WO2013180686A1

WO2013180686A1 - Method, device, and system for locating a mobile terminal device

Info

Publication number: WO2013180686A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/039804
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bizhan Karimi-Cherkandi; Farrokh Mohammadzadeh Kouchri; Schah Walli Ali
Original assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2012-05-29
Filing date: 2012-05-29
Publication date: 2013-12-05

Abstract

A communication system, method and communication terminal permit a user to find a misplaced mobile communication terminal. The mobile terminal may register with a service hosted by a computer device such as a server and thereafter periodically update the service with information identifying the location of the mobile terminal. The information may include coordinates identifying a geographical location of the terminal as well as images or other indicia identifying the location of the terminal. Time indicia such as a time stamp identifying the time at which the geographical location is provided to the service may also be periodically sent with the information identifying the location of the mobile terminal. A user may access the service using another communication device to determine the location of the mobile terminal from the uploaded location information.

Description

METHOD, DEVICE, AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATING

A MOBILE TERMINAL DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to communication systems, such as communication systems that utilize cellular phones, mobile computer devices, tablets, laptops, or other terminal devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system, method and device configured to permit a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to provide information to a service so a user may detect the geographical location of the device by use of the service. The service may be hosted by a server, workstation, computer, or other computer device that is communicatively connectable with terminal devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile devices are often relatively small computer devices such as a cellular phone or tablet. Such devices may occasionally be misplaced or lost. In yet other situations, a device may become stolen. Locating such a misplaced device can be difficult due to the small size of the devices.

Sometimes, a user may use a phone to call a cellular phone that is misplaced to find the cellular phone. The ringing of the cellular phone may allow the user to detect where the misplaced cellular phone is located. But, such a system fails to work if the device was shut off by the user before being lost or shut down due to low battery life or in a mode of operation where the device is configured to not emit an audible ring when called, such as a silent mode. A new system, device and method are needed for aiding a user's search for a misplaced mobile communication device. Preferably, the apparatus would be configured to help a user find his or her device even if the device is shut off, was placed in a silent mode prior to being lost, or has no battery power life left to permit the device to be turned on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have developed a new system, method, and device to aid a user's search for a misplaced device. In some embodiments of our apparatuses and method, a user's search is aided by providing information to the user that will help the user better locate a misplaced device without having to require that misplaced device to be turned on or configured in a non-silent mode of operation.

In one embodiment a communication system includes a mobile communication terminal and a computer device that hosts a location service that is communicatively connectable to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device. The registration includes the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device. The first location information identifies an initial geographical location of the mobile communication terminal. The initial geographical location may have been obtained at a time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device or may have been determined at a most recent time prior to the time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device. The computer device stores the first location information and associates the first location information with the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal sends at least one post registration message to the computer device as well. Each post registration message includes second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message. The computer device stores the updated geographical location information and associates that updated geographical location information with the mobile communication terminal so that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of a request for location information for the mobile communication terminal from a user of the mobile communication terminal sent via a communication endpoint.

In some embodiments of the system, the computer device may be a server, the mobile communication terminal may be a tablet, mobile phone, cellular phone, or laptop and the communication endpoint may be a mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer, or desktop computer. The communication endpoint may be communicatively connectable to the computer device. For instance, an internet connection or other network connection may be established between the communication endpoint and computer device for the user to send the request for location information to the mobile communication terminal.

In some embodiments of the system, the first location information may also include time information and the second location information may also include time information. The time information of the first location information may be the time that the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device, the time at which the mobile communication terminal received the geographical location information, or the time at which the geographical location information was stamped or obtained by a service that provided that information to the mobile communication terminal such as a GPS service prior to the time the mobile communication terminal registered with the computer device. The time information of the second location information may be the time that the mobile communication terminal sends a post registration message in which the time information is located,, the time at which the mobile communication terminal received the updated geographical location information included in the post registration message in which that information is included, or the time at which the updated geographical location information was stamped or obtained by a service that provided that information to the mobile communication terminal such as a GPS service prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sent the post registration message to the computer device.

The post registration messages and registration message sent by the mobile

communication terminal may include information in addition to updated geographical location information. For instance, the message may include at least one image or a video captured by a camera sensor of the communication terminal to illustrate an environment near the mobile communication terminal. Such information may alternatively be sent in a separate message transmitted to the computer device so that the computer device stores such data and associates it with the mobile communication device so it is retrievable and transmittable in response to a receipt of a request for location information for the mobile communication terminal. The camera sensor of the mobile communication terminal may record the video or image when a battery is at a predetermined level so that at least post registration message or separate message is sent prior to the terminal shutting off due to low battery life or in response to receiving shutdown input from a user for shutting down the terminal or turning off the terminal.

