PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8769624-B2
Application Number: US-201113248882-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Access control utilizing indirect authentication

Abstract:
Techniques are provided for granting authorization to restricted content on a display device from an authorizing device. In one embodiment, the display device may operate in a display mode where only unrestricted content is accessible. To access restricted content, the display device may transmit an authorization request signal to the authorizing device. The authorizing device, having received the authorization request, prompts an authorized user to enter an authentication input, such as a password or gesture, on the authorizing device. Upon verification of the authentication input, the authorizing device is authenticated. An authorization signal is transmitted to the display device, and the display device may operate in an authorized mode, having access to otherwise restricted content or functions.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 a display device configured to operate in at least a display mode, a ready mode, and an authorized mode, wherein the display device is further configured to receive an authorization signal and operate in the authorized mode in response to receiving the authorization signal, wherein the authorization signal is received by the display device in response to a successful authentication of an authentication input provided on an authorizing device, the authorizing device and the display device being separate devices, wherein the display device in the ready mode indicates to the authorizing device that the display device is requesting authorization to operate in the authorized mode, wherein the ready mode is available after the display device is in the display mode and prior to operating the display device in the authorized mode, wherein operation in the authorized mode permits access to certain functions or content in the display device, and wherein the authorization signal permits operation in the authorized mode for a limited period of time or for a limited amount of data; and 
 processing circuitry external to the display device, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to transmit the authorization signal to the display device if the authentication input of the authorizing device is authenticated and if the display device is authorized. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the display device or the authorizing device is a touch screen device. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display device is configured to receive and process the authorization signal while operating in the ready mode. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display device is configured to operate in the ready mode upon receiving a ready-mode input. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the display device is configured to transmit an authorization request signal upon receiving the ready-mode input. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorizing device is configured to receive an authorization request signal from the display device and configured to prompt for the authentication input on the authorizing device in response to receiving the authorization request signal. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorizing device is configured to produce an indication in response to receiving an authorization request from the display device, wherein the indication comprises an audio indication, a visual indication, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the authorizing device is configured to receive the authentication input for verifying an identity of a user of the authorizing device. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , comprising an authentication server configured to communicate with the authorizing device, wherein the authorizing device is configured to transmit the authentication input to the authentication server, and wherein the authentication server is configured to verify the identity of the user of the authorizing device based on the authentication input. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , comprising an application server comprising the processing circuitry is configured to transmit the authorization signal to the display device, wherein the application server is configured to receive authentication data from the authentication server and transmit the authorizing signal based on the authentication data. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the authorizing device comprises the processing circuitry external to the display device. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display device is configured to transmit an authorization request signal to the authorizing device, and wherein the authorizing device is configured to receive the authorization request signal from the display device and request the authentication input from a user of the authorizing device in response to receiving the authorization request signal. 
     
     
       13. An indirect authorization system, comprising:
 a display device comprising restricted content and unrestricted content, wherein the display device is configured to operate in at least a display mode, a ready mode, and an authorized mode, wherein in the display mode only the unrestricted content is accessible, the display device further configured to transmit a request signal before entering the authorized mode, receive an authorization signal, and operate in the authorized mode in response to receiving the authorization signal, wherein the authorized mode includes access to at least a portion of the restricted content, wherein the request signal is transmitted to an authorizing device configured to receive the request signal from the display device, and wherein the authorization signal is received by the display device in response to a successful authentication of an authentication input provided on the authorizing device, the authorizing device and the display device being separate devices, wherein the display device in the ready mode indicates to the authorizing device that the display device is requesting authorization to operate in the authorized mode, wherein the ready mode is available after the device is in the display mode and prior to operating the display device in the authorized mode, wherein operation in the authorized mode permits access to certain functions or content in the display device, and wherein the authorization signal permits operation in the authorized mode for a limited period of time or for a limited amount of data; 
 a server configured to receive the authentication input from the authorizing device, authenticate the authentication input, and transmit the authorization signal to the display device; and 
 a network configured to support communication between the display device, the authorizing device, and the server. 
 
     
     
       14. The indirect authorization system of  claim 13 , wherein the display device is configured to transmit the request signal to a plurality of authorizing devices. 
     
     
       15. The indirect authorization system of  claim 13 , wherein the authorizing device is configured to queue received request signals from a plurality of display devices. 
     
     
       16. The indirect authorization system of  claim 13 , wherein the display device is configured to select one of a plurality of authorizing devices for transmitting the request signal. 
     
     
       17. The indirect authorization system of  claim 13 , wherein the request signal is one of an optical signal and an audio signal. 
     
     
       18. The indirect authorization system of  claim 17 , wherein the authorizing device comprises a camera configured to detect the optical signal. 
     
