Method and system for tracking mobile electronic devices while conserving cellular network resources
US8712432B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W76/18
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and associated methods are disclosed for tracking mobile electronic devices while conserving cellular network resources used for such tracking. The tracking may be performed for purposes of facilitating recovery of lost or stolen devices. To conserve network resources, different telephone numbers may be assigned depending upon the location of each device and the time of each call, and individual calls may be made only after a determination has been made that a telephone call is required. A determination that a telephone call is required may be made depending upon whether a protected electronic device had been reported lost or stolen, and/or whether an internet communication between the protected electronic device and a monitoring center has been made within a selected previous period of time. A dynamic schedule permits reserved telephone call slots to be freed up if not needed so that they can be used for devices that need the communication time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.