Patent ID: 8161290

Claim:
A security system for a personal communication device, comprising: a physical interface to the personal communication device configured to accept a physical key device for the personal communication device, wherein the physical key device is unique and individual to the personal communication device; and logic of the personal communication device configured to activate a public mode of operation for the personal communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of operation allowing access to a first set of functions of the personal communication device, the public mode of operation prohibiting access to a second set of functions of the personal communication device, the logic further configured to activate a personal mode of operation for the personal communication device when the physical key device is accepted by the personal communication device, the personal mode of operation allowing access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the personal communication device; logic of the personal communication device configured to automatically deactivate the public mode of operation after a set time period has expired when the physical key device is removed from the personal communication device, wherein the second set of functions comprises device feature settings previously set by a user of the personal communication device to be activated for the personal mode of operation; and the logic is further configured to relay to a communication network that the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, wherein the communication network initiates a public mode of communication with the personal communication device when the physical key device is not accepted by the personal communication device, the public mode of communication allowing some forms of communication and prohibiting other forms of communication that are allowed during a personal mode of communication, the personal mode of communication being activated by the communication network when the public mode of communication is not being employed, wherein the personal communication device comprises a remote control to at least one of a television set and a television set top box.