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0045]    Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]      FIGS. 1 through 5 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication device. 
         [0047]    The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0048]    It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces. 
         [0049]    By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
         [0050]    A User Equipment (UE) is a device capable of executing an application. The term ‘UE’ can be replaced with ‘Mobile Station (MS),’ ‘Mobile Equipment (ME),’ ‘device,’ ‘terminal,’ or the like. For example, a UE is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet Personal Computer (PC) or a terminal such as a desktop computer or a laptop computer. 
         [0051]    The present disclosure provides a method for controlling access to location information in a UE that executes an application. An application, which is also called app, refers to a program operating in an Operating System (OS) of a UE such as a smartphone. The OS of the UE is, for example, iOS of APPLE, ANDRIOD of GOOGLE, WINDOWS PHONE of MICROSOFT, or SYMBIAN. 
         [0052]    To offer use convenience in regard to control of an application&#39;s access to location information, acquisition (and sharing) of location information about a UE can be automatically restricted according to a predetermined decision condition. Specifically, a user creates a location information access rule using the spatial range of the UE (for example, an arbitrary point from a current location or a distance to the UE or a person), a time zone, and the user&#39;s activity or event (scheduling information about the UE, such as a conference or appointment) in combination, and access to location information is allowed or denied according to the rule. 
         [0053]    However, this method causes user inconvenience in that the user should create the rule in advance and if the user wants or does not want to share the location information (without following the current rule), the user should directly enable or disable the location sharing function of an OS or an application. 
         [0054]    Moreover, access of a specific application to location information may not be controlled because there is no specified method for controlling access to location information on an application basis. For example, if access to mobility information about a UE is restricted at an OS level, even an application requiring acquisition of the mobility information, such as a navigation application is not executed normally. 
         [0055]    The present disclosure provides a method for determining whether an application executed in a UE is authorized to access location information about the UE each time the application attempts to access the location information and, when needed, providing a user with a notification so that the application may access the location information based on the user&#39;s selection. 
         [0056]      FIG. 1  illustrates a method for controlling access to location information about a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0057]    In step  105 , when the UE (an OS or a controller operating the OS in the UE) senses access of an application to location information in step  100 , the UE determines whether there is a rule that defines access authorization of the application for the location information (that is, a matching ‘location information access rule’). The UE uses application identification information in determining the presence of the location information access rule. Optionally, the UE further uses at least one of location information, time information, event information, application state information, and LIE state information in determining the presence of the location information access rule. For example, the UE determines whether there is a rule matching an identifier (ID) of the application, a current location, and a current time among stored rules. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 App ID 
                 Location 
                 Time 
                 Allow or Deny 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0001 
                 location 1 
                 11:00 
                 N 
               
               
                   
                 0001 
                 location 2 
                 12:00 
                 Y 
               
               
                   
                 0001 
                 location 3 
                 13:00 
                 Y 
               
               
                   
                 0001 
                 location 4 
                 17:00 
                 Y 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0058]    [Table 1] illustrates an exemplary data structure of a location information access rule that is stored in the UE. While the location information access rule specifies App ID, location information, time information, and ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ in [Table 1], all information except for App ID and ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ may be selectively included. 
         [0059]    In step  110 , in the presence of the matching location information access rule for the application in step  105 , the UE determines whether the location information access rule indicates ‘Allow’. 
         [0060]    In step  125 , when the location information access rule indicates ‘Allow’ in step  110 , the UE allows the application to access the location information in step  125 . In certain embodiments, the UE provides the location information directly to the application. 
         [0061]    When the location information access rule does not indicate ‘Allow’ in step  110 , the UE ignores or blocks the attempt of the application to access the location information and does not perform any further operation. 
         [0062]    In step  115 , in the absence of the matching location information access rule for the application in step  105 , the UE notifies a user of the attempt of the application to the location information. The UE outputs an icon in a notification bar or a pop-up window querying about whether to allow the access to location information. 
