Configuring context-based restrictions for a computing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12417318-B2
Application number	US-202418672655-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2024
Priority date	May 6, 2019
Publication date	Sep 16, 2025
Grant date	Sep 16, 2025

Abstract

In some implementations, a computing device can restrict the use of another computing device in certain contexts. For example, a parent may wish to use the parent's computing device to restrict her children's use of the children's computing devices while the children are in school while the children should be participating in some other activity. For example, the parent's controller device may be enabled to remotely configure and control the usage of the satellite device(s) without needing to physically access the satellite device. The parent may implement limitations, permissions, or different policies that may govern, for example, the ability of the satellite device to communicate with other devices, execute various application functionalities, run any particular software, and manage its own settings.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
obtaining, by an electronic device, a first set of motion data collected by a motion sensor comprised in the electronic device;
wherein the first set of motion data corresponds to a first gesture or first movement detected by the motion sensor;
based on the first set of motion data, determining whether a first triggering condition for activating a restricted mode for the electronic device has been detected;
responsive to determining that the first triggering condition for activating the restricted mode for the electronic device has been detected:
configuring the electronic device to operate in the restricted mode,
wherein while the electronic device is operating in the restricted mode, a first user application executes in a fully functional mode while a second user application is disabled.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of motion data is collected by the motion sensor while the electronic device is operating in an unrestricted mode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the electronic device to operate in the restricted mode comprises reactivating the restricted mode.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
obtaining, by the electronic device, a second set of motion data collected by the motion sensor comprised in the electronic device;
wherein the second set of motion data corresponds to a second gesture or second movement detected by the motion sensor;
based on the second set of motion data, determining whether a second triggering condition for activating an unrestricted mode for the electronic device has been detected;
responsive to determining that the second triggering condition for activating the unrestricted mode for the electronic device has been detected:
configuring the electronic device to operate in the unrestricted mode.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of: a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a head-mounted display, or a wearable device.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device comprises the wearable device;
wherein the triggering condition comprises a particular type of movement of a user's arm.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first user application provides a first functionality comprising one of: a communication function, a display function, executing an application, receiving input via a touch sensitive screen, transmitting messages, receiving messages, placing telephone calls, receiving telephone calls, or accessing a network.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
obtaining, by an electronic device, a first set of motion data collected by a motion sensor comprised in the electronic device;
wherein the first set of motion data corresponds to a first gesture or first movement detected by the motion sensor;
based on the first set of motion data, determining whether a first triggering condition for activating a restricted mode for the electronic device has been detected;
responsive to determining that the first triggering condition for activating the restricted mode for the electronic device has been detected:
configuring the electronic device to operate in the restricted mode,
wherein while the electronic device is operating in the restricted mode, a first user application executes in a fully functional mode while a second user application is disabled.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the first set of motion data is collected by the motion sensor while the electronic device is operating in an unrestricted mode.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein configuring the electronic device to operate in the restricted mode comprises reactivating the restricted mode.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , the operations further comprising:
obtaining, by the electronic device, a second set of motion data collected by the motion sensor comprised in the electronic device;
wherein the second set of motion data corresponds to a second gesture or second movement detected by the motion sensor;
based on the second set of motion data, determining whether a second triggering condition for activating an unrestricted mode for the electronic device has been detected;
responsive to determining that the second triggering condition for activating the unrestricted mode for the electronic device has been detected:
configuring the electronic device to operate in the unrestricted mode.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of: a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a head-mounted display, or a wearable device.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 ,
wherein the electronic device comprises the wearable device;
wherein the triggering condition comprises a particular type of movement of a user's arm.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the first user application provides a first functionality comprising one of: a communication function, a display function, executing an application, receiving input via a touch sensitive screen, transmitting messages, receiving messages, placing telephone calls, receiving telephone calls, or accessing a network.

15. A system comprising:
one or more processors; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium including one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
obtaining, by an electronic device, a first set of motion data collected by a motion sensor comprised in the electronic device;
wherein the first set of motion data corresponds to a first gesture or first movement detected by the motion sensor;
based on the first set of motion data, determining whether a first triggering condition for activating a restricted mode for the electronic device has been detected;
responsive to determining that the first triggering condition for activating the restricted mode for the electronic device has been detected:
configuring the electronic device to operate in the restricted mode,
wherein while the electronic device is operating in the restricted mode, a first user application executes in a fully functional mode while a second user application is disabled.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first set of motion data is collected by the motion sensor while the electronic device is operating in an unrestricted mode.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein configuring the electronic device to operate in the restricted mode comprises reactivating the restricted mode.

18. The system of claim 15 , the operations further comprising:
obtaining, by the electronic device, a second set of motion data collected by the motion sensor comprised in the electronic device;
wherein the second set of motion data corresponds to a second gesture or second movement detected by the motion sensor;
based on the second set of motion data, determining whether a second triggering condition for activating an unrestricted mode for the electronic device has been detected;
responsive to determining that the second triggering condition for activating the unrestricted mode for the electronic device has been detected:
configuring the electronic devic

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Salzman Paul W
• Skogen Christopher G
• Clark David S
• Hawkins Tyler D

Classifications

• G06F21/45

  Structures or tools for the administration of authentication · CPC title

• G06F21/6218

  to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database · CPC title

• G06F21/604

  Tools and structures for managing or administering access control systems · CPC title

• H04L63/108 Primary

  when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time · CPC title

• H04L63/104

  Grouping of entities · CPC title