U.S. patent application number 12/118412 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for device locate service.
Invention is credited to Andrew Royal, Sandra Vargas.
Application Number | 20090149192 12/118412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40722181 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090149192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vargas; Sandra ; et
al. |
June 11, 2009 |
Device Locate Service
Abstract
A device locate service is described. In embodiment(s), a device
locate request can be received to locate a device that is
configured for mobile communication. A control command can then be
communicated via a mobile communication network that activates the
device to override configuration settings of the device and
initiate one or more locate service functions, such as emit an
audible tone, display a message, lock the device to disable device
features, wipe data from a memory of the device, and/or transmit a
GPS location signal. The device locate service can also receive the
GPS location signal from the device, determine a location of the
device from the GPS location signal, and communicate the location
of the device for display at a computing device.
Inventors: |
Vargas; Sandra; (Sammamish,
WA) ; Royal; Andrew; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Microsoft Corporation;Patent Group Docketing Dept.
One Microsoft Way
Redmond
WA
98052
US
|
Family ID: |
40722181 |
Appl. No.: |
12/118412 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60992608 |
Dec 5, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/7246 20210101;
H04W 64/00 20130101; H04M 1/72454 20210101; H04M 1/72409 20210101;
H04M 1/72436 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/456.1 |
International
Class: |
H04W 64/00 20090101
H04W064/00 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving a device locate request to
locate a device that is configured for mobile communication; and
communicating a control command that activates the device to
initiate a locate service function, the control command being
communicated to the device via a mobile communication network.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the device locate
request is received via a telephone communication network when
initiated as a telephone service call.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the device locate
request is received via a data communication network when initiated
from a computing device.
4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising: receiving a
GPS location signal from the device; determining a location of the
device from the GPS location signal; and communicating the location
of the device for display at the computing device.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command
activates the device to override configuration settings and emit an
audible tone.
6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command
activates the device to override configuration settings and display
a message.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command
activates the device to wipe data from a memory of the device.
8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control command
activates the device to lock and disable device features.
9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the device is a mobile
phone, and wherein the control command activates the device to
override configuration settings, emit an audible tone, display a
message, and transmit a GPS location signal.
10. A device locate service, comprising: a communication interface
configured to receive a device locate request to locate a device
that is configured for mobile communication; and a locate module
configured to initiate communication of a control command that
activates the device to initiate a locate service function, the
control command configured for communication to the device via a
mobile communication network.
11. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, wherein the
communication interface is configured to receive the device locate
request via a telephone communication network when initiated as a
telephone service call to the device locate service.
12. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, wherein the
communication interface is configured to receive the device locate
request via a data communication network when initiated from a
computing device.
13. A device locate service as recited in claim 12, wherein the
locate module includes a GPS locate service configured to receive a
GPS location signal from the device, determine a location of the
device from the GPS location signal, and initiate communication of
the location of the device for display at the computing device.
14. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, wherein the
locate module includes an audible signal control configured to
initiate the control command that activates the device to override
configuration settings and emit an audible tone.
15. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, further
comprising a message control configured to initiate the control
command that activates the device to override configuration
settings and display a message.
16. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, further
comprising a data wipe control configured to initiate the control
command that activates the device to wipe data from a memory of the
device.
17. A device locate service as recited in claim 10, further
comprising a device lock control configured to initiate the control
command that activates the device to lock and disable device
features.
18. A mobile device, comprising: a communication interface
configured to receive a control command initiated by a device
locate service that receives a device locate request for the mobile
device; and a locate module configured to override configuration
settings of the mobile device in response to the control command,
initiate that the mobile device emit an audible tone, display a
message, and lock to disable device features.
19. A mobile device as recited in claim 18, wherein the locate
module is further configured to initiate transmission of a GPS
location signal from the mobile device.
