Dynamic profile switching

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for dynamic switching of user profiles on computing devices. In one method, the computing device identifies a first user profile under which the computing device is operating. The first user profile is associated with a first user value indicative of a first user. The computing device receives an image from an image-sensing device, generates a current user value indicative of a current user based on the received image, and determines if the current user value corresponds to the first user value. If the current user value does not correspond to the first user value, the computing device configures at least some programs operating on the computing device using a second user profile that is selected based on the current user value. If the current user value does correspond to the first user value, the computing device continues to operate using the first user profile.

1 . A method of operating a computing device having an image-sensing device, the method comprising:
 identifying a first user profile under which the computing device is operating, the first user profile associated with a first user value indicative of a first user;   receiving an image from the image-sensing device;   generating a current user value indicative of a current user of the computing device based on the received image;   determining if the current user value corresponds to the first user value; and   configuring at least some programs operating on the computing device using a second user profile that is selected based on the current user value if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value.   
     
     
         2 . The method in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 continuing to operate the computing device using the first user profile if the current user value corresponds to the first user value.   
     
     
         3 . The method in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing the current user value to a stored user value of each user profile of a plurality of stored user profiles if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value; and   selecting a guest profile as the second user profile if the current user value does not correspond to the stored user value of any user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles.   
     
     
         4 . The method in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing the current user value to a stored user value of each user profile of a plurality of stored user profiles if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value;   creating the second user profile if the current user value does not correspond to the stored user value of any user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles; and   displaying an interface for configuring the second user profile.   
     
     
         5 . The method in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing the current user value to a stored user value of each user profile of a plurality of stored user profiles if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value;   displaying one or more indicators if the current user value does not correspond to the stored user value of any user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles, wherein each indicator of the one or more indicators is associated with a respective stored user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles;   receiving a signal selecting an indicator of the one or more indicators; and   selecting the stored user profile that is associated with the selected indicator as the second user profile.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first user profile and second user profile are stored in a location external to the computing device. 
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a computing device having an image-sensing device, the method comprising:
 identifying a first user profile under which the computing device is operating, the first user profile associated with a first user value indicative of a first user;   receiving an image from the image-sensing device;   generating a current user value indicative of a current user of the computing device based on the received image;   determining if the current user value corresponds to the first user value; and   determining if a second user profile is available to the computing device if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value, the second user profile associated with a second user value.   
     
     
         8 . The method in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 continuing to operate the computing device using the first user profile if the current user value corresponds to the first user value.   
     
     
         9 . The method in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining if the current user value corresponds to the second user value; and   retrieving the second user profile if the current user value corresponds to the second user value; and   sending a notification to the user if the second user profile is retrieved, the notification requesting selection of the first user profile or the second user profile.   
     
     
         10 . The method in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal indicating selection of the first user profile; and   continuing to operate the computing device using the first user profile in response to selection of the first user profile.   
     
     
         11 . The method in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal indicating selection of the second user profile; and   configuring at least some programs operating on the computing device using the second user profile in response to selection of the second user profile.   
     
     
         12 . The method in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 configuring at least some programs operating on the computing device using a guest profile if the current user value does not correspond to the second user value.   
     
     
         13 . The method in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining if the current user value corresponds to the second user value;   displaying one or more indicators if the current user value does not correspond to the second user value, wherein each indicator of the one or more indicators is associated with a respective user profile of a plurality of user profiles;   receiving a signal selecting an indicator of the one or more indicators;   retrieving the user profile that is associated with the selected indicator; and   configuring at least some programs operating on the computing device using the user profile that is associated with the selected indicator.   
     
     
         14 . The method in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 displaying an interface for establishing a user profile for the current user if the current user value does not correspond to the second user value.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first user profile and second user profile are stored in a location external to the computing device. 
     
     
         16 . A computing device comprising:
 an input-output device;   an image-sensing device;   a memory; and   one or more processors wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:   identify a first user profile under which the computing device is operating, the first user profile associated with a first user value indicative of a first user;   receive an image from the image-sensing device;   generate a current user value indicative of a current user of the computing device based on the received image;   determine if the current user value corresponds to the first user value; and   configure at least some programs operating on the computing device using a second user profile that is selected based on the current user value if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 continue to operate the computing device using the first user profile if the current user value corresponds to the first user value.   
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 compare the current user value to a stored user value of each user profile of a plurality of stored user profiles if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value; and   select a guest profile as the second user profile if the current user value does not correspond to the stored user value of any user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles.   
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 compare the current user value to a stored user value of each user profile of a plurality of stored user profiles if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value;   create the second user profile if the current user value does not correspond to the stored user value of any user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles; and   display an interface for configuring the second user profile.   
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 compare the current user value to a stored user value of each user profile of a plurality of stored user profiles if the current user value does not correspond to the first user value;   display one or more indicators if the current user value does not correspond to the stored user value of any user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles, wherein each indicator of the one or more indicators is associated with a respective stored user profile of the plurality of stored user profiles;   receive a signal selecting an indicator of the one or more indicators; and   select the stored user profile that is associated with the selected indicator as the second user profile.