Theft prevention using location determination
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a functional unit;
a location determination device;
a local policy enforcement device coupled to the location determination device and the functional unit; and
a communication interface coupled to the local policy enforcement device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An appliance determines its location, and may determine whether it has moved a distance or to a location which does not meet a local policy guideline. It may notify a central agency of such move, and the central agency may determine whether the move does not meet a remote policy guideline. The central agency may notify law enforcement. The appliance or the central agency may require a re-authentication of the user, and may disable the appliance.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a functional unit;
a location determination device;
a local policy enforcement device coupled to the location determination device and the functional unit; and
a communication interface coupled to the local policy enforcement device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating an apparatus, the method comprising:
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determining a location of the apparatus;
checking whether the location complies with a local policy determined by the apparatus;
if the location complies with the local policy, enabling operation of the apparatus; and
if the location does not comply with the local policy, disabling operation of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of operating an apparatus, the method comprising:
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(A) performing authentication of an attempted user of the apparatus;
(B) if the user is determined to be not authorized to use the apparatus, (B.1) disabling the apparatus; and
(C) if the user is determined to be authorized to use the apparatus, (C.1) determining a location of the apparatus, (C.2) checking whether the location complies with a local policy administered by the apparatus, (C.3) if the location complies with the local policy, (C.3.a) enabling the apparatus, and (C.4) if the location does not comply with the local policy, (C.4.a) inquiring of an external agent whether the location complies with a remote policy administered by the external agent, (C.4.b) if the location complies with the remote policy, (C.4.b.1) enabling the apparatus, and (C.4.c) if the location does not comply with the remote policy, (C.4.c.1) disabling the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system comprising:
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a communication link an appliance including, a functional unit;
means for dis/enabling the functional unit;
a location determination device;
a local policy enforcement device coupled to the communication link, to the means for dis/enabling, and to the location determination device; and
a remote agent device including, a registry adapted to store information regarding the apparatus; and
a remote policy enforcement device coupled to the communication link and to the registry. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method comprising:
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an apparatus determining its location;
the apparatus determining whether the location complies with a local policy;
the location complies with the local policy, enabling the apparatus;
if the location does not comply with the local policy, a remote device determining whether the location complies with a remote policy;
if the location complies with the remote policy, enabling the apparatus, if the location does not comply with the remote policy, disabling the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. In an apparatus which includes a functional unit, an improvement comprising:
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means for disabling the functional unit;
means for identifying a location of the apparatus;
means for checking the location against a local policy, and for causing the means for disabling to enable the functional unit if the location complies with the local policy and for causing the means for disabling to disable the functional unit if the location does not comply with the local policy. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64)
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Specification