Client controlled lock for electronic devices

摘要

An electronic device can be locked and secured by activating a hardware locking mechanism on the device. The locking mechanism is controlled by a locking policy that is defined and implemented from the client side. If the locking mechanism is activated, then the device operates in a limited mode of operation instead of in a normal mode of operation. The locking mechanism can be deactivated, placing the device into the normal mode of operation, when a specified condition is satisfied.

主权项

1. A method for securing an electronic device, said method comprising:
activating a locking mechanism on said device according to a locking policy that defines first and second conditions, wherein when said locking mechanism is activated, then said device operates in a limited mode of operation providing reduced device functionality compared to a normal mode of operation; determining that the first condition is satisfied and, in response, deactivating said locking mechanism while the device is operating in the limited mode of operation and placing said device into an intermediate mode of operation that is between said limited mode of operation and said normal mode of operation in terms of available device functionality; and determining that the second condition is satisfied while the device is in the intermediate mode of operation and, in response, placing the device into said normal mode of operation.