Remote disablement of a communication device

• US 8,375,422 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sennett, DeWayne Allan, Daly, Brian Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Shiferaw, Eleni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Branske, Hilary
• Application Number:
  US12/053,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20090241172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 713/100, 713/158, 713/164, 713/168, 713/182, 713/183, 713/300, 713/310, 726/4, 726/5, 726/6, 726/7, 726/21, 726/26, 726/27, 726/28, 726/33, 726/34, 726/35, 726/36, 380/247, 380/249, 380/250, 380/270, 380/273, 455/404.1, 455/410, 455/411, 455/419, 455/420, 455/70
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer readable media for remotely disabling communication devices. When a communication device is identified for disablement, a disable signal may be transmitted to the emergency communication device. If the emergency communication device receives the disable signal, the emergency communication device may authenticate the source of the disable signal. If the source of the disable signal has been authenticated, the emergency communication device may disable itself. Disablement may include physical destruction or physical alteration of hardware or software necessary for the communication device to operate. Disablement may also include being locked-out from access to or use of hardware or software necessary for the communication device to operate.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

discovering an attempt by a project 25 compliant (P25) communication device that is authorized access to a first emergency system to access a second emergency system to which the P25 communication device has not been authorized access;

responsive to discovering the attempt, generating a disable signal;

providing the disable signal;

receiving an authentication request, wherein the authentication request is indicative of;

receipt of the disable signal by the P25 communication device; and

being provided by the P25 communication device;

responsive to receiving the authentication request, providing an authentication signal;

receiving a suicide signal, the suicide signal being indicative of;

receipt of the authentication signal by the P25 communication device;

being provided by the P25 communication device; and

the P25 communication device taking action to disable the P25 communication device, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

a first degree of disablement indicative of permanent disablement of the P25 communication device;

or

a second degree of disablement indicative of a non-permanent disablement of the P25 communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

permanent disablement comprises destroying memory in the unauthorized communication device; and

non-permanent disablement comprises blowing a fuse in the unauthorized communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein disablement of the P25 communication device is reversible responsive to a password entered into the P25 communication device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first emergency system comprises one of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) system and a police channel; and

the second emergency system comprises the other of the EMT system and the police channel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication signal comprises an indication that disablement of the P25 communication device is authorized.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein disablement of the P25 communication device is preventable responsive to a password entered into the P25 communication device.

7. A tangible computer-readable storage memory, the computer-readable storage memory not being a transient signal per se, the tangible computer-readable storage memory having stored thereon executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

determining an attempt by a project 25 compliant (P25) communication device that is authorized access to a first emergency system to access a second emergency system to which the P25 communication device has not been authorized access;

responsive to determining the attempt, generating a disable signal;

providing the disable signal;

receiving an authentication request, wherein the authentication request is indicative of;

receipt of the disable signal by the P25 communication device; and

being provided by the P25 communication device;

responsive to receiving the authentication request, providing an authentication signal;

receiving a suicide signal, the suicide signal being indicative of;

receipt of the authentication signal by the P25 communication device;

being provided by the P25 communication device; and

the P25 communication device taking action to disable the P25 communication device, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

a first degree of disablement indicative of permanent disablement of the P25 communication device;

or

a second degree of disablement indicative of a non-permanent disablement of the P25 communication device.

8. The tangible computer-readable storage memory of claim 7, wherein disablement of the P25 communication device is reversible responsive to a password entered into the P25 communication device.

9. The tangible computer-readable storage memory of claim 7, wherein:

the first emergency system comprises one of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) system and a police channel; and

the second emergency system comprises the other of the EMT system and the police channel.

10. The tangible computer-readable storage memory of claim 7, wherein the authentication signal comprises an indication that disablement of the P25 communication device is authorized.

11. The tangible computer-readable storage memory of claim 7, wherein disablement of the P25 communication device is preventable responsive to a password entered into the P25 communication device.

12. A device comprising:

memory comprising executable instructions;

a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising;

determining an attempt by a project 25 compliant (P25) communication device that is authorized access to a first emergency system to access a second emergency system to which the P25 communication device has not been authorized access;

responsive to determining the attempt, generating a disable signal;

providing the disable signal;

receiving an authentication request, wherein the authentication request is indicative of;

receipt of the disable signal by the P25 communication device; and

being provided by the P25 communication device;

responsive to receiving the authentication request, providing an authentication signal;

receiving a suicide signal, the suicide signal being indicative of;

receipt of the authentication signal by the P25 communication device;

being provided by the P25 communication device; and

the P25 communication device taking action to disable the P25 communication device, wherein the action comprises at least one of;

a first degree of disablement indicative of permanent disablement of the P25 communication device;

or

a second degree of disablement indicative of a non-permanent disablement of the P25 communication device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein:

permanent disablement comprises destroying memory in the unauthorized communication device; and

non-permanent disablement comprises blowing a fuse in the unauthorized communication device.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein disablement of the P25 communication device is reversible responsive to a password entered into the P25 communication device.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the first emergency system comprises one of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) system and a police channel; and

the second emergency system comprises the other of the EMT system and the police channel.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the authentication signal comprises an indication that disablement of the P25 communication device is authorized.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein disablement of the P25 communication device is preventable responsive to a password entered into the P25 communication device.