U.S. patent application number 11/459101 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for network-based services for misplaced cellular mobile stations.
This patent application is currently assigned to SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.. Invention is credited to Thomas L. ADAMS, Timothy P. SCHROEDER.
Application Number | 20060293090 11/459101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32961551 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060293090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ADAMS; Thomas L. ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
NETWORK-BASED SERVICES FOR MISPLACED CELLULAR MOBILE STATIONS
Abstract
A computer readable medium stores a computer program for a
mobile station with a network-based wireless mobile station locator
feature. The computer program includes a receiving segment. A
control segment controls a mobile station speaker to ring when the
receiving segment receives a misplaced mobile station signal. A
storing segment stores an indicator indicating that the misplaced
mobile station signal has been received. The stored indicator
causes the mobile station to directly enter a lost phone mode upon
powering up.
Inventors: |
ADAMS; Thomas L.; (Austin,
TX) ; SCHROEDER; Timothy P.; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES,
L.P.
645 E. Plumb Lane
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
32961551 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459101 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10385755 |
Mar 12, 2003 |
7103367 |
|
|
11459101 |
Jul 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/567 ;
455/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72403 20210101;
H04W 8/18 20130101; H04W 48/04 20130101; H04W 8/245 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/567 ;
455/401 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/38 20060101
H04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for a
mobile station: with a network-based wireless mobile station
locator feature, comprising: a receiving segment; a control segment
that controls a mobile station speaker to ring when the receiving
segment receives a misplaced mobile station signal; and a storing
segment that stores an indicator indicating that the misplaced
mobile station signal has been received, the stored indicator
causing the mobile station to directly enter a lost phone mode upon
powering up.
2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the control segment further
displays a message on a mobile station display when the receiving
segment receives the misplaced mobile station signal.
3. The medium of claim 1, wherein the control segment further
prevents a transceiver of the mobile station from at least one of
receiving and transmitting cellular communications signals after
the receiving segment receives the misplaced mobile station
signal.
4. The medium of claim 3, wherein the control segment further
allows the transceiver to receive and transmit cellular
communications signals when a personal identification number (PIN)
is entered after preventing the transceiver of the mobile station
from at least one of receiving and transmitting cellular
communication signals.
5. The medium of claim 1, wherein the control segment further
controls the speaker to emit an audio message when the receiving
segment receives the misplaced mobile station signal.
6. The medium of claim 5, wherein the control segment further
controls the speaker to stop emitting the audio message when a key
on a mobile station keypad is pressed.
7. The medium of claim 5, wherein the control segment further
controls the speaker to stop emitting the audio message when one of
a predetermined time elapses and a battery level has been
reached.
8. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for
locating a misplaced mobile station, comprising: a receiving
segment at the misplaced mobile station that receives a misplaced
mobile station signal comprising one of a short message service
(SMS) message, an email, and a text message; and a ringing segment
that controls the misplaced mobile station to ring when the
receiving segment receives the misplaced mobile station signal.
9. The medium according to claim 8, further comprising: a
displaying segment that displays a message on a display of the
misplaced mobile station.
10. The medium according to claim 9, wherein the message on the
display provides instructions for at least one of returning the
misplaced mobile station and contacting customer service.
11. The medium according to claim 8, further comprising: a blocking
segment that blocks communications from and/or to the misplaced
mobile station at a network level.
12. The medium according to claim 8, further comprising: a message
segment that plays an audio message on the misplaced mobile station
indicating that the misplaced mobile station is misplaced.
13. The medium according to claim 8, further comprising: a PIN
segment that controls the misplaced mobile station to stop ringing
when a personal identification number (PIN) is communicated to the
network after the ringing segment controls the misplaced mobile
station to ring when the receiving segment receives the misplaced
mobile station signal.
14. The medium according to claim 8, further comprising: a
time/battery level segment that controls the misplaced mobile
station to stop ringing when one of an elapsed predetermined time
and a battery level is attained.
15. A computer readable medium storing a program for a wireless
network system, comprising: a misplaced mobile station signal
segment that transmits at least one misplaced mobile station
signal, comprising one of a short message service (SMS) message, an
email, and a text message, to a misplaced mobile station, wherein
transmitting the at least one misplaced mobile station signal
bypasses a network voice mail feature.
16. The medium of claim 15, wherein the at least one misplaced
mobile station signal causes a message to be displayed on a display
of the misplaced mobile station.
17. The medium of claim 16, wherein the message on the display
provides instructions for returning the misplaced mobile station
and/or contacting customer service.
18. The medium of claim 15, further comprising: a blocking segment
that prevents mobile station calls from being made to and/or from
the misplaced mobile station after the at least one misplaced
mobile station signal is transmitted.
19. The medium of claim 15, wherein the at least one misplaced
mobile station signal causes the misplaced mobile station to play
an audio message.
20. The medium of claim 15, wherein the at least one misplaced
mobile station signal causes the misplaced mobile station to ring
at a high volume.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/385,755, filed on Mar. 12, 2003, the
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of
telecommunications. More particularly, the present invention
relates to base stations, mobile telephone switching offices,
mobile stations, and other wireless network systems or devices
pertaining to a network based locator feature.
[0004] 2. Background and Material Information
[0005] The use of wireless or mobile communication devices has
increased greatly in recent years. Mobile and cellular telephones
have enabled mobile station users to roam over large geographic
areas while maintaining immediate access to telephony services.
Mobile stations include portable units, units installed in vehicles
and fixed subscriber stations. Cellular communication systems
(wireless carriers) typically provide service to a geographic
market area by dividing the area into many smaller areas or cells.
Each cell is serviced by a radio transceiver (i.e., a
transmitter-receiver base station or cell site). The cell sites or
base stations may be connected to Mobile Telephone Switching
Offices (MTSOs) or Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) through
landlines or other communication links, and the MTSOs may, in turn,
be connected via landlines to the Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN).