     
       19. A method of operating a display device in a display mode such that unrestricted content is accessible on the display device while restricted content is not accessible on the display device unless an authorization signal is received by the display device, the method comprising:
 transmitting, by the display device, a request signal to an authorizing device, the authorizing device and the display device being separate devices; 
 receiving, by the display device, the authorization signal, wherein the authorization signal permits the display device to operate in an authorized mode to access at least part of the restricted content, wherein the authorization signal is received by the display device in response to a successful authentication of an authentication input provided on the authorizing device, wherein operation in the authorized mode permits access to certain functions or content in the display device, and wherein the authorization signal permits operation in the authorized mode for a limited period of time or for a limited amount of data; and 
 operating the display device in the authorized mode after the display device receives the authorization signal, wherein the display device is configured to operate in at least a display mode, a ready mode, and the authorized mode, and wherein the display device in the ready mode indicates to the authorizing device that the display device is requesting authorization to operate in the authorized mode, wherein the ready mode is available after the device is in the display mode and prior to operating the display device in the authorized mode. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , comprising operating the display device in the ready mode in response to receiving a ready-mode input on the display device. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , comprising transmitting an authorization request signal from the display device to the authorizing device when the display device is operating in the ready mode. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , comprising authenticating the authentication input by comparing the authentication input to an account database in an authentication server. 
     
     
       23. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processing system of a display device, performs a method of operating the display device in a display mode such that unrestricted content is accessible on the display device while restricted content is not accessible on the display device unless an authorization signal is received by the display device, the method comprising:
 transmitting, by the display device, a request signal to an authorizing device, the authorizing device and the display device being separate devices; 
 receiving, by the display device, the authorization signal, wherein the authorization signal permits the display device to operate in an authorized mode to access at least part of the restricted content, wherein the authorization signal is received by the display device in response to a successful authentication of an authentication input provided on the authorizing device, wherein operation in the authorized mode permits access to certain functions or content in the display device, and wherein the authorization signal permits operation in the authorized mode for a limited period of time or for a limited amount of data; and 
 operating the display device in the authorized mode after the display device receives the authorization signal, wherein the display device is configured to operate in at least a display mode, a ready mode, and the authorized mode, and wherein the display device in the ready mode indicates to the authorizing device that the display device is requesting authorization to operate in the authorized mode, wherein the ready mode is available after the device is in the display mode and prior to operating the display device in the authorized mode. 
 
     
     
       24. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 23 , comprising:
 operating the display device in the ready mode in response to receiving a ready-mode input on the display device. 
 
     
     
       25. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 24 , comprising:
 transmitting an authorization request signal from the display device to the authorizing device when the display device is operating in the ready mode. 
 
     
     
