Apparatus and Methods for Locating, Tracking and/or Recovering a Wireless Communication Device

• US 20080186162A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Rajan, Rajeev D., Ray, Rajarshi, Patwari, Srinivas, Miller, Jason, Kripalani, Vera, Koenig, Michal James, Mahmood, Kasim
• Granted Patent: US 8,385,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

Methods, systems, devices and computer program products are provided for locating, tracking and/or recovering a wireless communication device that has been misplaced, lost or stolen. In addition, the aspects provide for tracking or surveillance of the location or user in instances in which the wireless device has been loaned or is being used for covert surveillance. The aspects include communicating a locating state code to the targeted device, which detects the code and executes one or more routines that are associated with the respective code. In this regard, the targeted device is capable of carrying out different routines or sequences of actions depending on the state of the device, such as a misplaced state, a lost state, a stolen state or the like, which is based on the respective code.

Claims

1. A method for locating a targeted wireless communication device, the method comprising:

receiving, at the targeted wireless communication device, a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the targeted wireless device is operable, wherein each locating state is stored in a memory on the targeted wireless device and comprises one or more predetermined location routines carried out by the targeted wireless device; and

executing at least one of the one or more predetermined location routines on the targeted wireless communication device in response to detecting the location state code in the communication data packet.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating a result of the execution of at least the one or more predetermined routines to at least one of a network entity, a service provider and a user of the targeted wireless communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the communication data packet further comprises triggering the wireless device to perform a predetermined sequence of routines corresponding to the one of a plurality of locating states associated with the locating state code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the communication data packet further comprises receiving a communication data packet corresponding to one of a data call or a voice call.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the communication data packet further comprises receiving a Short Message Service (SMS) communication data packet.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the SMS communication data packet further comprises receiving a variable length field for setting parameters associated with the one or more predetermined routines.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises enabling one of a misplaced state, a lost state, a stolen state, a tracking state, an emergency surveillance state and a covert surveillance state.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises at least one of disabling a keypad, disabling a communication call, disabling the wireless device, disabling a specific application, enabling the wireless device, changing an operational state of the wireless device, determining a geographic position, capturing a still image, capturing a moving image, capturing audio, enabling a sensory alarm, reserving battery power, corrupting communication, deleting a first set of predetermined user data, retrieving a second set of predetermined user data, and locking access to a third set of user data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises at least one of capturing a still image, capturing a moving image and capturing audio.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating at least one of the captured still image, the captured moving image and the captured audio to at least one of a network device, a service provider and a user of the targeted wireless communication device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises changing a ring tone state from at least one of a silent state, a vibration state and a low volume state to at least one of an audible state and a high volume state.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises reserving battery power on the wireless device to accommodate power needed for additional predetermined location routines.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein reserving battery power on the wireless device further comprises at least one of entering a standby mode, entering a sleep mode and performing auto-shutoff.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising using the reserved battery power in response to a predetermined event.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises deleting a first set of predetermined user data, and retrieving a second set of predetermined user data.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprises communicating the second set of predetermined user data to at least one of a network entity, a service provider and a user of the targeted wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein executing further comprises deleting the first set of predetermined user data from the targeted wireless communication device after communicating the second set of predetermined user data.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises enabling the one of the plurality of predetermined location states corresponding to the location state code, further comprising storing an indicator value of the location state code in a non-volatile memory location on the targeted wireless device, checking the non-volatile memory location when, restoring power to the wireless device to determine the indicator value, and re-enabling the one of the plurality of predetermined locating states corresponding to the indicator value.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the one or more predetermined routines further comprises executing one or more predetermined routines that are running in a silent mode prior to receipt of the predetermined formatted communication data packet.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises operating the wireless device in a stealth mode that disables output by the wireless device of user-perceptible indicators generated during execution of the one or more predetermined location routines in a non-stealth mode.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein executing further comprises corrupting communication by scrambling at least one of voice communication and data communication.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, at the targeted wireless communication device, a communication data packet further comprises receiving, at the targeted wireless communication device, a communication data packet that is internally communicated from the wireless device.

23. At least one processor configured for locating a targeted wireless communication device, comprising:

a first module for receiving, at the targeted wireless communication device, a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the targeted wireless device is operable, wherein each locating state is stored in a memory on the targeted wireless device and comprises one or more predetermined location routines carried out by the targeted wireless device; and

a second module for executing at least one of the one or more predetermined location routines on the targeted wireless communication device in response to detecting the location state code in the communication data packet.

24. A computer program product for locating a targeted wireless communication device, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the targeted wireless device is operable, wherein each locating state is stored in a memory on the targeted wireless device and comprises one or more predetermined location routines carried out by the targeted wireless device; and

a second set of codes for causing the computer to execute at least one of the one or more predetermined location routines on the targeted wireless communication device in response to detecting the location state code in the communication data packet.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving, at the targeted wireless communication device, a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the targeted wireless device is operable, wherein each locating state is stored in a memory on the targeted wireless device and comprises one or more predetermined location routines carried out by the targeted wireless device; and

means for executing at least one of the one or more predetermined location routines on the targeted wireless communication device in response to detecting the location state code in the communication data packet.

26. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory;

a communication module stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein the communication module is operable to receive a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a location state code, wherein the location state code is associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the wireless communication device is operable; and

a location/recovery module for assisting in determining a location or recovering of the wireless communication device, the location/recovery module stored in the memory and executable by the processor to operate the wireless communication device in at least one of a plurality of predetermined locating states, wherein the location/recovery module further comprises a plurality of location routines each corresponding to at least one of the plurality of locating states, wherein the location/recovery module is operable to initiate execution of a predetermined one or more of the plurality of location routines based on recognition of the locating state code in the communication data packet.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to communicate results of the execution of the predetermined one or more of the plurality of location routines to at least one of a network entity, service provider and a user of the targeted wireless communication device.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to trigger the wireless device to perform a predetermined sequence of routines corresponding to the one of a plurality of locating states associated with the locating state code.

30. The device of claim 26, wherein the communication module further comprises a Short Message Service (SMS) communication module.

31. The device of claim 26, wherein the communication module is further operable to receive a communication data packet that includes a variable length field for setting parameters associated with the one or more predetermined routines.

32. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module that is operable to operate the wireless communication device in at least one of a plurality of predetermined locating states further defines the plurality of predetermined locating states as chosen from the group consisting a misplaced state, a lost state, a stolen state, a tracking state, an emergency surveillance state and a covert surveillance state.

33. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module comprises a plurality of location routines each corresponding to at least one of the plurality of locating states further defines the location routines as chosen from the group consisting of disabling a keypad, disabling a communication call, disabling the wireless device, enabling the wireless device, changing an operational state of the wireless device, disabling a specific application, determining a geographic position, capturing a still image, capturing a moving image, capturing audio, enabling a sensory alarm, reserving battery power, corrupting communication, deleting a first set of predetermined user data, retrieving a second set of predetermined user data, and locking access to a third set of user data.

34. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module includes a plurality of location routines including at least one of a still image capture routine, a moving image capture routine and an audio capture routine and the location/recovery module is further operable to initiate execution of a predetermined one or more of the still image capture routine, the moving image capture routine and the audio capture routine based on recognition of the locating state code in the communication data packet.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to communicate data captured by the at least one of the still image capture routine, the moving image capture routine and the audio capture routine to at least one of a network device, a service provider and a user of the device.

36. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module includes a plurality of location routines including a ring state change routine operable to change a ring tone state from at least one of a silent state, a vibration state and a low volume state to at least one of an audible state and a high volume state.

37. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module includes a plurality of location routines including a battery power reserve routine operable to reserve battery power for other ones of the plurality of location routines.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the battery power reserve routine is further operable to reserve battery power by providing for the device to execute at least one of a standby mode, a sleep mode or an auto-shutoff routine.

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the battery power reserve routine is further operable to use the reserved battery power in response to a predetermined event.

40. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module includes a plurality of location routines including a user data retrieval routine and a user data deletion routine.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to communicate retrieved user data to at least one of a network device, a service provider and a user of the device and delete the user data from the targeted wireless communication device.

42. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to store an indicator value of the location state code in a non-volatile memory location on the targeted wireless device, checking the non-volatile memory location when, restoring power to the wireless device to determine the indicator value, and re-enabling the one of the plurality of predetermined locating states corresponding to the indicator value.

43. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to execute one or more predetermined routines that are running in a silent mode prior to receipt of the communication data packet.

44. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module is further operable to operate the wireless device in a stealth mode that disables output by the wireless device of user-perceptible indicators generated during execution of the one or more predetermined location routines in a non-stealth mode.

45. The device of claim 26, wherein the location/recovery module includes a plurality of routines including a communication corruption routine operable to corrupt the wireless device communication by scrambling at least one of voice communication and data communication.

46. The device of claim 26, wherein the communication module is further operable to internally receive the communication data packet.

47. The device of claim 26, further comprising a back-up power source that is implemented by one or more of the location routines

29. The device of 26, wherein the communication module is further operable to receive a communication data packet corresponding to one of a data call or a voice call.

48. A method for locating a targeted wireless communication device, the method comprising:

generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which a targeted wireless communication device is operable and wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines operable on the targeted wireless communication device; and