The computer device may send a locate message to the mobile communication terminal. The locate message may include instructions requesting the mobile communication terminal to perform at least one action. The instructions may be parameters that correspond with parameters stored in memory of the communication terminal. The parameters may define which location functions are performed by the communication terminal. Such parameters may be selectively set by user input so a user can define which locate actions his or her communication terminal may perform in response to a locate message. The actions the instructions, such as parameters in a locate message for example, may include are: capture an image of environment surrounding the mobile communication terminal and send that captured image to the computer device, emit a ring tone or alert tone via a speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the ring tone or alarm tone, emit audio via the speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the audio, actuate a light emitting device for emitting light, establish a communication connection with another device using an address provided in the at least one instruction such that the mobile communication terminal establishes the communication connection, and activate a display of the mobile communication terminal such that the mobile communication terminal activates the display for a predetermined period of time at a predefined luminance level.

A method of locating a mobile communication terminal is also provided. The method includes the step of a mobile communication terminal registering with a computer device. The registering comprises the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device. The first location information identifies an initial geographical location of the mobile communication terminal. The initial geographical location of the first location information may be geographical location information that obtained at a time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device or may have been determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal registering with the computer device. The method also includes the step of the computer device storing the first location information and associating the first location information with the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal sending at least one post registration message to the computer device. Each of the at least one post registration message comprises second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message. The method also includes the steps of the computer device storing the updated geographical location information and associating that updated geographical location information with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of a request for the updated geographical location information from a user of the mobile communication terminal sent via a communication endpoint.

In some embodiments of the method or system, the communication terminal may send at least one post registration message to the computer device when one of: a predetermined time passes after a prior post registration messages was sent and the mobile communication terminal is moved at least a predetermined distance from the updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal identified in a previously sent one of the post registration messages.

A mobile communication terminal is also provided. The mobile communication terminal may include a transmitter unit and a processor unit communicatively coupled to the transmitter unit. The mobile communication terminal registers with a computer device by the transmitter unit of the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device. The first location information identifies a geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device. The first location information identifies an initial geographical location of the mobile communication terminal. The first location information may be configured such that the first location information is storable by the computer device such that the first location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal. The transmitter unit of the mobile communication terminal may then send at least one post registration message to the computer device. Each of the at least one post registration message comprises second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message. The processor unit determines the updated geographical location. Each of the at least one post registration message is sent such that the updated geographical location information is storable by the computer device such that the stored updated geographical location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable to a communication endpoint in response to receipt of a request for help locating the mobile communication terminal sent by a user of the mobile communication terminal.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon that is executable by a mobile communication terminal is also provided. The program code defines a method that is performed when executed by the mobile communication terminal. The method includes the mobile communication terminal registering with a computer device by the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device. The first location information identifies a geographical location of the mobile communication terminal. The initial geographical location of the first location information may be geographical location information obtained at or near the time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device. The first location information is configured such that the first location information is storable by the computer device such that the first location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal then sends at least one post registration message to the computer device. Each post registration message comprises second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message. The processor unit may determine the updated geographical location by determining that location based on information obtained from another service or by revaluating data sensed by one or more sensors of the mobile communication terminal. Each of post registration message may be sent such that the updated geographical location information is storable by the computer device such that the stored updated geographical location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of a request for the updated geographical location information from a user of the mobile communication terminal sent via a communication endpoint. Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Present preferred devices, systems, and apparatuses for providing communications between multiple communication devices are shown in the accompanying drawings and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same are also illustrated therein. It should be understood that like reference numbers used in the drawings may identify like components.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile communication terminal.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method of locating a mobile communication terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1-3, a device, system, method and application that may be stored in memory of a device to be executed by a processor of the device, such as a central processing unit, microprocessor or other processor, are provided that can help a user of a misplaced device find their misplaced device. Some embodiments of the system can include a mobile communication terminal 1, a communication endpoint 3 and a computer device 2 hosting a location service. The system may also include a server 5 that offers an application. The application offered by the server 5 may be downloaded or otherwise obtained by the communication terminal 1 to permit the communication terminal 1 to access the location service hosted by the computer device 2. The communication endpoint 3 may also communicate with the server offering the application to obtain a copy of the application for use of the service. The communication endpoint 3 and the communication terminal 1 may also be connectable to each other via a direct wireless connection such as a Bluetooth connection, a direct wired connection such as a universal serial bus ("USB") wired connection, or a network connection or other communication connection such as an internet connection or network connection.

