System and method for remotely controlling mobile communication devices

Abstract

A system for remotely controlling mobile communication devices includes a redirection system, a remote control system and a mobile data communication device. The redirection system detects a triggering event at a host system and in response to the triggering event continuously redirects data items from the host system to a wireless network. The mobile data communication device receives data items from the wireless network and executes a plurality of device operations. The remote control system receives control information from a user interface and transmits the control information through the redirection system to the wireless network. The control information is received and executed by the mobile data communication device to remotely control one or more of the device operations. Methods of controlling the operation of mobile data communication devices are also disclosed.

1 . A device comprising:
 one or more processors;   one or more memory devices; and   control message processing software stored on the one or more memory devices and executable by the one or more processors, wherein, when executed, the control message processing software being configured to:
 receive electronic messaging data; and 
 in response to receiving a control message, execute a specified control operation, the specified control operation including a disable request that disables at least one functionality on the device, and return an error message if the device could not properly execute the disable request. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control processing software is further configured to receive a re-enable instruction that causes the device to re-enable operation of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control processing software is further configured to authenticate the received control message. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein prior to disabling the at least one functionality on the device, the control processing software is further configured to transmit a confirmation message, the confirmation message indicating that the control message was received. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic messaging data is received from a server. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the specified control operation further includes a deletion request that deletes data stored on the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the control processing software is further configured to, in response to receiving a control message, return a second error message if the device could not properly execute the deletion request. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a device, electronic messaging data; and   in response to receiving a control message, executing, by the device, a specified control operation, the specified control operation including a disable request that disables at least one functionality on the device, and returning an error message if the device could not properly execute the disable request   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving, by the device, a re-enable instruction that causes the device to re-enable operation of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, authenticating, by the device, the received control message. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising transmitting, by the device, a confirmation message prior to disabling the at least one functionality on the device, the confirmation message indicating that the control message was received. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electronic messaging data is received from a server. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the specified control operation further includes a deletion request that deletes data stored on the device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the disable request disables all functionality on the device. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer executable instructions comprising instructions for:
 receiving electronic messaging data; and   in response to receiving a control message, executing a specified control operation, the specified control operation including a disable request that disables at least one functionality on a device, and returning an error message if the device could not properly execute the disable request.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer executable instructions further comprise instructions for receiving a re-enable instruction that causes the device to re-enable operation of the device. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer executable instructions further comprise instructions for authenticating the received control message. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the computer executable instructions further comprise instructions for transmitting a confirmation message, the confirmation message indicating that the control message was received. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic messaging data is received from a server. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the specified control operation further includes a deletion request that deletes data stored on the device.