       26. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 23 , comprising:
 authenticating the authentication input by comparing the authentication input to an account database in an authentication server.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more specifically to controlling access to content on an electronic display device. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Electronic display devices such as cellular telephones, computers, tablets, and so forth, are increasingly used for a variety of display applications. For example, electronic display devices are commonly utilized to display information in public settings, such as in retail or exhibition venues. Integrating such electronic display devices in such retail or exhibition venues may be valuable for a number of reasons. For instance, electronic display devices may be interactive with potential customers, such that potential customers may use a display device to view different information on the display screen, resize the information displayed on the screen, request employee assistance by using graphical user interfaces on the screen, etc. Moreover, if the electronic display device itself is a product of the business or retail establishment, using the device as an informative display may allow potential customers to sample the functionality of the device. Using electronic display devices as an informative display may therefore be an integral retail or marketing strategy for many businesses. Due to the accessibility of such informative displays, the displays may typically be configured to have content and function restrictions for security, proprietary, and/or confidentiality reasons. For example, while informative displays may display limited content (e.g., pricing information, product specifications, product reviews, etc.) to potential customers, such devices may also include other information (e.g., inventory and sales data, customer information, warrantee information, etc.) which may be accessible only to employees and/or managers. In certain situations, an employee may wish to access the restricted information in the presence of a customer. However, in such situations, utilizing a conventional password login interface method may not be sufficiently secure, as the password may be seen and made repeatable by unauthorized bystanders. Additionally, deliberately shielding a screen from view of bystanders may be an undesirable retail strategy. Therefore, a means for accessing restricted content on an electronic display device without compromising the future security of the restricted content may be desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for obtaining indirect device authorization. For example, a display device may have a display mode and an authorized mode, wherein the display mode is accessible by default and the authorized mode is only accessible after the display device has been authorized by a separate authorizing device. The present techniques allow the display device to send an authorization request to the authorizing device, and allow the authorizing device to give or deny authorization to the first device by sending an authorization signal. 
     In some embodiments, the display device may be used in a retail environment as electronic signage when in the display mode, and the authorizing device may be a device used by an employee. In this embodiment, the display device may need to enter the authorized mode so that its content may be changed or so that the employee may access other functions on the display device. Thus, the display device may enter the authorized mode so long as the employee configures the second device gives authorization to the display device 
     Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a handheld electronic device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a computer for use in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a tablet computer for use in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of an indirect authorization system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting a process of indirect authorization in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a representative view of a first device being entered into a ready mode, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a progression of screens on a second device in an indirect authorization process, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a progression of screens on a second device in another indirect authorization process, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a screen of a second device having an authorization request queue, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a representation of an indirect authorization system using a camera on an authorizing device, in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  is a representation of another indirect authorization system using a camera on an authorizing device, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The present techniques involve wirelessly providing authorization to a first device, also referred to as a display device, by a second device, also referred to as an authorizing device. Specifically, the display device may have unrestricted content that is accessible to any user of the device, as well as restricted content that is generally not accessible to a user without receiving authorization from the second device. The display device may operate in a display mode when only the unrestricted content is accessible and in an authorized mode when authorization is received and a portion or all of the restricted content becomes accessible. 
     One application of such techniques is in a retail environment where electronic display devices may be accessible to customers in display mode. Generally, such display devices may be configured to have certain unrestricted content and functions accessible to customers. For example, such unrestricted content may be related to content for advertising and/or demonstrating the product. However display devices may also operate in an authorized mode, where the display device  62  may access certain or any restricted content that may not be accessible in display mode. 
     For example, in a retail setting, an employee may intent to demonstrate a certain feature on the display device or access certain information that is generally restricted on the display device. Authorization may be required to operate the display device in an authorized mode, such that the employee may access the features or content from the display device which may generally be restricted in display mode. As providing authorization on the display device may be inconvenient or inefficient, the employee may use a second device, also referred to as an authorizing device, to grant authorization to operate the display device in an authorized mode. 
