Abstract:
A system and method for locating a misplaced cellular telephone including sending a signal to the misplaced cellular telephone. The signal directs the misplaced cellular telephone to transition from an inaudible mode to a loud ring mode and, in turn, ring to enable the ready location of the misplaced cellular telephone. In a further aspect, the signal directs the misplaced cellular telephone to ring continuously at maximum volume. Preferably, the method includes generating the signal from a telephone, a remote and/or a computer connected to the Internet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The subject disclosure relates to methods and systems for locating a cellular telephone and, more particularly, transitioning a cell phone from vibrate mode to ring mode in order to more easily locate the cell phone.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In the modern era, cell phones have become ubiquitous. The ever present ringing and talking has become intrusive in many scenarios. Even further, many places have guidelines prohibiting cell phone usage. For example, theaters, classes, airplanes, hospitals, business meetings, golf tournaments and the like are all events at which cell phone usage is prohibited. As a result, many cell phones are set to vibrate rather than ring when receiving an incoming call.  
         [0005]     Unlike traditional phones that plug into a wall, cell phones are easily misplaced. The small size and weight allows cell phones to be left in jackets that are hanging in a closet, dropped down between the sofa cushions, placed under a stack of other objects and lost in such various places which missing items gravitate into. Often, a simple call to one&#39;s cell phone will allow following the ring tone to locate the cell phone. However, when the cell phone is set to vibrate, the vibration is typically not helpful enough to allow locating the cell phone. In view of this and other shortcomings, a system and method for locating misplaced cell phones set to vibrate is needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the subject technology to allow for locating a lost cell phone by transitioning to an indicator mode while utilizing existing procedures, hardware and software to the extent possible.  
         [0007]     The present disclosure is directed to a method for locating a misplaced cellular telephone including the step of sending a signal to the misplaced cellular telephone, wherein the signal directs the misplaced cellular telephone to transition from a set mode to a ring mode and, in turn, ring to enable the ready location of the misplaced cellular telephone. In a further aspect, the signal directs the misplaced cellular telephone to ring continuously at maximum volume. Preferably, the method includes generating the signal from a telephone, a remote or a computer.  
         [0008]     Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes locating a misplaced cellular telephone by i) receiving a request to find a cellular telephone, ii) requesting personal identification data related to verification of the request, iii) sending transition data to the cellular telephone for switching to an indicator mode such that said indicator mode is activated to enable the ready location of the misplaced cellular telephone and iv) generating a fee for payment by a user of the cellular telephone based upon steps i)-iii). The fee may be based on usage or a set montly amount.  
         [0009]     Still another embodiment of the present disclosure is a server for facilitating locating a misplaced cell phone. The server includes a memory storing an instruction set and a processor for running the instruction set. The processor is in communication with the memory and the misplaced cell phone, and operative to verify a request to communicate with the misplaced cell phone and communicate with the misplaced cell phone to direct the misplaced cell phone to switch to ring mode.  
         [0010]     And yet another embodiment of the present invention is a package having a cellular telephone and a remote being capable of sending a signal to the cellular telephone, wherein the signal directs the cellular telephone to ring.  
         [0011]     It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed or a computer readable medium. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings as follows.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a somewhat schematic diagram showing an environment for using cell phones in accordance with the subject disclosure.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a somewhat schematic diagram of a service provider for practicing the disclosed methodology.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a process for locating a cell phone set to vibrate by using another telephone in accordance with the subject disclosure.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a process for locating a cell phone set to vibrate by using the Internet in accordance with the subject disclosure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with locating misplaced cell phones. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.  
         [0018]     Referring now to the  FIG. 1 , there is shown a somewhat schematic diagram of an environment  10  in which the subject methodology of the present disclosure can be implemented. The following discussion describes the structure of such an environment  10  but further discussion of the technology, applications program and data modules that embody the methodology of the present invention is described elsewhere herein. Although a simplified diagram is illustrated in  FIG. 1  such illustration shall not be construed as limiting the present invention to the illustrated embodiment.  
         [0019]     The environment  10  includes a distributed commmunication network  12  having any number of network systems well known to those skilled in the art. For example, distributed commmunication network  12  may be any combination of local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cell phone towers, satellites, traditional phone exchanges, a coaxial cable network and the like which may be publicly or privately held as is well known. In a preferred embodiment, the distributed communication network  12  is the Internet in combination with cell phone towers. The environment  10  also includes a plurality of servers (not shown) which communicate with clients  14  via the distributed commmunication network  12  over communication channels, whether wired or wireless, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. For simplicity, one personal computer or client  14  is shown. Servers execute software code, host Web sites and house multiple databases for the proper operation of the various business processes needed by the subject methodology and to support the other necessary services envisioned in the environment  10 . It will be recognized that the hardware of clients  14  and servers would often be interchangeable. However, the clients  14  for end user access can be relatively less powerful and, therefore, less expensive computers such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones and the like. Preferably, the client  14  has a display and an input device(s) as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. Clients  14  typically provide users with the ability to store, process and access data as well as accomplish activity as described as part of the subject methodology.  
