KR20080026469A - A method and system for tracking a mobile communication device using mms - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for tracking a mobile communication device by using a multimedia message service are provided to track a communication device without an additional effort of a user/operator. When a user activates a tracking control operation, a menu option for inputting a password, a target e-mail-ID/phone, and user-tailored message contents for transmitting an alarm MMS(Multimedia Message Service) is provided. A password, a target e-mail-ID/phone, user-tailored message contents are inputted to transmit the alarm MMS. Alarm MMS characteristics, the target e-mail/phone and user authentication information for accessing predetermined text to be transmitted are stored in an NVRAM(Non-Volatile Random Access Memory). Whenever a new user authentication card is inserted and a tracking control function is successfully activated, IMSI(International Mobile Station Identity) stored in the NVRAM and new IMSI are compared. If an ID stored in the NVRAM and the new ID are not identical, a still image or video is captured. The captured images/videos are transmitted to a previously stored contact number through the MMS, or the images/videos together with current location information of a device are transmitted to a previously stored e-mail address.

Description

A method and system for tracking a mobile communication device using MMS}

1 illustrates a mobile communication network performing an identification process.

2 shows a block diagram of a mobile communication device connected with a communication network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the tracking control module shown in FIG. 2 (representing software components necessary to realize the tracking control operation).

4 illustrates a mechanism for activating tracking control in a mobile device using a user interface, where the user is prompted to add a phone number or email address for an authenticated and covertly captured image / video, the phone number being MMS / Can be sent via email.

5 details the sequence between events between the various blocks of expected features when the function starts.

The present invention generally relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to the security of the mobile communication terminal. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for tracking a mobile communication terminal using MMS.

Today, mobile communication technology is the driving force of social and economic development. The security of the mobile terminal is an important factor at this point.

The prior art is based on the method by which the network detects possible misuse when the phone is lost, SIM / USIM is replaced, and reports the misuse of the cell phone to the real owner via SMS, MMS, or e-mail without inquiring. A method for tracking a mobile communication terminal is included. Referring to FIG. 1, an identity check process used in the prior art is illustrated. SGSN or MSC 30 sends an identification request (identification type) to terminal 10 (step 50), and in response, terminal 10 sends an identification response (mobile identification) (step 52). If SGSN or MSC decides to check IMEI for EIR 40, it sends Check IMEI (IMEI) to EIR 40 (step 54). EIR 40 responds with a Check IMEI Ack (IMEI) (step 56).

Another patent application entitled “Method for Tracking a Lost Mobile Device” discloses a method for tracking an electronic device using a removable user identification card. This way, when the user activates the tracking control action on the electronic device, the user can enter a password for sending alert SMS / email, a message content customized with the destination email-ID / phone, and configured for his / her hobby. Providing a menu option; Inputting a password for sending the alert SMS / email, a message content customized (set for his / her hobby) with the destination email-ID / phone; Storing user authentication information for accessing the alert SMS / email feature, the destination email / phone and predetermined text to be sent in NVRAM; As soon as a new user ID card is inserted and the tracking control feature is successfully activated, comparing the IMSI stored in the NVRAM with the new IMSI; If there is a mismatch between the IMSI stored in NVRAM and the current location information of the terminal with possible new IMSI, sending an alert SMS / email to a preset destination. However, the method does not provide a means for transmitting MMS.

In another Japanese patent entitled " mobile phone ", a wireless tracking method is disclosed in which a processor of a mobile communication terminal transmits an e-mail including a preset command character string to a mobile communication terminal. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal changes to the tracking mode and automatically transmits the location information of the current registered base station and the image taken by the camera attached under the usual standby screen to a predetermined e-mail address. Thereafter, the mobile terminal periodically transmits historical information such as a call from the mobile terminal every hour by setting the information and a timer built in the mobile terminal. In addition, the mobile terminal replaces personal information data in the phone book with virtual data and displays the virtual data. Furthermore, after a preset time, the mobile terminal prevents its speech.