The communication terminal 1 may be communicatively connectable to the server 5 offering the application so that the communication terminal may receive a copy of the application. The application may be downloaded to the communication terminal via at least one connection formed between the server and the communication terminal. The connection may be established such that messages pass through at least one network 4 such as the internet or an enterprise network for the server 5 to communicate with the communication terminal 1. One or more access points, gateways, or other network nodes may be positioned along a transmission path defined between the communication terminal and server offering the application 5 to permit the server 5 to exchange messages with the communication terminal via the at least one network 4 to send the data needed for providing a copy of the application to the communication terminal 1. The communication terminal 1 may install that application and subsequently communicate with a computer device 2 to register the location service hosting by the computer device 2. One example of a server that offers the application may be an "app store" that is communicatively connectable to a communication terminal via an internet connection. In alternative embodiments, the communication terminal 1 may not need the application from a separate server but may instead communicate with the computer device 2 hosting the location service to register with that service. During the registration process, the computer device 2 may provide a copy of an application for use by the communication terminal 1 in connection with using the location service via communications exchanged with the computer device 2 that hosts the location service. For example, the communication terminal 1 may download a copy of the application, store the application in its memory and install the application so it is executable by a processor of the communication terminal 1.

When the application is executed on the communication terminal 1, the communication terminal 1 may establish a communication connection with the device 2 hosting the location service for communicating with the device 2 for uploading location information to the device 2. The communication terminal 1 may also communicate with the computer device 2 to obtain data from the computer device 2 such as a log of locations at which the mobile communication terminal 1 has been or data about a different communication device's location or location history. When the application is executed on the communication endpoint 3, the communication endpoint may establish a communication connection with the device hosting the location service for communicating with the device 2 for obtaining location information or uploading location information to the device 2. For instance, the communication endpoint 3 may communicate with the computer device 2 hosting the location service to obtain current location information for the mobile communication terminal 1.

Alternatively, the communication endpoint 3 and communication terminal 1 may not need such a copy of the application to permit a user to communicate with the computer device 2 hosting the location service to utilize the service for finding the communication terminal 1 or other device in the event that device is misplaced or lost. For instance, the communication endpoint 3 may simply provide a message to the computer device 2 hosting the location service that includes at least one of authorization information and information identifying the registered mobile communication terminal. The provided information may be sent to the computer device 2 to obtain the current location information from the computer device 2 hosting the location service that the computer device 2 had received from the mobile communication terminal 1. As another example, the communication terminal 1 could provide a message or series of messages to the computer device 2 hosting the location service that provides authorization information showing that the communication terminal is authorized to receive information it has requested and information identifying a device to which it wants to receive current location information. The computer device 2 hosting the location service may access location information it has stored for the identified device in response to such a request from the communication endpoint 3 or communication terminal and provide the most recent location information it has to the communication terminal 1 or endpoint 3. The computer device 2 could also provide a log of additional location information it previously received from the device identified in the received request for a predetermined time period, such as one day, one week, or one month of time. Such a log may include a table providing a date and time at which an identified location for a mobile device was identified to the computer device 2 hosting the service for a series of different date and times at which such information was received. The logged data that is communicated may be provided in chronological order or may be organized or sorted under a different organizational scheme.

It should be appreciated that the communication terminal 1 may be a mobile computer device that has any of a number of features. The communication endpoint 3 may have similar structure and, in some embodiments, have the same features or be the same type of device as the communication terminal 1. With reference to Figure 2, it should be understood that the communication terminal 1 may include a transceiver unit 13 that includes at least one receiver unit 13a and at least one transmitter unit 13b. Each receiver unit 13a may be configured to receive data form a device such as the computer device 2 or communication endpoint 3. Each transmitter unit 13b may be configured to send data to such devices via one or more network connections such as an internet connection, cellular network connection or satellite network connection. The receiver unit 13a and transmitter unit 13b of the transceiver unit 13 may be communicatively coupled to a processor unit 11. The processor unit 11 may be

communicatively coupled to memory 15 that has one or more applications such as application 17 stored thereon. The application 17 may be installed after download from the server 5, the computer device 2, or may be obtained from another computer readable medium such as a flash memory drive or other non-transitory computer readable medium.

The application 17 may define a plurality of instructions that are run when the application is executed by the processor unit 11. The processor unit may be a microprocessor, central processing unit, or other processor element. The processor unit 11 may be communicatively coupled to a microphone to receive audio input from a user, a display unit 12 such as a touch screen display or liquid crystal display that may provide graphical output to a user and also permit a user to touch the display to provide input to the communication terminal 1. The processor unit 11 may also be communicatively coupled to a camera sensor 18 and a speaker 14. The processor unit 11 may cause the speaker 14 to emit audio in response to certain input or determined conditions, may cause the display of the display unit to emit light or a particular image in response to certain input or a determined condition, may cause a flash associated with the camera sensor to actuate, may actuate a light in response to a certain input or a determined condition or may actuate any combination of the speaker, display or outer output device in response to a determined condition or received input. The processor unit 11 may also actuate the camera sensor 18 to record an image or video. The processor unit 11 may also be coupled to other input devices such as a keyboard or buttons for receiving input from a user that may actuate the buttons or the keys of the keyboard. A battery (not shown) may be coupled to the processor unit 11 and other elements of the communication terminal 1 to provide power to those elements so that they may function as well. The processor unit 11 may be coupled to the battery (not shown) such that the processor unit 11 is able to monitor the battery life of the battery to assess when the battery is low or below a predetermined threshold.