         [0020]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a cell phone company  16  is in communication with the distributed commmunication network  12  and operates a plurality of antenna towers (not shown) to allow communication with a cell phone  18 . The cell phone  18  communicates through wireless technology as is well known and, for simplicity, only one of a plurality is shown. A service provider  22  is also connected to the environment  10  such that the service provider can communicate with the distributed commmunication network  12 , the client  14 , the cell phone company  16  and the cell phone  18  via cell towers. Although discussed herein largely as a separate entity, the service provider  22  could be fully incorporated into the cell phone company  16  rather than a stand alone entity. Traditional land-line phones, for simplicity represented as a single phone  20 , are also connected to the environment  10  and able to communicate with the various components.  
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a somewhat schematic diagram of a service provider  22  is illustrated. The service provider  22  has several business components for accomplishing the tasks associated with the subject methodology and otherwise. In particular, a sales system  24  creates a marketing campaign for the services provided. An important component of the marketing campaign is branding the products and services. The sales system  24  also is responsible for integrating the products and services into or with the marketing campaigns associated with the cell phone company  16 . Such integration includes programming the technology of the cell phone company  16  to track and update customer records and bill customers for services as provided.  
         [0022]     Another business component of the service provider  22  is a customer service and account system  26 . The customer service and account system  26  is responsible for recognizing use of the services provided and insuring that such usage is properly recorded in the customer records. As many customers may access the services by the Internet, the customer service and account system  26  creates and modifies the Web site as hosted by the Web site system  28 . The Web site allows interaction and participation in the subject processes by a plurality of users as described in more detail herein. It is envisioned that the Web site provides for administration and security maintenance. Therefore, although each user (e.g., users looking for cell phones, the cell phone company  16  and employees of the service provider  22 ) of the subject invention has access to a user interfac, each user&#39;s access is controlled. The user interface specifies which aspects can be accessed, and at what level in order to maintain compliance with technical electronic data interchange standards, system integrity and confidentiality restraints. Such limitations of functionality are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore not further described herein. Additionally, the Web site provides responses to frequently asked questions (FAQ), training routines and access to various other supporting technology. The service provider  22  also has a billing system  30  for tracking fees, generating invoices and administering collection. Still further, the service provider  22  has a voice mail system  32  for executing various steps needed to perform the subject methodology. It is envisioned that the voice mail system  32  also provides for administration and security maintenance.  
         [0023]     The flow charts herein illustrate the structure or the logic of the present invention as embodied in computer program software for execution on a computer, digital processor or microprocessor such as a client  14  and/or server in communication with cell phone  18 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flow charts illustrate the structures of the computer program code elements, including logic circuits on an integrated circuit, that function according to the present invention. As such, the present invention is practiced in its essential embodiment(s) by a machine component that renders the program code elements in a form that instructs a digital processing apparatus (e.g., computer) to perform a sequence of function step(s) corresponding to those shown in the flow diagrams.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a flowchart  300  depicting a process for locating a misplaced cell phone that has been left in vibrate mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In brief overview, for example, the process allows an authorized user of a misplaced cell phone  18  to use another telephone  20 , cellular or otherwise, to remotely access the settings of the cell phone  18  and transition one or more settings to a desired state or indicator mode to allow locating the cell phone  18 . The flowchart  300  is organized such that the actions under the heading of “CUSTOMER” are performed by the authorized user, the actions under the heading of “SERVICE PROVIDER  22 ” are performed by the service provider  22  and the actions under the heading of “MISSING CELL PHONE  18 ” are performed by the misplaced cell phone  18 .  
         [0025]     At step  302 , the user places a call to the misplaced cell phone  18  in a customary manner. It is envisioned that in order to have the service in this embodiment, the user has previously contracted with the service provider  22  and, as such, calls are routed through the service provider  22 . Accordingly, at step  304 , the call is relayed by the service provider  22  to the cell phone  18 . At step  306 , the call remains unanswered and control passes back to the service provider  22  such that voicemail is engaged. The service provider  22 , cell phone company  16  or like entity may actually provide the voicemail system. As the user listens to the voicemail request to leave a message at step  310 , a code can be entered to prompt usage of the phone locating service. For example, the code could be pressing “#” and “F”. Upon entry of the code, transfer of the call passes back to the service provider  22  at step  312 .  
