System and method for remotely initiating lost mode on a computing device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for remotely initiating lost mode on a computing device. A request that lost mode be initiated can include a message and contact information provided by the requesting user. Once authenticated, a command to initiate lost mode is sent to the lost device. Initiating lost mode includes locking the lost device and suppressing select functionality. The message and contact information are displayed and the lost device is enabled to contact the requesting user using the contact information. The lost device can also collect and transmit location data to the requesting user. The location data can be presented on a map indicating the lost devices location and the time the lost device was at the location. The location data can be scheduled to be resent to the user based on numerous factors such as a set schedule, rules or heuristic.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:
 receiving, at the computing device, a first authenticated command initiating a lost mode on the computing device, wherein the first authenticated command is authenticated using an account associated with the computing device and includes instructions setting a termination password on the computing device, the termination password defined by a requesting user on a requesting device to terminate the lost mode on the computing device;   in response to receiving the first authenticated command, initiating the lost mode on the computing device and setting the termination password on the computing device;   responsive to the initiating the lost mode, locking the computing device and suppressing select functionality of the locked computing device;   responsive to the initiating the lost mode, locking the computing device and suppressing select functionality of the locked computing device;   transmitting, to a server computer, first location data identifying a first geographic location of the locked computing device and including a time at which the locked computing device was at the first geographic location;   determining that a first condition has been satisfied, wherein the first condition is at least one condition in a set of conditions and the set of conditions include that a predetermined amount of time has passed since the time at which the locked computing device was at the first geographic location;   responsive to the determining that the first condition has been satisfied, transmitting, to the server computer, second location data identifying a second geographical location of the locked computing device and including a time at which the locked computing device was at the second geographic location;   receiving, at the locked computing device, a second authenticated command to remotely unlock the computing device, wherein the second authenticated command is authenticated using the account associated with the computing device; and   upon receipt of the second authenticated command at the locked computing device, terminating the lost mode on the locked computing device, unlocking the locked computing device, and restoring the select functionality.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 1 , wherein the second authenticated command is authenticated prior to being sent. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 1 , the operations further comprising:
 presenting, at the locked computing device, a prompt for the termination password to be entered;   receiving, at the locked computing device, input of the termination password; and   upon receipt of the termination password at the locked computing device, terminating the lost mode on the computing device, unlocking the locked computing device, and restoring the select functionality.   
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 1 , the operations further comprising:
 determining an amount of time lapsed after transmission of the second location data; and   transmitting, to the requesting device, third location data identifying a third geographical location of the locked computing device and including a time at which the locked computing device was at the third geographic location.   
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 1 , wherein the first authenticated command includes a message, initiating the lost mode includes displaying the message on the locked computing device, and the message is configured to enable the locked computing device to contact the requesting device. 
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 5 , the operations further comprising displaying a user interface element to enable the locked computing device to initiate an outbound call to a number indicated by the message. 
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 1 , wherein suppressing select functionality of the locked computing device includes suppressing functionality to turn off the locked computing device. 
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in  claim 1 , the instructions cause the locked computing device, while in lost mode, to perform operations to preserve battery life of the locked computing device. 
     
     
         9 . A computing device comprising:
 a positioning system;   a wireless transceiver;   one or more processors coupled to the positioning system and the wireless transceiver;   memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to store instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to:
 receive, at the computing device, a first authenticated command to initiate a lost mode on the computing device, wherein the first authenticated command is authenticated via an account associated with the computing device and includes instructions setting a termination password on the computing device, the termination password defined by a requesting user on a requesting device to terminate the lost mode on the computing device; 
 in response to receipt of the first authenticated command, initiate the lost mode on the computing device and set the termination password on the computing device; 
 responsive to initiation of the lost mode, lock the computing device and suppress select functionality of the locked computing device; 
 transmit, to a server computer, first location data to identify a first geographic location of the locked computing device, the first location data including a time at which the locked computing device was at the first geographic location; 
 determine that a first condition has been satisfied, wherein the first condition is at least one condition in a set of conditions and the set of conditions include that a predetermined amount of time has passed since the time at which the locked computing device was at the first geographic location; 
 responsive to determination that the first condition has been satisfied, transmit, to the server computer, second location data to identify a second geographical location of the locked computing device, wherein the second location data includes a time at which the locked computing device was at the second geographic location; 
 receive, at the locked computing device, a second authenticated command to remotely unlock the computing device, wherein the second authenticated command is authenticated using the account associated with the computing device; and 
 upon receipt of the second authenticated command at the locked computing device, terminate the lost mode on the locked computing device, unlock the locked computing device, and restore the select functionality. 
   