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates the basic components of a conventional
cellular network. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile station 38 may place
or receive calls by communicating with a cell site 30 or a cell
site 40, depending upon the geographic location of the mobile
station and the cell coverage area that is provided by each cell
site (i.e., cell coverage area 35 of cell site 30 or cell coverage
area 45 of cell site 40). For purposes of illustration, mobile
station 38 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being able to communicate with
either cell site 30 or cell site 40, even though the mobile station
is not illustrated as being located within cell coverage area 35 or
cell coverage area 45. Under normal operating conditions, the
extent to which mobile station 38 will be able to communicate with
cell site 30 or cell site 40 will depend on the geographic location
of the mobile station and the size of the cell coverage area of
each cell site. Further, although only two cell sites are depicted
in FIG. 1, the entire cellular network may include, for example,
more than two cell sites. In addition, more than one cell site may
be connected to each MTSO 24, 28.
[0007] Mobile phones and other wireless communication devices have,
in recent years, become smaller and smaller. This decreased size
has numerous obvious advantages. However, the smaller size makes
the mobile station easier to lose or misplace. Irrespective of
size, once an owner has misplaced his mobile station he wants it
back. In the past, a mobile phone or other wireless communication
device owner would use another phone to call his lost or misplaced
device. This would and still works for limited scenarios but is far
from perfect. For example, if the mobile station has been set to
quiet or silent mode or the mobile station 68 is out of audio range
of the owner, then the ringing will be difficult or impossible to
hear and the mobile station 68 will thus be hard to find. With the
advent of voice mail, the user will also have a limited time in
which to hear the call before the mobile station or mobile phone
service transfers the call into voice mail. The present invention
overcomes these limitations.
3. Acronyms
[0008] The written description provided herein contains acronyms
which refer to various telecommunications services, components and
techniques, as well as features relating to the present invention.
Although some of these acronyms are known, use of these acronyms is
not strictly standardized in the art. For purposes of the written
description herein, the acronyms are defined as follows: [0009]
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) [0010] Automatic Number
Identification (ANI) [0011] Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
[0012] Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) [0013]
Customer Service Center (CSC) [0014] Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) [0015] Frequency Division
Multiple Access (FDMA) [0016] Global System for Mobile
communications (GSM) [0017] Home Location Register (HLR) [0018]
Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN) [0019] interactive Voice
Response (IVR) [0020] Mobile Identification Number (MIN) [0021]
Mobile Telephone Switching Offices (MTSOs) [0022] Mobile Switching
Centers (MSCs) [0023] Over the Air Activation (OAA) [0024] Over the
Air Programming (OAP) [0025] Over the Air Activation Function
(OTAF) [0026] Personal Access Communications System (PACS) [0027]
Personal Communications Services (PCS) [0028] Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) [0029] Personal Identification Number (PIN)
[0030] Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) [0031] Random
Access Memory (RAM) [0032] Service Control Point (SCP) [0033] Short
Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol [0034] Short Message Service
(SMS) [0035] Short Message Service Center (SMSC) [0036] Service
Switching Point (SSP) [0037] Terminating Attempt Trigger (TAT)
[0038] Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
[0039] Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) [0040] Universal
Resource Locator (URL)
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] The present invention is further described in the detailed
description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way
of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention,
in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout
the several views of the drawings:
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates the basic components of a conventional
cellular network system;
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary components of a cellular or PCS
network system implemented according to aspects of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention, an exemplary mobile station implemented as a
wireless phone unit;
[0045] FIG. 4 is a general block diagram of the components of the
mobile station of FIG. 3, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the processes and operations of
an aspect of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention, an exemplary mobile station and wireless
network; and
[0048] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the processes and operations of
an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] In view of the above, the present invention through one or
more of its various aspects and/or embodiments is presented to
accomplish one or more objectives and advantages, such as those
noted below.
[0050] In accordance with an object of the present invention, a
mobile station with a network based cellular mobile station locator
feature has a transceiver for receiving cellular communications and
misplaced mobile station signals. The mobile station includes a
speaker, a display, a keypad, and a control system for operating
the speaker at high volume when the transceiver receives a
misplaced mobile station signal. The mobile station further
displays a message on the display when the transceiver receives the
misplaced mobile station signal. Additionally, the mobile station
may prevent the transceiver from receiving and/or transmitting
cellular communications when the transceiver receives the misplaced
mobile station signal. Thereafter, the control system further
allows the transceiver to receive and transmit cellular
communications after a personal identification number (PIN) is
entered into the keypad. The mobile station can further include a
storage that stores an indicator that a missing mobile station
signal has been previously received regardless of power loss.
Furthermore the control system can operate the speaker to emit an
audio message. The control system can stop operating the speaker
after a key on the keypad is pressed. Finally, the control system
further stops operating the speaker after a predetermined time
elapses or battery level has been reached.
[0051] It is a feature of the present invention to have a method of
operating a wireless network for locating a misplaced mobile
station that includes transmitting a misplaced mobile station
signal to a mobile station while avoiding interaction of a voice
mail feature of the network, and ringing the misplaced mobile
station at a high volume. The method further includes displaying a
message on a display of the mobile station. The message on the
display can provide instructions for returning the mobile station
and/or contacting customer service. The method further includes
preventing communications from and/or to the mobile station.
Additionally, the method includes playing an audio message on the
mobile station indicating that the mobile station is misplaced. The
method can further include the misplaced mobile station signal
being a short message service (SMS) message, a data signal, a voice
call from a special calling number, an email, or a text message.
The method further includes stopping the ringing when a personal
identification number (PIN) is communicated to the network.
Finally, the method may include stopping the ringing after a
predetermined time or battery level.
[0052] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
wireless network system including a network for initiating
communication signals and initiating a misplaced mobile station
signal, and a base station for transmitting the communication
signals and transmitting the misplaced mobile station signal.
