Managing device usage

Abstract

A device receives a time-based restriction for usage by a first user with respect to an application, a website or a device-level function. The device receives encrypted data indicating a usage by the first user on a second device with respect to the application, website or device-level function. The device determines that at least one of the usage by the first user on the second device or a usage by the first user on the device with respect to the application, website or device-level function violates the time-based restriction. The device provides, in response to the determining, a notification that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a memory; and   at least one processor configured to:
 receive a time-based restriction for device usage by a first user; 
 obtain data indicating a usage by the first user on the device; and 
 in response to a determination that the usage by the first user on the device violates the time-based restriction, provide an overlay over a user interface of at least a first application corresponding to the time-based restriction, the overlay indicating that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the time-based restriction is with respect to a category of applications, websites or device-level functions. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the category is based on a particular topic, and wherein the category comprises a predefined set of one or more applications, websites or device-level functions corresponding to the particular topic. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first application comprises at least one of the applications in the category or the first application displays one of the websites in the category. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the overlay comprises a user interface for requesting an increase of the time-based restriction. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive data indicating the time-based restriction, access of which is limited to the device and a second device associated with the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 provide data indicating the usage to the second device, such that access to the usage is limited to the device and the second device.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the second device is configured to obtain, from a public data source, a graphical icon representative of an application which is associated with the usage and which is not installed on the second device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive, on the device, an authorization to adjust the time-based restriction for the usage by the first user.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 display, at an application launch interface, an icon that indicates that access is restricted.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one processor is further configured to:
 detect deletion of an application on the device; and   in response to detecting the deletion, remove data on the device that identifies the application, and maintain a record of usage with respect to a category corresponding to the application.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 detect deletion of browser history corresponding to a website; and   in response to detecting the deletion, remove data on the device that identifies the browser history corresponding to the website, and maintain a record of usage with respect to a category corresponding to the browser history corresponding to the website.   
     
     
         13 . A computer program product comprising code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the code comprising:
 code to identify, at a first device, a time-based restriction for usage by a first user;   code to receive data indicating a usage by the first user on the first device;   code to determine that the usage by the first user on the first device violates the time-based restriction; and   code to provide, in response to the determine, an overlay over a user interface of at least a first application corresponding to the time-based restriction, the overlay indicating that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the code further comprises:
 code to receive, on the first device, an authorization to adjust the time-based restriction for the usage by the first user.   
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 identifying, by a first device, a time-based restriction for usage by a first user on at least the first device;   determining that usage by the first user violates the time-based restriction; and   providing, in response to the determining, an overlay over a user interface of at least a first application corresponding to the time-based restriction, the overlay indicating that the time-based restriction has been violated by the first user.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the time-based restriction is with respect to a category of applications, websites or device-level functions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the category is based on a particular topic, and wherein the category comprises a predefined set of one or more applications, websites or device-level functions corresponding to the particular topic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 displaying, at an application launch interface, an icon that indicates that access is restricted.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the overlay comprises a user interface for requesting an increase of the time-based restriction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving, on the first device, an authorization to adjust the time-based restriction for the usage by the first user.