         [0063]    In step  125 , when the user selects to allow the access to the location information in step  115 , the UE allows the application to access the location information. In certain embodiments, the UE provides the location information directly to the application. 
         [0064]    When the user does not select to allow the access to the location information in step  120 , the UE ignores (blocks) the attempt of the application to access the location information. 
         [0065]    When the user selects to allow the application to access the location information in step  120 , the UE generates a new rule for the application, which indicates ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ in regard to location information access of the application. The new rule may include information about the application and information indicating ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ regarding access to the location information. This rule is used as a criterion based on which it is determined whether to allow later access of the application to location information. The rule further includes, as additional information, at least one of current location information about the UE, current time information, current event information, application state information, and UE state information. The UE determines whether to allow or deny access of the application to the location information based on the additional information. 
         [0066]    The flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes all steps needed to describe all possible embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to perform all of the steps in implementing the present disclosure. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 2A to 2H  illustrate exemplary UIs through which a UE asks a user whether to allow access of an application to location information and generates a rule, upon sensing the access of the application to the location information, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0068]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a screen on which a UE notifies a user of an attempt of an application to access location information by a notification bar according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , when the UE (an OS or a controller operating the OS in the UE) senses an attempt of an application to access location information, the UE provides a notification to a user by outputting an icon (for example, a tack-shaped icon)  201  in a notification bar  200  displayed at a part of a screen displayed on a display. The user can immediately deal with the attempt of the application to access the location information during execution of the application. 
         [0070]    When the user views the icon  201 , the user moves to a location information access control screen by drawing down the notification bar  200 . When the user does not want disclosure of his or her location information, the user restricts access to the location information and otherwise, the user allows access to the location information. 
         [0071]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a screen for controlling access of an application to location information, when the application is sensed as attempting to access the location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , the control screen includes a plurality of elements by which to set ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ regarding location information access of a specific application (for example, ‘App 1 ’). The control screen includes a button  202  that toggles between ‘Allow’ and ‘Deny’ for location information access. The control screen further includes additional setting menus  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212  related to additional information that can be used as criteria based on which it is determined whether to allow location information access. Specifically, the control screen includes a ‘Location setting’ menu  204  for setting whether to allow location information access using location information as a condition, a ‘Time setting’ menu  206  for setting whether to allow location information access using time information as a condition, an ‘Event setting’ menu  208  for setting whether to allow location information access using scheduled event information of a user as a condition, an ‘App state setting’ menu  210  for setting whether to allow location information access using state information about the application as a condition, and a ‘Device state setting’ menu  212  for setting whether to allow location information access using state information about the UE as a condition. 
         [0073]    The user can set ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for the location information access of the specific application (that is, ‘App 1 ’). In  FIG. 2B , the toggling button  202  is set to ‘Allow,’ by way of example. In certain embodiments, the user creates or modifies a rule so that the specific application can be allowed to access the location information access. 
         [0074]    The user creates a rule that defines ‘Allow’ for location information access when specific conditions are satisfied by additionally selecting one or more of the additional setting menus  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212 . The selected one or more additional setting menus are conditions that should all be satisfied along with identification information about the application. The selected one or more additional setting menus are placed in an ‘AND’ relationship. For example, when the ‘Location setting’ menu  204  and the ‘Time setting’ menu  206  are selected, the application accesses the location information only when the LE is located at a location and time set as access allow conditions. 
         [0075]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a screen for controlling access of an application to location information, when the application is sensed as attempting to access the location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 2C , the control screen includes the same elements as the control screen illustrated in  FIG. 2B , except that the toggling button  202  is set to ‘Deny.’ In certain embodiments, the user creates or modifies a rule so that location information access is denied for the specific application. 
         [0077]    The user creates or modifies a rule so that ‘Deny’ is defined for location information access, when specific conditions are satisfied by additionally selecting one or more of the additional setting menus  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212 . The selected one or more additional setting menus are conditions that should all be satisfied along with identification information about the application. That is, the selected one or more additional setting menus are placed in an ‘AND’ relationship. For example, if the ‘Location setting’ menu  204  and the ‘Time setting’ menu  206  are selected, the application may not be allowed to access the location information when the LIE is located at a location and time set as access deny conditions. 