Transmitting the misplaced mobile station signal by the wireless
network avoids interaction with a network voice mail feature. The
wireless network further transmits the misplaced mobile station
signal to display a message on a display of a mobile station.
Additionally, the network or the base station further prevents
mobile station calls from being made to and/or from the mobile
station after transmitting the misplaced mobile station signal. The
system further transmits the misplaced mobile station signal to
play an audio message at the mobile station. The wireless network
further transmits the misplaced mobile station signal as a text
message, a data signal, a voice call from a special calling number,
an email, or a short message service (SMS) message. The system
displays the message on the display to provide instructions for
returning the mobile station or contacting customer service.
Finally, the wireless network system in which the base station
transmits the misplaced mobile station signal to ring a misplaced
mobile station at a high volume.
[0053] According to an aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus is provided for helping a user find a misplaced mobile
phone or other mobile communication device.
[0054] In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is
provided for helping a user find a misplaced mobile phone or other
mobile communication device by avoiding interaction with a voice
mail feature.
[0055] In an additional aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus is provided for helping a user find a misplaced mobile
station via another phone or customer service phone number.
[0056] In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is
provided for helping a user find a misplaced mobile station by
sending a signal, text messaging data, special email message, call
from a special number recognized at the handset using automatic
number identification (ANI) information, or Short Message Service
(SMS) message.
[0057] In yet another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus
is provided for helping a user find a misplaced mobile station by
sending signal, to make a mobile phone or other mobile
communication device ring or emit sound at the highest possible
volume, regardless of any prior settings, and display a message on
the LCD.
[0058] The present invention relates to a device capable of using
or having a network based cellular mobile station locator feature
and the network that implements the cellular mobile station locator
feature. It is possible that the preferred system is defined and/or
selected according to a required or preferred air-interface
technology (e.g., TDMA, CDMA, PACS, GSM and PCS-1900) to be
utilized by the mobile station. Additionally, according to another
aspect of the present invention, programming of the network based
cellular mobile station locator feature in the mobile station may
be performed over-the-air (i.e., by wireless communication) to
permit easy reprogramming of the mobile station.
[0059] FIGS. 2-4 and 6 illustrate an exemplary network architecture
and exemplary system components for implementing the intelligent
network based cellular mobile station locator feature capabilities
of the present invention.
[0060] In FIG. 2, exemplary components of a cellular network
implemented with the features of the present invention are
illustrated. In FIG. 2, a mobile station 68 is provided with a
network based cellular mobile station locator feature 67. According
to an aspect of the present invention, the network based cellular
locator feature may be preprogrammed into the mobile station 68
prior to activation of the unit and/or may be reprogrammed and
updated by using, for example, a physical interface (such as a
computer interface) or over-the-air programming techniques, such as
those discussed below.
[0061] The mobile station 68 may comprise portable phone units,
units installed in vehicles and fixed subscriber units. By way of
non-limiting example, the mobile station 68 may be implemented as a
cellular telephone unit with a transceiver and antenna (see, for
example, FIGS. 3 and 4) to communicate by, for example, radio waves
with one or more cell sites. The present invention can be utilized
in Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and other wireless
communication devices.
[0062] In FIG. 2, multiple cell sites 75 and 95 are illustrated.
The mobile station 68 may place or receive calls by communicating
with a cell site 75 or 95, depending upon the location of the
mobile station 68 and the cell coverage area that is provided by
each cell site. That is, when mobile station 68 is located within
cell coverage area 70 it may communicate with cell site 75, and
when it is located within cell coverage area 90 it may communicate
with another cell site 95. As will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art, the actual cell coverage area for a cell site will
depend upon various factors, including the power of the transceiver
of the cell site, the placement and location of the cell site, and
the topography of the surrounding areas where the cell site is
located. Further, although only two cell sites are depicted in FIG.
2, the cellular network may of course include more than two cell
sites. Moreover, it should be noted that the various components of
the cellular network depicted in FIG. 2 are provided for the
purpose of illustration only, and that other types of network
arrangements may of course be provided to implement the features of
the invention. In addition, more than one cell site may be served
by each MTSO.
[0063] Various air-interface technologies (e.g., TDMA, CDMA, PACS,
GSM, IDEN, and PCS-1900) may be utilized to facilitate
communication between the mobile station 68 and the cell sites.
Each of the cell sites 75 and 95 may include, for example, a radio
transceiver (not shown) and may be connected by landlines 32 or
other communication links to Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) or
Mobile Telephone Switching Offices (MTSOs) 54 and 58. Landlines 32
may also be utilized to connect the MTSOs 54 and 58 to the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 82. The MTSOs 54 and 58 may also
be connected to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) (not shown in
the drawings) to facilitate the delivery of short messages to a
mobile station 68.
[0064] The MTSOs 54 and 58 may be conventional digital telephone
exchanges that control the switching between the PSTN 82 and the
cell sites 75 and 95 to provide wireline-to-mobile,
mobile-to-wireline and mobile-to-mobile call connectivity. The
MTSOs may provide various functions, including (i) processing
mobile station status data received from the cell site controllers,
(ii) handling and switching calls, (iii) processing diagnostic
information, and (iv) compiling billing information. The
transceiver (not shown) of each cell site 75 and 95 may provide
communication services, such as voice and data communication, with
mobile station 68 while it is present in its cell coverage area.
