METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING REMOTE CONFIGURATION OF MISSING MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20110145927A1
• Filed: 12/16/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Pate, Kristopher A., Hubner, Paul, Clavenna, Robert A., Archer, Steven T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,974,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/123 by using dedicated hardware, e.g. dongles, smart cards, cryptographic processors, global positioning systems [GPS] devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

An approach is provided for remotely configuring a mobile device designated as missing. A request to remotely configure the mobile device is received. In response to the request, at least one setting parameter specifying at least one action to be performed by the mobile device is retrieved. A control message specifying the at least one setting parameter is generated. It is determined whether the mobile device is network inaccessible. The control message is queued for transmission over a data channel to the mobile device when the mobile device is determined to be network inaccessible.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request to remotely configure a mobile device that has been designated missing;

retrieving, in response to the request, at least one setting parameter specifying at least one action to be performed by the mobile device;

generating a control message specifying the at least one setting parameter;

determining whether the mobile device is network inaccessible; and

queuing the control message for transmission over a data channel to the mobile device when the mobile device is determined to be network inaccessible.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device has been designated missing via a portal interface.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of setting parameters, including the at least one setting parameter, are stored to a networked repository in association with one or more designated missing states of the mobile device.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the one or more designated missing states at least include misplaced, lost, stolen, and recovered.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one action includes one or more of preventing data disclosure, imposing communication limits, configuring a home screen, presenting one or more alerts, formatting a memory, and disabling the mobile device.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the request is received from an account information storage facility.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the control message is further generated to include a request for spatial positioning information corresponding to a location of the mobile device.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, over the data channel, the control message to the mobile device when the mobile device is determined to be powered on.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the data channel is an existing control and access data channel of a wireless network.

10. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to,

receive a request to remotely configure a mobile device that has been designated missing,

retrieve, in response to the request, at least one setting parameter specifying at least one action to be performed by the mobile device,

generate a control message specifying the at least one setting parameter,

determine whether the mobile device is network inaccessible, and

queue the control message for transmission over a data channel to the mobile device when the mobile device is determined to be network inaccessible.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the mobile device has been designated missing via a portal interface.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of setting parameters, including the at least one setting parameter, are stored to a networked repository in association with one or more designated missing states of the mobile device.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the one or more designated missing states at least include misplaced, lost, stolen, and recovered.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one action includes one or more of preventing data disclosure, imposing communication limits, configuring a home screen, presenting one or more alerts, formatting a memory, and disabling the mobile device.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the request is received from an account information storage facility.

16. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control message is further generated to include a request for spatial positioning information corresponding to a location of the mobile device.

17. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is at least further caused to:

transmit, over the data channel, the control message to the mobile device when the mobile device is determined to be powered on.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the data channel is an existing control and access data channel of a wireless network.

19. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus is a network registration platform.

20. A system comprising:

a platform configured to receive a request to remotely configure a mobile device that has been designated missing; and

a database coupled to the platform and configured to store at least one setting parameter specifying at least one action to be performed by the mobile device,

wherein the platform is further configured to retrieve, in response to the request, generate a control message specifying the at least one setting parameter, to determine whether the mobile device is network inaccessible, and to queue the control message for transmission over a data channel to the mobile device when the mobile device is determined to be network inaccessible.