     
     
         10 . The computing device as in  claim 9 , wherein the second authenticated command is authenticated prior to being sent. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device as in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are additionally to:
 present, at the locked computing device, a prompt for the termination password to be entered;   receive, at the locked computing device, input of the termination password; and   upon receipt of the termination password at the locked computing device, terminate the lost mode on the computing device, unlock the locked computing device, and restore the select functionality.   
     
     
         12 . The computing device as in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are additionally to:
 determine an amount of time lapsed after transmission of the second location data; and   transmit, to the requesting device, third location data to identify a third geographical location of the locked computing device, wherein the third location data includes a time at which the locked computing device was at the third geographic location.   
     
     
         13 . The computing device as in  claim 9 , wherein the first authenticated command includes a message, initiation of the lost mode includes to display the message on the locked computing device, and the message is configured to enable the locked computing device to contact the requesting device. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device as in  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are additionally to display a user interface element to enable the locked computing device to initiate an outbound call to a number indicated by the message. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device as in  claim 9 , wherein to suppress select functionality of the locked computing device includes to suppress functionality to turn off the locked computing device and, while in lost mode, the computing device is to perform operations to preserve battery life of the locked computing device. 
     
     
         16 . A computer implemented method, comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device, a first authenticated command initiating a lost mode on the computing device, wherein the first authenticated command is authenticated using an account associated with the computing device and includes instructions setting a termination password on the computing device, the termination password defined by a requesting user on a requesting device to terminate the lost mode on the computing device;   in response to receiving the first authenticated command, initiating the lost mode on the computing device and setting the termination password on the computing device;   responsive to the initiating the lost mode, locking the computing device and suppressing select functionality of the locked computing device;   transmitting, to a server computer, first location data identifying a first geographic location of the locked computing device and including a time at which the locked computing device was at the first geographic location;   determining that a first condition has been satisfied, wherein the first condition is at least one condition in a set of conditions and the set of conditions include that a predetermined amount of time has passed since the time at which the locked computing device was at the first geographic location;   responsive to the determining that the first condition has been satisfied, transmitting, to the server computer, second location data identifying a second geographical location of the locked computing device and including a time at which the locked computing device was at the second geographic location;   receiving, at the locked computing device, a second authenticated command to remotely unlock the computing device, wherein the second authenticated command is authenticated using the account associated with the computing device and is authenticated prior to being sent; and   upon receipt of the second authenticated command at the locked computing device, terminating the lost mode on the locked computing device, unlocking the locked computing device, and restoring the select functionality.   
     
     
         17 . The computer implemented method as in  claim 16 , additionally comprising:
 presenting, at the locked computing device, a prompt for the termination password to be entered;   receiving, at the locked computing device, input of the termination password; and   upon receipt of the termination password at the locked computing device, terminating the lost mode on the computing device, unlocking the locked computing device, and restoring the select functionality of the unlocked computing device.   
     
     
         18 . The computer implemented method as in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 determining an amount of time lapsed after transmission of the second location data; and   transmitting, to the requesting device, third location data identifying a third geographical location of the locked computing device and including a time at which the locked computing device was at the third geographic location.   
     
     
         19 . The computer implemented method as in  claim 16 , wherein the first authenticated command includes a message, initiating the lost mode includes displaying the message on the locked computing device, the message is configured to enable the locked computing device to contact the requesting device, and additionally comprising displaying a user interface element to enable the locked computing device to initiate an outbound call to a number indicated by the message. 
     
     
         20 . The computer implemented method as in  claim 16 , wherein suppressing select functionality of the locked computing device includes suppressing functionality to turn off the locked computing device and the locked computing device, while in lost mode, is to perform operations to preserve battery life of the locked computing device.