Tracking and switching of the mobile station 68 from cell site to
cell site may be handled by the MTSOs, as the mobile station 68
passes through various cell coverage areas. When, for example, a
mobile station 68 passes from one cell to another cell, the MTSO of
the corresponding cell may perform a "hand-off" that allows the
mobile station 68 to be continuously serviced if on a voice or data
call.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile station 68 may be implemented
as a cellular or wireless phone unit that comprises an antenna 62,
a speaker 64, a microphone 69, a display 65, and a keypad 66 for
entering alphanumeric information. The phone unit of the mobile
station 68 may be constructed in a similar fashion to that of a
conventional cellular telephone, with the exception of unique
programming, memory configurations, or other contents for
implementing the network based cellular mobile station locator
feature 67. Further, the feature 67 of the mobile station 68 may be
a memory configured to handle a greater capacity than that of a
conventional cellular telephone, in order to accommodate the
network based cellular mobile station locator feature 67 and other
operational information of the present invention. In the
alternative, the locator feature can be stored in the standard
memory of a mobile station 68.
[0066] Reception of the signal can be accomplished in conjunction
with the controller 61 or by the controller 61 in conjunction with
the locator feature 67. The locator feature 67 can take the form of
firmware that is factory installed. This firmware is programed as
described in more detail below. The feature can alternatively be
part of the controller 61, or can take the form of a stored
program. In any of these forms, the described process can operate
with the mobile station operating system in order to practice the
invention.
[0067] In one possible embodiment, the locator feature 67 is
implemented as firmware. The firmware can be factory installed. In
the alternative the firmware can be added to the system after the
user has purchased the phone.
[0068] Portion 67 is the network based cellular mobile station
locator feature of the mobile station 68 that will implement the
network based cellular locator feature and other functional
information of the present invention. Portion 67 may take the form
of programmed logic, firmware, or memory. The memory may include a
read-write memory device that has an independent power supply so
the contents will not be effected by power downs of ordinary
duration. By way of non-limiting examples, the memory may be
implemented by a programmable Electronically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a Complimentary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS) memory chip, or a conventional Random Access
Memory (RAM) with an independent power supply.
[0069] Reception of the signal can be accomplished in conjunction
with the controller 61 or by the controller 61 in conjunction with
the locator feature 67. The locator feature 67 can take the form of
firmware that is factory installed. This firmware is programed as
described in more detail below. The feature can alternatively be
part of the controller 61, or can take the form of a stored
program. In any of these forms, the described process can operate
with the mobile station operating system in order to practice the
invention.
[0070] An exemplary block diagram representation of the components
of the mobile station 68 are depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. As
discussed above, the cellular telephone unit of the mobile station
68 may include an antenna 62, a speaker 64, a display 65, a keypad
66, and a microphone 69. The antenna 62 may be connected to a
transceiver 63, which in turn is connected to a control system 61.
The control system 61 may be implemented as a microprocessor-based,
control system and may be programmed to carry out the features and
logic of the present invention. The programming of the control
system 61 may be carried out by any suitable combination or use of
software, hardware and/or firmware. Control system 61 may control
the various components of the mobile station 68 to permit a user to
send and receive calls and program the mobile station 68. In
addition, control system 61 may have access to a portion 67, in
which the network based cellular locator feature and other
programming information is stored, for directing operation of the
mobile station 68. A more detailed description of the various
processes and functions of the present invention, as well as the
logic steps associated with the network based cellular mobile
station locator feature 67, is provided below with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0071] According to an aspect of the invention, after a user
unintentionally misplaces his mobile station 68, he can contact his
wireless service provider network or network to indicate that the
mobile station 68 has been misplaced. The network will subsequently
send a misplaced mobile station signal in one of numerous formats.
The misplaced mobile station signal will then trigger the mobile
station 68 to enter a misplaced mobile station mode. The details of
each of these concepts will be described in detail below.
[0072] After a user loses or misplaces his mobile station 68, the
user can request that a misplaced mobile station signal be sent to
help locate his mobile station 68. The user has to first make it
known that the mobile station 68 has been misplaced. This can be
done by contacting a customer service center 102; notifying the
network through a phone number that is common to all users that
will connect the user to an interactive voice response (IVR)
system; notifying the network through the user's mobile station
voice mail system; contacting the network through an Internet world
wide web page; contacting the network through email; or sending an
email or text message directly to the misplaced mobile station 68.
However, it should be known that any method of contacting the
network to make it known that the mobile station 68 has been
misplaced and that a misplaced mobile station signal needs to be
sent is within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0073] In the first alternative, a user contacts a customer service
center 102 to initiate the misplaced mobile station signal.
Typically, a mobile service provider has a customer service center
102 that includes customer service personnel that provide a
plurality of functions. These customer service personnel can be
trained to interact with customers to initiate the misplaced mobile
station signaling. These personnel, after being contacted by the
user of the misplaced mobile station, can then launch the lost
mobile station signal in one of the many formats described
below.
[0074] In yet another alternative, the user notifies the network
through the user's mobile station phone number that will connect
the user to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system in
conjunction with the mobile station's voice mail feature. One
possible implementation would include using an IVR as used with a
voice mail system, The IVR would include an additional branch in
the IVR logic. A subscriber who has lost his mobile station 68
would reach his voice mail system as usual, either by calling a
general access number or by calling his own mobile station number
and pressing a special key sequence to log in to his voice mail.
While logged in, the user would have the ability to enter a "lost
handset" branch of the voice mail system's IVR through an IVR menu
selection. Once in the "lost handset" branch, the voice mail system
would confirm that the user desires to send a lost mobile station
signal, and then send the lost mobile station signal in one of the
many formats described below.
[0075] In another alternative, the user notifies the network
through a common phone number which is common to all users, such as
a 800 number. That common phone number will have an associated
terminating attempt trigger (TAT) that will cause a service
switching point (SSP) associated with this phone number to query a
service control point (SCP). The SCP runs an advanced intelligent
network (AIN) service that will connect the user to an interactive
voice response (IVR) system. Once connected to the IVR, the
subsequent IVR interaction would allow the user to enter a "lost
handset" branch of an IVR provided menu. Once in the "lost handset"
branch, the IVR would collect information and confirm that the user
desires to send a lost mobile station signal, and then send the
lost mobile station signal in one of the many formats described
below. For example, the IVR would take information that has been
collected from the user, such as the mobile station's phone number,
and return it to the SCP. The SCP can then direct the SSP to
connect the user directly to the mobile station 68. In this case
the SCP would direct the SSP to change the originating number of
the user to a special number which the mobile station 68 would
recognize. This special number would cause the mobile station 68
enter into lost mobile station mode. In another example, the IVR
would return the information collected from the user to the SCP.