A more specific example of the above system, device, method and application are provided below and may be further understood from the exemplary method shown in Figure 3. In one embodiment of the system, the communication terminal 1 may register with the computer device 2 that hosts the location service by sending one or more registration messages to the computer device. The one or more registration messages may include registration information to the computer device that identifies the communication terminal 1 via a predefined name or an address such as a phone number or email address associated with the communication terminal. The registration information may also define an authorization password that another device must provide to the computer device to obtain access to information relating to the communication terminal. The registration information may also include the geographical location of the mobile communication terminal 1 at the time the communication terminal is registering with the location service hosted by the computer device 2. In one embodiment, a user may enter input to the communication terminal 1 via one or more input devices of the communication terminal 1 for sending to the computer device 2 to provide such registration information. The time at which that location information was obtained by the communication terminal or the time at which that location information was sent to the computer device may be included in the registration message as well. Alternatively, the computer device 2 may associate the time at which it received the location information from the communication terminal 1 with the communication terminal location information it received for purposes of maintaining a chronological log of location information for the communication terminal 1.

The location information the communication terminal 1 provides to the computer device 2 may be initial geographical location information such as geographical coordinate information obtained from a global positioning system ("GPS") or other location mechanism such as a location obtained via a triangulation method or other location finding method or service. The communication terminal may alternatively obtain such geographical location information from a communication with another device such as a server, base station or access point that the communication terminal communicates with and subsequently provide that information to the computer device 2 in a registration message. The location information may be a best known or most currently known location obtained at the last time the communication terminal 1 was able to access or obtain such information from a location service to which it communicates such as a GPS service prior to or during the registration with the service. For instance, if the

communication terminal lost a connection to a GPS service for a period of time due to being located in a building or other area to which access to such service may be prohibited or blocked, the communication terminal may transmit the most recently received coordinate information obtained from the GPS service as location information in the registration information at the time the communication terminal registers with the computer device. Additionally, the communication terminal 1 may send additional registration information, such as an image or video of the location in which the communication terminal 1 is positioned at the time of registration. Such an image or video may be captured via a camera sensor 18 of the communication terminal for saving and sending to the computer device 2 for registration. Other indicia related to the location of the communication terminal 1 at the time of registration may also be sent as registration information.

After the communication terminal 1 is registered, the communication terminal may provide one or more periodic post registration messages to the computer device. The post registration messages may each contain updated geographical location information to the computer device along with other information such as a time associated with that geographical location information, an image or video of the environment near the communication terminal at the time the post registration message was sent, name or authorization information that permits the computer device 2 to associate the post registration message with the registered

communication terminal 1 and possibly other location indicia that may be provided to the computer device 2 that may help identify the location at which the mobile communication terminal is positioned at the time it sends the post registration message. Each post registration message may be sent by the communication terminal 1 as a Short Message Service ("SMS") message, or text message, as an electronic mail message, as a signaling message, or a message sent via a network connection such as a cellular network connection, wireless internet connection, or satellite connection. It should be understood that the transmission path between the communication terminal 1 and the computer device 2 may include any of a number of nodes as well as at least one access point of the network 4, such as a gateway, base station, or router. Each post registration message may occur upon one or more predefined occurrences, such as a passage of a predetermined amount of time from the most recently sent post registration message being sent, a request for the terminal to shut down, or in response to a request or reminder for such a post registration message being received from the computer device 2.

In some embodiments, the communication terminal 1 may automatically generate or capture the location information and any other information included in a post registration message. For example, an application 17 stored in memoryl5 that is executed by the processor unitl 1 of the communication terminal 1 may define instructions that the communication terminal 1 automatically executes without requiring any further input from a user of the communication terminal. Such instructions may include obtaining location information from a GPS service and capturing at least one image using a camera sensor of the communication terminal for including in at least one post registration message that is subsequently sent to the computer device 2 hosting the location service. Audio or other data may also be recorded for inclusion in such a message via a microphone 16 of the communication terminal 1.

