Methods, Systems, and Computer-Readable Media for Detecting a Missing Cellular Device

• US 20090075629A1
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T BLS Intelectual Property Inc (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T BLS Intelectual Property Inc (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Simpson, Anita Hogans, Stark, Barbara
• Granted Patent: US 8,190,125 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72516 with means for out-of-range alerting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for detecting a missing cellular device. According to embodiments, a method for detecting a missing cellular device is provided. According to the method, a connection between a cellular device and a base module is established. Whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection is detected. In response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, the cellular device is switched from an operational mode to a missing phone mode. The operational mode enables regular function of the cellular device. The missing phone mode restricts the regular function of the cellular device.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a missing cellular device, comprising:

establishing a connection between a cellular device and a base module;

detecting whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection; and

in response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, switching the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the cellular device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising in response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering an alarm on at least one of the cellular device and the base module.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the base module is embodied within an object configured to be attached to a person associated with the cellular device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

rerouting, by way of a cellular network, communications initiated from the cellular device to a service provider;

receiving an informational communication from the service provider; and

outputting the informational communication on the cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the cellular device to the service provider.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein switching the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving, by way of a cellular network, an instruction from a service provider to switch the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein switching the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) code, a short message service (SMS) message, an electronic mail message, and a sender identifier.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection comprises determining whether a signal strength of the connection between the cellular device and the base module has decreased below a signal threshold.

8. A system for detecting a missing cellular device, comprising:

a memory for storing a program containing code for detecting a missing cellular device;

a processor functionally coupled to the memory, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program and operative to;

establish a connection between a cellular device and a base module,

detect whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection, and

in response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, switch the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the cellular device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further operative to in response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, trigger an alarm on at least one of the cellular device and the base module.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the base module is embodied within an object configured to be attached to a person associated with the cellular device.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further operative to:

rerouting, by way of a cellular network, communications initiated from the cellular device to a service provider;

receiving an informational communication from the service provider; and

outputting the informational communication on the cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the cellular device to the service provider.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein to switch the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the processor is operative to switch the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving, by way of a cellular network, an instruction from a service provider to switch the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein to switch the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the processor is operative to switch the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) code, a short message service (SMS) message, an electronic mail message, and a sender identifier.

14. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to provide a method for detecting a missing cellular device, the method comprising:

establishing a connection between a cellular device and a base module;

detecting whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection; and

in response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, switching the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the cellular device.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, the method further comprising in response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering an alarm on at least one of the cellular device and the base module.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the base module is embodied within an object configured to be attached to a person associated with the cellular device.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, the method further comprising:

rerouting, by way of a cellular network, communications initiated from the cellular device to a service provider;

receiving an informational communication from the service provider; and

outputting the informational communication on the cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the cellular device to the service provider.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein switching the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving, by way of a cellular network, an instruction from a service provider to switch the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein switching the cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) code, a short message service (SMS) message, an electronic mail message, and a sender identifier.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein detecting whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection comprises determining whether a signal strength of the connection between the cellular device and the base module has decreased below a signal threshold.