The SCP would then create a SMS message that would instruct the
mobile station to enter lost mobile station mode.
[0076] Another alternative can include contacting the network
through an Internet world wide web page (not shown). The user
would, through the use of an Internet browser, enter a specific
universal resource locator (URL) or web address that would
subsequently load an Internet web page. This page could be the
service provider's home page or a special misplaced mobile station
home page. The web page could further include hyper-links to guide
the user to a specific page that would allow the user to enter
data. The data can include, for example, the misplaced mobile
station's phone number. Once the user has completed entering data
into the web page, the web page can provide the user with
confirmation of its completion. The data is subsequently forwarded
to the network to initiate the misplaced mobile station signal in
one of the many formats described below.
[0077] Yet another alternative can include initiating the misplaced
mobile station signal through an email message. The user after
misplacing the mobile station 68 can send an email to a specific
email address (i.e. lostphone@company.com) that has been created
for the specific purpose of initiating a misplaced mobile station
signal. The email can be transmitted with the appropriate
identifying information. The email can then be reviewed by customer
service personnel, these customer service personnel can be trained
to review the email and to initiate the misplaced mobile station
signaling, These customer service personnel can thereafter launch
the lost mobile station signal in one of the many formats described
below. As another alternative, the misplaced mobile station process
can be initiated directly by the user emailing or text messaging
his mobile station 68. More specifically, after the user has
misplaced his mobile station 68 he can initiate the misplaced
mobile station signal by directly emailing or text messaging his
mobile station with a special message that can be interpreted as a
misplaced mobile station signal. For example, the user can use any
device that has the capability to compose emails or text messages
for this process. This email or text message can include any
combination of one or more words, alpha-numeric characters, and/or
spaces, that will indicate that it is a misplaced mobile station
signal. This email or text message will then be sent to the
misplaced mobile station. In an alternative, the email from the
subscriber can be processed by an automatic program which can
itself initiate the lost mobile station signal in one of the many
formats described below, without the intervention of a customer
care representative.
[0078] In each of these alternatives described above, some form of
account number, full or partial social security number, or a
special personal identification number (PIN) can be used to
authenticate the user. Authenticating the identity of the user is
optional, but may be desired to avoid possible abuse of the system,
The manner of identification does not have to be limited to the
above, but can take any known method.
[0079] Although several specific examples have been discussed, any
form of communication to the network, that is sufficient to
initiate a misplaced mobile station signal (for example, to launch
a trigger causing the SCP to initiate the signal) is within the
scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0080] Once the network has received the misplaced mobile station
request from the user and optionally authenticated the identity of
the misplaced mobile station message user, the misplaced mobile
station signal may be sent. The misplaced mobile station signal
takes the form, for example, of either a text message, data signal,
email, SMS message, or a call from a designated originating number
which would be detected at the mobile station 68 using normal
detection of originating numbers. The only requirement for each of
these signals is that some part of the signal is unique and
identifies it as a misplaced mobile station signal. For example,
with a text message, email, or a SMS message, the contents of each
of these messages that would normally be text is replaced with a
unique set of data that the mobile station 68 would recognize as a
misplaced mobile station signal.
[0081] More specifically, the misplaced mobile station signal could
be a SMS message, the contents of the SMS message identifying the
SMS message as a misplaced mobile station signal. The use of a SMS
message as a type of misplaced mobile station signal is useful
because SMS is already nationally installed by most carriers, and
is already used for other special purpose text messages, such as
those that turn on the message indicator, and provide inventories
of unheard messages.
[0082] Alternatively, the misplaced mobile station signal can be a
call from a special phone number. The mobile station would
recognize the special phone number using the automatic number
identification (ANI) information. This special phone number and
hence specific associated ANI information would be recognized by
the mobile station 68 as a misplaced mobile station signal.
[0083] Once the network initiates the misplaced mobile station
signal, the signal is routed through the network in any of the
various noted formats. The misplaced mobile station signal will be
routed to the appropriate MTSO 54 or 58 where it will be
transmitted via the appropriate base station 75 or 95 to the
misplaced mobile station 68. The manner in which the misplaced
mobile station signal is routed and transmitted can be
substantially similar to the manner in which any wireless
communication is routed through a wireless network.
[0084] It should be further noted that it is within the scope of
this invention to use any combination contacting the network,
described above, with any misplaced mobile station signal format,
described above.
[0085] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary logic flow diagram of
operation of the network based cellular mobile station locator of
the present invention will be discussed, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The various processes and
operations illustrated in FIG. 5 may be carried out by a control
system 61 of the mobile station 68 through the use of programmed
logic, memory, or firmware. Although the description below is made
with reference to a cellular network environment, the various
processes and operation may also be applied to any other type of
wireless communication network.
[0086] The processing in the mobile station 68 when a misplaced
mobile station signal is received will now be described. At step
501 the mobile station 68 will receive a communication with the
transceiver 63. This communication could be any one of numerous
different types of communication such as phone calls, text
messages, Short Messages Service (SMS) messages, etc. One of these
received signals can be, based on its content, a misplaced mobile
station signal.
[0087] At step 502, the controller of the mobile station 68 will
determine if the received communication is a misplaced mobile
station signal or some other normal communication signal. As
described above, the misplaced mobile station signal can be for
example, a specific text message, data signal, email, a call from a
special number recognized at the handset using ANI information, or
a SMS message.
