Method and apparatus for surreptitiously triggering the collection of data from a lost wireless communications device equipped with audio and/or video collection means

摘要

A method for locating a wireless communications device WCD ( 102 ). The method includes the step of receiving at the WCD ( 102 ) a wireless transmission comprising a first auto-location trigger signal. The WCD ( 102 ), responsive to the first auto-location trigger signal, operates in an auto-location mode. The auto-location mode includes the automatic collection and communication of predetermined first data, such as audio, video, and GPS location data. After the automatic collection and communication step of the first data is complete, the WCD ( 102 ) enters into a standby mode. The standby mode continues until a state detection device ( 206 ) of the WCD ( 102 ) detects a change in the state of the WCD ( 102 ). These changes in state are exclusive of the wireless transmission comprising the first auto-location trigger signal. The change(s) in state produce a second auto-location trigger signal, which causes the automatic collection and communication of a second data that is the same or similar to the first data.