System and Method for Remotely Initiating Lost Mode on a Computing Device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for remotely initiating lost mode on a computing device. A request that lost mode be initiated can include a message and contact information provided by the requesting user. Once authenticated, a command to initiate lost mode is sent to the lost device. Initiating lost mode includes locking the lost device and suppressing select functionality. The message and contact information are displayed and the lost device is enabled to contact the requesting user using the contact information. The lost device can also collect and transmit location data to the requesting user. The location data can be presented on a map indicating the lost devices location and the time the lost device was at the location. The location data can be scheduled to be resent to the user based on numerous factors such as a set schedule, rules or heuristic

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device, a command initiating a lost mode on the computing device, where the command is sent by a server computer that is configured to initiate and terminate the lost mode in response to a request from a requesting device;   responsive to the command:
 locking the computing device to prevent data and applications from being accessed by an unauthorized user; 
   suppressing select functionality of the computing device;   transmitting to the server computer first location data identifying a first geographic location of the computing device;   determining that the computing device has traveled beyond a geographic distance from the first geographic location; and   responsive to the determining, transmitting to the server computer second location data identifying a second geographic location of the computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the command includes a message and initiating the lost mode further comprises displaying the message on the computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the message is configured to enable the computing device to contact a requesting device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein suppressing select functionality includes suppressing notifications and alerts presented on the computing device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second location data includes times the computing device was at the first and second geographic locations, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second location data is transmitted based on a predetermined schedule. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a password at the computing device;   upon authentication of the password,
 unlocking the computing device; and 
 restoring suppressed functionality of the computing device. 
   
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a server computer, a request to initiate lost mode from a requesting device;   determining, by the server computer, if a user of the requesting device is authorized to initiate lost mode on the computing device based on authenticating information received from the requesting device;   upon determining that the user is authorized:
 transmitting a command to the computing device placing the computing device into lost mode; 
 receiving a last geographic location from the computing device; 
 determining that the requesting device is unavailable; and 
 storing the last geographic location in a database of the server computer. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining that the requesting device is available; and   transmitting the stored last geographic location over the network to the requesting device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 storing, by the server computer, geographic locations of the computing device; and   transmitting the geographic locations to the requesting device over set time intervals or when the computing device makes a significant movement in location.   
     
     
         11 . A computing device comprising:
 a positioning system;   a wireless transceiver;   one or more processors coupled to the positioning system and the wireless transceiver;   memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to store instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:   receiving a command initiating a lost mode on the computing device, where the command is sent by a server computer that is configured to initiate and terminate the lost mode in response to a request from a requesting device;   responsive to the command:
 locking the computing device to prevent data and applications from being accessed by an unauthorized user; 
   suppressing select functionality of the computing device;   transmitting to the server computer first location data identifying a first geographic location of the computing device;   determining that the computing device has moved from the first location to a second location; and   responsive to the determining, transmitting to the server computer second location data identifying the second geographic location of the computing device.   
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the command includes a message and initiating the lost mode further comprises displaying the message on the computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the message is configured to enable the computing device to contact a requesting device. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein suppressing select functionality includes suppressing notifications and alerts presented on the computing device. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second location data includes times the computing device was at the first and second geographic locations, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second location data is transmitted based on a predetermined schedule. 
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving a password at the computing device;   upon authentication of the password,
 unlocking the computing device; and 
 restoring suppressed functionality of the computing device. 
   
     
     
         18 . A server computer comprising:
 one or more processors;   memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to store instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request to initiate lost mode from a requesting device; 
 determining if a user of the requesting device is authorized to initiate lost mode on the computing device based on authenticating information received from the requesting device; 
 upon determining that the user is authorized:
 transmitting a command to the computing device placing the computing device into lost mode; 
 receiving a last geographic location from the computing device; 
 determining that the requesting device is unavailable; and 
 storing the last geographic location in a database of the server computer. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . The server computer of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 determining that the requesting device is available; and   transmitting the stored last geographic location over the network to the requesting device.   
     
     
         20 . The server computer of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 storing geographic locations of the computing device; and   transmitting the geographic locations to the requesting device over set time intervals or when the computing device makes a significant movement in location.