Alternatively, a display unit 12 of the communication terminal may provide a prompt to a user to receive input either confirming or acknowledging that a post registration message should be sent or that a post registration message should not be sent. The display unit 12 may also provide a prompt requesting that the user actuate the camera sensor of the communication terminal for capturing a photo or video for inclusion in a post registration message and microphone for recording audio for inclusion in the post registration message. Such a prompt for image or audio related data may be made in response to obtaining input from the user acknowledging or approving the sending of a post registration message. In the event a user fails to respond to a prompt within a predetermined time period, the communication terminal 1 may be configured so that the prompted request is either deemed accepted or denied. The display unit may also be configured to provide a prompt or menu to a user so the user may provide input for defining parameters used to obtain location related information or define an instruction as to when the communication terminal should perform a certain function for use in including data in a post registration message or in response to determining the communication terminal is lost. For instance, the user may provide input to set certain parameters defining when the camera sensor should capture photos or video for inclusion in post registration messages.

The location information sent in a post registration message may be a best known or most currently known location obtained at the last time the communication terminal 1 was able to access or obtain such information from a location service to which it communicates such as a GPS service. For instance, if the communication terminal lost a connection to a GPS service for a period of time due to being located in a building or other area to which access to such service may be prohibited or blocked, the communication terminal may transmit the most recently received coordinate information obtained from the GPS service as location information in the registration information at the time the communication terminal registers with the computer device. Such location information may also be location information obtained immediately before sending the post registration message. For instance, the communication terminal may communicate with a location service such as a GPS service for obtaining current location information for inclusion in a post registration message at the time that post registration message is prepared for sending.

The communication terminal 1 may also be configured so that prior to being shut off or being deactivated it sends a post registration message to the computer device 2 hosting the location service. In preparation of sending such a message, the communication terminal 1 may record audio and one or more images for including such graphical and audio data in the post registration message along with geographical location information. The communication terminal 1 may be configured to perform such steps and sending the post registration message prior to actually turning off in response to a user providing input to shut down or turn off the device (e.g. hitting a power off button, etc.). The communication terminal 1 may also be configured to monitor its battery life so that prior to the communication terminal shutting down due to a low battery, the communication terminal records audio and one or more images for including such graphical and audio data in a post registration message along with obtaining geographical location information and then sending the post registration message with such data prior to shutting off. Since such activities require energy, the communication terminal 1 may be configured to perform such steps at a detected predetermined battery level to ensure that all such steps may be completed and the post registration message may be sent prior to a shutdown of the communication terminal.

The communication terminal 1 may also be configured so that post registration messages are sent periodically to the computer device 2 hosting the location service. The post registration messages may be sent every day, every six hours, every hour or every 30 minutes, or at a predetermined time each day or each week that is determined to be at an "off peak" transmission time for example. The obtaining of location information, graphical data and audio data as discussed as options above may also be obtained for such data to be included in the post registration message that is sent on a periodic basis to ensure current location related information is sent in each post registration message.

The communication terminal 1 may also be configured to retain a certain amount of pre- specified battery life when shutting down due to a low battery. That pre-specified amount of battery life may then be used to power the communication terminal for turning on in a reduced power consumption mode at certain time intervals to communicate with the communication device to check on whether the user of the communication terminal 1 has used another device such as a communication endpoint 3 to request current location information of the

communication terminal. If such a request was made, the communication terminal 1 may actuate its camera sensor 18 or microphone 16 to capture graphical and audio data of the environment near the communication terminal 1 and send such data to the computer device 2 in a post registration message for forwarding to the user of the communication terminal 1 at a defined contact address such as an email address or phone number of the communication endpoint 3 or address that is otherwise associated with the user of the communication terminal 1 so that the user of the terminal may use such current data to find the mobile communication terminal 1.

The computer device 2, in response to receipt of such data may also schedule a time for the communication terminal 1 to turn back on in a power saving mode using what is left of the battery life of the communication terminal 1 to receive instructions for performing other actions to aid the user's efforts to find the communication terminal 1. For instance, the computer device 2 may send a locate message to the communication terminal 1 instructing the communication terminal 1 to turn back on in some predefined time period and thereafter to actuate its display for blinking on or off at timed intervals at a high luminescence level and also emit noise such as beeping or other noise via the speaker of the communication terminal 1 at a maximum volume level to aid the user's ability to find the communication terminal 1. The computer device 2 may then also forward a message to the communication endpoint 3 or an address associated with the user to identify the time and location at which such actions will occur so that the user may go to the identified location to look and hear for the sounds and sights to be emitted from the speaker 14 and display unit 12 of the communication terminal 1 so that finding the terminal is as easy as possible for the user. In alternative embodiments, the computer device 2 may be configured to receive a message from the user via a communication endpoint 3 or other device that requests the computer device 2 to send a locate message to the communication terminal 1 to actuate the communication terminal's speaker, camera sensor, display or other output device of the communication terminal to provide a flashing light via the display of the communication terminal 1, loud noise via the speaker of the communication terminal 1, actuate a camera flash light to actuating flashing of the light, actuate a light emitting device or back-light of a display or actuate emitting of a noise, light or other output from the output device or to establish a call with a phone number identified in a locate message to help the user find the communication terminal 1 by aiding the user's efforts to find the mobile communication terminal 1.