Another patent entitled "A mobile terminal having a camera has an anti-theft personal safety system that takes a picture and quickly transmits it to a phone number stored in memory" has another patent claiming a mobile terminal having a camera integrated or attached to a housing. It starts. It features a snapshot function and a fast transfer function for delivering captured photos, series of pictures or video sequences to nodes in a domain or network, such as a home PC or the Internet, for example. The published patent teaches the use of SIP to initiate, modify and terminate sessions between the use of nodes and terminal IP when there is an increase in the rate of movement of various rogues. However, the patent discloses the use of a mobile communication terminal for crime prevention and is not based on the number comparison of the IMSI of the SIM card. For example, when a user running a terminal through a pressure sensitive key / areas in the device is subjected to a crime, the mobile terminal can automatically activate the function.

The present invention relates to mobile communication terminal technology, and more particularly, to a method and system for tracking a lost or stolen mobile communication terminal through MMS. The mobile terminal includes a function for storing one or more contact numbers or email addresses. When the mobile terminal is lost / stolen and the user changes the SIM card, the mobile terminal compares (matches) the IMSI number of the original SIM card with the IMSI number of the inserted SIM card to see if the SIM card matches the owner's SIM card. Check it. If there is a mismatch, the mobile terminal starts a tracking function. Depending on the tracking function, the mobile terminal secretly captures still images or video snapshots and forwards these captured images / videos to a pre-stored contact number via multimedia message service (MMS), or pre-stores the images / videos. Send to an email address.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new method for tracking a mobile communication terminal using MMS without querying the network.

Another object of the present invention is that whenever a SIM / USIM card is replaced or powered on with a SIM / USIM card that is different from that of the user who has enabled tracking, or whenever the laptop / device is connected to the network after being powered on, If the tracking function is activated at, the goal is to track the stolen mobile phone terminal or laptop, or any mobile communication device that supports a network connection by automatically sending SMS / MMS / email to a preset destination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for tracking a communication device without any extra effort from the user / operator for tracking the communication device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a very effective and fast tracking method that does not rely on the presence of EIR in the network, compared to a network which does not guarantee any result but asks for the IMEI of all users.

The invention allows a mobile device or an electronic device to start a camera application (not sneak a preview on the display), take a few pictures, and record a short video clip (configurable depending on the memory available on the device). Provide a method. These pictures are sent to a number stored on the phone (by the original user) using a multimedia message service (MMS) or email. At least GPRS / 3G service is available if the mobile phone is subscribed to send photos secretly. Apart from sending basic information (theft's) via SMS, sending a picture of the thief or a picture of the surroundings is supplemented by MMS.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for tracking an electronic communication device using a removable ID card, comprising: (a) a password for sending an alert MMS, a destination email-ID / phone and the user when the user activates the tracking control operation; Providing a menu option for entering customized message content; (b) entering a password for sending an alert MMS, a destination email-ID / phone and a customized message content; (c) storing user authentication information in NVRAM to access the alert MMS feature, the destination email / phone, and any predetermined text to be sent; (d) comparing a new IMSI with an IMSI stored in NVRAM each time a new user authentication card is inserted and the tracking control function is successfully activated; (e) if the ID stored in NVRAM and the new ID do not match, capturing a still image or video; And (f) transmitting the captured images / videos to a pre-stored contact number via multimedia message service (MMS) or, if possible, to the pre-stored e-mail address with current location information of the device. Steps.

The electronic communication device provides a menu option for password (tracking control key) protection. The tracking control key is used to turn the tracking function on / off and to edit the destination email-ID / phone. The tracking control key is used to edit the message content associated with the MMS. When the user attempts to activate the tracking function, the user is queried for a tracking control key. In order to access / change the alert message destination and the customized content, the tracking control key must be provided.