communicating the communication data packet to the targeted wireless communication device.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising receiving results of execution of the one or more predetermined routines that are executed on the targeted wireless communication device in response to detecting the location state code in the communication data packet.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein generating further comprises generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format that includes a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of locating states, wherein at least one locating state is associated with a predetermined sequence of routines that trigger the targeted wireless communication device to perform the predetermined sequence of routines.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet further comprises generating a communication data packet corresponding to at least one of a data call or a voice call.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet further comprises generating a Short Message Service (SMS) communication data packet.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a SMS communication data packet further comprises generating a SMS communication data packet that includes a variable length field for setting parameters associated with the one or more predetermined routines.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a SMS communication data packet further comprises generating a SMS communication data packet that includes a payload having a location/recovery identifier operable to invoke location/recovery on the targeted wireless communication device, a personal identifier operable to identify the generating party as an authorized party, a code associated with one of the plurality of locating states and a variable length field operable to set parameters associated with the one or more predetermined routines.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format further comprises generating a communication packet that includes a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states chosen from the group of locating states consisting of a misplaced state, a lost state, a stolen state, a tracking state, an emergency surveillance state and a covert surveillance state.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format further comprises generating a communication data packet that includes a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states, wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines chosen from the group of predetermined routines consisting of disabling a keypad, disabling a communication call, disabling the wireless device, enabling the wireless device, changing an operational state of the wireless device, disabling a specific application, determining a geographic position, capturing a still image, capturing a moving image, capturing audio, enabling a sensory alarm, reserving battery power, deleting a first set of predetermined user data, retrieving a second set of predetermined user data, and locking access to a third set of user data.

57. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet of a predetermined format further comprises, generating, at a communication device chosen from the group consisting of a secondary wireless communication device, a network entity device associated with a web interface and a service provider device, the communication packet having a predetermined format.

58. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format further comprises generating a communication data packet that includes a locating state code associated with one of a predetermined locating states, wherein the locating state is associated with at least one of an image capture routine, an video capture routine and an audio capture routine.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising receiving data captured by the image capture routine, the video capture routine and the audio capture routine to at least one of a network device, a service provider entity and a secondary wireless communication device associated with a user of the targeted wireless communication device.

60. The method of claim 48, wherein generating a communication data packet further comprises generating a communication data packet that includes a locating state code associated with one of a predetermined locating states, wherein the locating state is associated with a user data retrieval routine and a user data deletion routine.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising receiving captured user data at a least one of a network device, a service provider entity and a secondary wireless communication device associated with a user of the targeted wireless communication device.

62. At least one processor configured for locating a targeted wireless communication device, comprising:

a first module for generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the a targeted wireless communication device is operable and wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines operable on the targeted wireless communication device; and

a second module for communicating the communication data packet to the targeted wireless communication device.

63. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to generate a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the a targeted wireless communication device is operable and wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines operable on the targeted wireless communication device; and

a second set of codes for causing the computer to communicate the communication data packet to the targeted wireless communication device.

64. An apparatus, comprising:

means for generating a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the a targeted wireless communication device is operable and wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines operable on the targeted wireless communication device; and

means for communicating the communication data packet to the targeted wireless communication device.

65. A communication device, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory; and

a communication module stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein the communication module is operable to generate a communication data packet having a predetermined format comprising a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states in which the a targeted wireless communication device is operable and wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines operable on the targeted wireless communication device and operable to wirelessly communicate the communication data packet to the targeted wireless communication device.

66. The device of claim 65, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive results of execution of the one or more predetermined routines that are executed on the targeted wireless communication device in response to detecting the location state code in the communication data packet.

67. The device of claim 65, wherein the communication module is further operable to generate a communication data packet having a predetermined format that includes a locating state code associated with one of a plurality of locating states, wherein at least one locating state is associated with a predetermined sequence of routines that trigger the targeted wireless communication device to perform the predetermined sequence of routines.

68. The device of claim 65, wherein the communication module is further operable to generate a communication data packet corresponding to one of a data call or a voice call.

69. The device of claim 65, wherein the communication module is further defined as a Short Message Service (SMS) communication module operable to generate a SMS communication data packet.

70. The device of claim 69, wherein the SMS communication module is further operable to generate a SMS communication data packet that includes a variable length field for setting parameters associated with the one or more predetermined routines.

71. The device of claim 69, wherein the SMS communication module is further operable to generate a SMS communication data packet that includes a payload having a location/recovery identifier operable to invoke location and recovery on the targeted wireless communication device, a personal identifier operable to identify the generating party as an authorized party, a locating state code associated with one of the plurality of locating states and a variable length field for setting parameters associated with the one or more predetermined routines.

72. The device of claim 65, wherein the communication module is further operable to generate a communication data packet having a predetermined format that includes a code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states chosen from the group of locating states consisting of a misplaced state, a lost state, a stolen state, a tracking state, an emergency surveillance state and a covert surveillance state.

73. The device of claim 65, wherein the communication module is further operable to generate a communication data packet having a predetermined format that includes a code associated with one of a plurality of predetermined locating states, wherein each locating state is associated with one or more predetermined routines chosen from the group of predetermined routines consisting of disabling a keypad, disabling a communication call, disabling the wireless device, enabling the wireless device, changing an operational state of the wireless device, disabling a specific application, determining a geographic position, capturing a still image, capturing a moving image, capturing audio, enabling a sensory alarm, reserving battery power, deleting a first set of predetermined user data, retrieving a second set of predetermined user data, and locking access to a third set of user data.

74. The device of claim 65, wherein the communication device further comprises a communication device chosen from the group consisting of a secondary wireless communication device associated with the user of the targeted wireless communication device, a network entity device associated with a web interface and a service provider device.

75. The device of claim 65, wherein the device is chosen from the group consisting of a service provider network device, a wireless communication device, an Internet network device, and a law enforcement network device.