     With these foregoing features in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices for implementing aspects of the present techniques is provided. In  FIG. 1 , a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in electronic devices suitable for use with the present techniques is provided. In  FIG. 2 , one example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a handheld electronic device, is depicted. In  FIG. 3 , another example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a computer system, is depicted. These types of electronic devices, and other electronic devices providing suitable storage and/or processing capabilities, may be used in conjunction with the present techniques. For example, these and similar types of electronic devices may have wireless communication capabilities and may implement non-alphanumeric, non-biometric authentication schemes to access restricted content or functions in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     An example of a suitable electronic device may include various internal and/or external components which contribute to the function of the device.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the components that may be present in such an electronic device  8  and which may allow the device  8  to function in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. As will be appreciated, the various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including application specific or generic circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a machine-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should further be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in a device  8 . For example, in the presently illustrated embodiment, these components may include a display  10 , I/O ports  12 , input structures  14 , data processing circuitry, such as one or more processors  16 , a memory device  18 , a non-volatile storage  20 , expansion card(s)  22 , a networking device  24 , and a power source  26 . 
     With regard to each of these components, the display  10  may be used to display various images generated by the device  8 . The display  10  may be any type of display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or other suitable display. In certain embodiments of the electronic device  8 , the display  10  may include a touch-sensitive element, such as a touch screen. 
     The I/O ports  12  may include ports configured to connect to a variety of external devices, such as a power source or other electronic devices (such as handheld devices and/or computers, printers, projectors, external displays, modems, docking stations, and so forth). The I/O ports  12  may support any standard or proprietary interface type, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a video port, a serial connection port, an IEEE-1394 port, an Ethernet or modem port, and/or an AC/DC power connection port. 
     The input structures  14  may include the various devices, circuitry, and pathways by which input or feedback is provided to data processing circuitry, such as the processor  16 . Such input structures  14  may be configured to control a function of the device  8  when actuated. For example, the input structures  14  may include buttons, sliders, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, keyboards, mice, touchpads, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the input structures  14  may also include such components as global positioning system (GPS) circuitry and/or accelerometers that convey information about the location and/or orientation of the device  8  to the processors  16 . 
     In certain embodiments, an input structure  14  and display  10  may be provided together, such an in the case of a touch screen where a touch sensitive mechanism is provided in conjunction with the display  10 . In such embodiments, the user may select or interact with displayed interface elements via the touch sensitive mechanism. In this way, the displayed user interface may provide interactive functionality, allowing a user to select, by touch screen or other input structure, from among options displayed on the display  10 . 
     User interaction with the input structures  14 , such as to interact with a user or application interface displayed on the display  10 , may generate electrical signals indicative of the user input. These input signals may be routed via suitable pathways, such as an input hub or bus, to data processing circuitry, such as the processor(s)  16 , for further processing. 
     The processor(s)  16  may provide data processing capability to execute the operating system, programs, user and application interfaces, and any other functions of the electronic device  8 . The processor(s)  16  may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, or some combination of such processing components. For example, the processor  16  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors, as well as graphics processors, video processors, audio processors and/or related chip sets. 
     The instructions or data to be processed by the processor(s)  16  may be stored in a memory  18 . The memory  18  may be provided as a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or as a non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory  18  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory  18  may store firmware executed by a processor  16  (such as basic input/output instructions or operating system instructions, including instructions implementing non-alphanumeric authentication (e.g., authentication not based on keys or characters found on a keyboard) as discussed herein), other programs that enable various functions of the electronic device  8 , user interface functions, processor functions. In addition, the memory  18  may be used for buffering or caching during operation of the electronic device  8 . 
     The components may further include a non-volatile storage  20  for persistent storage of data and/or instructions. The non-volatile storage  20  may include flash memory, a hard drive, or any other optical, magnetic, and/or solid-state storage media. The non-volatile storage  20  may be used to store data files such as personal or business information (e.g., financial and other account information), software, wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable the electronic device  8  to establish a wireless connection, such as a telephone or wireless network connection), and any other suitable data. In addition, the non-volatile storage  20  may also store code and/or data for implementing various functions of the electronic device  8 , such as application or program code, data associated with such applications or programs, operating system code, user configured preferences, as well as code for implementing secure user authentication as discussed herein. 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  may also include one or more card or expansion slots. The card slots may be configured to receive an expansion card  22  that may be used to add functionality, such as additional memory, I/O functionality, or networking capability, to the electronic device  8 . Such an expansion card  22  may connect to the device through any type of suitable standard or proprietary connector, and may be accessed internally or external to the housing of the electronic device  8 . For example, in one embodiment, the expansion card  22  may be flash memory card, such as a SecureDigital (SD) card, mini- or microSD, CompactFlash card, Multimedia card (MMC), or the like. 
     The components depicted in  FIG. 1  also include a network device  24 , such as a network controller or a network interface card (NIC). In one embodiment, the network device  24  may be a wireless NIC providing wireless connectivity over any 802.11 standard or any other suitable wireless networking standard. The network device  24  may allow the electronic device  8  to communicate over a network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), cellular network, or the Internet. Further, the electronic device  8  may connect to and send or receive data with any device on the network, such as portable electronic devices, personal computers, printers, and so forth. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the electronic device  8  may not include a network device  24 . In such an embodiment, a NIC may be added as an expansion card  22  to provide similar networking capability as described above. 
