Tracking location of portable computing device
First Claim
1. A method for tracking a portable computing device, the method comprising:
- receiving an alert signal at a wireless communication assembly of the portable computing device, the alert signal indicative of loss of the portable computing device;
identifying a location of the portable computing device by way of a positioning device of the portable computing device;
transmitting a tracking signal using the wireless communication assembly, the tracking signal including tracking data corresponding to the location of the portable computing device as identified by the positioning device; and
disabling use of a Wi-Fi data protocol by the portable computing device in response to receipt of the alert signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices, protecting data on such devices, and for compensating owners of devices. A GPS mechanism of the invention provides real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to encrypt or destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for tracking a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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receiving an alert signal at a wireless communication assembly of the portable computing device, the alert signal indicative of loss of the portable computing device; identifying a location of the portable computing device by way of a positioning device of the portable computing device; transmitting a tracking signal using the wireless communication assembly, the tracking signal including tracking data corresponding to the location of the portable computing device as identified by the positioning device; and disabling use of a Wi-Fi data protocol by the portable computing device in response to receipt of the alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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12. A system for tracking a portable computing device, the system comprising:
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a positioning device of the portable computing device; a wireless communication assembly of the portable computing device, wherein the wireless communication assembly receives an alert signal indicative of loss of the portable computing device; a memory that stores instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein execution of the instructions causes the processor to; identify a location of the portable computing device using the positioning device, transmit a tracking signal using the wireless communication assembly, the tracking signal including tracking data corresponding to the location of the portable computing device as identified by the positioning device, and disable use of a Wi-Fi data protocol by the portable computing device in response to receipt of the alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 31)
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21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program executable by a processor to perform a method for tracking a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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receiving an alert signal at a wireless communication assembly of the portable computing device, the alert signal indicative of loss of the portable computing device; identifying a location of the portable computing device by way of a positioning device of the portable computing device; transmitting a tracking signal using the wireless communication assembly, the tracking signal including tracking data corresponding to the location of the portable computing device as identified by the positioning device; and disabling use of a Wi-Fi data protocol by the portable computing device in response to receipt of the alert signal.
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Specification