GB2561827A - Wireless communication devices and methods of operation - Google Patents

Wireless communication devices and methods of operation Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2561827A
GB2561827A GB1706280.3A GB201706280A GB2561827A GB 2561827 A GB2561827 A GB 2561827A GB 201706280 A GB201706280 A GB 201706280A GB 2561827 A GB2561827 A GB 2561827A
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wireless communication
communication device
user
information
elapsed time
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GB2561827B (en
GB201706280D0 (en
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Stanley Potts Evan
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/60—Context-dependent security
    • H04W12/61—Time-dependent
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/60—Context-dependent security
    • H04W12/63—Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/12—Detection or prevention of fraud
    • H04W12/126—Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)

Abstract

A method for locating a lost wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, where the lost device sends communication with its present location to a communications address after a predetermined period of time has elapsed between monitored use of the device. If the device is inactive or not operated for longer than the established threshold of time, it transmits location data such as coordinates, a post code, or street name to a specified communication receiver via for example email, SMS, or voice call. The method may include a step of generating a prompt message requiring the user to confirm the wireless communication device is still in their possession, which, if not responded to, leads to the location data being transmitted. In one embodiment the location data is provided by GPS on the mobile phone, tablet, or other misplaced device.

Description

„2)UK Patent Application „S1GB ,,,,2561827 (13) A 31.10.2018
(43) Date of A Publication
(21) Application No: 1706280.3 (22) Date of Filing: 20.04.2017 (51) INT CL: H04W4/02 (2018.01) (56) Documents Cited:
(71) Applicant(s): Evan Stanley Potts 19 Magdalene Road, Sandhurst, Berkshire, GU47 OUT, United Kingdom WO 2007/086335 A1 JP 2009171123 A (58) Field of Search: INT CL H04W Other: WPI, EPODOC
(72) Inventor(s): Evan Stanley Potts
(74) Agent and/or Address for Service: Evan Stanley Potts 19 Magdalene Road, Sandhurst, Berkshire, GU47 OUT, United Kingdom
Title of the Invention: Wireless communication devices and methods of operation Abstract Title: Method for locating lost wireless communication device
A method for locating a lost wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, where the lost device sends communication with its present location to a communications address after a predetermined period of time has elapsed between monitored use of the device. If the device is inactive or not operated for longer than the established threshold of time, it transmits location data such as coordinates, a post code, or street name to a specified communication receiver via for example email, SMS, or voice call. The method may include a step of generating a prompt message requiring the user to confirm the wireless communication device is still in their possession, which, if not responded to, leads to the location data being transmitted. In one embodiment the location data is provided by GPS on the mobile phone, tablet, or other misplaced device.
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-1 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATION
This invention relates to wireless communication devices and their methods of operation and in particular, to methods for locating a lost wireless communication device.
A wireless communication device may comprise, for example, a mobile phone, cellphone, smart phone, tablet or other portable, personal, wireless communication device. Such devices may, for example, be accidentally left behind at a particular location visited by the user of the device or dropped at some location without the user being immediately aware of its loss. In such circumstances, it would be advantageous for the device to be provided with the capability of informing the user of its present location.
According to a first aspect of invention there is provided a method for locating a lost wireless communication device having a user interface and location determining means, the method including, at the wireless communication device; receiving first information, wherein said first information relates to a predetermined elapsed time interval T; receiving second information, wherein said second information includes a communications address; monitoring user-instigated activity of the wireless communication device; detecting if an elapsed time period between consecutive monitored userinstigated activities of the wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined elapsed time interval T, and if so; transmitting a communication to the communication address, said communication including the present location of the wireless communication device.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wireless communication device including a user interface, a signal processor and location determining means for determining a present location of the wireless communication device, wherein the signal processor is adapted to: receive first information, wherein said first information relates to a predetermined elapsed time interval T; ;receive second information, wherein said second information includes a communications address; monitor user-instigated activity of the wireless communication device; detect if an elapsed time period between consecutive monitored user-instigated activities of the wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined elapsed time interval T, ;and if so interrogate the location determining means to obtain information relating to a present location of the wireless communication device; and generate a communication for transmission to the communication address, said communication including the information relating to the present location of the wireless communication device.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a tangible computer readable product having computer readable code thereon for execution by a processor to perform the method in accordance with the first aspect.
The tangible computer readable product may comprise at least one from a group consisting of: a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a Read Only Memory, a Programmable Read Only Memory, an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, EPROM, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory and a Flash memory.
