Device Locate Service
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.
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.