APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING RETURN OF A MOBILE DEVICE

• US 20180184251A1
• Filed: 02/12/2018
• Published: 06/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yazdani, Reza
• Granted Patent: US 10,278,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided to facilitate a return of a mobile device to an owner. A graphical user interface element is displayed, utilizing a display of a mobile device. A user input is detected in connection with the graphical user interface element, utilizing an input device of the mobile device. An interface is displayed including at least one return option for returning the mobile device to an owner of the mobile device, utilizing the display of the mobile device. Such interface is displayed in response to the detection of the user input in connection with the graphical user interface element utilizing the input device of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating return of a mobile device, the method comprising:

detecting at least one indication that an owner of the mobile device is no longer in possession of the mobile device;

in response to detecting the at least one indication, causing at least one of the following by the mobile device;

emitting an audible siren utilizing an output device of the mobile device, or

flashing at least one of a display of the mobile device or a flashlight of the mobile device; and

triggering a return phone mode of operation of the mobile device, the return phone mode of operation including;

displaying a graphical user interface element, utilizing the display of the mobile device,

detecting user input in connection with the graphical user interface element, utilizing an input device of the mobile device, and

displaying an interface including at least one return option for returning the mobile device to an owner of the mobile device, utilizing the display of the mobile device, in response to the detection of the user input in connection with the graphical user interface element utilizing the input device of the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface element is displayed via a lock screen of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a code that is received over a network; and

triggering the return phone mode of operation of the mobile device in response to the receipt of the code.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the code includes a textual code predefined by the owner.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the mobile device to emit the audible siren utilizing the output device of the mobile device for drawing attention to the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the mobile device to flash the at least one of a display of the mobile device or a flashlight of the mobile device for drawing attention to the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one indication that the owner of the mobile device is no longer in possession of the mobile device involves at least one of a power level of the mobile device, a movement of the mobile device, or a lapse of a predetermined amount of time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one indication that the owner of the mobile device is no longer in possession of the mobile device involves a code received over a network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a location of the mobile device utilizing a global positioning system of the mobile device;

selecting at least one language, based on the location; and

presenting, in the selected at least one language, the at least one return option for returning the mobile device to the owner.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a message to the owner in connection with the interface being displayed, utilizing a network interface of the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising

identifying a location of the mobile device utilizing a global positioning system of the mobile device;

and

including the location with the message.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the message includes an identifier associated with the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one return option for returning the mobile device to the owner includes a communication option for communicating with the owner, with the method further comprising:

detecting user input in connection with the communication option;

displaying a communication interface that is configured for creating a message, where the communication interface is displayed in response to the detection of the user input in connection with the communication option; and

sending the message to the owner, utilizing a network interface of the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication interface conceals an identity of the owner.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one return option for returning the mobile device to the owner includes at least one of:

a communication option for communicating with the owner, a pickup option for arranging the mobile device to be picked up by the owner, a contact option for providing contact information to the owner, a mail option for returning the mobile device to the owner by mail, or a surrender option for surrendering the mobile device to a public authority.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a power level of the mobile device;

determining that the power level of the mobile device has fallen below a predetermined minimum power threshold and, based thereon, restricting use of a power supply to the return phone mode of operation of the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a power level of the mobile device;

determining that the power level of the mobile device has fallen below a predetermined minimum power threshold and, based thereon, utilizing an auxiliary power source for the return phone mode of operation of the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting audible instructions to instruct a user in at least one of accessing or utilizing the at least one return option for returning the mobile device to the owner of the mobile device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

detecting a user interaction with the mobile device; and

wherein the audible instructions are output in response to the detection of the user interaction.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting at least one of motion associated with the mobile device or interaction with the mobile device; and

in response to detecting the at least one of the motion or the interaction, at least temporarily disabling the at least one of the emitting or the flashing.

21. A mobile device, comprising:

a display;

an input device; and

a memory comprising instructions; and

a processor in communication with the display and the memory wherein the processor executes the instructions to;

detect at least one indication that an owner of the mobile device is no longer in possession of the mobile device;

in response to detecting the at least one indication, cause at least one of the following by the mobile device;

emitting an audible siren utilizing an output device of the mobile device, or

flashing at least one of a display of the mobile device or a flashlight of the mobile device; and

trigger a return phone mode of operation of the mobile device, the return phone mode of operation including;

display a graphical user interface element utilizing the display of the mobile device,

detect user input in connection with the graphical user interface element, utilizing the input device of the mobile device, and

display an interface including at least one return option for returning the mobile device to an owner of the mobile device, utilizing the display of the mobile device, in response to the detection of the user input in connection with the graphical user interface element utilizing the input device of the mobile device.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions for facilitating return of a mobile device, that when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:

detecting at least one indication that an owner of the mobile device is no longer in possession of the mobile device;

in response to detecting the at least one indication, causing at least one of the following by the mobile device;

emitting an audible siren utilizing an output device of the mobile device, or

flashing at least one of a display of the mobile device or a flashlight of the mobile device; and

triggering a return phone mode of operation of the mobile device, the return phone mode of operation including;

displaying a graphical user interface element, utilizing a display of a mobile device,

detecting user input in connection with the graphical user interface element, utilizing an input device of the mobile device, and

displaying an interface including at least one return option for returning the mobile device to an owner of the mobile device, utilizing the display of the mobile device, in response to the detection of the user input in connection with the graphical user interface element utilizing the input device of the mobile device.