Mobile apparatus with remote lock and control function

• US 7,389,123 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Rydgren, Ake, Jendbro, Magnus
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng; George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afshar; Kamran
• Application Number:
  US10/554,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20060276172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/558, 455410-411, 455418-420, 4554561-457, 455/466, 455/422.1, 235/375, 235/380, 235/382, 340 56- 58, 340/10.51, 379/356.01, 379/357.01, 379/357.02, 379/357.06
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile communication apparatus includes a remote lock and control function. More particularly, after theft or loss of the apparatus, it is possible to remotely lock the apparatus by sending a lock command, e.g. an SMS message. The apparatus may also be controlled to upload information enabling the user to retrieve valuable information stored in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit and registers for controlling the operations of the apparatus, including receiving messages. The apparatus further includes locking means capable of detecting codes in messages received and, responsive to detecting a lock code, sending a lock command to the control unit to render the mobile communication apparatus at least partially inoperable.

Claims

1. A mobile communication apparatus for communicating via a telecommunication network, comprising:

a control unit configured to control operations of the apparatus, including receiving messages; and

locking means configured to detect codes in the received messages responsive to detecting a lock code, and to send a lock command to the control unit to render the mobile communication apparatus at least partially inoperable,

wherein, when rendered partially inoperable, the apparatus is configured to maintain contact with the telecommunication network and to receive additional commands for remotely controlling operations of the apparatus, and wherein the additional commands include a command to upload specific information from the apparatus to a remote receiver via the telecommunication network, further comprising;

a card reader configured to read a smart card containing control information for the apparatus, wherein the locking means, when activated, is configured to automatically lock the apparatus when the smart card is replaced by another smart card.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a first unlocking code to restore the apparatus to normal operation when the apparatus is rendered at least partially inoperable.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a second unlocking code to restore the apparatus to normal operation when the apparatus is rendered at least partially inoperable.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first unlocking code and the second unlocking code comprise a same code.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the smart card is a SIM card.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific information includes phone book, messages, images, settings, and/or other user data.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to keep track of its position and to receive a command to upload information about the position to a remote receiver via the telecommunication network.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific information comprises personal data, and further comprising:

a plurality of registers configured to store the personal data therein,

wherein the apparatus is configured to empty the plurality of registers after receiving a command to upload the specific information from the apparatus to the remote receiver.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the commands include a command to lock a smart card containing control information for the apparatus to prevent the smart card from being used in another apparatus.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the smart card is a SIM card, and wherein the command is a command to activate the SIM card PIN code.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display coupled to the control unit,

wherein the control unit is configured to upload the specific information from the apparatus to the remote receiver via the telecommunication network responsive to receiving the command to upload the specific information without providing an indication thereof on the display.