         [0026]     At step  312 , the service provider  22  recognizes the request to locate the cell phone and requests authorization data from the user. Preferably, the authorization data is a personal identification number (PIN) selected by the user or otherwise assigned. When using a PIN set to access voice mail, the user does not need to remember additional information and the required programming is simplified as well. At step  314 , the user responds by keying in their PIN for subsequent verification by the service provider  22  at step  316 . Upon successful verification of the PIN for the specific cell phone  18 , the process  300  proceeds to step  318 . If the PIN verification process is unsuccessful, the process  300  may terminate or provide multiple requests for a correct PIN. At step  318 , the service provider  22  transmits a message to the cell phone  18 , through a browser of the cell phone  18 . At step  320 , the message directs the cell phone  18  to reset the ring tone from vibrate to ring, maximizes the volume and causes uninterrupted ringing until answered. As a result, the user has an audible signal to help located the cell phone  18  as referred to at step  322 .  
         [0027]     Alternatively, if the cell phone  18  is answered by someone other than the user, the user is able to request assistance in return of the cell phone  18 . In another embodiment, the cell phone  18  has a light that is activated to blink or remain on as a visual beacon as well. In still another embodiment, vibrate is turned on as well. In still a further embodiment, the cell phone  18  is directed to emit a continous tone or particular song until answered. Further, the cell phone  18  may simply be set to a soft ring tone that needs amplification to maximum. Such transition of the capabilities of the cell phone  18  to be more conspicuous and other variations are considered within the scope of an indicator mode as would be apparent upon review of the subject application.  
         [0028]     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , upon completion of providing the service to the user, the service provider  22  generates a message for the billing system  30  at step  324 . Upon receipt of the message, the billing system  30  generates an invoice to be paid by the user. The invoice may take the form of a predetermined periodic charge sent directly to the user or an additional per-use charge added to the invoice generated by the cell phone company  16 . The contractual fee may also be a single payment upon subscribing to a service plan and other variations as would be apparent upon review of the subject application.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a flowchart  400  depicting another process for locating a misplaced cell phone that has been left in vibrate mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In brief overview, for example, the process allows an authorized user of a misplaced cell phone  18  to use a client  14  to remotely access the settings of the cell phone  18  and transition one or more settings to a desired state to allow locating the cell phone  18 . The flowchart  400  is organized similarly to flowchart  300 .  
         [0030]     At step  402 , the user uses the client  14  to access the Web site hosted by the Web site system  28  of the service provider  22 . At step  404 , the Web site provides a plurality of options for the user. One of the options is utilizing the process described herein. At step  406 , the user selects the find lost cell phone service and control passes to step  408 . At step  408 , the service provider  22  recognizes the request and prompts the user for authorization data (e.g., the cell phone number and PIN). At step  410 , the user responds by providing the requested authorization data for subsequent verification by the service provider  22  at step  412 . Upon successful verification of the authorization data for the specific cell phone  18 , the process  400  proceeds to step  414 .  
         [0031]     At step  414 , the service provider  22  transmits a message to the cell phone  18  through a browser of the cell phone  18 . The message directs the cell phone  18  to reset the ring tone, maximize volume and ring continuously until answered. At step  416 , the cell phone  18  receives the message and begins ringing. As a result, the user has an audible signal to help locate the cell phone  18 . At step  418 , the user locates the cell phone  18  and stops the ringing by answering the call. In the event the phone is anwered by someone other than the user, a prerecorded message with instructions is played. The instructions may provide a contact telephone number, a Web site address, offer a reward and the like for returning the cell phone  18 . Upon completion of providing the service to the user, the service provider  22  generates a message for the billing system  30  at step  420 . Upon receipt of the message, the billing system  30  generates an invoice to be paid by the user.  
         [0032]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the environment  10  also includes a remote  34  associated with the cell phone  18 . The remote  34  is separate from the cell phone  18 . Preferably, the remote  34  is small enough to be carried on a key chain. When activated, the remote  34  sends a signal to the cell phone  18  that transitions the cell phone  18  to ring continously at maximum volume and/or other indicia to facilitate locating the cell phone  18 . In one embodiment, the remote  34  is sold as a set with the cell phone  18 . Alternatively, the remote  34  is purchased separately and configured to a desired cell phone and may be subsequently reconfigured for another phone. In still another embodiment, the remote  34  is programmable to selectively activate a plurality of cell phones.  
         [0033]     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art that the functions of several elements may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements, or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations than those described with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Also, functional elements (e.g., entities, components, interfaces, computers, servers and the like) shown as distinct for purposes of illustration may be incorporated within other functional elements in a particular implementation.  
         [0034]     While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.