It should be understood that the above system and methods can also help a user aid law enforcement in the event the user is attempting to locate a stolen device. The user may provide law enforcement with the graphical, audio and location information obtained via the computer device 2 to law enforcement to aid their finding of stolen communication terminal 1 or the thief who may have stolen the communication terminal 1.

It should be appreciated that the computer device 2 receives the post registration messages from the registered communication terminal 1. The location data and other data related to the communication terminals location such as any pictorial or audio data or time data identifying when the post registration message was received or when the communication terminal sent the post registration data is saved and stored by the computer device 2. The location data and other data may all be stored in non-transitory memory of the computer device 2 or in a database (not shown) or other memory device communicatively coupled to the computer device 2. The computer device 2 may then search its stored database of data in response to requests for location data for a communication terminal and send the data responsive to that request to the device issuing the request or to another address such as an email address or phone number identified in the received request. The data may be sent in one or more text messages or one or more emails for example.

The computer device 2, for instance, may be configured to receive a request message from a communication endpoint 3 for current location information of the communication terminal 1. The computer device 2 may then search its database in response to the received request message and send the current location information for the communication terminal along with time information identifying a time associated with that location information to the communication endpoint 3 or an address associated with the user identified in the request message. The computer device 2 may also perform a search in response to a query received from the communication endpoint 3 for a best match to an entered location such as providing a time and location for the communication terminal in response to a query seeking a location of the communication terminal 1 near a particular landmark, geographical mailing address or geographical site and provide the results of such a search to the communication endpoint via a list of responsive log entries or an identification of a determined best matching log entry.

If the communication endpoint 3 has an application, such messages, queries and responses to queries may be exchanged via messaging between the computer device 2 and communication endpoint 3 by use of a display of the communication endpoint 3 providing a graphical interface that illustrates such information and also provide buttons or other indicia that can be actuated for submitting and sending a request or query from the communication endpoint 3 to the computer device 2 to receive such data for display on the display of the communication endpoint via that graphical interface. Alternatively, such data may be provided in a request by a user providing input via the communication endpoint 3 when visiting a website hosted by the computer device 2 to submit such a request and the computer device 2 may then provide visual or other information via a webpage illustratable on a display of the communication endpoint 3 in response to the request that provides the requested data. Of course, prior to providing such data to a user of the communication endpoint 3, authorization data may have to be provided to the computer device 2 to verify that the requesting communication endpoint 3 or user is authorized to receive such information. The authorization data may include a password or other authorization data such as answers to security questions or other security related input that is responsive to security related queries provided to the communication endpoint by the computer device 2.

The computer device 2 may also communicate with the communication terminal to provide a message that includes instructions for the communication terminal to follow. For instance, the computer device 2 may send a message to the communication terminal 1 in response to receipt of a locate message or locate request message it received from the communication endpoint 3. Such a message sent by the computer device 2 may include a request for the communication terminal 1 to perform some action to help identify where the communication terminal is located. In response to such a locate request message from the communication endpoint 3, the computer device 2 may send an instruction message to the communication terminal 1 for example. The instructions in the instruction message may include one or more parameters that identify what actions the communication terminal must perform. In response to a receipt of an instruction message, the communication terminal may actuate a camera flash light one or more times in series, may emit loud sounds via its speaker, or may actuate other output devices for aiding the finding of the communication terminal. The communication terminal 1 may also capture one or more images via its camera sensor and send those images to the computer device or to a device having an address provide to the

communication terminal in the instruction message.

As another alternative, the instruction message may identify parameters that correspond to parameters set by user input provided to the communication terminal 1 during the registration of the communication terminal or thereafter set by a user of the communication terminal 1. The parameters may define what actions the communication terminal 1 is to take in response to the receipt of an instruction message. The parameters may also identify the address of another device, such as the communication endpoint 3, to which images captured in response to the instruction message should be sent or to which a call should be attempted in response to the receipt of an instruction message. A user may set these parameters by entering input to the communication terminal 1. For example, such input may be requested by the communication terminal 1 via an application 17 having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause the display unit to prompt the user of the communication terminal for input that would set such parameters.

It should be understood that the computer device 2 may be a server, computer, or workstation or other computer device. The communication endpoint 3 may be a communication terminal such as a computer, laptop computer, tablet, personal digital assistant or a smart phone and the mobile communication terminal 1 may be a tablet, personal digital assistant, or smart phone such as a cellular phone or mobile phone. In some embodiments, the communication endpoint 3 may be the same type of device as the communication terminal 1.

