Patent ID: 8190125

Claim:
A method for detecting a missing handheld, cellular device, comprising: establishing a connection between a handheld cellular device and a portable base module, the portable base module comprising an object attached to a user of the handheld cellular device; detecting whether a distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection; in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, switching the handheld cellular device from an operational mode to a missing phone mode, the operational mode enabling regular function of the handheld cellular device, and the missing phone mode restricting the regular function of the handheld cellular device; in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering an audible alarm through the portable base module; in response to detecting that the distance between the handheld cellular device and the portable base module exceeds the distance threshold, triggering a second audible alarm on the handheld cellular device; rerouting, by way of a cellular network, communications initiated from he handheld cellular device to a remote service provider, the communications originally intended for a recipient; upon rerouting the communications initiated from the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider, receiving, by way of the cellular network, an informational communication from the remote service provider; and outputting the informational communication on the handheld cellular device, the informational communication including instructions for returning the handheld cellular device to the remote service provider.