20. A mobile device as recited in claim 18, wherein the locate
module is further configured to initiate wiping data from a memory
of the mobile device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of a related U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/992,608 filed Dec. 5, 2007
entitled "Devices, Features, and Systems for Mobile
Communications", to Vargas et al., which is incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portable cellular phones are nearly as common in our society
as our car keys and wallets--we take these items with us everywhere
we go. Unfortunately, cell phones can be just as easily misplaced
or lost as a set of car keys, either at home or out in public when
inadvertently left behind in a restaurant, hotel room, or taxi cab.
While losing one's car keys is an inconvenience, lost or misplaced
car keys typically do not pose the risk of someone being able to
obtain the phone numbers, personal information, documents, and the
other types of data that some cell phone devices and/or portable
business communication devices can include. Other types of portable
devices, such as media players, music devices, and laptop computers
are also more commonplace, likely to contain personal and/or
business information, and just as likely to be lost or
misplaced.
SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of
a device locate service. The simplified concepts are further
described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not
intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject
matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0004] A device locate service is described. In embodiment(s), a
device locate request can be received to locate a device that is
configured for mobile communication, such as a portable phone,
media player, or laptop computer. A device locate request can be
received as a telephone service call to the device locate service,
or the device locate request can be received when initiated from a
computing device. The device locate service can then communicate a
control command that activates the device to override configuration
settings of the device and initiate one or more locate service
functions, such as emit an audible tone, display a message, lock
the device to disable device features, wipe data from a memory of
the device, and/or transmit a GPS location signal. The device
locate service can also receive the GPS location signal from the
device, determine a location of the device from the GPS location
signal, and communicate the location of the device for display at a
computing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Embodiments of a device locate service are described with
reference to the following drawings. The same numbers are used
throughout the drawings to reference like features and
components:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system in which embodiments of
a device locate service can be implemented.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates another example system in which
embodiments of a device locate service can be implemented.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates example method(s) for a device locate
service in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates example method(s) for a device locate
service in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates various components of an example service
that can implement embodiments of a device locate service.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates various components of an example device
that can implement embodiments of a device locate service.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Embodiments of a device locate service provide that users
can locate and/or remotely manage mobile devices, such as a cell
phone, media player, laptop computer, or other mobile device that
may be lost or misplaced. For example, a user or owner of a device
that has been misplaced or lost can initiate a device locate
request to a device locate service, such as a telephone service
call or a locate request initiated from a computer, to initiate any
number of various device locate features.
[0013] In various embodiments, the device locate service can
communicate an audible signal command to a lost or misplaced device
that activates the device to override configuration settings (e.g.,
a silent mode) and emit an audible tone so that the user can find
the phone which may be lost in a room in the house, under a seat in
the car, or misplaced elsewhere. The device locate service can also
communicate a display message command to a lost device that
activates the device to display a "please return" message. The
device locate service can also communicate a data wipe command to a
lost device that activates the device to wipe data from a memory of
the device, such as any personal information associated with the
owner, phone numbers, documents, and/or any other personal or
business related information that may be stored on the device.
[0014] The device locate service can also communicate a device lock
command to a lost device that activates the device to lock and
disable device features, such as the keypad and display so that
someone else who finds the device is restricted from using it, and
prevented from accessing the personal and/or business information
stored on the device. The device locate service can also
communicate a location command to a lost device that activates the
device to transmit a GPS location signal. The device locate service
can then receive the GPS location signal and communicate the
location for display at a computing device, such as on a map that
indicates the location of the lost device.
[0015] While features and concepts of the described systems and
methods for a device locate service can be implemented in any
number of different environments, systems, and/or various
configurations, embodiments of a device locate service are
described in the context of the following example systems and
environments.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in which various
embodiments of a device locate service can be implemented. In this
example, system 100 includes a device locate service 102 and a
communication service provider 104 that provides for mobile data
and/or voice communications. For example, the communication service
provider 104 may be a cell-phone provider, an Internet service
provider, and/or a combination thereof. The communication service
provider 104 enables data and/or voice communications for any type
of mobile device 106, such as any one or combination of a mobile
phone device 108 (e.g., cellular, VoIP, WiFi, etc.), a portable
computer device 110, a media device 112 (e.g., a personal media
player, portable media player, etc.), and/or any other wireless
media or communication device that can receive data, voice, or
media content in any form of audio, video, and/or image data.
[0017] Any of the mobile devices 106 can be implemented with one or
more processors, communication components, memory components, and
signal processing and control circuits. Further, any of the mobile
devices 106 can be implemented with any number and combination of
differing components as further described with reference to the
example device shown in FIG. 6. A mobile device may also be
associated with a user or owner (i.e., a person) and/or an entity
that operates the device such that a mobile device describes
logical devices that include users, software, and/or a combination
of devices.
[0018] Communication network(s) 114 can be implemented to include
any type of a data network, voice network, broadcast network, an
IP-based network, and/or a wireless network 116 that facilitates
data and/or voice communication between the device locate service
102, communication service provider 104, and any number of the
various mobile devices 106. The communication network(s) 114 can be
implemented using any type of network topology and/or communication
protocol, and can be represented or otherwise implemented as a
combination of two or more networks. Any one or more of the arrowed
communication links facilitate two-way data communication, such as
from the device locate service 102 to the communication service
provider 104 and vice-versa.
[0019] The device locate service 102 can be implemented as a
subscription-based service to facilitate users locating and/or
remotely managing mobile devices, such as a cell phone, media
player, laptop computer, or other mobile device that may be lost or
misplaced. The device locate service 102 can also be implemented as
an independent or third-party service to implement the various
embodiments of a device locate service as described herein.
Alternatively, the device locate service 102 can be implemented as
a component or service of the communication service provider at
118, and optionally, made available as a service or feature of a
cell phone connection plan.
[0020] The device locate service 102 can also be implemented as
several components or modules distributed to implement the various
embodiments of a device locate service as described herein. The
device locate service 102 can also be implemented as
computer-executable instructions and executed by processor(s) to
implement the various embodiments and/or features described herein.
In addition, the device locate service 102 can be implemented with
any number and combination of differing components as further
described with reference to the example service shown in FIG.
5.
[0021] In the example system 100, the device locate service 102
includes a database of registered devices 120, such as an
identifier of a mobile device 106 that is registered with the
device locate service 102 or registered via the communication
service provider 104. The device locate service 102 can also
include a feature for registration authentication 122 to verify
that a locate service function can be applied to a particular
mobile device 106 when a request to initiate a locate service
function is received.
[0022] The device locate service 102 can receive a device locate
request 124 to locate a mobile device 106 that is configured for
mobile communication. For example, the device locate service 102
can receive a device locate request 124 when initiated by user or
owner that has misplaced or lost the device. In an embodiment, the
device locate service 102 can receive a device locate request 124
via a telephone communication network (e.g., via the communication
network(s) 114) when initiated as a telephone service call to the
device locate service. Alternatively, the device locate service 102
can receive the telephone service call from the communication
service provider 104, such as when the owner of a misplaced cell
phone initiates the device locate request through the cell phone
service provider. In an implementation, a user can dial into the
device locate service 102 with any combination of an access number,
phone number of the lost device, a password or PIN code, and/or
selection codes to initiate one or more of the locate service
functions.
[0023] The device locate service 102 can also receive a device
locate request 124 to locate a mobile device 106 when initiated by
a user or owner of the device from a computing system 126 via a
data communication network (e.g., via the communication network(s)
114). For example, the owner of a misplaced cell phone can initiate
the device locate request 124 from a computer by logging into the
device locate service directly, or via the communication service
provider 104. The computing system 126 includes a display device
128 (e.g., LCD or similar display device) that can display a PC
gadget 130 or other desktop application that is associated with the
device locate service 102 and/or mobile devices associated with a
particular user. In an embodiment, the user can initiate a device
locate request 124 from a user interface on display device 128,
such as from menu selections to select the lost device, enter a
password or PIN code, and/or menu selections to initiate one or
more of the locate service functions.
[0024] The device locate service 102 includes a locate module 132
and various locate service controls and functions that can be
initiated to locate or remotely manage mobile devices that may be
lost or misplaced. When the device locate service 102 receives a
device locate request 124 for a particular device, the locate
module 132 can initiate a control command that activates the device
to initiate a locate service function. In this example, the locate
module 132 includes an audible signal control 134 and a GPS locate
service 136. In addition, the device locate service 102 includes a
message control 138, a data wipe control 140, and a device lock
control 142.
[0025] In an embodiment, the locate module 132 can initiate a
control command from the audible signal control 134 that, when
communicated to a mobile device 106, activates the device to
override configuration settings and emit an audible tone. For
example, the control command can override configuration settings
such as when the device has been set to a silent, vibrate, or
meeting mode. The control command can then initiate the device to
emit an audible tone, such as any of the ringers or alarm options
that are available with the device, or alternatively, a designated
high-volume tone. The mobile device 106 can be activated to emit
the tone for a designated time duration, and/or until the user
locates the device and cancels the activated tone.
[0026] In another embodiment, the locate module 132 can initiate a
control command from the message control 138 that, when
communicated to a mobile device 106, activates the device to
override configuration settings and display a message on the
display screen of the device. For example, the control command can
override a configuration setting such as having to enter a device
lock code to activate the display of the device. The mobile device
106 can be activated to display a "please return" message that is
optionally configurable to include an alternate phone number of the
owner, or the name of the cell-phone service provider if the lost
mobile device is a cell-phone.
[0027] In another embodiment, the locate module 132 can initiate a
control command from the data wipe control 140 that, when
communicated to a mobile device 106, activates the device to wipe
data from a memory of the device. For example, any personal
information associated with the owner of the device, as well as
phone numbers, documents, and/or any other personal or business
related information that may be stored on the device can be deleted
from memory. In addition, the control command can activate a lost
device to override permissions or security levels to wipe the data
from the memory of the device. Alternatively, the user or owner can
provide the permissions to access the memory of the device, such as
with registration authentication 122 before the device locate
request 124 is initiated.
[0028] In another embodiment, the locate module 132 can initiate a
control command from the GPS locate service 136 that, when
communicated to a mobile device 106, activates the device to
transmit a GPS location signal. The GPS locate service 136 can then
receive the GPS location signal from the device, determine a
location of the device, and communicate the location for display at
a computing device, such as in a map 144 on display device 128 at
computing system 126. For example, a user or owner of a lost mobile
device 106 can initiate a device locate request 124 from the
computing system 126, and receive an indication of its location on
the map 144.
[0029] In another embodiment, the locate module 132 can initiate a
control command from the device lock control 142 that, when
communicated to a mobile device 106, activates the device to lock
and disable device features, such as the keypad and display. In one
or more embodiments, the locate module 132 may initiate a series of
control commands for a lost or misplaced device, such as a
combination of control commands to override configuration settings,
emit an audible tone, display a message, wipe data from a memory of
the device, lock to disable device features, and/or transmit a GPS
location signal.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates an example system 200 in which various
embodiments of a device locate service can be implemented. In this
example, system 200 includes the device locate service 102,
communication service provider 104, and mobile devices (e.g., a
phone device 108 and a media device 112) described with reference
to FIG. 1. The example system 200 also includes a mobile device 202
which is an example of any of the mobile devices described with
reference to FIG. 1. The device locate service 102, communication
service provider 104, and the mobile devices (e.g., mobile device
202) can all be implemented for communication with each other via
the communication network(s) 114 and/or the wireless network
116.
[0031] In this example, the mobile device 202 includes one or more
processors 204 (e.g., any of microprocessors, controllers, and the
like), a communication interface 206 to receive and/or communicate
data and voice communications, and a device manager 208 (e.g., a
control application, software application, signal processing and
control module, etc.). The mobile device 202 also includes a locate
module 210 that can be implemented as computer-executable
instructions and executed by the processors 204 to implement
various embodiments and/or features of a device locate service. The
device manager 208 can receive control commands from the device
locate service 102 (e.g., via the communication interface 206) to
activate the mobile device 202 to implement a device locate
function or control of the locate module 210.
[0032] The locate module 210 includes various device locate
functions and/or controls, and can include authentication data 212
that authenticates the mobile device 202 with the device locate
service 102 when a user or owner initiates a device locate request
to locate the mobile device 202. In this example, the locate module
210 includes a control for an audible signal 214 that can activate
the device to emit an audible tone so that a user can locate the
device when it is misplaced. The locate module 210 also includes a
control for a return message 216 that can activate a user interface
application 218 to render a "please return" message 220 on a
display screen of the device.
[0033] The locate module 210 also includes a control for a data
wipe 222 that can activate the device to wipe data from a memory of
the device, such as personal information associated with the owner
of the device, phone numbers, documents, and/or any other personal
or business related information that may be stored on the device.
The locate module 210 also includes a control for a device lock 224
that can activate the device to lock and disable device features,
such as the keypad and display. The locate module 210 also includes
a control for a GPS signal 226 that can activate the device to
transmit a GPS location signal that the device locate service 102
receives to determine a location of the mobile device 202.
[0034] Example methods 300 and 400 are described with reference to
respective FIGS. 3 and 4 in accordance with one or more embodiments
of a device locate service. Generally, any of the functions,
methods, procedures, components, and modules described herein can
be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, fixed logic
circuitry, manual processing, or any combination thereof. A
software implementation of a function, method, procedure,
component, or module represents program code that performs
specified tasks when executed on a computing-based processor.
Example methods 300 and 400 may be described in the general context
of computer-executable instructions. Generally, computer-executable
instructions can include software, applications, routines,
programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures,
modules, functions, and the like.
[0035] The method(s) may also be practiced in a distributed
computing environment where functions are performed by remote
processing devices that are linked through a communication network.
In a distributed computing environment, computer-executable
instructions may be located in both local and remote computer
storage media, including memory storage devices. Further, the
features described herein are platform-independent such that the
techniques may be implemented on a variety of computing platforms
having a variety of processors.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates example method(s) 300 of a device locate
service, and is described with reference to the device locate
service shown in FIG. 1. The order in which the method is described
is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of
the described method blocks can be combined in any order to
implement the method, or an alternate method.
[0037] At block 302, a device locate request is received to locate
a device. For example, the device locate service 102 (FIG. 1)
receives a device locate request 124 when initiated by an owner or
user of a mobile device 106 that has been lost or misplaced. In an
embodiment, the device locate service 102 receives the device
locate request 124 via a telephone communication network when
initiated as a telephone service call to the device locate service
102. Alternatively, the device locate service 102 receives the
telephone service call from the communication service provider 104,
such as when the owner of a misplaced cell phone initiates the
device locate request through a cell phone service provider. In an
alternate embodiment, the device locate service 102 receives the
device locate request 124 via a data communication network when
initiated from a computing system 126.
[0038] At block 304, a control command is communicated that
activates the device to initiate a locate service function. For
example, the device locate service 102 communicates a control
command to the mobile device that is lost or misplaced via a mobile
communication network (e.g., wireless network 116). The control
command activates the mobile device to override configuration
settings, emit an audible tone, display a message, wipe data from a
memory of the device, lock to disable device features, and/or
transmit a GPS location signal.
[0039] At block 306, a GPS location signal is received from the
device, and at block 308, a location of the device is determined
from the GPS location signal. For example, the device locate
service 102 receives a GPS location signal from a mobile device 106
and determines a location of the device. At block 310, the location
of the device is communicated for display at a computing device.
