Patent ID: 7570941
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method enabling detection of stolen mobile communication devices, the method comprising the steps of: (a) reading a pre-stored number residing in a device memory of a mobile communication device and a subscriber identification number stored in a subscriber identification storage module of said mobile communication device by a means for reading pre-stored number and subscriber identification number in the event of said mobile communication device powering on in a communication network, said means for reading residing in said device memory of said mobile communication device; (b) comparing said pre-stored number and said subscriber identification number by a means for comparing pre-stored number and subscriber identification number, said means for comparing residing in said device memory of said mobile communication device; (c) triggering a message by a means for triggering a message in the event said comparing means finds said subscriber identification number not to correspond to said pre-stored number; (d) transmitting said message to an operator independent centralized equipment identification register (C-EIR) by a means for transmitting messages, wherein said C-EIR is independent of an operator of the communication network and accessible globally to multiple communication networks, said message comprising said pre-stored number, said subscriber identification number and an equipment identification number, wherein said message is delivered to said C-EIR directly from the mobile communication device; (e) a means for storing subscriber identification number and repeating steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) above, wherein when said steps of (a), (b), (c) and (d) are performed said pre-stored number is substituted by said subscriber identification number by said means for storing subscriber identification number; (f) receiving said message from said transmitting means by a means for receiving a message, said receiving means residing in said centralized equipment identification register (C-EIR); (g) reading said message by a means for reading a message, said means for reading a message residing in said centralized equipment identification register (C-EIR); (h) comparing said equipment identification number retrieved from said message with equipment identification number enlisted in said centralized equipment identification register (C-EIR) by a means for comparing equipment identification number with any one of the plurality of the equipment identification numbers contained in a repository of equipment identification numbers corresponding to stolen mobile communication devices, said means for comparing residing in said centralized equipment identification register (C-EIR); (i) identifying the equipment identification number retrieved from said message corresponding to equipment identification numbers contained in a first repository of equipment identification numbers corresponding to stolen mobile communication devices and reporting said identified equipment identification number of stolen mobile communication devices by a means for reporting identified equipment identification number to a second repository configured to receive said identified equipment identification number, wherein said second repository is configurable to provide third party access to equipment identification numbers of stolen mobile communication devices.