The present invention also provides a system for tracking an electronic communication device using a removable ID card, comprising: (a) a password for sending an alert MMS, a destination email-ID / phone when the user activates a tracking control operation; Means for entering user customized message content; (b) a memory for storing user authentication information in NVRAM for accessing alert MMS features, destination emails / phones, and any predetermined content to be transmitted, with activation and identification of tracking control functions; (c) means for comparing the new IMSI with the IMSI stored in NVRAM each time a new user authentication card is inserted and the tracking control function is successfully activated; (d) means for capturing a still image or video if there is a mismatch between the ID stored in NVRAM and the new ID; And (e) sending the captured images / videos to a pre-stored contact number via multimedia message service (MMS) or, if possible, the images / videos with current location information of the device to a pre-stored email address. Means;

The system includes a tracking control key authentication module that manages activation / deactivation of tracking control and accesses customized information to be sent in a message. The system includes an ID information access module for acquiring necessary information from an ID card and a user-customized module for holding message format and content information, and for detecting a change in the ID card. If the user chooses to send a warning message, a location information access module that obtains information about the current location of the device and if the outgoing call is forbidden, periodically checking whether the status of the device has changed to send a warning message. A call prohibition status checking module is provided.

The system includes an information display module for displaying current settings. The system also provides an MMS message to be sent to a predetermined destination when a new ID card is inserted and a network access check module that triggers an alert message for the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is connected to the network when the authentication card is not used. As part of the, it includes a camera module for taking a picture or video. The system also has an instant messaging module with an instant messaging application.

If the user wants to access / change the password, destination email-ID / phone and personalized content in order to send alert SMS / MMS / email, the set password must be entered by the user. Alerts In SMS / MMS / Email, the current user's location information and MSISDN / IMSI are included in addition to the customized message content. The user authentication information stored in NVRAM is the IMSI of the current SIM / USIM card for the mobile phone that supports the SIM / USIM card. If there is no SIM / USIM card, the user is prompted to insert a SIM / USIM card. If the above periodicity is set in the mobile device, if the first attempt to send a SIM / email fails, the mobile device will try periodically or increasing the period after each attempt until it succeeds. If the new user's SIM / USIM card has already set outgoing call barring options when the card is inserted, the mobile device sends an alert SMS / MMS / email when the call barring is removed.

A TCK authentication module is provided to the mobile device to enable / disable tracking control and to customize the information to be sent in the message. In order to maintain message format and content information, a customization module is provided for the mobile device. In order to obtain the necessary information from the SIM / USIM such as IMSI, call barring status and detection of a change in the SIM / USIM card, a SIM / USIM card information access module is provided to the mobile device. If the user chooses to send an alert message, a location information access module is provided to the mobile device to obtain information about the current location of the mobile device. When an outgoing call is barred, a call barring status check module is provided to the mobile device to periodically check for a status change and send a warning message. In order to display the current settings, an information display module is provided on the mobile device. To sneak photo / video snaps, a camera module is provided on the mobile device.

The objects, functions and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the clear and detailed description of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed embodiments are merely embodiments of the present invention and may be implemented in various forms of embodiments. The following description and drawings are not intended to limit the invention, but rather are based on the claims, and are disclosed by those skilled in the art as to how the invention is made and used. In order to provide a complete understanding of the However, well-known and ordinary details have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

The present invention tracks a mobile device (ME) by detecting that the ME is possibly misused (when the phone is stolen or the SIM / USIM is replaced, if the device is not the phone and the device accesses the network), and the mobile The device itself provides a way to track a mobile device (ME) that reports itself to a real subscriber without consulting the network.

2 illustrates a mobile electronic device according to the present invention used in connection with a mobile communication network. The main issue of the present invention relates to the operation of the tracking control function described in FIG.

Whenever the SIM / USIM card is replaced with another SIM / USIM card or powered on by another SIM / USIM card, the terminal automatically sends an alert SMS / MMS / email to the preset destination. The electronic device also launches the camera's application (without showing the preview on the display), takes a few photos, and records a short video clip (configurable depending on the available memory). These photos or clips are sent to a predetermined destination stored on the terminal using MMS or email.

The terminal provides a menu option for password (track control key, TCK) protection. -To turn this feature on or off-Purpose email-To edit ID / phone number

Alert To edit a customized part of the message content for sending SMS / MMS / Email.

The tracking control operation (shown in FIG. 4) includes the following steps.

When a user attempts to activate this feature, the user is queried for a password (TCK).

