Device Locate Service

• US 20090149192A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Vargas, Sandra, Royal, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/118,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20090149192A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A device locate service is described. In embodiment(s), a device locate request can be received to locate a device that is configured for mobile communication. A control command can then be communicated via a mobile communication network that activates the device to override configuration settings of the device and initiate one or more locate service functions, such as emit an audible tone, display a message, lock the device to disable device features, wipe data from a memory of the device, and/or transmit a GPS location signal. The device locate service can also receive the GPS location signal from the device, determine a location of the device from the GPS location signal, and communicate the location of the device for display at a computing device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a device locate request to locate a device that is configured for mobile communication; and

communicating a control command that activates the device to initiate a locate service function, the control command being communicated to the device via a mobile communication network.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the device locate request is received via a telephone communication network when initiated as a telephone service call.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the device locate request is received via a data communication network when initiated from a computing device.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a GPS location signal from the device;

determining a location of the device from the GPS location signal; and

communicating the location of the device for display at the computing device.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command activates the device to override configuration settings and emit an audible tone.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command activates the device to override configuration settings and display a message.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command activates the device to wipe data from a memory of the device.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command activates the device to lock and disable device features.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the device is a mobile phone, and wherein the control command activates the device to override configuration settings, emit an audible tone, display a message, and transmit a GPS location signal.

10. A device locate service, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive a device locate request to locate a device that is configured for mobile communication; and

a locate module configured to initiate communication of a control command that activates the device to initiate a locate service function, the control command configured for communication to the device via a mobile communication network.

11. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive the device locate request via a telephone communication network when initiated as a telephone service call to the device locate service.

12. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, wherein the communication interface is configured to receive the device locate request via a data communication network when initiated from a computing device.

13. A device locate service as recited in claim 12, wherein the locate module includes a GPS locate service configured to receive a GPS location signal from the device, determine a location of the device from the GPS location signal, and initiate communication of the location of the device for display at the computing device.

14. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, wherein the locate module includes an audible signal control configured to initiate the control command that activates the device to override configuration settings and emit an audible tone.

15. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, further comprising a message control configured to initiate the control command that activates the device to override configuration settings and display a message.

16. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, further comprising a data wipe control configured to initiate the control command that activates the device to wipe data from a memory of the device.

17. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, further comprising a device lock control configured to initiate the control command that activates the device to lock and disable device features.

18. A mobile device, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive a control command initiated by a device locate service that receives a device locate request for the mobile device; and

a locate module configured to override configuration settings of the mobile device in response to the control command, initiate that the mobile device emit an audible tone, display a message, and lock to disable device features.

19. A mobile device as recited in claim 18, wherein the locate module is further configured to initiate transmission of a GPS location signal from the mobile device.

20. A mobile device as recited in claim 18, wherein the locate module is further configured to initiate wiping data from a memory of the mobile device.