REMOTELY INITIATING LOST MODE ON A COMPUTING DEVICE

• US 20130326642A1
• Filed: 09/09/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Hajj, Usama Mikael, Frost, Megan M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,881,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/34
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0174 holographic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/136 involving thresholding
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/026 using e-messaging for transporting management information, e.g. email, instant messaging or chat
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 : Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media are provided for remotely initiating lost mode on a computing device. A request that lost mode be initiated can include a message and contact information provided by the requesting user. Once authenticated, a command to initiate lost mode is sent to the lost device. Initiating lost mode includes locking the lost device and suppressing select functionality. The message and contact information are displayed and the lost device is enabled to contact the requesting user using the contact information. The lost device can also collect and transmit location data to the requesting user. The location data can be presented on a map indicating the lost devices location and the time the lost device was at the location. The location data can be scheduled to be resent to the user based on numerous factors such as a set schedule, rules or heuristic.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving over a communications network status data from a lost computing device as a result of a requesting device initiating a lost mode state on the lost computing device over said communications network, wherein the status data indicates at least a remaining battery life associated with the lost computing device; and

presenting the status data of the lost computing device on the requesting device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the status data includes location data identifying the location of the lost device and is associated with a time indicating when the status data was gathered from the lost device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the status data indicating a remaining battery life associated with the lost device includes an estimated amount of remaining time until the lost device runs out of battery life.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the status data is transmitted upon the remaining battery life associated with the lost device reaching a predetermined milestone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the milestone is the remaining battery life reaching a predetermined percentage of total battery life.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the milestone is the remaining battery life reaching a predetermined amount of remaining time left until the lost device runs out of battery life.

7. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

memory containing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

receive over a communication network status data from a lost computing device as a result of a requesting device initiating a lost mode state on the lost computing device over a communication network, wherein the status data indicates at least a remaining battery life associated with the lost computing device; and

present the status data of the lost device on the requesting device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the status data includes location data identifying the location of the lost device and is associated with a time indicating when the status data was gathered from the lost device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the status data indicating a remaining battery life associated with the lost device includes an estimated amount of remaining time until the lost device runs out of battery life.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the status data is transmitted upon the remaining battery life associated with the lost device reaching a predetermined milestone.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the milestone is the remaining battery life reaching a predetermined percentage of total battery life.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the milestone is the remaining battery life reaching a predetermined amount of remaining time left until the lost device runs out of battery life.

13. A method, comprising:

receiving at a lost computing device over a communication network, a command to initiate a lost mode state on the lost computing device; and

initiating a lost mode state on the lost computing device upon receiving the command, wherein initiating said lost mode state comprises;

suppressing a power off functionality of the lost computing device; and

upon receiving a command to power off the lost computing device while power off functionality is suppressed, causing the lost computing device to perform at least one action normally associated with powering off wherein said at least one action does not include turning off power to the lost computing device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lost computing device remains capable of sending and receiving data messages while in the power off suppression condition.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting location data to a requesting device while the lost computing device is in the power off suppression condition.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one action comprises placing a display of the lost computing device into a condition wherein the lost computing device appears to be powered off.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing processor-executable instructions that cause a processor to:

receive over a communication network, a command to initiate a lost mode state on a lost computing device in which said processor is installed; and

initiating a lost mode state on said computing device upon receiving the command, wherein initiating said lost mode state comprises;

suppressing a power off functionality of the lost computing device; and

upon receiving a command to power off the lost computing device while power off functionality is suppressed, causing the lost computing device to perform at least one action normally associated with powering off wherein said at least one action does not include turning off power to the lost computing device.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising processor-executable instructions for sending and receiving data messages while the lost device is in the power off suppression condition.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising processor-executable instructions for:

transmitting location data to a requesting device while the lost device is in the power off suppression condition.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein instructions for suppressing a power off functionality comprise instructions causing the processor to cause a display of the computing device to indicate that the lost computing device is powered off.

21. A method, comprising:

initiating a lost mode state in a lost computing device, said lost mode state causing the lost computing device to perform at least one function to assist in recovery of the lost computing device;

detecting a status indicative of the lost computing device being found by a third party; and

transmitting a message to a requesting device communicating said status.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the status indicates a changed location of the lost computing device after being placed in the lost mode state.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the status indicates activation of an input interface of the lost computing device after being placed in the lost mode state.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein initiating said lost mode further comprises receiving over a communication network a command from a server to initiate the lost mode state.

25. A system, comprising:

a processor, and

memory containing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

initiate a lost mode state in a lost computing device, said lost mode state causing the lost computing device to perform at least one function to assist in recovery of the lost computing device;

detect a status indicative of the lost computing device being found by a third party; and

transmit a message to a requesting device communicating said status.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the status indicates a changed location of the lost computing device after being placed in the lost mode state.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the status indicates activation of an input interface of the lost computing device after being placed in the lost mode state.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein initiating said lost mode further comprises receiving over a communication network a command from a server to initiate the lost mode state.