Anti-theft device for mobile electronic devices

• US 20050114695A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Landto, Rudiger
• Application Number:
  US10/966,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20050114695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data

Abstract

A method for protecting mobile electronic devices, such as personal computers or mobile PDAs, against theft or unauthorized use by using a time-switch device. In addition to the conventional log-in protection with a password, operation of the electronic device is blocked by a time-switch device after a defined time period has elapsed. The time-switch device can only be unblocked and the time period reset with manual presentation of a unique identification means which releases the electronic device for further operation.

Claims

1. A method for protecting portable electronic devices, such as personal computers or PDAs, against theft or unauthorized use by using a time-switch device, comprising:

enabling operation of a particular electronic device during a defined time period of duration T,

after the defined time period T has elapsed, automatically blocking operation of the electronic device by the time-switch device, and

unblocking the electronic device for further operation only when a unique identification means valid for said particular electronic device is manually presented.

2. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the time-switch device is integrated in the BIOS of the electronic device.

3. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the time-switch device is integrated in the power supply of the electronic device.

4. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the time-switch device is integrated in the operating system software of the electronic device.

5. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the unique identification means for unblocking the electronic device can only be updated when the electronic device is unblocked and with presentation of the unique identification means valid therefore.

6. The method according to claim 1,

wherein after presentation of a defined number of incorrect or invalid uses of unique identification means a further time-switch device is activated which blocks the electronic device and any further request for entry of a unique identification means for a defined time period.

7. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the unique identification means is a password.

8. The method according to claim 7,

wherein a current password can only be updated when the electronic device is unblocked and with knowledge of the current password.

9. The method according to claim 7,

wherein, after presentation of a defined number of incorrect password entries, a further time-switch device is activated which blocks interrogation of the electronic device and the password for a defined time period.

10. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the operating time of the electronic device is used as the defined time period.

11. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the date and time of a specific time zone is used as the defined time period.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defined time period of the time-switch device is reset by the unique identification means.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the defined time period to which said time-switch device is reset has a duration T.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particular portable device is loaned by its owner to a user, and wherein the method includes the retention by the owner of the unique identification means valid therefor without conveying it to the user.