         [0078]    While the following description is given on the assumption that location information access is ‘allowed’ as in  FIG. 2B , the same thing applies to the case where location information access is ‘denied’ as in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0079]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a location condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0080]    When location information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, an “always at current location” option  214  and a “while staying at current location” option  216 . The “always at current location” option  214  allows access of a specific application to location information, when the UE is located at a point determined as a current location, irrespective of a date. The “while staying at current location” option  216  does not allow the application to access location information when the UE moves out of the current location and then returns to the current location. 
         [0081]    The ‘current location’ is an area within a predetermined threshold distance from a current location which has been set when the UE sets the access allow condition. For example, the UE determines an area within a radius of 100 m or 500 m from a point determined as a current location to correspond to ‘the current location.’ 
         [0082]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a time condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0083]    When time information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, an “always at current time” option  218  and a “for 30 min from current time” option  220 . The “always at current time” option  218  allows access of a specific application to location information irrespective of a date, during a time determined as ‘the current time’ in the day. 
         [0084]    The ‘current time’ is a time period within a predetermined threshold time from a ‘current time’ which has been determined when the UE sets the access allow condition. For example, the UE determines a time period spanning 5 minutes before and after a time determined as a current time to correspond to ‘the current time.’ 
         [0085]    The above-described 30 min and 5 min are merely exemplary, Accordingly, other time values are applicable according to specific embodiments. 
         [0086]      FIG. 2F  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an event condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0087]    When event information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, an “always during conference” option  222  and an “always during travel” option  224 . The “always during conference” option  222  allows access of a specific application to location information, only when a current event is a ‘conference.’ 
         [0088]    An event such as ‘conference’ or ‘travel’ is an event set in a schedule management application or the like by the user. The location information access control screen of the present disclosure acquires event information in conjunction with the schedule management application of the UE and determines whether to allow or deny access or create or modify a rule to allow location information access, using the acquired event information. 
         [0089]      FIG. 2G  illustrates a screen for controlling location information access using an application state condition, when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0090]    If application state information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, a “foreground operation” option  226  and a “background operation” option  228 . The “foreground operation” option  226  allows access of a specific application to location information when the specific application operates in a displayed state (that is, a foreground state). The “background operation” option  228  allows access of a specific application to location information when the specific application operates in the background although it is not displayed on a display. 
         [0091]      FIG. 2H  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a UE state condition when an application is sensed as attempting to access location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0092]    When UE state information is used as an access allow condition, for example, three options are available. The options are, for example, a “moving” option  230 , an “LCD ON” option  232 , and a “GPS ON” option  234 . The “moving” option  230  allows access of a specific application to location information, only during movement of the UE. The “LCD ON” option  232  allows access of a specific application to location information when a display (for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit) of the UE is turned on and is displaying a screen. The “GPS ON” option  234  allows access of a specific application to location information when a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit of the UE is operating. 
         [0093]    The user sets whether to allow or deny access that a specific application attempts to current location information by use of a location information access control screen provided by the UE and generates or modifies a rule using an access allow condition. 
         [0094]      FIGS. 3A to 3J  are exemplary views illustrating UIs for controlling location information access of an application and managing a location information access rule, using a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0095]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a screen that displays a location information access history of a specific application on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0096]    When the UE senses that the specific application accesses location information ( FIG. 2A ) and the user draws down a notification bar or selects the specific application on an application-based location information access control screen, the screen illustrated in  FIG. 3A  is output. An icon indicating the current location of the UE is displayed on the map. 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , the UE outputs a map on which icons (for example, tack-shaped icons) are arranged at specific locations. The map indicates ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for location information access of ‘App 1 ’ at time points displayed with the icons at the points indicated by the icons. For example, an icon  302  indicates that the application accessed location information at 12:00, an icon  304  indicates that the application accessed location information at 13:00, and an icon  306  indicates that the application accessed location information at 10:00. A point at which the application attempted but was not allowed to access location information is indicated by setting the shape or color of an icon corresponding to the point. 