-2The first and second information may be entered into the wireless communication device by a user via the user interface which may comprise a keypad or touchscreen for example. The predetermined elapsed time interval T may have any value and, typically, be greater than one hour. The communications address may comprise at least one of: a phone number; an email address, for example.
A user-instigated activity of the wireless communication device may comprise, for example, at least one of: an outgoing voice call, an outgoing SMS (Short Message Service) text message, an outgoing email message; receiving an incoming voice call; opening an incoming SMS text message, opening an incoming email message; or other communication instigated by the user of the wireless communication device (use of a calculator function, for example)
The present location may be represented by at least one of: a post code, street name; geographical co-ordinates, for example.
The communication transmitted to the communications address and including the present location of the wireless communication device may comprise, for example, at least one of: an SMS text message; an email message. The communication may also include the time of day and an identity of the wireless communication device (for example, its phone number).
In one embodiment, the location determining means comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS). Alternatively, the location determining means may be adapted to determine the location of the wireless communication device in accordance with other known location determination techniques, some of which may include the receipt of transmissions from wireless network base stations or beacons.
Optionally, if the elapsed time period between consecutive activities has been determined to exceed T, the signal processor may be adapted to generate a prompt message which requires the user to confirm that the wireless communication device is still in the user’s possession. The prompt may comprise an audible or visual message, or both.
Thus, the invention permits an automatic notification of the location of a lost wireless communication device to its user by detecting that it has not been used for a pre-settable period of time. This time period can be chosen and pre-set by the user. The wireless communication device then sends details of its current location to a communications address which is accessible to the user. The user can also chose and pre-set this address. The address may comprise a telephone number or email address for example. The wireless communication device can thus notify the user of its whereabouts even before the user has discovered its loss. The wireless communication device may be arranged to send its location and an identifier (its assigned telephone number, for example) to the police whose contact details may be included in the second information entered into the wireless communication device.
The invention has the further advantage of not requiring any modifications to the network which supplies communication services to the wireless communication device.
Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings of which:
-3FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method for locating a lost wireless communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a wireless communication device comprises a mobile phone 100 configured with a GPS 101. The mobile phone 100 also includes a signal processor 102, a transceiver 103, a display screen 104 and a keypad 105. The GPS 101, transceiver 203, display screen 104 and keypad 105 are all operably coupled to the signal processor 102.
A user (not shown) may enter information into the mobile phone 100 via the keypad 105. The display screen 104 may display a prompt message to the user under the control of the signal processor 102. The GPS 101 may supply location information to the signal processor 102 when interrogated by the signal processor. The transceiver 103 enables wireless communications to be set from and received by the mobile phone 100.The mobile phone 100 is wirelessly connected to a Radio Access Network such as a 3G (Third Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, for example.
Referring now to FIG. 2 and to FIG.1, a method for locating a lost wireless communication device (for example, the mobile phone 100 of FIG.1) will now be described. At 201, a user of the mobile phone enters a contact address into the mobile phone via the keypad 105. In this example, a contact address is an email address which is accessible to the user. At 202, the user choses an elapsed time interval T (say two hours) and enters this into the mobile phone via the keypad 102. At 203, the user enables the lost phone facility of the present invention (also via the keypad).
At 204, the signal processor 102 monitors user-instigated phone activity specifically, outgoing voice calls, sent text messages, sent emails (for example). The signal processor also monitors time elapsed between successive activities of this nature. If, at 205, the signal processor determines that the elapsed time interval between two successive activities has exceeded two hours (T), then at 206, it determines whether or not a confirmation that the mobile phone is still in the user’s possession has been received. In this example, when the method proceeds from step 205 to 206, the signal processor generates a visual prompt which is displayed on the display screen 104. Such a visual prompt can present a question: “Is phone still in your possession? Press any key to confirm.” If a key is pressed, signifying that the phone is still in the possession of the user, then the method reverts to 204 where the signal processor 102 continues to monitor user-instigated activities and elapsed time therebetween.
If, on the other hand, no key is pressed (because the phone is no longer with the user and therefore is lost), then the method proceeds to 207 where the signal processor 102 interrogates the GPS 101 and requests the current location of the phone, in this example in the form of a street name. At 208, the signal processor 102 generates an email message and includes therein the street name provided by the GPS 101 (and the time of day) and instructs the transceiver 103 to send the message to the email address which has been entered into the mobile phone at step 201.
The user, on receipt of the email message can then know where the lost phone is and take steps to retrieve it.

