Electronic apparatus including a device for preventing loss or theft

• US 20010052846A1
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Published: 12/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stripe, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Jespersen, Hans Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 6,577,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0216 Alarm cancellation after generation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength

Abstract

A mobile telephone includes a control device, which comprises a receiver to receive an enabling signal and a controller to enable operation of the mobile telephone in dependence upon the enabling signal. An active badge transmits the enabling signal. If the telephone and the badge are separated and the mobile telephone is no longer able to receive the enabling signal, then the controller disables the mobile telephone.

Claims

1. A communication unit including a device for preventing loss or theft, the device configured to receive and assess an enabling signal from an external source and to control operation of the electronic apparatus in dependence upon said assessment, said device being configured to measure the strength of the enabling signal and to examine an identity information included in said enabling signal, further being configured to trigger a first alarm if the signal strength is below a first predetermined level characterised in that the device is further configured to trigger a second alarm if the signal strength is below a second predetermined level.

2. A communication unit according to

claim 1

characterised in that the device is configured to disable operation of the communication unit.

3. A communication unit according to

claim 1

or

2

characterised in that the device is configured to receive a personal identification number.

4. A communication unit according to

claim 3

characterised in that the device is configured to enable operation of the communication unit if the personal identification number is received.

5. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 1

to

4

characterised in that it is configured to receive the enabling signal within a defined timeslot.

6. A communication unit according to any preceding claim characterised in that the device is configured to perform a first test on information relating to the enabling signal.

18. A communication unit according to any preceding claim characterised in that the operation of said communication unit includes operation of all functions of said communication unit.

19. A communication unit according to any preceding claim characterised in that it comprises a data processing unit.

7. A communication unit according to 6 characterised in that the device is configured to perform a second test on information relating to the enabling signal.

8. A communication unit according to

claim 7

characterised in that the device is configured to report the result of said first and second test.

9. A communication unit according to

claim 8

characterised in that said report of said first test or said second test comprises an audible alarm.

10. A communication unit according to

claim 8

or

9

characterised in that said report of said first test or said second test comprises a visual alarm.

11. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 7

to

10

characterised in that it is configured to be disabled in response to said second test.

12. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 7

to

10

characterised in that it is configured to receive a personal identification number in response to said second test.

13. A communication unit according to

claim 12

characterised in that it is configured to perform a test on said personal identification number.

14. A communication unit according to

claim 13

characterised in that it is configured to enable operation of itself in dependence upon the result of said test on said personal identification number.

15. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 7

to

10

characterised in that the device is configured to receive a personal identification number in response to said second test.

16. A communication unit according to

claim 15

characterised in that the device is configured to perform a test on said personal identification number.

17. A communication unit according to

claim 16

characterised in that the device is configured to enable operation of the communication unit in dependence upon the result of said test on said personal identification number.

20. A communication unit configured for preventing loss or theft, the device configured to receive and assess an enabling signal from an external source and to control operation of the electronic apparatus in dependence said assessment characterised in that the unit comprise a first control device configured to transmit an enabling signal and a second control device configured to receive and assess the enabling signal and to control operation of the communication unit in dependence upon the proximity of the first control device.

21. A communication unit according to

claim 20

characterised in that the first device comprises a radio frequency tag.

22. A communication unit according to

claim 20

characterised in that the first device comprises a Bluetooth chip.

23. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 20

to

22

characterised in that the first device is incorporated in a smart card.

24. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 20

to

22

characterised in that the first device is incorporated within a badge.

25. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 20

to

22

characterised in that the first device is incorporated in an item of jewellery.

26. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 20

to

23

characterised in that the first device is incorporated in an article of clothing.

27. A communication unit according to any one of

claims 20

to

23

characterised in that the first device is incorporated in an item of personal property.

28. A device according to

claim 27

characterised in that the communication unit is a mobile telephone.

29. A device according to

claim 27

characterised in that the communication unit is a computer.

30. A system for preventing loss or theft of communication unit, the system comprising:

a communication unit;

a first control device configured to transmit an enabling signal and

a second control device configured to receive and assess the enabling signal and to control operation of the communication unit in dependence upon said assessment.

31. A method of preventing loss or theft, the method comprising:

transmitting an enabling signal and

receiving and assessing the enabling signal and

controlling operation of the communication unit in dependence upon the assessment.

32. A computer program to be loaded on data processing apparatus to control operation of a communication unit so as to prevent loss or theft, such that the data processing apparatus receives information relating to an enabling signal received from an external source, assesses said information and controls operation of the communication unit in dependence upon said assessment.