     Further, the components may also include a power source  26 . In one embodiment, the power source  26  may be one or more batteries, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. The battery may be user-removable or may be secured within the housing of the electronic device  8 , and may be rechargeable. Additionally, the power source  26  may include AC power, such as provided by an electrical outlet, and the electronic device  8  may be connected to the power source  26  via a power adapter. This power adapter may also be used to recharge one or more batteries if present. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 2  illustrates an electronic device  8  in the form of a handheld device  30 , here a cellular telephone, which may be used as a display device and/or an authorizing device. It should be noted that while the depicted handheld device  30  is provided in the context of a cellular telephone, other types of handheld devices (such as media players for playing music and/or video, personal data organizers, handheld game platforms, and/or combinations of such devices) may also be suitable be provided as the electronic device  8 . Further, a suitable handheld device  30  may incorporate the functionality of one or more types of devices, such as a media player, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, a personal data organizer, and so forth. 
     For example, in the depicted embodiment, the handheld device  30  is in the form of a cellular telephone that may provide various additional functionalities (such as the ability to take pictures, record audio and/or video, listen to music, play games, and so forth). As discussed with respect to the generalized electronic device of  FIG. 1 , the handheld device  30  may allow a user to connect to and communicate through the Internet or through other networks, such as local or wide area networks or cellular networks. For example, the handheld device  30  may allow a user to communicate using e-mail, text messaging, instant messaging, or other forms of electronic communication. The handheld electronic device  30 , may also communicate with other devices using short-range connections, such as Bluetooth and near field communication. By way of example, the handheld device  30  may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone®, or a derivative thereof, available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     In the depicted embodiment, a housing  32  includes input structures  14  through which a user may interface with the device. Each input structure  14  may be configured to help control a device function when actuated. For example, in a cellular telephone implementation, one or more of the input structures  14  may be configured to invoke a “home” screen or menu to be displayed, to toggle between a sleep and a wake mode, to silence a ringer for a cell phone application, to increase or decrease a volume output, and so forth. 
     A display  10  of the handheld device  30  may be used to display a graphical user interface (GUI)  34  that allows a user to interact with the handheld device  30 . The GUI  34  may include various layers, windows, screens, templates, or other graphical elements that may be displayed in all, or a portion, of the display  10 . Generally, the GUI  34  may include graphical elements that represent applications and functions of the electronic device. The graphical elements may include icons  36  and other images representing buttons, sliders, menu bars, and the like. The icons  36  may correspond to various applications of the electronic device that may open upon selection of a respective icon  36 . Furthermore, selection of an icon  36  may lead to a hierarchical navigation process, such that selection of an icon  36  leads to a screen that includes one or more additional icons or other GUI elements. The icons  36  may be selected via a touch screen provided as the display  10  in certain embodiments, or may be selected by a user input structure  14 , such as a wheel or button. 
     In addition to handheld devices  30 , such as the depicted cellular telephone of  FIG. 2 , an electronic device  8  may also take the form of a computer or other types of electronic device on which confidential information might be stored and on which software code governing secure access to such information might be executed. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  8  in the form of computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. 
     By way of example, an electronic device  8  in the form of a laptop computer  50  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  in accordance with one embodiment. The depicted computer  50  includes a housing  52 , a display  10 , input structures  14 , and input/output ports  12 . The input structures  14  (such as a keyboard and/or a touchpad) may be used to interact with the computer  50 , such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications running on the computer  50 . For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on the display  10 . In addition, the input and output ports  12  may allow connection of additional devices. For example, the computer  50  may include an I/O port  12 , such as a USB port or other port, suitable for connecting to another electronic device, such as a handheld electronic device  30 . 
     In addition, as discussed with respect to the handheld device  30 , the computer  50  may include data processing circuitry (such as one or more processors), network connectivity, memory, and storage capabilities that allow the computer  50  to store and execute a GUI and other applications suitable for implementing the present techniques. For example, the computer  50  may be capable of storing and executing programming code encoding routines suitable for accessing confidential information or secured applications or network connections using non-alphanumeric and non-biometric inputs (e.g., gestures, sequences, and so forth). Further, to the extent that a computer  50  has network connectivity, such connectivity may be utilized to update or modify an existing application on the computer  50  to provide such functionality. 
     In addition to the handheld device  30  of  FIG. 2  and the computer  50  of  FIG. 3 , the electronic device  10  may take other forms, such as a portable multi-function tablet computing device  58 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . In certain embodiments, the tablet computing device  58  may provide the functionality of more than one type of electronic device, such as a device incorporating the functionality of two or more of a media player, a web browser, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, a personal data organizer, and so forth. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the tablet computing device  58  may provide various additional functionalities, such as the ability to display information, take pictures and record audio and/or video listen to music, play games, and so forth. By way of example only, the tablet computing device  58  may be a model of an iPad tablet computer, available from Apple Inc. 