Claims (13)

  1. Claims
    5 1. A method for locating a lost wireless communication device having a user interface and location determining means, the method including, at the wireless communication device; receiving first information, wherein said first information relates to a predetermined elapsed time interval T; receiving second information, wherein said second information includes a communications address; monitoring user-instigated
    10 activity of the wireless communication device; detecting if an elapsed time period between consecutive monitored user-instigated activities of the wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined elapsed time interval T, and if so, transmitting a communication to the communication address, said communication including the present location of the wireless communication device.
  2. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined elapsed time interval T is greater than one hour.
  3. 3. The method of either preceding claim wherein the communications address comprises
    20 at least one of::a telephone number; an email address.
  4. 4. The method of any preceding claim wherein a user-instigated activity comprises at least one of: transmission of a voice call; transmission of an SMS (Short Messaging Service) text message; transmission of an email message; answering a voice call,
    25 opening an incoming SMS text message; opening an incoming email message.
  5. 5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the location information comprises at least one of: a post code; a street name; geographical co-ordinates.
  6. 6. The method of any preceding claim wherein the communication is transmitted in the form of at least one of: an SMS message; an email message.
  7. 7. The method of any preceding claim wherein the communication includes at least one of: time of day; an identifier of the wireless communication device.
  8. 8. The method of any preceding claim wherein if the elapsed time period T between consecutive user-instigated activities has been determined to exceed T, generating a prompt message requiring a user to confirm that the wireless communication device is still in the user’s possession..
    -59. The method of claim 8 wherein generating the prompt message includes generating an audible alert and a visual message on a display screen of the wireless communication device.
    10. A wireless communication device including a user interface, a signal processor and location determining means for determining a present location of the wireless communication device, wherein the signal processor is adapted to: receive first information, wherein said first information relates to a predetermined elapsed time
    10 interval T; ;receive second information, wherein said second information includes a communications address; monitor user-instigated activity of the wireless communication device; detect if an elapsed time period between consecutive monitored user-instigated activities of the wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined elapsed time interval T; and if so, interrogate the location determining
    15 means to obtain information relating to a present location of the wireless communication device; and generate a communication for transmission to the communication address, said communication including the information relating to the present location of the wireless communication device.
    11. The wireless communication device of claim 10 wherein the location determining means comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS).
    12. The wireless communication device of claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the first information and the second information are received via the user interface.
    13. A tangible computer readable product having computer readable code thereon for execution by a processor to perform the method in accordance with any of claims 1 to
  9. 9.
    14. The tangible computer program product of claim 13 wherein the tangible computer program product comprises at least one from a group consisting of: a hard disk, a CDROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a Read Only Memory, a Programmable Read Only Memory, an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory,
    35 EPROM, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory and a Flash memory
    Amendments to the claims have be filed as follows:
    Claims
    5 1. A method of locating a lost wireless communication device having a user interface and location determining means, the method including, at the wireless communication device: receiving first information, wherein said first information relates to a predetermined elapsed time interval T; receiving second information, wherein said second information includes a communications address; monitoring user-instigated
  10. 10 activity of the wireless communication device; detecting if an elapsed time period between consecutive monitored user-instigated activities of the wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined elapsed time interval T, and if so, determining whether or not the wireless communication device is still in the user’s possession by generating a prompt message requesting the user to provide
