Method and system for tracking mobile communication device using MMS

• US 9,729,696 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Shaju, Chakkalamattam Johnny
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gao, Jing
• Application Number:
  US11/903,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20080076459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,610 Days
• Field of Search: 455466, 455410, 4554142, 4554122, 348 1401- 1416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data

Abstract

A system and method for tracking a mobile electronic device, which is capable of accesses a wireless or wired network, using a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). The mobile device includes a storing function for storing one or more contact phone numbers or Email addresses. When the mobile communication device is lost or stolen and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of the mobile terminal is changed, the mobile device verifies whether the SIM card is the same as that of the owner of the mobile device by comparing the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers of the two SIM cards. If the IMSI numbers are different, the mobile device activates a tracking feature. The tracking feature stealthily captures still images or motion pictures of the surrounding area and transfers those captured images/videos to a pre-stored contact phone numbers through a MMS or through a pre-stored Email address.

Claims

1. A method for tracking an electronic communication device which uses a removable identity card, the method comprising:

storing, by the electronic communication device, a destination phone number and identity data in a memory of the electronic communication device;

comparing, by the electronic communication device, the identity data stored in the memory with new identity data when a new identity card is inserted; and

when determining that the identity data stored in the memory and the new identity data are different, transferring, to the destination phone number by the electronic communication device, a Short Message Service (SMS) message including current location information of the electronic communication device and information on the new identity card, executing, by the electronic communication device, a camera application without displaying a preview screen of the camera application, stealthily capturing, by the electronic communication device, a video using a camera of the electronic communication devices, and

transferring to the destination phone number, by the electronic communication device, a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message including the captured video,

wherein the transferring of the SMS message, the stealthily capturing of the video and the transferring of the MMS message are automatically and sequentially performed by the electronic communication device in response to determining that the identity data stored in the memory and the new identity data are different from each other, and

wherein the video records actions of a non-authorized user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic communication device provides a menu option with a password protection option through a Tracking Control Key.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the Tracking Control Key is used to turn the tracking feature on or off and for editing the destination phone number.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the Tracking Control Key is used for editing a message content associated with the SMS message.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein when a user tries to activate a tracking feature, the user is prompted for the Tracking Control Key.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein stealthily capturing further comprises:

determining whether available memory supports recording a short video clip;

stealthily capturing the short video clip, when available memory supports recording the short video clip; and

stealthily capturing still images when available memory does not support recording the short video clip.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein if the transferring of the SMS message and the transferring of the MMS message are not successful, a staggered periodic timer is initialized for retransmission of the SMS message and the MMS message, with an increased delay between each retransmission attempt.

8. An electronic communication device which uses a removable identity card, the electronic communication device comprising:

a memory configured for storing a destination phone number and identity data; and

a processor configured for;

comparing the identity data stored in the memory with new identity data when a new identity card is inserted; and

when determining that the identity data stored in the memory and the new identity data are different, transferring, to the destination phone number, a Short Message Service (SMS) message including current location information of the electronic communication device and information on the new identity card, executing a camera application without displaying a preview screen of the camera application, stealthily capturing a video using a camera of the electronic communication device, and

transferring, to the destination phone number by the electronic communication device, a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message including the captured video,

wherein the transferring of the SMS message, the stealthily capturing of the video and the transferring of the MMS message are automatically and sequentially performed by the electronic communication device in response to determining that the identity data stored in the memory and the new identity data are different from each other, and

wherein the video records actions of a non-authorized user.

9. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including a Tracking Control Key authentication module which handles activation/deactivation of a tracking control feature and accessing of a customized message data to be sent in the SMS message.

10. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including a customization module, for maintaining and customizing message format and content information of the SMS message.

11. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including an Identification Info Access module, for receiving data from the identity card and detecting a change of the identity card.

12. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including a Location Information Access module for receiving information concerning the current location information of the electronic communication device if a user chooses that the current location information be sent in the SMS message.

13. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including a Call Barring Status Check module for periodically checking a status change for sending the SMS message when an outgoing call is barred.

14. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further includes an Information Display module for displaying current settings.

15. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including a Network Access Check module for activating the SMS message for the electronic communication device without an identity data card and when the electronic communication device is connected to a network.

16. The electronic communication device of claim 8, further including an Instant Messaging module for generating an instant message via an Instant Messaging application.

17. The electronic communication device of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured for:

determining whether available memory supports recording a short video clip;

stealthily capturing the short video clip, when available memory supports recording the short video clip; and

stealthily capturing still images when available memory does not support recording the short video clip.

18. The electronic communication device of claim 8, wherein if the transferring of the SMS message and the transferring of the MMS message are not successful, a staggered periodic timer is initialized for retransmission of the SMS message and the MMS message, with an increased delay between each retransmission attempt.