SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20100281153A1
• Filed: 07/13/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Chiu, Denny K., Gao, Wen, Godfrey, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,533,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A system for remotely controlling mobile communication devices includes a redirection system, a remote control system and a mobile data communication device. The redirection system detects a triggering event at a host system and in response to the triggering event continuously redirects data items from the host system to a wireless network. The mobile data communication device receives data items from the wireless network and executes a plurality of device operations. The remote control system receives control information from a user interface and transmits the control information through the redirection system to the wireless network. The control information is received and executed by the mobile data communication device to remotely control one or more of the device operations. Methods of controlling the operation of mobile data communication devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the operation of a mobile wireless communication device comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memory devices; and

redirector software stored on the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors, when executed the redirector software being configured to;

receive electronic messaging data;

transmit electronic messaging data to a mobile wireless communication device;

in response to receiving a control message, transmit the control message to the mobile wireless communication device, the control message including a disable instruction to the mobile wireless communication device that causes the mobile wireless communication device to disable a selected function; and

transmit the control message to the mobile wireless communication device prior to the mobile wireless communication device initiating contact with the redirector software.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a data communication device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a mobile telephone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors and the one or more memory devices are included in a server.

5. The system of claim 1, further configured to transmit a re-enable instruction that causes the mobile wireless communication device to re-enable operation of the mobile wireless communication device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is configured to be subsequently re-enabled by receiving a re enable instruction from a re-enabler through a wired connection between the mobile wireless communication device and the re-enabler.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a log file is generated to record whether the control message has been applied to the mobile wireless communication device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the redirector software is configured to transmit the control message during periods of low activity on the enterprise server.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control message is formatted to provide for authentication on the mobile wireless communication device.

10. A system for controlling the operation of a mobile wireless communication device comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memory devices; and

redirector software stored on the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors, when executed the redirector software being configured to;

receive electronic messaging data;

transmit electronic messaging data to a mobile wireless communication device;

in response to receiving a control message, transmit the control message to the mobile wireless communication device, the control message including an instruction to the mobile wireless communication device that causes the mobile wireless communication device to display a message indicating to whom or where the mobile wireless communication device should be returned; and

transmit the control message to the mobile wireless communication device prior to the mobile wireless communication device initiating contact with the redirector software.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a data communication device.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a mobile telephone.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors and the one or more memory devices are included in a server.

14. A system for controlling the operation of a mobile wireless communication device comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memory devices; and

redirector software stored on the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors, when executed the redirector software being configured to;

receive electronic messaging data;

transmit electronic messaging data to a mobile wireless communication device;

in response to receiving a control message, transmit the control message to the mobile wireless communication device, the control message including an instruction to the mobile wireless communication device that causes the mobile wireless communication device to require the entry of a password into the mobile wireless communication device to operate the mobile wireless communication device; and

transmit the control message to the mobile wireless communication device prior to the mobile wireless communication device initiating contact with the redirector software.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a data communication device.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a mobile telephone.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors and the one or more memory devices are included in a server.

18. A method for controlling the operation of a mobile wireless communication device comprising the steps of:

directing electronic messaging data to the mobile wireless communication device;

receiving a control message, wherein the control message prompts a transmission of a disable instruction to the mobile wireless communication device that causes the mobile wireless communication device to disable a selected function of the mobile wireless communication device; and

transmitting the control message to the mobile wireless communication device prior to the mobile wireless communication device initiating contact.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmission includes a re-enable instruction that causes the mobile wireless communication device to re-enable operation of the mobile wireless communication device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is subsequently re-enabled by receiving a re-enable instruction from a re-enabler through a wired connection between the mobile wireless communication device and the re-enabler.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

generating a log file to record whether the control message has been applied to the mobile wireless communication device.

22. A mobile wireless communication device comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memory devices; and

control message processing software stored on the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors, when executed the control message processing software being configured to;

receive electronic messaging data; and

in response to receiving a control message, execute a specified control operation, the specified control operation including a disable request that disables all functionality on the mobile wireless communication device.

23. The communication device of claim 22, wherein the control processing software is further configured to receive a re-enable instruction that causes the mobile wireless communication device to re-enable operation of the mobile wireless communication device.

24. The communication device of claim 22, wherein the control processing software is further configured to authenticate the received control message.

25. The communication device of claim 22, wherein prior to disabling all functionality on the mobile wireless communication device, the control processing software is further configured to transmit a confirmation message, the confirmation message indicating that the control message was received.

26. The communication device of claim 22, wherein the electronic messaging data is received from a server.