Of course, a number of variations may be made to the above discussed embodiments and still be within the scope of the claims. For instance, the communication terminal may include one or more receivers and one or more transmitters or may include non-transitory memory. The non-transitory memory may include a hard drive or random access memory for example. As another example, the communication terminal may have more than one speaker or a touch screen display for a display unit. The communication terminal 1 may also have more than one microphone or may have more than one camera sensor. As yet another example,

communications or exchanging of messages between the communication terminal and computer device 2, server 5 or communication endpoint 3 may involve communication paths or transmission paths that traverse multiple networks or utilize multiple different nodes positioned between the devices.

While certain present preferred embodiments of the communication terminal, communication system, and methods of making and using the same have been shown and described above, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A communication system comprising:

a mobile communication terminal;

a computer device hosting a location service, the computer device communicatively connectable to the mobile communication terminal;

the mobile communication terminal registering with the computer device, the registering comprising the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device, the first location information identifying a geographical location of the mobile communication terminal, the geographical location of the first location information being initial geographical location information of the mobile communication terminal;

the computer device storing the first location information and associating the first location information with the mobile communication terminal;

the mobile communication terminal sending at least one post registration message to the computer device, each of the at least one post registration message comprising second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message; and

the computer device storing the updated geographical location information and associating that updated geographical location information with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of a request for location information for the mobile communication terminal from a user of the mobile communication terminal sent via a communication endpoint.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the computer device is a server and the mobile communication terminal is one of a tablet, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, and a laptop computer and wherein the updated geographical location information is transmittable to the user by sending the updated geographical location information to the communication endpoint.

3. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the first location information also comprises time information identifying a time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device and wherein each of the at least one second location information also comprises time information identifying a time the mobile communication terminal sends the at least one post registration message.

4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communication terminal has at least one camera sensor, the at least one camera sensor recording one of an image and a video of environment around the mobile communication terminal and wherein one of:

the at least one post registration message comprises at least one message that also comprises the at least one of the image and the video, and

a separate message is sent to the computer device that comprises the one of the image and the video such that the computer device stores the one of the image and the video and associates the one of the image and the video with the mobile communication terminal such that the one of the video and the image is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of the request for location information for the mobile communication terminal from the user.

5. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the at least one camera sensor of the mobile communication terminal recording the one of the video and the image when a battery of the mobile communication terminal is at a predetermined level such that the at least one post registration message or the separate message is sent prior to the mobile communication terminal shutting off due to low battery life.

6. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the computer device sends a locate message to the mobile communication terminal, the locate message comprising at least one instruction requesting the mobile communication terminal to perform at least one of:

capture an image of environment surrounding the mobile communication terminal and send that captured image to the computer device,

emit a ring tone or alert tone via a speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the ring tone or alert tone;

emit audio via the speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the audio,

actuate a light emitting device for emitting light;

establish a communication connection with another device using an address provided in the at least one instruction such that the mobile communication terminal establishes the communication connection, and activate a display of the mobile communication terminal such that the mobile communication terminal activates the display for a predetermined period of time at a predefined luminance level.

7. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the at least one post registration message is comprised of a plurality of post registration messages and the mobile communication terminal sending at least one post registration message to the computer device comprises sending a respective one of the post registration message when one of a predetermined time passes after a prior one of the post registration messages was sent and the mobile communication terminal is moved at least a predetermined distance from the geographical location of the mobile communication terminal identified in a prior one of the post registration messages.

8. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the at least one post registration message is comprised of a post registration message sent after the mobile communication terminal receives shut down input to shut down and prior to the mobile communication terminal shutting down in response to that received shut down input.

9. A method of locating a mobile communication terminal comprising:

a mobile communication terminal registering with a computer device, the registering comprising the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device, the first location information identifying an initial geographical location of the mobile communication terminal; the computer device storing the first location information and associating the first location information with the mobile communication terminal;

the mobile communication terminal sending at least one post registration message to the computer device, each of the at least one post registration message comprising second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message;

the computer device storing the updated geographical location information and associating that updated geographical location information with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of a request for the updated geographical location information from a user of the mobile communication terminal sent via a communication endpoint.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first location information also comprises time information identifying a time the mobile communication terminal registers with the computer device and wherein each of the at least one second location information also comprises time information identifying a time the mobile communication terminal sends the at least one post registration message.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the mobile communication terminal has at least one camera sensor, the at least one camera sensor recording one of an image and a video of environment around the mobile communication terminal and wherein one of:

