Abstract: A system is provided including a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that causes a mobile device to store client states indicating statuses of mobile device functional components. Each client state corresponds to a functional component. A client digest of the client state is stored. A server digest corresponding to a server state and the client digest is received from a server. The server state indicates a status of a mobile device functional component. The server digest is compared with the client digest. A state request is transmitted to the server responsive to a determination of a difference between the server digest and client digest. The server state is received from the server. The functional component is enabled or disabled as indicated by the server state. The server state and digest are stored as the client state and digest respectively. Methods for control of mobile device functional components are also provided.

Abstract: A processor-implemented system for automatically controlling the functionality of a mobile device of a driver while driving so as to reduce driving distractions related to the mobile device. The system detects driving and automatically enters a driving mode when driving is detected. The driving mode implements an alternate user interface (UI) that limits interactions with the mobile device in accord with predetermined restrictions. The driving mode can be configured to automatically screen incoming calls and texts while suppressing potentially-distracting notifications. The system implements a PIN-based mechanism that ensures user compliance while enabling an opt-out feature usable under controlled circumstances.

Abstract: A system is provided including a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that causes a mobile device to store client states indicating statuses of mobile device functional components. Each client state corresponds to a functional component. A client digest of the client state is stored. A server digest corresponding to a server state and the client digest is received from a server. The server state indicates a status of a mobile device functional component. The server digest is compared with the client digest. A state request is transmitted to the server responsive to a determination of a difference between the server digest and client digest. The server state is received from the server. The functional component is enabled or disabled as indicated by the server state. The server state and digest are stored as the client state and digest respectively. Methods for control of mobile device functional components are also provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided including establishing a value corresponding to a particular user of a device, receiving an indication of a triggering condition of the particular user of the device, the triggering condition being enabled by the device or measurable by the device, and determining the triggering condition has been met by the user via the device. The method further includes modifying the value responsive to determining the triggering condition has been met, determining when the value crosses a particular threshold, and disabling an application or a functional component of the device responsive to the value crossing the particular threshold. A system for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling device use is provided. The method includes receiving from a first user an indication of at least one geographic area. Location information of a second user corresponding to a mobile device is received. The location information of the second user and the at least one geographic area are compared, and at least one of an application on the mobile device and a functional component of the mobile device are enabled based on the comparison of the location information of the second user and the at least one geographic area. A computing system for enabling device use is also provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided including establishing a value corresponding to a particular user of a device, receiving an indication of a triggering condition of the particular user of the device, the triggering condition being enabled by the device or measurable by the device, and determining the triggering condition has been met by the user via the device. The method further includes modifying the value responsive to determining the triggering condition has been met, determining when the value crosses a particular threshold, and disabling an application or a functional component of the device responsive to the value crossing the particular threshold. A system for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving from an application program a request for a permission to access the protected resource, and receiving from a source external to the mobile device an authentication of the application program. An authorization to provide the permission to access the protected resource is received and permission to access the protected resource is provided to the application program in response to receiving the authorization. Data produced by the protected resource is cryptographically signed, and a notification is generated in response to at least one of the application program requesting the permission to access the protected resource and the application program accessing the protected resource. A system for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is further provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing an alert regarding mobile device location is provided. The method includes obtaining location data corresponding to locations of a mobile device over a period of time. A location pattern is determined based on the location data. The current location of the mobile device is detected at a time based on the determined pattern, and an alert is provided regarding the current location of the mobile device. A system for providing alerts regarding mobile device location is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for reporting mobile device usage activity. The method includes monitoring location data and/or sensor data of a particular mobile device corresponding to a particular user and monitoring usage activity occurring on the particular mobile device, the usage activity including voice communication, electronic messaging, and application usage. A processor determines whether the particular mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle based on the location data and/or the sensor data. It is further determined whether the usage activity occurs while the particular mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle. A report is generated and provided indicating whether the usage activity occurs while the particular mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A method for classifying use of a mobile device is provided. The method includes defining a list of telephone numbers, area codes, states, countries or geographic designations and detecting a plurality of communications to the mobile device or from the mobile device. The method further includes determining which of the plurality communications correspond to the list, classifying the plurality of communications into a classification based on whether they correspond to the list, and reporting the classifying of the plurality of communications.

Abstract: A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing an alert regarding mobile device location is provided. The method includes obtaining location data corresponding to locations of a mobile device over a period of time. A location pattern is determined based on the location data. The current location of the mobile device is detected at a time based on the determined pattern, and an alert is provided regarding the current location of the mobile device. A system for providing alerts regarding mobile device location is also provided.

Abstract: A processor-implemented system for automatically controlling the functionality of a mobile device of a driver while driving so as to reduce driving distractions related to the mobile device. The system detects driving and automatically enters a driving mode when driving is detected. The driving mode implements an alternate user interface (UI) that limits interactions with the mobile device in accord with predetermined restrictions. The driving mode can be configured to automatically screen incoming calls and texts while suppressing potentially-distracting notifications. The system implements a PIN-based mechanism that ensures user compliance while enabling an opt-out feature usable under controlled circumstances.

Abstract: A system and method for reporting mobile device usage activity. The method includes monitoring location data and/or sensor data of a particular mobile device corresponding to a particular user and monitoring usage activity occurring on the particular mobile device, the usage activity including voice communication, electronic messaging, and application usage. A processor determines whether the particular mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle based on the location data and/or the sensor data. It is further determined whether the usage activity occurs while the particular mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle. A report is generated and provided indicating whether the usage activity occurs while the particular mobile device is operating in a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing controls corresponding to a particular mobile device. The method includes receiving from a first party corresponding to the particular mobile device a designation of a second party and receiving control instructions from the second party. A particular geographic area and/or a particular time frame is associated with the second party. A processor alternately delegates one or more device controls of the particular mobile device from the first party to the second party based on a current location of the particular mobile device relative to the particular geographic area and/or a current time relative to the particular time frame. The control instructions received from the second party are applied when the one or more device controls are delegated to the second party.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing an alert regarding mobile device location is provided. The method includes obtaining location data corresponding to locations of a mobile device over a period of time. A location pattern is determined based on the location data. The current location of the mobile device is detected at a time based on the determined pattern, and an alert is provided regarding the current location of the mobile device. A system for providing alerts regarding mobile device location is also provided.

Abstract: A method for implementation by a network-connectable computing system is provided. The method includes receiving an indication of a service corresponding to a mobile device, the indication based on a user action, and transmitting at least one message to the mobile device responsive to the indication of the service. The at least one message includes an instruction for a particular application corresponding to the service to provide a status of the particular application and an instruction for a user of the mobile device to initiate contact with a network resource to access data corresponding to the particular application. Further provided is a system for managing client application enablement and operation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mobile device locating method is provided. The method includes determining a current cell sector of a mobile device and comparing the current cell sector with a cell sector list of previously determined cell sectors. A current location of the mobile device is determined if the current cell sector is not listed in the cell sector list. The current location is compared with a last determined location. The current cell sector is added to the cell sector list if the current location is substantially the same as the last determined location. The cell sector list is cleared if the current location is not substantially the same as the last determined location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user contribution method is provided. The method includes retrieving event data posted by a plurality of users related to a first user, the event data including indications of at least one geographic area. The event data is compared with predetermined trigger data. A quality value of the at least one geographic area is determined based on the comparison of the event data with predetermined trigger data, and an indication of the quality value of the at least one geographic area is transmitted to a second user. A user contribution based mapping system is further provided.