Method and apparatus for activating a restrictive operating mode of a wireless communication device
First Claim
1. A method for remotely activating a restrictive operating mode of a wireless communication device in the event that the wireless communication device is lost or stolen, the method comprising:
- receiving an input from at least one of a user of the wireless communication device and a wireless service provider supplying wireless communication services to the wireless communication device in the event that the wireless communication device is lost or stolen, the input including a password;
generating a message responsive to the input, the message including the password and being adapted to instruct the wireless communication device to begin operating in a restrictive operating mode in which the wireless communication device is only capable of contacting a restricted target device as determined by at least one of contact information stored in the wireless communication device and contents of the message; and
transmitting the message to the wireless communication device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communication system (100) employs a method and apparatus for activating a restrictive operating mode of a wireless communication device (101) in the event that the wireless device is lost or stolen. The wireless device has stored therein a password (205) associated with placing itself in a restrictive operating mode. Once placed in such a mode, the wireless device is only capable of contacting a restricted target device (107) as determined by either contact information (204) previously stored in the wireless device or the contents of a received message. After the wireless device is lost or stolen, a remote device (105) is used by the wireless device owner or a wireless service provider to send a message containing the password to the wireless device. Upon receiving the message, the wireless device checks for the password and, if present, automatically places itself in the restrictive operating mode.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for remotely activating a restrictive operating mode of a wireless communication device in the event that the wireless communication device is lost or stolen, the method comprising:
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receiving an input from at least one of a user of the wireless communication device and a wireless service provider supplying wireless communication services to the wireless communication device in the event that the wireless communication device is lost or stolen, the input including a password;
generating a message responsive to the input, the message including the password and being adapted to instruct the wireless communication device to begin operating in a restrictive operating mode in which the wireless communication device is only capable of contacting a restricted target device as determined by at least one of contact information stored in the wireless communication device and contents of the message; and
transmitting the message to the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for implementing security in a wireless communication device, the method comprising:
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storing a first password associated with permitting remote control of the wireless communication device;
receiving a message from a remote device;
determining whether the message includes the first password; and
in the event that the message includes the first password, automatically placing the wireless communication device in a restrictive operating mode in which communication may be initiated only with a restricted target device as determined by at least one of pre-stored contact information and contents of the message. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for implementing security in a wireless communication device, the method comprising:
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storing a first password associated with restricted operation of the wireless communication device;
receiving input from a user of the wireless communication device;
determining whether the input includes the first password; and
in the event that the input includes the first password, automatically placing the wireless communication device in a restrictive operating mode in which communication may be initiated only with a restricted target device as determined by at least one of pre-stored contact information and contents of the input.
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15. A wireless communication device comprising:
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means for storing contact information for at least one restricted target device;
means for storing a restrictive mode activation password associated with restricted operation of the wireless communication device;
means for receiving at least one of a message from a remote device and input from a user of the wireless communication device;
means for determining whether at least one of the message and the input includes the restrictive mode activation password; and
means for automatically placing the wireless communication device in a restrictive operating mode in which communication may be initiated only with the at least one restricted target device in the event that at least one of the message and the input includes the restrictive mode activation password.
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16. A wireless communication device comprising:
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a first memory that stores a first password associated with permitting remote control of the wireless communication device;
a receiver that receives a message from a remote device;
a processor operably coupled to the first memory and the receiver; and
a program memory operably coupled to the processor, the program memory including operating instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
determine whether the message includes the first password; and
automatically place the wireless communication device in a restrictive operating mode in which communication may be initiated only with a restricted target device in the event that the message includes the first password. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for remotely activating a restrictive operating mode of a wireless communication device in the event that the wireless communication device is lost or stolen, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor that generates a message responsive to input from at least one of a user of the wireless communication device and a wireless service provider supplying wireless communication services to the wireless communication device, the message including a password and being adapted to instruct the wireless communication device to begin operating in a restrictive operating mode in which the wireless communication device is only capable of contacting a restricted target device as determined by at least one of contact information stored in the wireless communication device and contents of the message; and
a transmitter, operably coupled to the processor, that transmits the message to the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A wireless communication system comprising:
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a wireless communication device that includes;
a first memory that stores a first password associated with permitting remote control of the wireless communication device;
a receiver that receives a message;
a first processor operably coupled to the first memory and the receiver; and
a program memory operably coupled to the first processor, the program memory including operating instructions that, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to;
determine whether the message includes the first password; and
automatically place the wireless communication device in a restrictive operating mode in which communication may be initiated only with a restricted target device as determined by at least one of contact information stored in a second memory and contents of the message in the event that the message includes the first password; and
an apparatus for remotely activating the restrictive operating mode of the wireless communication device, wherein the apparatus includes;
a second processor that generates the message responsive to input from at least one of a user of the wireless communication device and a wireless service provider supplying wireless communication services to the wireless communication device, the message including the first password and being adapted to instruct the wireless communication device to begin operating in the restrictive operating mode; and
a transmitter, operably coupled to the processor, that transmits the message to the wireless communication device.
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Specification