[0088] Optionally, in step 502 the mobile station 68 can
additionally store an indication in memory 67 that it has received
a misplaced mobile station signal. The indication is stored such
that, if the phone loses power and has power restored, the
indication will not be lost. During normal power-up initialization,
the mobile station 68 could check to see if the indication exists
and thus determine if a misplaced mobile station signal was
previously received. The mobile station 68 would then directly
enter the lost phone mode, at for example step 502, and not allow
normal operation until further action was taken. Once the mobile
station 68 is found, the indication can be deleted or removed from
memory. This indication can be stored in a non-volatile memory in
the mobile station 68.
[0089] If, for example, the signal is a normal communication
signal, then the flow of logic will move to step 503 where the
mobile station 68 will commence normal mobile station operations.
The normal communication signals can be conventional voice, data,
facsimile, text message, SMS message, etc. If, on the other hand,
the received signal is recognized as a misplaced mobile station
signal then the flow of logic will move to step 504 and the mobile
station will enter misplaced mobile station mode.
[0090] Conventionally, preferences, including ringing or alert
preferences, of the mobile station 68 may be set by the user. For
example, the mobile station 68 can be set to ring at a very low
volume or to not ring at all. In the latter instance, the mobile
station 68 may be set to just vibrate. However, in response to
receiving the misplaced mobile station signal, at step 504 the
mobile station 68 will bypass the set preferences and start to ring
or alert at a high volume. The preferred setting of quiet ring or
no ring will not be used. In one embodiment, the high volume ring
or alert sound is also continuous.
[0091] It should be noted that for a misplaced mobile station
signal that is either a specific text message, data signal, email,
or a SMS message, any voice mail feature associated with the mobile
station 68 may be avoided because this misplaced mobile station
signal is not a normal voice call that would trigger voice mail.
Thus after for example three rings, control will not be
relinquished to voice mail, or any similar feature intended to be
involved in normal call processing. Consequently, any mobile
station 68 is able to ring for a longer period of time helping the
owner or anyone close by to find the mobile station 68.
[0092] On the other hand, if the misplaced mobile station signal is
a call from a special number, then the voice mail feature
associated with the phone number of the misplaced mobile station 68
may take control of the call after, for example, three rings.
However, the mobile station 68 will have had time to recognize the
special calling number as a misplaced mobile station signal and
will have entered misplaced mobile station mode.
[0093] For the implementation of the invention, high volume is
considered to be any volume setting that allows the device to be
heard by the user and should not be limited to any particular
volume setting. High volume can include the highest or loudest
setting, but can also include lower and mid-range volume
settings.
[0094] It should be appreciated that the logic as described in
steps 504 to 510 is different than the processing for normal
incoming phone calls. Steps 505-507 include optional features that
may be used with the present invention. These features can be
enabled as part of the misplaced mobile station locator feature 67
or they can be skipped.
[0095] At step 505, it determined if the optional display message
capability is enabled. If it is, then mobile station 68 can display
an optional message at step 511. The optional message can take
several different forms. For example, the message can give
directions for returning the mobile station 68 and or ending the
ringing or alert sound. The directions for returning can include a
phone number of the customer service center 102, an alternative
phone number that can be used to contact the mobile station owner,
or mailing directions. The message can provide other details, such
as a reward for the return of the lost mobile station 68. The
message may be pre-set or can be designated in the misplaced mobile
station signal.
[0096] In one embodiment, after the misplaced mobile station signal
is received, no other transmission can be received or transmitted
with transceiver 63. This can reduce energy consumption and hence
increase battery life. For example, in step 506, it is determined
if the lock feature has been enabled. If this feature is enabled,
then the use of the mobile station 68 may be optionally locked at
step 513. The locking of the mobile station 68 can be with respect
to either incoming calls, outgoing calls or both. The locking of
the mobile station 68 may be accomplished either at the network
level as initiated by the network or by the controller 61 or some
other operative portion of the mobile station 68. Locking the use
of the mobile station 68 serves several purposes. It reduces the
possibility that the mobile station 68 will be used by unauthorized
users. It also encourages the finder of the misplaced mobile
station 68 to return the mobile station 68. Finally, the mobile
station 68 will be less likely to be taken due to that fact that
the mobile station 68 can be quickly and easily rendered
inoperable.
[0097] Next in step 507, it is determined if an audio message
feature is enabled. If this feature is enabled, then an optional
audio message can be emitted from the audio speaker 64 in step 514.
The message can give instructions on what to do with the mobile
station 68. In the alternative, the audio message can merely
indicate that this is a misplaced mobile station. It should also be
noted that the audio message can be in lieu of the step 504
ring/alert or in addition to the ring alert. Also, the audio
message can be set to be activated after any key on the keypad 66
is depressed.
[0098] At step 508, the high volume ring, optional message, and
optional lock-out may be canceled and the mobile station 68 can be
returned to normal mobile station operations by key input on keypad
66. The key input can take the form of pressing any key or in the
alternative, for higher security, by entering a personal
identification number (PIN). The use of the PIN could help ensure
that the mobile station 68 is returned and not used by someone
unauthorized, as described above. Furthermore, both features can be
implemented. For example, pressing any key can end the optional
high volume ringing and the optional audio message only. The
optional message and optional lockout would remain until the PIN
has been entered.
[0099] In step 509, the length of time that the mobile station 68
has been ringing or alerting at high volume may be optionally
tracked. This may be implemented for example by a counter that is
incremented or decremented during each loop of the logic. In the
alternative, a timer may increment or decrement based on an actual
time. When the count or time reaches a certain point, the logic
will advance to step 510. The purpose of optionally tracking the
time is to avoid draining the battery to the extent that the
display will no longer function to display a message and/or the
speaker will no longer function to emit the ringing or audio
message. Additionally, mobile station 68 may, in an effort to
conserve battery strength and maximize the possibility of
discovery, schedule periodic occasional ringing rather than
immediately performing sustained ringing.