The user is queried about the alert message destination and optionally the personalized content of the alert message. When this is done, tracking control is activated. (If the user wants to access / change these later, the TCK must be entered by the user)

Alerts In SMS / MMS / Email, the user's location information and MSISDN / IMSI can be included with user-defined text.

The terminal starts the camera application (without the display preview), takes a few photos and records a short video clip. The idea of hiding the preview prevents the thief from recognizing that his actions are recorded. This recording depends on the memory available on the device. These photos or clips are sent to a preset destination stored in the terminal (by the original user) using MMS (if the SIM supports GPRS or 3G services). Typically, photos or clips are sent by email.

Alerts for transmission SMS / MMS / email, destination email / phone number, and user authentication information for accessing certain predetermined text are stored in NVRAM.

For devices providing a SIM / USIM card, when the function as described above is activated, the IMIS of the current SIM / USIM card is stored in NVRAM, and if there is no SIM / USIM card, the user may insert the SIM / USIM card. Is urged.

When the above tracking control function is successfully activated, each time a new SIM card is inserted, the device compares the IMSI stored in NVRAM with the new IMSI and, if there is a mismatch, alerts SMS / MMS / to the destination specified by the user. Send an email. The current location information of a device (based on Location Identity) obtained from a radio access technology (such as GSM / UMTS / CDMA) is included in the message.

If the initial attempt to send an SMS / MMS / email fails, the device will try periodically until it succeeds. The period can be set.

If the new user's SIM / USIM card has the preset 'Outgoing Calls Barred' option when the SIM card is inserted, the device can remember to become the SIM card and alert SMS when the call ban is removed. You can send / MMS.

For this operation, the tracking control module has the following submodules, which serve as mentioned below, as in FIG.

The TCK authentication module 110 manages the activation / deactivation of the tracking control and accesses customized information to be sent in the message.

Customization module 120 maintains message format and content information

(SIM / USIM) information access module 130 obtains the necessary information from the SIM / USIM, such as IMSI, call barring status, etc., and detects a change in the SIM / USIM card.

The location information access module 140 obtains information about the current location information of the device if the user selects an option for sending a warning message.

If the outgoing call is prohibited, the call prohibition status checking module 150 periodically checks the change of the state to send a warning message.

The information display module 160 displays the current settings.

The network access check module 170 triggers an alert SMS / MMS when the device is connected to the network for devices that do not use the SIM card.

The camera module 180 captures a picture or video clip whenever a new SIM / USIM is inserted as part of an MMS or email to send to a predetermined destination.

5 details the sequence of events between the various blocks of the proposed function when the tracking function is started. The various steps involved in this process are provided below.

When the device is powered on (step 501), the SIM / USIM information access module 130 is driven and this SIM / USIM information access module 103 is required information from the SIM / USIM card such as IMSI and call barring status. Get and detect the change of SIM / USIM card.

If the tracking function is enabled, the current IMSI value is obtained from the SIM and compared with the NVRAM information (step 505). In this case, the alert SMS / MMS / email feature, the destination email / phone, and the user authentication information for accessing some predetermined text to be transmitted are stored.

If the IMSI from the SIM card is the same as the IMSI stored in NVRAM, the SIM / USIM information access module does nothing (step 507). If it is not the same, the IMSI mismatch flag is set (step 509).

If the inconsistency flag is set, the system checks whether registration is successful (step 511). If not successful, wait until the registration status is changed (step 513).

If registration is successful, the system checks whether the outgoing call is prohibited (step 515). If prohibited, wait until the call inhibited state is changed (step 521). Upon changing the call barring state, the system checks whether the tracking function is enabled and whether the IMSI mismatch flag is set.

If the user wants to include the location information, the location information access module is driven to obtain the location information. The camera module starts on the display (without preview) and takes a few photos and video shots. An alert SMS / MMS / email is sent along with all relevant data from the tracking control module to the set destination (step 517).

If the user specifies both the phone number and the e-mail ID, the SMS / MMS and e-mail are sent together and sent multiple times to increase certainty (step 519). The system checks whether the secret SMS / MMS / email is successfully sent (step 523).

