Method and apparatus for securing data stored in a remote electronic device

• US 6,813,487 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2000
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David A. Trommelen
• Original Assignee: David Alan Trommelen
• Inventors: Trommelen, David Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US09/690,977
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/403, 455/422, 455/517, 455/404, 455/456, 455/457, 455/521, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.4, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 340/568, 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/571
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for protecting data in a remote electronic device serviced by a network provider and used by a subscriber. Initially, a communication from the subscriber indicating loss of the remote electronic device by the subscriber is received at a site operated by the network provider. Next, an attempt is made, from the site operated by the network provider, to contact the remote electronic device via a wireless link. If the initial attempt to contact the remote electronic device is unsuccessful, further attempts are then made at regular intervals from the site operated by the network provider to contact the remote electronic device via the wireless link, until contact is made between the site operated by the network provider and the remote electronic device. After contact is made with the remote electronic device from the site operated by the network provider, the site operated by the network provider transmits at least one data recovery signal to the remote electronic device. The at least one data recovery signal disables normal operation of the remote electronic device and deletes, downloads or places in safe mode at least one file stored in the remote electronic device.

Claims

1. A method of protecting data in a remote electronic device serviced by a network provider and used by a subscriber of the network provider, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving, at a site operated by the network provider, a communication from the subscriber indicating loss of the remote electronic device by the subscriber;

(b) attempting, from the site operated by the network provider, to contact the remote electronic device via a wireless link;

(c) repeating step (b) at regular intervals until contact is made between the site operated by the network provider, and the remote electronic device; and

(d) after contact is made with the remote electronic device in step (b), transmitting at least one data recovery signal to the remote electronic device;

(e) after contact is made with the remote electronic device in step (b), conveying, from the site operated by the network provider, information representing a geographic position of the remote electronic device to the subscriber;

(f) receiving, at the site operated by the network provider and in response to the information representing the geographic position of the remote electronic device, an indication from the subscriber indicating whether the remote electronic device is either lost or stolen;

(g) if the subscriber indicates that the remote electronic device is stolen, then immediately transmitting the at least one data recovery signal to the remote electronic device upon receipt of the indication from the subscriber that the remote electronic device is stolen; and

(h) if the subscriber indicates that the remote electronic device is lost, then attempting to recovery the remote electronic device prior to transmitting the at least one data recovery signal to the remote electronic device;

wherein the at least one data recovery signal disables normal operation of the remote electronic device and deletes, downloads or places in safe mode at least one file stored in the remote electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, where step (g) further comprises reactivating normal service on the remote electronic device upon recovery of the device.