     With the foregoing discussion in mind, it may be appreciated that electronic device  8  may be suitable for the indirect authorization techniques presented in this disclosure.  FIG. 5  shows an indirect authorization system  60 . While  FIG. 5  illustrates a tablet computer as a first display device  62  and a cellular telephone as a second authorizing device  64 , it should be noted that the display device  62  and the authorizing device  64  can each be one of any suitable display devices. The indirect authorization system  60  also includes a wireless network  66  through which the display device  62  and the authorizing device  64  communicate. In some embodiments, an authorization server  63  and an application server  65  may also be suitable for wireless communication with each other and with the display device  62  and the authorizing device  64  via the wireless network  66 . 
     While the display device  62  of the indirect authorization system  60  generally has many functions, including, but not limited to, any combination of functions of electronic device  8  mentioned above, the display device  62  may be configured so that only a subset of its functions or content is accessible at a given time. For example, the display device  62  may be configured to run in a display mode, where unrestricted content is available, but restricted content is accessible only after authorization is received. In one or more embodiments, the display device  62  may be configured to operate in display mode to display only limited screens of certain images or text, and when operating in display mode, the display device  62  may be configured to respond to only certain user inputs. For example, in a retail setting, a display device  62  may be configured to display information about a certain product, such as name, price, images, and other product specifications. In some embodiments, a display device  62  in display mode may be limited to playing a particular video or presentation. 
     In some embodiments, the display device  62  may also be configured to operate in an authorized mode. As discussed, the display device  62  may include restricted content or functions in addition to the unrestricted content which generally can only be accessed while the display device  62  is in authorized mode. In some embodiments, restricted content may include a range of capabilities including, for example, internet browsing, text messaging, connecting to a secure network. The restricted content may also include confidential information or secure functions such as looking up inventory, performing a transaction, and so forth. When the display device  62  is granted authorization to operate in authorized mode, the display device  62  may access certain restricted functions or content. In some embodiments, authorized mode may authorize the display device  62  to access any available functions or content. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the display device  62  may not include additional interface elements for accessing the restricted content. 
     In some embodiments, an authorizing device  64  may be configured to grant authorization by receiving an authorization request signal from the first device  62  and prompting a user of the authorizing device  64  for authentication to grant authorization to the display device  62  such that the display device  62  may operate in an authorized mode. 
     The wireless network  66  may be a personal area network (PAN) such as a Bluetooth™ network, a local area network (LAN) such as an 802.11 Wi-Fi network, a wide area network (WAN) such as a 3G or 4G cellular network, and other suitable wireless networks. The authentication server  63  in the wireless network  66  may include account data and/or identity data associated with accounts associated with the indirect authorization system  60 . For example, account information for each employee of the system  60  may be stored in the authentication server  63 . In some embodiments, the authentication server  63  may include processing or control elements suitable for verifying a user&#39;s account or verifying a user&#39;s authentication input, referred to as authenticating a user. For example, the authentication server  63  may compare a user authentication input (e.g., an identifying password, gesture, account name, etc.) with account data stored in an account database in the authentication server  63 . 
     In some embodiments, the indirect authorization system  60  may also include an application server  65  connected in the wireless network  66 . The application server  65  may be configured to proxy between one or more devices of the system  60 , such as between one or more display devices  62  and one or more authorizing devices  64 . The application server  65  may be suitable for transmitting various signals (e.g., authorization request signal, authentication input, and/or authorizing signal, etc.) between different devices of the system  60 . In some embodiments, the application server  65  may also verify an authority level of an authenticated user for performing a function, accessing content, authorizing access to content or functions, and/or monitoring access to content. In some embodiments, processing components or data associated with authentication and authorization may be stored in the authorizing device  64 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an indirect authorization process  68 , and  FIGS. 7-9  illustrate screens on the display device or the authorizing device during the indirect authorization process  68 . As such,  FIGS. 6-9  will be discussed concurrently. In some embodiments, the indirect authorization process  68  may begin (block  70 ) with the display device  62  operating in display mode. The process  68  may then involve entering (block  72 ) the display device  62  in ready mode. Ready mode may refer to an operational state of the display device  62  where the display device  62  indicates to an authorizing device  64  that the display device  62  is requesting authorization to operate in authorized mode and/or ready to receive authorization to operate in authorized mode. In some embodiments, a display device  62  operating in ready mode may have similar functions as a device  62  operating in display mode. Entering (block  72 ) the display device  62  in ready mode may generally be performed by a user having knowledge of how to enter the display device  62  in ready mode. For example, while an unauthorized user (e.g., a customers) may not have knowledge of what inputs or actions may change the display device  62  from display mode to ready mode, an authorized user (e.g., an employee) may enter the display device  62  to ready mode in a process of authorizing the display device  62  for access to restricted content. 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of one embodiment of entering (block  72 ) a display device  62  in ready mode. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the display device  62  may be configured to display unrestricted content (e.g., produce specifications) while in a display mode. The display device  62  may be entered (block  72 ) into ready mode in response to receiving a gesture-based user input on the display. In the illustrated embodiment, the display device  62  is a touch-screen enabled device, and may be configured to detect a user&#39;s contact with the touch-screen display  10 . The display device  62  may have a ready-mode gesture  100  stored in memory. The ready-mode gesture  100  may be a pattern or path of a user&#39;s contact (e.g., via a user&#39;s finger) over the surface of the display  10  on the display device  62 . When the display device  62  detects that the appropriate ready-mode gesture  100  has been input in the display  10 , the display device  62  may enter ready mode. For example, in some embodiments, the ready-mode gesture  100  may be known by users authorized to enter the display device  62  in ready mode and/or authorized to operate the display device  62  in authorized mode. Furthermore, some embodiments may include different means of entering (block  72 ) the display device  62  in ready mode, such as activating other user interface elements (e.g., an icon, a button, a switch, etc.), holding the display device  62  a certain way, or inputting a code. In some embodiments, the display device  62  may transmit (block  74 ) an authorization request  76  once the display device  62  is in ready mode. 
     The authorization request  76  may be received (block  78 ) by a second device, referred to as the authorizing device  64 , over a wireless network  66 . In response to receiving (block  78 ) the authorization request  76 , the authorizing device  64  may prompt (block  80 ) a user for authentication.  FIG. 8  is an illustration of a progression  102  of screens of the authorizing device  64  depicting a user interface of the authorizing device  64  in response to receiving (block  78 ) an authorization request  76  in the indirect authorization process  68 . In response to receiving (block  78 ) an authorization request  76 , the authorizing device  64  may be configured to display an authorization request notification  104 . In the present embodiment, the authorization request notification  104  may appear on the display  10  on top of the current content of the display when the authorization request is received and may indicate to a user of the authorizing device  64  that a display device  62  has requested authorization to operate in authorized mode. In the present embodiment, the authorization request notification  104  displays a message  106  viewable by the user and an identification reference  108  of the display device  62 . In some embodiments, the notification  104  may also include an ignore button  110  and an accept button  112 . Activation of the ignore button  110  may dismiss the authorization request notification  104  from the display  10 , and activating the accept button  112  may continue the indirect authorization process  68  on the authorizing device  64 , and the authorizing device  64  may prompt (block  80 ) a user of the device  64  for authentication. As used herein, “activating” a button may be done by a number of actions, such as pressing, pushing, selecting, touching, and so forth, depending on the interface type. 
     The authorizing device  64  may prompt (block  80 ) a user for authentication by displaying a user interface for receiving user inputs representing a user account. For example, in some embodiments, the authorizing device  64  may display an arrangement of gesture nodes  114  having multiple gesture nodes  116 , and the user may input an authentication input  82  by contacting (e.g., touching, swiping, tracing, etc.) the arrangement of gesture nodes  114  in a path or pattern, referred to as a gesture input. In some embodiments, the authorizing device  64  may display account and/or password data fields, and a user may input an authentication input  82  by entering information such as an account name and/or password, referred to as a password input. In some embodiments, the gesture input and the password input are embodiments of the authentication input  82 , which generally corresponds to a user account in the system  60  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     In some embodiments, the authentication input  82  (e.g., a gesture input, password input, etc.) may be transmitted (block  84 ) by the authorizing device  64  to an authentication server  63  ( FIG. 5 ) connected to the wireless network  66 . In some embodiments, the authentication server  63  may include control or processing elements suitable for comparing the authentication input  82  with a database or collection of user accounts. Based on the authentication input  82 , the authentication server  63  may authenticate (block  86 ) the user of the authorized device  64 . More specifically, the authentication server  63  may determine whether the authentication input  82  is associated with an account in the system  60 . In some embodiments, the authentication server  63  may communicate with an application server  65  which may verify (block  88 ) the authority of an authenticated user to determine whether the user entering the authentication input  82  has the authority to grant authorization for the display device  62  to operate in authorized mode. It should be noted that in some embodiments, authentication and/or authorization may occur on the authorizing device  64 . 
     In some embodiments, once a user of the authorizing device  64  has been authenticated (block  86 ) and once the user&#39;s authority has been verified (block  88 ), an authorization signal  92  may be transmitted (block  90 ) to the display device  62 . In some embodiments, the authorization signal  92  may be transmitted by either the application server  65 , the authentication server  63 , or the authorizing device  64 . The authorizing device  64  may also display an indication  118  that the display device  62  is authorized to operate in authorized mode. The indication  118  may also include a close button  120  for dismissing the indication  118  and returning the authorizing device  64  to its original state previous to entering the indirect authorization process  68 . 
     Once the display device  62  receives (block  94 ) the authorization signal  92 . The display device  62  may process the signal and begin operating (block  96 ) in an authorized mode. In authorized mode, the display device  62  may generally access to additional content and functions previously restricted when the display device  62  operated in a display mode or ready mode. In some embodiments, operation in authorized mode involves authorization to access only certain functions or content in the display device  62 . For example, an authorizing device  64  may select categories of functions or content which may be authorized for access on the display device  62  during its operation in authorized mode. Alternatively, the display device  62  may indicate the particular functions or content for which access is requested in the authorization request  76 . In some embodiments, the authorization signal  92  may grant authorization for a limited period of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.) or for a limited amount of data (e.g., 50 MB), and in some embodiments, the authorized mode may involve a removal or restrictions and full access to any content or functions of the display device  62 . 
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of another progression  122  of screens which may be displayed by the authorizing device  64  in an indirect authorization process  68  As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , one embodiment includes displaying a map view  124  of a group of display devices  62  represented as nodes  126 . The map view  124  may show the display devices  62  based on their location relative to each other as well as the authorizing device  64 . The map view  124  may be configured to show details regarding the display devices  62  such as type of device, usage, and so forth. The may view  124  may also indicate if one or more of the display devices  62  has been put in ready mode and requires authorization. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the map view  124  may display an indication  128  that a particular display device  62  (e.g., device  5  in the illustration) has transmitted an authorization request signal. Such an indication  128  may include, for example a flashing node, a different color node, or other form of differentiation. To proceed with indirect authorization a display device  62 , a user may select a display device  62 . For example, in some embodiments, the indicated device may be selected. Selecting a display device  62  may result in the authentication and authorization process previously discussed with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 8 . 