         [0098]    The screen of  FIG. 3A  includes a ‘List’ button  300 . The button  300  includes a link to another screen. Upon selection of the button  300 , for example, a screen that displays a list of applications available for control of location information access or a screen that displays a list of locations at which ‘App 1 ’ has accessed location information is output. 
         [0099]    The user selects one or more icons by a touch  308  which is made on an icon indicating a point or dragged around the icon on a screen. Permission or denial of access to location information at points indicated by the selected icons be controlled as described below with reference to  FIGS. 3B to 3J . 
         [0100]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a screen for controlling access of an application to location information, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0101]    The control screen of  FIG. 3B  includes a plurality of elements by which to set ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for location information access of a specific application (for example, ‘App 1 ’), for the points selected in  FIG. 3A . The control screen includes a button  310  that toggles between ‘Allow’ and ‘Deny’ for location information access. The control screen further includes additional setting menus  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  320  related to additional information that are used as rules for determining whether to allow or deny location information access. The control screen includes the ‘Location setting’ menu  312  that sets ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ using location information as a condition, the ‘Time setting’ menu  314  that sets ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ using time information as a condition, the ‘Event setting’ menu  316  that sets ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ using scheduled event information of a user as a condition, the ‘App state setting’ menu  318  that sets ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ using application state information as a condition, and the ‘Device state setting’ menu  320  that sets ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ using UE state information as a condition. 
         [0102]    The user set ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for location information access of the specific application (‘App 1 ’). In  FIG. 3B , the toggling button  310  is set to ‘Allow’, by way of example. In certain embodiments, the user generates or changes a rule to ‘Allow’ location information access of the specific application. 
         [0103]    The user creates a rule that defines ‘Allow’ for location information access, if specific conditions are satisfied by additionally selecting one or more of the additional setting menus  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  320 . The selected one or more additional setting menus are conditions that should all be satisfied along with identification information about the application. The selected one or more additional setting menus are placed in an ‘AND’ relationship. For example, if the ‘Location setting’ menu  312  and the ‘Time setting’ menu  314  are selected, the application accesses the location information when the UE is located at a location and time set as access allow conditions. 
         [0104]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a screen for controlling access of an application to location information, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 3C , the control screen includes the same elements as the control screen illustrated in  FIG. 3B , except that a toggling button  322  is set to ‘Deny’. In certain embodiments, the user creates or modifies a rule so that the location information access of the specific application is denied. 
         [0106]    The user creates or modifies a rule to define ‘Deny’ for location information access, if specific conditions are satisfied by additionally selecting one or more of the additional setting menus  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  320 . The selected one or more additional setting menus are conditions that should all be satisfied along with identification information about the application. The selected one or more additional setting menus are placed in an ‘AND’ relationship. For example, if the ‘Location setting’ menu  312  and the ‘Time setting’ menu  314  are selected, the application may not be allowed to access the location information when the LIE is located at a location and time set as access deny conditions. 
         [0107]    While the following description is given on the assumption that location information access is ‘allowed’ as in  FIG. 3B , the same thing applies to the case where location information access is ‘denied’ as in  FIG. 3C . 
         [0108]      FIG. 3D  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a location condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0109]    When location information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options re, for example, an “always at current location” option  324  and a “while staying at current location” option  326 . The “always at current location” option  324  allows access of a specific application to location information when the UE is located at a point determined as a current location, irrespective of a date. The “while staying at current location” option  326  does not allow location information access when the UE moves out of the current location and then returns to the current location. 
         [0110]    The ‘current location’ is an area within a predetermined threshold distance from a current location which has been determined when the UE sets the access allow condition. For example, the UE determines an area within a radius of 100 m or 500 m from a point determined as a current location to correspond to ‘the current location.’ 
