Patent ID: 7047426

Claim:
A method of communicating between a portable computing device and a host computer, the method comprising: storing a plurality of possible responsive actions that may be taken by the portable computing device in the event that the portable computing device is reported missing, the responsive actions being stored at a location accessible by the host computer and remote from the portable computing device; at the host computer, receiving from an interest holder in the portable computing device, a report indicating that the portable computing device is missing; at the host computer, in response to the report, registering the portable computing device as having a missing status; at the host computer, designating at least one responsive action, from the plurality of responsive actions, to be taken by the portable computing device upon registration of the missing status, wherein the designated responsive action includes retrieving data from the portable computing device; establishing contact between the portable computing device and the host computer via a communication network; and sending an instruction from the host computer to the portable computing device, instructing the portable computing device to take the responsive action; at the portable computing device, executing at least a portion of the designated responsive action.