Method and apparatus for controlling and securing mobile phones that are lost, stolen or misused
US6662023B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W12/126
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for controlling a mobile phone when it has been lost or stolen in order to prevent its use except to help the owner find it. Controlling the phone remotely may be implemented via a known Short Messaging System, for example. The security features provided are as follows: (1) Displaying contact information (phone number) of the owner on screen when the mobile phone can not start up normally, for example, due to an incorrect security code entry; (2) Setting the mobile phone in a secure state where it can only be used to call one number (Emergency calls are of course always possible.); and (3) Commanding the mobile phone to send information about its location and usage via SMS to a given number.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.