         [0111]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a time condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0112]    When time information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, an “always at current time” option  328  and a “for 30 min from current time” option  330 . The “always at the current time” option  328  allows access of a specific application to location information irrespective of a date, during a time determined as ‘a current time’ in the day. 
         [0113]    The ‘current time’ is a time period within a predetermined threshold time from a current time which has been determined when the UE sets the access allow condition. For example, the UE determines a time period spanning 5 minutes before and after a time determined as a current time to correspond to ‘the current time.’ 
         [0114]    The above-described 30 min and 5 min are merely exemplary. Accordingly, other time values are applicable according to specific embodiments. 
         [0115]      FIG. 3F  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an event condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0116]    When event information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, an “always during conference” option  332  and an “always during travel” option  334 . The “always during conference” option  332  allows access of a specific application to location information, only when a current event is a ‘conference.’ 
         [0117]    An event such as ‘conference’ or ‘travel’ is an event set in a schedule management application or the like by the user. The location information access control screen of the present disclosure acquires event information in conjunction with the schedule management application of the UE and determines whether to allow or deny access or create or modify a rule to allow access to location information, using the acquired event information. 
         [0118]      FIG. 3G  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using an application state condition, for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0119]    When application state information is used as an access allow condition, for example, two options are available. The options are, for example, a “foreground operation” option  336  and a “background operation” option  338 . The “foreground operation” option  336  allows access of a specific application to location information when the specific application operates in a displayed state (that is, a foreground state). The “background operation” option  338  allows access of a specific application to location information when the specific application operates in the background although it is not displayed on a display. 
         [0120]      FIG. 3H  illustrates a screen for controlling access to location information using a UE state condition for a point selected on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0121]    When UE state information is used as an access allow condition, for example, three options are available. The options are, for example, a “moving” option  3 . 40 , an “LCD ON” option  342 , and a “GPS ON” option  344 . The “moving” option  340  allows access of a specific application to location information, only during movement of the UE. The “LCD ON” option  342  allows access of a specific application to location information when a display (for example, an LCD unit) of the UE is turned on and is displaying a screen. The “GPS ON” option  344  allows access of a specific application to location information when a GPS unit of the UE is operating. 
         [0122]    The user sets whether to allow or deny access that a specific application attempts to location information, for a point selected on a map, by use of a location information access control screen provided by the UE and generates or modifies a rule using an access allow condition. 
         [0123]      FIG. 3I  illustrates a screen that displays a location information access history of a specific application on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0124]    In  FIG. 3I , the application is allowed to deny access location information at points indicated by icons arranged on the map by differentiating the colors of the icons. For example, shaded icons  350 ,  352 , and  354  indicates ‘Allow’ for location information access of the application and a white icon  356  indicates ‘Deny’ for location information access of the application. 
         [0125]    Referring to  FIG. 3I , the application (‘App 1 ’) accessed location information at 12:00 at a point indicated by the icon  350 , at 13:00 at a point indicated by the icon  352 , and at 17:00 at a point indicated by the icon  354 . The application (‘App 1 ’) was not allowed to access location information at 10:00 at a point indicated by the icon  356 . 
         [0126]      FIG. 3J  illustrates a screen on which one or more points displayed on a map are selected to control access of an application to location information according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0127]    The user selects an area including one or more icons  356  and  354  displayed on the map by a drag touch  358  in order to set ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for location information access of the application (‘App 1 ’). The user sets ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for location information access using the control. screens illustrated in  FIGS. 3B to 3H  with respect to the selected points. 
