Portable wireless communications device including pickpocket notification and related methods

Abstract

A portable wireless communications device to be carried by a holster includes a portable housing carrying a wireless transceiver, a holster sensor, a local alert indicator, a user authentication input device, and a controller. The controller may store data and is connected to the wireless transceiver, the holster sensor, the local alert indicator, and the user authentication input device. The controller may be switchable to a pickpocket mode for activating the local alert indicator, wirelessly sending at least one remote alert message, and rendering unusable at least a portion of the stored data upon removal from the holster unless a user authentication is input before expiration of a predetermined time.

1 . A wireless communications device comprising:
 a wireless transceiver;   a sensor configured to sense proximity to an adjacent device;   an input device; and   a controller coupled with the wireless transceiver, the sensor, and the input device;   the controller configured to
 store user data, 
 store application data, and 
 wirelessly send at least one alert message, and render unusable at least a portion of the user data or the application data based upon separation from proximity to the adjacent device and unless a correct user authentication is input before expiration of a threshold time. 
   
     
     
         2 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to wirelessly send at least one alert message, and render unusable at least a portion of the user data or the application data based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device and unless the correct user authentication is input before expiration of the threshold time and also irrespective of a number of attempts to input the correct user authentication. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one alert message comprises at least one of a message to an alternate user device, a security department, or a service provider. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one remote message comprises at least one of an email message, a text message, or a telephone call. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one alert message comprises a plurality thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  further comprising a local alert indicator;
 and wherein the controller is configured to activate the local alert indicator based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device. 
 
     
     
         7 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  wherein the input device comprises a keypad. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1  wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a magnetic, electrical, optical, or mechanical sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A wireless communications device comprising:
 a wireless transceiver;   a sensor configured to sense proximity to an adjacent device;   an input device; and   a controller coupled with the wireless transceiver, the sensor, and the input device;   the controller configured to
 store user data, 
 store application data, and 
 wirelessly send at least one alert message to an alternate user device, a security department, or a service provider, and render unusable at least a portion of the user data or the application data based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device and unless a correct user authentication is input before expiration of a threshold time and irrespective of a number of attempts to input the correct user authentication. 
   
     
     
         10 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one alert message comprises at least one of an email message, a text message, or a telephone call. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one alert message comprises a plurality thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 9  further comprising a local alert indicator; and wherein the controller is configured to activate the local alert indicator based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 9  wherein the input device comprises a keypad. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a wireless communications device comprising a wireless transceiver, a sensor configured to sense proximity to an adjacent device, an input device, and a controller coupled with the wireless transceiver, the sensor, and the input device, the method comprising:
 operating the controller to
 store user data, 
 store application data, and 
 wirelessly send at least one alert message, and render unusable at least a portion of the user data or the application data based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device and unless a correct user authentication is input before expiration of a threshold time. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein operating the controller comprises operating the controller to wirelessly send at least one alert message, and render unusable at least a portion of the user data or the application data based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device and unless the correct user authentication is input before expiration of the threshold time and also irrespective of a number of attempts to input the correct user authentication. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the at least one alert message comprises at least one of a message to an alternate user device, a security department, or a service provider. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the at least one alert message comprises at least one of an email message, a text message, or a telephone call. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the at least one alert message comprises a plurality thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the wireless communications device further comprises a local alert indicator; and wherein operating the controller comprises operating the controller to activate the local alert indicator based upon sensing separation from proximity to the adjacent device. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the input device comprises a keypad. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a magnetic, electrical, optical, or mechanical sensor.