For example, the device locate service 102 communicates the
location of the device for display at a computing device, such as
in map 144 on display device 128 at computing system 126. A user or
owner of a lost mobile device 106 can initiate a device locate
request 124 from the computing system 126, and receive an
indication of its location on the map 144.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates example method(s) 400 of a device locate
service, and is described with reference to a device implemented
for mobile voice and/or data communication. The order in which the
method is described is not intended to be construed as a
limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be
combined in any order to implement the method, or an alternate
method.
[0041] At block 402, a control command is received from a device
locate service. For example, mobile device 202 (FIG. 2) receives a
control command from the device locate service 102 to activate a
device locate function or control of the locate module 210. At
block 404, configuration settings are overridden. For example, the
configuration settings of mobile device 202 can be overridden when
a control command is received from the device locate service 102 to
activate a device locate function or control.
[0042] At block 406, a determination is made as to whether the
received control command is an audible alert command. If an audible
alert command is received from a device locate service (i.e., "yes"
from block 406), then at block 408, an audible tone is emitted. For
example, the control for an audible signal 214 activates the mobile
device 202 to emit an audible tone so that a user can locate the
device when it is misplaced.
[0043] If the control command is not an audible alert command
(i.e., "no" from block 406) or continuing from block 408, then at
block 410, a determination is made as to whether the received
control command is a display message command. If a display message
command is received from the device locate service (i.e., "yes"
from block 410), then at block 412, a message is displayed. For
example, the control for a return message 216 activates a user
interface application 218 of the mobile device 202 to render a
"please return" message 220 on a display screen of the device.
[0044] If the control command is not a display message command
(i.e., "no" from block 410) or continuing from block 412, then at
block 414, a determination is made as to whether the received
control command is a lock device command. If a lock device command
is received from a device locate service (i.e., "yes" from block
414), then at block 416, the device is locked to disable device
features. For example, the control for a device lock 224 activates
the mobile device 202 to lock and disable device features, such as
the keypad and display.
[0045] If the control command is not a lock device command (i.e.,
"no" from block 414) or continuing from block 416, then at block
418, a determination is made as to whether the received control
command is a transmit GPS signal command. If a transmit GPS signal
command is received (i.e., "yes" from block 418), then at block
420, a GPS location signal is transmitted. For example, the control
for a GPS signal 226 activates the device to transmit a GPS
location signal that the device locate service 102 receives to
determine a location of the mobile device 202.
[0046] If the control command is not a transmit GPS signal command
(i.e., "no" from block 418) or continuing from block 420, then at
block 422, a determination is made as to whether the received
control command is a wipe data command. If a wipe data command is
received from the device locate service (i.e., "yes" from block
422), then at block 424, the data is wiped from a memory of the
device. For example, the control for a data wipe 222 activates the
mobile device 202 to wipe data from a memory of the device, such as
personal information associated with the owner of the device, phone
numbers, documents, and/or any other personal or business related
information that may be stored on the device.
[0047] If the control command is not a wipe data command (i.e.,
"no" from block 422) or continuing from block 424, the method
continues at block 402 to receive an additional control command
initiated by a device locate service. For example, the device
locate service 102 may initiate a series of control commands for a
lost or misplaced mobile device 202, such as a combination of
control commands to override configuration settings, emit an
audible tone, display a message, wipe data from a memory of the
device, lock to disable device features, and/or transmit a GPS
location signal.
[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates various components of an example service
500 that can implement various embodiments of a device locate
service, such as shown in FIG. 1. Service 500 can include one or
more communication interfaces 502 that can be implemented as any
one or more of a serial and/or parallel interface, a wireless
interface, any type of network interface, a modem, and as any other
type of communication interface for data and/or voice
communication. The communication interfaces 502 provide a
connection and/or communication links between service 500 and
communication network(s) by which other communication, electronic,
and computing devices can communicate with service 500.
