Anti-theft and security system for computers

• US 20050073423A1
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walter Taehwan Kim
• Original Assignee: Walter Taehwan Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Walter Taehwan
• Granted Patent: US 7,135,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection

Abstract

A system is disclosed for preventing an unauthorized person from taking or using a portable computer. The anti-theft/security system includes a USB device having a motion sensor attached to a casing of a portable computer. The USB device is connected to a port of the portable computer using a connector. The anti-theft/security system also includes an alarm sub-system to cause an audible sound to be generated, which is triggered based on a signal generated by the motion sensor located inside the USB device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a device having a motion sensor to attach to a casing of a portable computer;

a flexible cable to couple between the device and a port of the portable computer; and

an alarm sub-system to cause an audible sound to be generated, wherein the audible sound is triggered based on a signal generated by the motion sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the port of the portable computer to which the device is connected is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes an enclosure which is non-removably attached to a top cover of the portable computer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes an enclosure which is permanently attached to a top cover of the portable computer using an adhesive material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is non-removably attached to the casing of the portable computer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a wireless receiver capable of receiving wireless signals.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the alarm sub-system is enabled and disabled based on a wireless signal received by the wireless receiver.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sub-system comprises an application executed in the computer, the application in communication with the device and causes a speaker in the computer to produce an audible alarm in response to the motion signal generated by the motion sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sub-system causes the audible sound to be generated if the device becomes disconnected from the computer while the alarm sub-system is enabled.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the device includes a sensor that scans fingerprints and the alarm sub-system is enabled and disabled based on fingerprint scan information.

11. The system of claim 6, further comprising a wireless remote control to enable and disable the alarm sub-system.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the wireless remote control is a wireless pointing device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sub-system is incorporated within the device, the alarm sub-system including a sound generator and a battery.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the alarm sub-system causes the audible alarm to be generated if the device is unplugged from the computer while the alarm sub-system is enabled.

15. A method comprising:

attaching a device having a motion sensor to a casing of a portable computer;

coupling the device to a port of the portable computer using a flexible cable; and

causing an audible sound to be generated based on a signal generated by the motion sensor to prevent unauthorized taking of the portable computer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein attaching the device comprises using an adhesive to non-removably attach a portion of the device to a top cover of the portable computer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the device is attached to the casing of the portable computer such that the device is incapable of being detached from the portable computer without damaging at least a portion of an enclosure of the device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein enabling an anti-theft system comprises using a wireless transmitter to communication with a wireless receiver incorporated within the device connected to the computer.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting movement of the device; and

generating the audible sound if the movement of the device is detected while an alarm sub-system is enabled.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

detecting if the device becomes disconnected or unplugged from the computer; and

generating the audible sound if the device becomes disconnected or unplugged while the alarm sub-system is enabled.