     In one or more embodiments, an authorizing device  64  may be configured to receive authorization requests  76  from more than one display device  62 . In such embodiments, the authorizing device  64  may be configured to display an authorization request queue screen  130 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The authorization request queue screen  130  may include a total  132  of pending authorization requests  134  and list each pending authorization requests  134 . In the present embodiment, each pending authorization request  134  includes an identification number  108  of the requesting device, a requested content  136 , and a time of request  138 . The authorizing device  64  is configured to allow the user to select any pending authorization request  134  for authorizing. 
     While in some embodiments, the indirect authorization techniques involves transmitting a wireless request signal from a display device  62  to an authorizing device  64 , in other embodiments, the authorizing device  64  may not necessarily receive a request signal before proceeding to authorize a display device  62 . For example,  FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of indirect authorization techniques where a display device  62  may not necessarily transmit an authorization request to an authorizing device  64 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a display device  62  may include a visual identifier or code, such as a barcode  138 , disposed on the exterior of the device  62  or on any portion of the device  62  that is visibly accessible. For example, the barcode  138  may be disposed on the back of the device  62 . If a user of an authorizing device  64  wishes to operate the display device  62  in authorized mode, the authorizing user may scan the barcode  138  of the display device  62  to authorize the display device  62  associated with the particular scanned barcode  138 . In some embodiments, the authorizing device  64  may include an optical sensor  140 , such as a camera, and may be configured to capture an image of the barcode  138 . The authorizing device  64  may then match the image of the barcode  138  with a database of barcodes to identify the display device  62  on which the barcode  138  is disposed. If the barcode  138  is recognized, the authorizing device  64  may transmit an authorization signal to the display device  62  on which the barcode  138  is disposed. 
     In some embodiments, the database of barcodes may be stored on a suitable server (e.g., authentication server  63  or application server  65  in the system  60 ) or in the authorizing device  64 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, upon identification of a barcode  138 , the authorizing device  64  may request authentication and/or authorization of a user of the authorizing device  64  (as discussed with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 8 ) before proceeding to authorize the display device  62 . 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, the display device  62  may display or emit or transmit an indication that the particular display device  62  is in ready mode. For example, the ready-mode indication may include an audio signal detectable by the authorizing device  64  and/or a visual signal displayed by the display device  62  and detectable by the authorizing device  64 . For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in response to being entered in ready mode, the display device  62  may display a sequence of flashing nodes  142  on its display  10 . The sequence of flashing nodes  142  may represent a code identifying the display device  62  and/or indicating that the particular display device  62  is operating in ready mode. In this embodiment, the authorizing device  64  may scan or capture the sequence of flashing nodes  142  with its optical sensor  140 . The authorizing device  64  may recognize the code represented by the sequence of flashing nodes and match it with the identity of the display device  62  to proceed with authorizing the display device  62 . In some embodiments, the indirect authorization process may continue with authenticating and/or authorizing a user of the authorizing device  64  to authorize the display device  62 . 
     While in some embodiments, the indirect authorization techniques may be initiated by the display device  62  entering a ready mode and/or transmitting a wireless request signal to an authorizing device, in some embodiments, indirect authorization may be initiated by the authorizing device  64 . For example, a user of the authorizing device  64  may select (e.g., from a list or a map  128  of display devices  62 ) a display device  62  to authorize. When a particular display device  62  is selected, the indirect authorization techniques may involve authenticating and/or authorizing a user of the authorizing device  64  to continue with authorizing the selected display device  62 . 
     Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the indirect authorization process may involve authorizing a display device  62  without requesting additional authentication and/or authorization for each received authorization request on an authorizing device  64 . For example, an authorizing device  64  may transmit an authorization signal to the display device  62 . Such embodiments may assume that a user of the authorizing device  64  is authenticated and authorized. For example, authorizing a display device  62  without additional authentication and/or authorization may be based on proximity (e.g., if the display device  62  and the authorizing device  64  are within 2 feet apart). In some embodiments, the authorization signal transmitted by the authorizing device  64  may pass through a server (e.g., an application server  65 ) to verify the authorization of the display device  62 . 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110929
Publication Date: 20140701
Grant Date: 20140701
Priority Date: 20110929
Inventors: COTTERILL STEPHEN HAYDEN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04L63/0853", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/35", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0876", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0853", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/083", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/101", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/35", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0876", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0853", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/101", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/35", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/35", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/77", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/77", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0853", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47040813