    15 confirmation that the wireless communication device is still in the user’s possession, t’o“· and if not, transmitting a communication to the communication address, said • communication including the present location of the wireless communication device.
    * ·
    V >·· • · ·· · ·· ·
    S · • ·»
    2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined elapsed time interval T is greater than one hour.
    3. The method of either preceding claim wherein the communications address comprises at least one of: a telephone number; an email address.
    4. The method of any preceding claim wherein a user-instigated activity comprises at least one of: transmission of a voice call; transmission of an SMS (Short Messaging Service) text message; transmission of an email message; answering a voice call, opening an incoming SMS text message; opening an incoming email message.
    5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the location information comprises at least one of: a post code; a street name; geographical co-ordinates.
    6. The method of any preceding claim wherein the communication is transmitted in the form of at least one of: an SMS message; an email message.
    7. The method of any preceding claim wherein the communication includes at least one of: time of day; an identifier of the wireless communication device.
    8. The method of any preceding claim wherein generating the prompt message includes generating an audible alert and a visual message on a display screen of the wireless communication device.
    9. A wireless communication device including a user interface, a signal processor and location determining means for determining a present location of the wireless communication device, wherein the signal processor is adapted to: receive first information, wherein said first information relates to a predetermined elapsed time
    10 interval T; receive second information, wherein said second information includes a communications address; monitor user-instigated activity of the wireless communication device; detect if an elapsed time period between consecutive monitored user-instigated activities of the wireless communication device exceeds the predetermined elapsed time interval T; and if so, determine whether or not the wireless
    15 communication device is still in the user’s possession by generating a prompt message • '»·*· requesting the user to confirm that the wireless communication device is still in the • ·· • user’s possession, and if not, interrogate the location determining means to obtain * * information relating to a present location of the wireless communication device; and . · generate a communication for transmission to the communication address, said * * 20 communication including the information relating to the present location of the wireless communication device.
    Ί·
    10. The wireless communication device of claim 9 wherein the location determining means comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS).
  11. 11. The wireless communication device of claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first information and the second information are received via the user interface.
    30
  12. 12. A tangible computer readable product having computer readable code thereon for execution by a processor to perform the method in accordance with any of claims 1 to 8.
  13. 13. The tangible computer program product of claim 12 wherein the tangible computer 35 program product comprises at least one from a group consisting of: a hard disk, a CDROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a Read Only Memory, a Programmable Read Only Memory, an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, EPROM, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory and a Flash memory.
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    Application No: Claims searched:
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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109660955A (en) * 2018-11-23 2019-04-19 北斗天地股份有限公司 Position monitoring method and device

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007086335A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 Nec Corporation Mobile terminal, method for reporting loss of mobile terminal, and loss reporting program
JP2009171123A (en) * 2008-01-15 2009-07-30 Denso Corp Lost property notification system, mobile communication device, and user side communication terminal

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007086335A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 Nec Corporation Mobile terminal, method for reporting loss of mobile terminal, and loss reporting program
JP2009171123A (en) * 2008-01-15 2009-07-30 Denso Corp Lost property notification system, mobile communication device, and user side communication terminal

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109660955A (en) * 2018-11-23 2019-04-19 北斗天地股份有限公司 Position monitoring method and device
CN109660955B (en) * 2018-11-23 2021-01-05 北斗天地股份有限公司 Position monitoring method and device

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GB201706280D0 (en) 2017-06-07

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