Method and system for tracking mobile communication device using instant messaging
US8036707B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W8/16
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a method for tracking any mobile electronic device which accesses wireless or wired network using Instant Messaging (IM). The mobile device, capable of instant messenger (IM) functionality, allows storage of one or more IM IDs in a separate non-volatile memory. When the mobile device is lost/stolen, and another person changes the SIM card, the phone verifies if the SIM card is the same as that of the owner by matching the IMSI numbers of the two. If there is a mismatch, the mobile device triggers the tracking feature. The tracking feature automatically and stealthily transmits instant messages to the stored messenger IDs. Furthermore, with video/voice capability in the IM client, there is a provision for transmitting live video/voice of the person using the mobile phone after the tracking feature is enabled as video calls or voice calls respectively.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.