[0049] Service 500 can include one or more processors 504 (e.g.,
any of microprocessors, controllers, and the like) which process
various computer-executable instructions to control the operation
of service 500 and to implement embodiments of a device locate
service. Alternatively or in addition, service 500 can be
implemented with any one or combination of hardware, firmware, or
fixed logic circuitry that is implemented in connection with signal
processing and control circuits generally identified at 506.
[0050] Service 500 can also include computer-readable media 508,
such as one or more memory components, examples of which include
random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., any one or
more of a read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM,
etc.), and a disk storage device. A disk storage device can include
any type of magnetic or optical storage device, such as a hard disk
drive, a recordable and/or rewriteable compact disc (CD), any type
of a digital versatile disc (DVD), and the like.
[0051] Computer-readable media 508 provides data storage mechanisms
to store various service applications 510 and any other types of
information and/or data related to operational aspects of service
500. For example, an operating system 512 can be maintained as a
computer application with the computer-readable media 508 and
executed on the processors 504. The service applications 510 can
also include a locate module 514 as well as locate controls and
functions 516. In this example, the service applications 510 are
shown as software modules and/or computer applications that can
implement various embodiments of a device locate service.
[0052] Although not shown, service 500 can include a system bus or
data transfer system that couples the various components within the
service. A system bus can include any one or combination of
different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memory
controller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a
processor or local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus
architectures.
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates various components of an example device
600 that can be implemented as any form of a mobile communication,
computing, electronic, and/or media device to implement various
embodiments of device locate service. For example, device 600 can
be implemented as any of the mobile devices shown in FIG. 1 and/or
FIG. 2. In various embodiments, device 600 can be implemented as
any one or combination of a wireless or mobile phone, a portable
computer device, and/or as any other type of mobile device that may
be implemented for data and/or voice communication.
[0054] Device 600 can include user data 602, such as personal
information associated with an owner of the device, and can include
private information 604, such as phone numbers, documents, and/or
any other personal or business related information that may be
stored on the device. Device 600 further includes one or more
communication interfaces 606 that can be implemented for any type
of data and/or voice communication.
[0055] Device 600 can include one or more processors 608 (e.g., any
of microprocessors, controllers, and the like) which process
various computer-executable instructions to control the operation
of device 600 and to implement embodiments of device locate
service. Alternatively or in addition, device 600 can be
implemented with any one or combination of hardware, firmware, or
fixed logic circuitry that is implemented in connection with signal
processing and control circuits which are generally identified at
610.
[0056] Device 600 can also include computer-readable media 612,
such as one or more memory components, examples of which include
random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., any one or
more of a read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM,
etc.), and a disk storage device. A disk storage device can include
any type of magnetic or optical storage device, such as a hard disk
drive, a recordable and/or rewriteable compact disc (CD), any type
of a digital versatile disc (DVD), and the like.
[0057] Computer-readable media 612 provides data storage mechanisms
to store the user data 602 and the private information 604, as well
as various device applications 614 and any other types of
information and/or data related to operational aspects of device
600. For example, an operating system 616 can be maintained as a
computer application with the computer-readable media 612 and
executed on the processors 608. The device applications 614 can
also include a device manager 618 and a locate module 620. In this
example, the device applications 614 are shown as software modules
and/or computer applications that can implement various embodiments
of device locate service.
[0058] Device 600 can also include an audio, video, and/or image
processing system 622 that provides audio data to an audio
rendering system 624 and/or provides video or image data to a
display system 626. The audio rendering system 624 and/or the
display system 626 can include any devices or components that
process, display, and/or otherwise render audio, video, and image
data. The audio rendering system 624 and/or the display system 626
can be implemented as integrated components of the example device
600.
[0059] Although not shown, device 600 can include a system bus or
data transfer system that couples the various components within the
device. A system bus can include any one or combination of
different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memory
controller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a
processor or local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus
architectures.
[0060] Although embodiments of a device locate service have been
described in language specific to features and/or methods, it is to
be understood that the subject of the appended claims is not
necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described.
Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example
implementations of a device locate service.
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