a separate message is sent to the computer device that comprises the one of the image and the video such that the computer device stores the one of the image and the video and associates the one of the image and the video with the mobile communication terminal such that the one of the video and the image is retrievable and transmittable to a communication endpoint in response to receipt of the request for the updated location information from the user of the mobile communication terminal via the communication endpoint.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one camera sensor of the mobile communication terminal recording the one of the video and the image when a battery of the mobile communication terminal is at a predetermined level such that one of the at least one post registration message or the separate message is sent prior to the mobile communication terminal shutting off due to low battery life.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the computer device sending a locate message to the mobile communication terminal, the locate message comprising at least one instruction requesting the mobile communication terminal to perform at least one of:

capturing an image of environment surrounding the mobile communication terminal and sending that captured image to the computer device, emitting a ring tone or alert tone via a speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the ring tone or alert tone;

emitting audio via the speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the audio,

establishing a communication connection with another device using an address provided in the at least one instruction such that the mobile communication terminal establishes the communication connection, and

actuate at least one light emitting device to emit light;

activating a display of the mobile communication terminal such that the mobile communication terminal activates the display for a predetermined period of time at a predefined luminance level.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the another device is the communication endpoint.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one post registration message is comprised of a plurality of post registration messages and the mobile communication terminal sending at least one post registration message to the computer device comprises sending a respective one of the post registration messages when one of:

a predetermined time passes after a prior one of the post registration messages was sent, and the mobile communication terminal is moved at least a predetermined distance from the updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal identified in a previously sent one of the post registration messages.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one post registration message is comprised of a post registration message sent after the mobile communication terminal receives shut down input to shut down and prior to the mobile communication terminal shutting down in response to that received shut down input.

17. A mobile communication terminal comprising:

a transmitter unit; and

a processor unit communicatively coupled to the transmitter unit;

the mobile communication terminal registering with a computer device, the registering comprising the transmitter unit of the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device, the first location information identifying an initial geographical location of the mobile communication terminal; the first location information being configured such that the first location information is storable by the computer device such that the first location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal;

the transmitter unit of the mobile communication terminal sending at least one post registration message to the computer device, each of the at least one post registration message comprising second location information identifying an updated geographical location of the mobile communication terminal at a time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message or at a most recent time the updated geographical location information of the second location information was determined prior to the time the mobile communication terminal sends the post registration message, the processor unit determining the updated geographical location, each of the at least one post registration message sent such that the updated geographical location information is storable by the computer device such that the stored updated geographical location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable to a communication endpoint in response to receipt of a request for the updated geographical location information from a user of the mobile communication terminal.

18. The mobile communication terminal of claim 17 further comprising at least one camera sensor, the at least one camera sensor recording one of an image and a video of environment around the mobile communication terminal and wherein one of:

a separate message is sent to the computer device via the transmitter unit that comprises the one of the image and the video such that the computer device stores the one of the image and the video and associates the one of the image and the video with the mobile communication terminal such that the one of the video and the image is retrievable and transmittable to a communication endpoint in response to receipt of the request for the updated location information from the user of the mobile communication terminal via the communication endpoint.

19. The mobile communication terminal of claim 18 further comprising a battery and wherein the at least one camera sensor of the mobile communication terminal recording the one of the video and the image when a battery of the mobile communication terminal is at a predetermined level such that the at least one post registration message or the separate message is sent prior to the mobile communication terminal shutting off due to low battery life.

20. The mobile communication terminal of claim 17 further comprising a receiver unit, a locate message sent by the computer device to the mobile communication terminal being receivable via the receiver unit, the locate message comprising at least one instruction requesting the mobile communication terminal to perform at least one action, the at least one action being at least one of:

emit a ring tone via a speaker of the mobile communication terminal for a predetermined period of time such that the mobile communication terminal emits the ring tone;

establish a communication connection with another device using an address provided in the at least one instruction such that the mobile communication terminal establishes the communication connection,

activate a display of the mobile communication terminal such that the mobile

communication terminal activates the display for a predetermined period of time at a predefined luminance level; and the processor unit of the mobile communication terminal causing the mobile communication terminal to perform the at least one action after receipt of the locate message.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon that is executable by a mobile communication terminal, the program code defining a method that is performed when executed by the mobile communication terminal, the method comprising:

the mobile communication terminal registering with a computer device, the registering comprising the mobile communication terminal sending first location information to the computer device, the first location information identifying an initial geographical location of the mobile communication terminal; the first location information being configured such that the first location information is storable by the computer device such that the first location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal; and

the processor unit determining the updated geographical location; and

each of the at least one post registration message sent such that the updated geographical location information is storable by the computer device such that the stored updated geographical location information is associatable with the mobile communication terminal such that the updated geographical location information is retrievable and transmittable in response to receipt of a request for the updated geographical location information from a user of the mobile communication terminal sent via a communication endpoint.