Method and apparatus for locating a stolen electronic device using automatic number identification
First Claim
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1. A method, performed by an electronic device at a first location, for enabling an owner to determine the location of the electronic device in response to a detected attempt to circumvent security measures incorporated into the electronic device, the method comprising:
- initiating a phone call to a target location via a communication network providing automatic number identification (ANI) information without alerting a user of the electronic device;
maintaining the phone call for a predetermined period of time only sufficient to allow the communication network to transmit to the target location ANI information identifying the first location; and
terminating the phone call in response to the expiration of the predetermined period of time.
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Abstract
A method for locating an electronic device such as a stolen portable computer. The method includes initiating a phone call; receiving automatic number identification (ANI) information; and terminating the phone call before the call is answered. The received ANI information may then be provided to law enforcement agencies so that they may retrieve the electronic device. The act of initiating and terminating may be performed by a computer or a modem.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method, performed by an electronic device at a first location, for enabling an owner to determine the location of the electronic device in response to a detected attempt to circumvent security measures incorporated into the electronic device, the method comprising:
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initiating a phone call to a target location via a communication network providing automatic number identification (ANI) information without alerting a user of the electronic device; maintaining the phone call for a predetermined period of time only sufficient to allow the communication network to transmit to the target location ANI information identifying the first location; and terminating the phone call in response to the expiration of the predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A program storage device storing instructions that when executed by an electronic device at a first location, enables an owner to determine the location of the electronic device in response to a detected attempt to circumvent security measures incorporated into the electronic device by performing a method comprising:
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initiating a phone call to a target location via a communication network providing automatic number identification (ANI) information without alerting a user of the electronic device; maintaining the phone call for a predetermined period of time only sufficient to allow the communication network to transmit to the target location ANI information identifying the first location; and terminating the phone call in response to the expiration of the predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification