Computer security alert system

• US 20040257219A1
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David M. Spiess Jr, Dwayne C. Bullock
• Original Assignee: David M. Spiess Jr, Dwayne C. Bullock
• Inventors: Bullock, Dwayne C., Spiess, David M. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/825,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257219A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for alerting a user of an occurrence on a computerized system, beginning with the recognition of any detectable occurrence on the computerized system. The detectable occurrence that initiates a communication of a signal to a communication port located on that computerized system. The port then routes the signal via a connection to an alarm-relay device, and this alarm-relay device designates the appropriate relay to initiate processes of an existing residential alarm system.

Claims

1. A method of alerting a user of an occurrence on a computerized system, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting said occurrence on said computerized system;

transmitting a signal indicative of said occurrence from said computerized system to an alarm-relay device; and

communicating said signal from said alarm-relay device to a residential alarm system.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said computerized system is a computerized system having a communication port, and wherein said signal is transmitted from said computerized system to said alarm-relay device via said communications port.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication port is taken from a group consisting of a serial port, a USB port, an infrared port, and a parallel port.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a personal computer system having the ability to detect said occurrence.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said occurrence is an alert that power to said personal computer system has been terminated or disrupted.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said occurrence is an alert that a virus has been detected.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said occurrence is an alert that critical heat levels have been reached.

8. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said occurrence is an alert that unauthorized use of computer programs has occurred.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a laptop computer system having the ability to detect said occurrence.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a copying machine having the ability to detect said occurrence.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said occurrence is an alert that toner is low.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said occurrence is an alert that a paper jam has occurred.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said occurrence is an alert that the paper drawer needs to be refilled.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a personal digital assistant having the ability to detect said occurrence.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a cell phone having the ability to detect said occurrence.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a printer having the ability to detect said occurrence.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is a firewall having the ability to detect said occurrence.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of sending a validation sequence to said alarm-relay device prior to said transmitting step.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein said validation sequence includes a key sequence.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal is transmitted over an attached cable.

21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal is transmitted over a wireless connection.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said communication of said signal from said alarm-relay device to an alarm system is not reliant upon an internet connection with a global computer network.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said alarm system is a conventional, residential security alarm system.

24. A method of alerting a user of an occurrence on a computerized system, said method comprising the steps of:

continuously transmitting a still-alive signal from a computerized system to an alarm-relay device on a pre-defined schedule; and

upon not receiving said still-alive signal from said computerized system according to said pre-defined schedule, communicating an alert signal from said alarm-relay device to a residential alarm system.

25. A method of alerting a user of an occurrence on a computerized system, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting said occurrence on said computerized system;

transmitting a signal indicative of said occurrence from said computerized system to an alarm-relay device; and

communicating said signal from said alarm-relay device to an alarm system, wherein said alarm-relay device does not communicate with either of the monitoring system and the alarm system by a computer network.

26. A method of alerting a user of an occurrence on a personal computer system, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting said occurrence on said personal computer system;

transmitting a signal indicative of said occurrence from said computerized system to an alarm-relay device via an attached cable;

communicating said signal from said alarm-relay device to an alarm system, wherein said alarm-relay device does not communicate with either of the monitoring system and the alarm system using the Internet; and

sending validation data from said personal computer system to said alarm-relay device prior to said transmitting step.