[0100] If at step 509 there is still time or count left, the logic
will return to step 504 Otherwise the logic will flow to step
510.
[0101] In yet another embodiment of step 509, the battery level may
be monitored. When the battery voltage level reaches a certain
point, the logic will advance to step 510. The battery life can be
monitored by any known conventional manner. If at step 509 there is
enough battery life left, the logic will return to step 504.
Otherwise the logic will flow to step 510.
[0102] Once at step 510, the ringing or alert sound will be
stopped. However, the optional display messages can continue to be
displayed and the mobile station 68 can continue to be locked from
incoming and outgoing calls. Although not shown, key input similar
to that described for step 508 can be input to allow the mobile
station 68 to return to normal operation.
[0103] In order to provide increased flexibility, programming and
downloading of the network based cellular locator feature 67 may be
performed over-the-air. In accordance with an aspect of the present
invention, over-the-air programming of the network based cellular
locator feature 67 allows the cellular locator feature to be
initially downloaded and/or updated to the mobile station 68
without requiring the user to bring the mobile station 68 into a
service center. The over-the-air programming capability of the
present invention provides several advantages, including improving
the ease by which the mobile station 68 can be programmed with the
new feature.
[0104] FIG. 6 illustrates a top level architecture or arrangement
for the network based cellular locator feature downloading using
Over-the-Air Activation (OAA) and Over-the-Air Programming (OAP).
As shown in FIG. 6, an application referred to as an Over-the-Air
Activation Function (OTAF) 100 is stored at an external platform.
The OTAF 100 may be implemented with software or programmed logic,
and be adapted to perform the various functions described herein.
The OTAF 100 may be provided together with a database. The platform
at which the OTAF 100 and database are provided may be a special
purpose platform or may be incorporated into an existing platform,
such as a Short Message Service Center (message center), a local
switch, a Home Location Register (HLR), or a Service Control Point
(SCP) of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN).
[0105] In order to perform administrative functions on the database
of the OTAF 100 including populating and/or modifying network based
cellular locator feature entries in the database, a database
administration access mechanism 101 may be provided. The database
administration access mechanism 101 may be provided locally or
remotely from the OTAF 100 and may be controlled and operated by a
human operator. For example, the database administration mechanism
101 may include an operator terminal provided at the customer
service center 102 (CSC). In addition, the database administration
access mechanism 101 may include any known type of input source.
Exemplary access schemes into the OTAF 100 include: (1) an OTAF
platform administrative terminal, (2) a TCP/IP feed directly from
the customer service center 102 (CSC), and (3) a dial-up modem
connection from a remote facility. The information can input via
the Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol which runs over
TCP/IP.
[0106] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the database
of the OTAF 100 may also maintain a subscriber database of all
active mobile stations that are capable of receiving the network
based cellular mobile station locator feature 67. The subscriber
database may be generated by the customer service center (CSC) 102
and provided as input to the OTAF 100. When a customer activates
(or reactivates) a mobile station 68, the CSC 102 enters a
subscriber profile into the subscriber database. From this
subscriber database, the OTAF 100 is able to generate and send out
code for implementing the network based cellular mobile station
locator feature 67 to each eligible mobile station 68 on
record.
[0107] More particularly, according to an aspect of the invention,
the network based cellular locator feature may be downloaded to
each mobile station 68 in accordance with the following procedure.
When a subscriber calls the customer service center (CSC) 102 to
activate a mobile station 68, the CSC 102 representative assigns a
MIN for the mobile station 68 and identifies the features to which
the subscriber is allowed. The network based cellular locator
feature 67 can be downloaded with other OTAF information similar to
that for new activations. Similarly, in reprogramming, general
parameters are downloaded into the mobile station 68 along with the
new network based cellular locator feature 67. If none of the
parameters have changed, only the updated network based cellular
locator feature 67 is downloaded to the mobile station 68.
[0108] Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary logic flow diagram of
the operation of the network based cellular mobile station locator
of the present invention will be discussed, in accordance with a
network aspect of the present invention. Although the description
below is made with reference to a cellular network environment, the
various processes and operation may also be applied to any other
type of wireless communication network.
[0109] At step 701 when the user loses his mobile station 68 the
user can, as discussed before, inform the network of the situation.
Once the network has received the misplaced mobile station message
and optionally authenticated the identity of the misplaced mobile
station message sender, then the misplaced mobile station signal
may be sent. At step 702 the misplaced mobile station signal is
then routed through the network. The misplaced mobile station
signal will be routed to the appropriate MTSO (54, 58) where it
will be transmitted via the appropriate base station (75, 95).
[0110] The misplaced mobile station signal can take any one of
numerous different formats. The signal can be a text message, data
signal, email, call originating from a special number or a SMS
message. In one embodiment, the misplaced mobile station signal is
a SMS message. The specific form of the message is not critical, as
long as the mobile station 68 can determine that the signal is
different from other types of signals.
[0111] When choosing one of the options for communicating with the
mobile station 68, one behavior to be considered is how the
communication mechanism functions when the mobile station 68 cannot
receive the message. If the mobile station 68 is turned off or out
of communications range, the mobile station 68 will not immediately
receive the message triggering the lost mobile station mode. The
most desirable implementations would trigger the mobile station 68
to enter lost mobile station mode (steps 504-514) as soon as
practical once the mobile station 68 was turned on, or came back
into range, or otherwise became able to receive the signal. The
choice of delivery alternatives will affect the behavior of the
feature if the mobile station 68 temporarily cannot receive the
delivered signal (because it is off, out of range, etc.). For
example, email delivery is traditionally tried repeatedly over
several days. Even if no modification of the standard email
delivery mechanisms is made, the misplaced mobile station signal is
reasonably likely to be delivered at some point. In its usual
nature, email delivery is tried repeatedly but not continuously. It
would be possible for the mobile station 68 to be turned on and
off, brought into and taken out of range, etc., repeatedly--always
missing the delivery attempt because of the usual long periods of
time (typically an hour or more) between email delivery attempts.
