Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for detecting a missing cellular device

• US 8,190,125 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Simpson, Anita Hogans, Stark, Barbara
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siddiqui, Kashif
• Application Number:
  US11/856,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20090075629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 455406-419, 4554561-5756
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72516 with means for out-of-range alerting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for detecting a missing cellular device. According to embodiments, a method for detecting a missing cellular device is provided. According to the method, a connection between a cellular device and a base module is established. Whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection is detected. In response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, the cellular device is switched from an operational mode to a missing phone mode. The operational mode enables regular function of the cellular device. The missing phone mode restricts the regular function of the cellular device.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a missing handheld, cellular device, comprising:

establishing a connection between a handheld cellular device and a portable base module, the portable base module comprising an object attached to a user of the handheld cellular device;

detecting whether a distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection;

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the handheld cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the handheld cellular device;

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering an audible alarm through the portable base module;

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering a second audible alarm on the handheld cellular device;

rerouting, by way of a cellular network, communications initiated from he handheld cellular device to a remote service provider, the communications originally intended for a recipient;

upon rerouting the communications initiated from the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider, receiving, by way of the cellular network, an informational communication from the remote service provider; and

outputting the informational communication on the handheld cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving, by way of a cellular network, an instruction from the remote service provider to switch the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) code, a short message service (SMS) message, an electronic mail message, and a sender identifier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting whether a distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection comprises determining whether a signal strength of the connection between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module has decreased below a signal threshold.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the portable base module comprises a jewelry item worn by the user;

and wherein triggering an audible alarm through the portable base module comprises triggering the audible alarm through the jewelry item worn by the user.

5. A system for detecting a missing handheld cellular device, comprising:

a memory for storing a program containing code for detecting a missing handheld cellular device;

a processor functionally coupled to the memory, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program and operative to;

establish a connection between a handheld cellular device and a portable base module, the portable base module comprising an object attached to a user of the handheld cellular device,

detect whether a distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection,

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, switch the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the handheld cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the handheld cellular device,

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, trigger an audible alarm through the portable base module,

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, trigger a second audible alarm on the handheld cellular device,

reroute, b way of a cellular network, communications initiated from the handheld cellular device to a remote service provider, the communications originally intended for a recipient,

upon rerouting the communications initiated from the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider, receive, by way of the cellular network, an informational communication from the remote service provider, and

output the informational communication on the handheld cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein to switch the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the processor is operative to switch the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving, by way of a cellular network, an instruction from the remote service provider to switch the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein to switch the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the processor is operative to switch the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) code, a short message service (SMS) message, an electronic mail message, and a sender identifier.

8. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to provide a method for detecting a missing handheld cellular device, the method comprising:

establishing a connection between a handheld cellular device and a portable base module, the portable base module comprising an object attached to a user of the handheld cellular device;

detecting whether a distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection;

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the handheld cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the handheld cellular device;

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering an audible alarm through the portable base module;

in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering a second audible alarm on the handheld cellular device;

rerouting, by way of a cellular network, communications initiated from the handheld cellular device to a remote service provider, the communications originally intended for a recipient;

upon rerouting the communications initiated from the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider, receiving, by way of the cellular network, an informational communication from the remote service provider; and

outputting the informational communication on the handheld cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving, by way of a cellular network, an instruction from the remote service provider to switch the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode comprises switching the handheld cellular device from the operational mode to the missing phone mode in response to receiving at least one of a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) code, a short message service (SMS) message, an electronic mail message, and a sender identifier.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein detecting whether a distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection comprises determining whether a signal strength of the connection between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module has decreased below a signal threshold.