Methods and systems for device personalization

• US 7,885,999 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jesse St Marie
• Original Assignee: Jesse St Marie
• Inventors: St Marie, Jesse
• Primary Examiner(s): WON, MICHAEL YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US12/163,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20090013060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/219, 709/221, 709/222, 709/228, 709/246
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents

Abstract

Systems and methods for personalizing devices using data objects in a manner that deters theft and provides a mechanism for finding lost devices are described. In one embodiment, one of the methods includes uniquely registering a device and an owner of the device with the system. The method further includes personalizing the registered device to include lost and found information, such as by creating an image data object to include the information or providing a text data object that includes the information. In another method, a lost and found tracking service is used to receive a report of a found device from a finder and to determine an associated owner of the found device in order to contact the owner and convey information regarding the finder.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for personalizing an electronic device comprising:

registering an owner of the device;

determining a type of a data object to be downloaded onto the device;

determining whether the data object to be downloaded is an enhanced image or a text data object;

creating the data object of the determined type, wherein the data object of the enhanced image type is created by enhancing an image, wherein the enhancing the image comprises superimposing a lost and found information onto the image such that the information becomes embedded in the image, and wherein the data object includes the lost and found services information that specifies a location to contact if the device is found; and

downloading the data object onto the device to personalize the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a mobile communication device, a portable data management device, a watch, a camera, a cell phone, or a media player.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lost and found information indicates an address of a website to connect to when the device is found.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lost and found information indicates a phone number to call at when the device is found.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising registering the device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising protecting the data object from unauthorized writing such that the data object once downloaded onto the device can be replaced only on authorization by the registered owner.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloading is done such that the data object is rendered on the device as a wallpaper, an information screen, a screen saver, or a keypad lockout screen.

8. A system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a registration service that is configured to register a device and an owner of the device with the system;

an image personalization services component configured to;

determine a type of a data object to be downloaded onto the device;

determine whether the data object to be downloaded is an enhanced image or a text data object; and

enhance a digital image for the device such that the enhanced image includes lost and found information superimposed onto the digital image such that the lost and found information becomes embedded in the image, wherein the

lost and found information specifies a location to contact if the device is found; and

a lost and found tracking service component that is configured to;

receive from a finder a report of a found device based on the lost and found information associated with the found device; and

relay an alert to a registered owner of the found device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the lost and found tracking service component is further configured to provide contact information of the finder to the registered owner.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the lost and found information includes a link to a website.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the lost and found information includes a telephone number or a physical address.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the formatted image is write-protected such that only the registered owner can change the image once downloaded to the device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the image is formatted to enable a finder to report a device when found.

14. A method in a computing system, comprising:

receivin g identifying information from a finder of a lost or stolen device, wherein the identifying information comprises information displayed on a display screen of the lost or stolen device, wherein the identifying information displayed on a display screen of the lost or stolen device is a downloaded and enhanced image which superimposes a lost and found information onto an image such that an identifying information becomes embedded in the image, and wherein the lost and found information specifies a location to contact if the device is found;

receiving information associated with the finder;

determining a registered owner associated with the received identifying information; and

providing the registered owner with the information associated with the finder.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the identifying information further includes at least one of a unique identification number or a device serial number.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising informing the finder of a reward in return for the identifying information.