In this case it is unlikely that the signal would be delivered
immediately (or nearly so) once the mobile station 68 became
capable of receiving signals. This might allow a person who found
the misplaced mobile station 68 to place a number of outgoing calls
before the mobile station 68 was put into lost mobile station mode
and outbound calls were blocked (step 513). This disadvantage could
be overcome by having the cellular network trigger a sending of the
special email as soon as the network notices the mobile station 68
is in range and available.
[0112] As a second example, a normal mobile station call is
typically only tried once. If a normal mobile station call from a
special number is the delivery mechanism chosen, the traditional
network would merely fail to complete the call if the mobile
station 68 were turned off or out of range, and the lost mobile
station feature 67 would not be triggered. As in the email example,
though, the disadvantage can be overcome by triggering the mobile
station call to be placed as soon as the network notices the mobile
station 68 is in range and available.
[0113] In step 703, the use of the mobile station 68 may be
optionally locked by the network. The locking of the mobile station
68 can be with respect to either incoming calls, outgoing calls or
both. In one embodiment, after the misplaced mobile station signal
is received, no other transmission is received or transmitted with
the transceiver 63. This can reduce energy consumption and hence
increase battery life.
[0114] With respect to step 704, the voice mail feature of the
network is avoided while the misplaced mobile station signal is
sent. In other words, the network will send the signal to put the
misplaced mobile station into lost mode by ringing the misplaced
mobile station 68, but not let the voice mail feature stop the
ringing until the mobile station has recognized the incoming call
as a misplaced mobile station signal, even if the signal is a
`normal` voice call from a special number. Voice mail would never
be invoked in the delivery of any of the other non-voice mechanisms
described (text message, data signal, email, SMS message). In one
embodiment, a Short Message Service (SMS) misplaced mobile station
signal is sent and thus will not interact with the network voice
mail feature and thereafter avoid the voice mail altogether.
[0115] At step 705, when the phone is found by the user, the
network may be contacted to allow normal phone operations. Contact
can be accomplished in one of many ways. The owner can call, email,
or visit a website that communicates directly or indirectly with
the network and/or customer service center 102. This communication
can include some level of security that includes a Personal
Identification Number (PIN), password, account number, or other
identifying information. At step 706 the network will then allow
the mobile station 68 to return to normal operation.
[0116] A specific example of the mobile station 68 and network will
now be described. In this example, the mobile station 68 is
implemented as a cellular handset having the above described
algorithm implemented as firmware 67 that has been installed in the
factory during manufacture of the handset.
[0117] When the user loses his mobile station 68, he calls a single
common phone number that is part of the customer service center
102. This phone number will connect the user to a interactive voice
response system that queries the user to provide identifying
information to the system. Once the call is successfully completed,
the user can then hang-up and wait for the handset to ring.
[0118] The network, at the same time that the user contacts the
customer service center, will block any calls placed by the handset
other than calls to the customer service center 102. All calls that
are made to that user's phone 68 will also be blocked and
transferred directly to voice mail. All other messages (text
messages, data signals, email, SMS messages) will also be stored or
discarded as appropriate, but not delivered to the misplaced mobile
station.
[0119] The network after receiving the phone call from the
misplaced handset user will initiate a misplaced phone signal. In
this example, the misplaced phone signal is a Short Message Service
(SMS) signal that contains the following data <***LOST
PHONE***>. This misplaced phone signal will flow through the
network, through the appropriate Mobile Telephone Switching Office
(MTSO) 24, 28 and be transmitted from the appropriate base station
30, 40. Because the signal is a SMS message, the misplaced phone
signal will not interact with the voice mail feature of the
network.
[0120] Next the mobile station 68 will receive the misplaced phone
signal through the antenna 62 and transceiver 63. The signal will
then be interrogated to see if it is a misplaced phone signal by
the control system 61. The control system 61 will compare the SMS
message to see if it corresponds to <***LOST PHONE***>. In
this example the control system 61 recognizes the SMS message as
<*** LOST PHONE***>and thus causes the speaker 64 to ring at
high volume, overriding the default setting. In this example the
handset had been previously been set to silent/vibrate mode and
this setting is overridden. At the same time the display 65 will be
driven by the control system to display a message on the display.
The displayed message will be "This phone has been lost. Please
dial (703)555-1234 and press send." This phone number would
correspond to the customer service center. The personnel at the
customer service center 102 would be trained to receive such calls
and would provide instructions and/or help with returning the
misplaced phone 68 to the owner.
[0121] Although the invention has been described with reference to
several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that
have been used are words of description and illustration, rather
than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of
the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its
aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference
to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is
not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather,
the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures,
methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0122] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention, the methods described herein are intended for operation
as software programs running on a computer processor. Dedicated
hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application
specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other
hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the
methods described herein. Furthermore, alternative software
implementations including, but not limited to, distributed
processing or component object distributed processing, parallel
processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed
to implement the methods described herein.
[0123] It should also be noted that the software implementations of
the present invention as described herein are optionally stored on
a tangible storage medium, such as: a magnetic medium such as a
disk or tape; a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk;
or a solid state medium such as a memory card or other package that
houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access
memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories. A digital file
attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or
set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a
tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the invention is considered
to include a tangible storage medium or distribution medium, as
listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and
successor media, in which the software implementations herein are
stored.
[0124] Although the present specification describes components and
functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to
particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to
such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for air
interfaces and network transmissions (e.g., TDMA, CDMA, PCS, IDEN,
PACS, GSM) represent examples of the state of the art. Such
standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient
equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly,
replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are
considered equivalents.
* * * * *