If successful, the process ends here, or sends an SMS / MMS / email, increasing the delay between each attempt to increase certainty and ensure that the owner obtains theft related details (step 525).

If the message was not sent successfully, the staggered period timer is initialized. At each expiration of the timer, an attempt is made to send an alert SMS / MMS / Email with the relevant data from the tracking control module to the set destination, if not successful, increase the timer duration, restart the timer (step 527), and The process is repeated.

It will also be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other control methods and apparatus may be derived from the combination of various methods and apparatuses of the invention disclosed in the specification and accompanying drawings, which are within the scope of the invention. Should be considered. In addition, the initiation of coupling and modification has been omitted above. Hosts for storing applications are not limited to microchips, microprocessors, communication devices for formatting, computers, rendering devices, or multi-function devices.

Although the present invention has been sufficiently described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications are possible and obvious to those skilled in the art. Unless such changes and modifications depart, it will be understood that such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The present invention tracks a mobile device (ME) by detecting that the phone is stolen or the SIM / USIM is replaced, if the device is not a phone and the device accesses the network) and the ME is possibly misused, and the mobile device It provides a way to track a mobile device (ME) that reports itself to a real subscriber without consulting the network.

Claims (16)

A method of tracking an electronic communication device using a removable ID card, (a) providing a menu option for inputting a password for sending an alert multimedia message service (MMS), a destination email-ID / phone, and customized message content when the user activates the tracking control operation; (b) entering a password for sending an alert MMS, a destination email-ID / phone and a customized message content; (c) storing user authentication information in NVRAM to access the alert MMS feature, the destination email / phone, and any predetermined text to be sent; (d) comparing a new IMSI with an IMSI stored in NVRAM each time a new user authentication card is inserted and the tracking control function is successfully activated; (e) if the ID stored in NVRAM and the new ID do not match, capturing a still image or video; And (f) transmitting the captured images / videos to a pre-stored contact number via multimedia message service (MMS) or, if possible, to the pre-stored e-mail address with current location information of the device; And tracking the electronic communication device. The method of claim 1, wherein the device provides a menu option for password (track control key) protection. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking control key is used to turn the tracking function on / off and to edit a destination email-ID / phone. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking control key is used to edit message content associated with an MMS. The method of claim 1, wherein when the user attempts to activate the tracking function, the user is queried for a tracking control key. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking control key must be provided in order to access / change the alert message destination and the personalized content. In a system for tracking electronic communication devices using removable ID cards, (a) means for inputting a password for sending an alert Multimedia Message Service (MMS), a destination email-ID / phone and customized message content when the user activates the tracking control operation; (b) a memory for storing user authentication information in NVRAM for accessing alert MMS features, destination emails / phones, and any predetermined content to be transmitted, with activation and identification of tracking control functions; (c) means for comparing the new IMSI with the IMSI stored in NVRAM each time a new user authentication card is inserted and the tracking control function is successfully activated; (d) means for capturing a still image or video if there is a mismatch between the ID stored in NVRAM and the new ID; And (e) means for transmitting the captured images / videos to a pre-stored contact number via multimedia message service (MMS) or, if possible, to the pre-stored e-mail address with the current location information of the device; And a system for tracking an electronic communication device. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a tracking control key authentication module that manages activation / deactivation of tracking control and accesses customized information to be sent in the message. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a custom module for maintaining message format and content information. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an ID information access module for acquiring the necessary information from the ID card and detecting a change in the ID card. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a location information access module to obtain information about the current location of the device if the user chooses to send a warning message. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a call inhibited status checking module that periodically checks if the status of the device has changed to send a warning message if the outgoing call is prohibited. 8. The system of claim 7, comprising an information display module displaying current settings. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein when the mobile terminal is connected to a network, the authentication card further comprises a network access check module that triggers a warning message for the mobile terminal that is not in use. . 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a camera module for taking a picture or video as part of an MMS message to be sent to a predetermined destination when a new ID card is inserted. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an instant messaging module having an instant messaging application.

Images