Method for Disabling a Mobile Device
AssigneeSony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
InventorsTom Gajdos, Martin Kretz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for disabling a mobile device (1) having communication capabilities. A message comprising disabling data for disabling at least one functionality of the mobile device (1) is transmitted from a control center (2) to the mobile device (1). The disabling data comprises data for altering program instructions for at least one functionality of the mobile device (1), thereby disabling said functionality. A mobile device (1) and a control center (20) are configured for implementing the methods.
Claims31
A method for disabling at least one functionality of a mobile device (1) having communication capabilities and program instructions for said functionality, comprising:
- receiving a message from a remote communication device (20) by means of the mobile device (1), said message including disabling data for disabling said at least one functionality;
- characterized by
- altering at least a portion of said program instructions for said at least one functionality based on said disabling data and thereby disabling said functionality, whereby the disabling data includes data for altering said program instructions for said at least one functionality.
The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the disabling data comprises an identity tag, the method comprising storing the identity tag in a memory (130).
A mobile device (1) comprising,
- a memory (130) having program instructions for at least one functionality,
- a receiver (100) for receiving a message from a remote communication device (20), the message comprising disabling data for disabling said at least one functionality;
- characterized by
- an updating unit (120) for updating at least a portion of the program instructions based on the disabling data and thereby disabling said functionality, whereby the disabling data comprises data for altering the program instructions.
A method for remotely disabling at least one functionality of a mobile device (1) having communication capabilities and program instructions for said functionality, comprising
- generating a message comprising disabling data for disabling at least one functionality of the mobile device (1);
- characterized by
- transmitting the message to the mobile device from a control center (20), whereby the disabling data comprises data for disabling at least a portion of the program instructions.
A control device (20) for remotely disabling at least one functionality of a mobile device (1) having communication capabilities and program instructions for said functionality, comprising
- a controller (180) for generating a message including disabling data for disabling at least one functionality of the mobile device (1);
- and
- characterized by
- a communication unit (160) for transmitting the message to the mobile device (1), whereby the disabling data includes data for disabling at least a portion of the program instructions;
- and
- the controller (180) comprises means for, during operation, incorporating the disabling data into the message.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.