         [0128]      FIGS. 4A to 4D  are exemplary views illustrating UIs for setting location information access on an application basis according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0129]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an application-based location information access setting menu. displayed on a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0130]    The UE (an OS or a controller operating the OS) provides a setting screen as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  to enable the user to control location information access on an application basis. For example, the user is provided with an application-based location information access setting screen by selecting an ‘App location information access setting’ menu  400 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an application-based location information access setting screen according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0132]    Referring to  FIG. 4B , the application-based location information access setting screen output a list of applications so that a user selects an application to be controlled regarding location information access. The setting screen displays an ‘App 1  location information access setting’ menu  402 , an ‘App 2  location information access setting’ menu  404 , and an ‘App 3  location information access setting’ menu  406 . For example, the user checks or changes a rule set for the specific application (that is, ‘App 1 ’) by selecting the ‘App 1  location information access setting’ menu  402 . 
         [0133]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a screen for checking and changing location information access settings on an application basis according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0134]    Referring to  FIG. 4C , a setting check and change screen outputs a list of rules to be checked or changed, so that rules are selected from the list. The rules are created, for example, using location information and time information. In  FIG. 4C , rules of accessing location information are set for 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, and 17:00 at location  1 , location  2 , location  3 , and location  4 , by way of example. For each rule, the user controls ‘Allow’ or ‘Deny’ for location information access by use of a toggling button  410 . 
         [0135]    The setting check and change screen displays a ‘Map’ button  408  and the user views location  1 , location  2 , location  3 , and location  4  on the map by selecting the button  408 . 
         [0136]      FIG. 4D  illustrates a screen for checking location information access settings on an application basis on a map according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0137]    Referring to  FIG. 4D , the locations (location  1 , location  2 , location  3 , and location  4 ) listed in  FIG. 4C  are displayed on the map. Location  1 , location  2 , location  3 , and location  4  are indicated respectively by icons  414 ,  416 ,  418 , and  420 . 
         [0138]      FIG. 5  illustrates a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0139]    The UE includes at least one of a transceiver  510  for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a communication server or another UE through a network, a display  520  for displaying a screen, an input unit  530  for receiving information, a command, and a selection from a user, and a controller  500  for controlling operations of the transceiver  510 , the display  520 , and the input unit  530 . The UE further includes a storage  540  for storing a location information access rule for an application. 
         [0140]    The display  520  is configured with a touch screen that senses a user&#39;s touch, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an LCD, a Thin Film Transistor LCD (TFT LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, an Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, a flexibly display, or a three-dimensional display. The display  520  further performs the functionality of the input unit  530 . In certain embodiments, the input unit  530  may not be included as a separate component in the UE. 
         [0141]    The input unit  530  is the same component as the display  520  or a module such as a microphone. 
         [0142]    The controller  500  performs the above-described operations of the UE as a method for controlling location information access. The controller  500  controls at least one of sensing of location information access of an application, determination as to whether a location information access rule is present, display output for user notification, display of a user query and reception of a response, and reception of additional information to set a location information access rule. 
         [0143]    While it has been described in  FIG. 5  that the UE includes a plurality of separate components, the controller  500 , the transceiver  510 , and the storage  540  are incorporated into one component (or module). 
         [0144]    The sequences of steps in the control methods, UIs, and the configuration of a UE illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5  should not he construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. That is, all UI elements, UI menus, components, or steps illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5  should not be interpreted as mandatory to implementation of the present disclosure. With a part of the components, the present disclosure is implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
         [0145]    As is apparent from the foregoing description, a user controls non-disclosure of unintended personal location information. 
         [0146]    The user readily controls location information access of all applications on an application basis. 
         [0147]    Further, since the user checks location information to be set as a rule on a map when setting location information access, the user convenience is increased during control of location information access. 
         [0148]    The above-described operations are performed by providing a memory storing a related program code in a component of a UE in a communication system. A controller of the UE performs the above-described operations by reading the program code from the memory using a processor or a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and executing the program code. 
         [0149]    Various components and modules of the above-described UE operates using hardware such as a hardware circuit like a complementary metal oxide semiconductor-based logic circuit, firmware, a combination of software or hardware, and a combination of firmware or software inserted into a machine-readable medium. For example, various electrical structures and methods are implemented using electrical circuits like transistors, logic gates, and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). 
         [0150]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.