Computer security system

• US 20060005264A1
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: XGI Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: XGI Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Peng-Hua, Chen, Hunter, Lin, H.M. Chris
• Application Number:
  US10/866,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20060005264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS

Abstract

A computer security system for protecting a portable computer unit such as personal computers, laptops and PDAs from being taken away or moved by anyone other than the owner when such computer units are being used in the public, comprising a control unit, a motion detector and an alarm device, wherein the motion detector detects any unauthorized movement of the portable computer and generates a motion signal to the control unit. The control unit, which connects to the portable computer unit, activates the alarm device when a motion signal is received from the motion detector, such that an alert signal is produced by the alarm device to scare away anyone who wishes to steal or move the computer and to alert the owner and people around the portable computer unit when the portable computer unit is moved in an unauthorized manner.

Claims

1. A computer security system for a portable computer unit, comprising:

a control unit adapted for communicatively connecting with the portable computer unit;

a motion detector, electrically connected to said control unit, generates a motion signal to said control unit in response to a motion of said portable computer unit; and

an alarm device, electrically connected with said control unit, being activated to generate an alert signal when said control unit receives said motion signal from said motion detector for actively attracting attention, so as to safeguard said portable computer unit against unauthorized movement thereof.

2. The computer security system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a locking controller which is electrically connected to said alarm device and comprises a universal connector for adapting with said portable computer unit and an activating device activating said alarm device to generate said alert signal when said universal connector is disconnected with respect to said portable computer unit in an unauthorized manner.

3. The computer security system, as recited in claim 2, wherein the computer security system is integrally formed in said portable computer unit so as to provide a security system that is permanently installed in said portable computer unit.

4. The computer security system, as recited in claim 2, further comprising a portable compact housing receiving said control unit, motion detector, and said alarm device therein such that said compact housing forms as an external casing for detachably connecting said motion detector with said portable computer unit so as to enhance a portability and applicability of said computer security system.

5. The computer security system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said motion detector comprises a motion relay having a preset motion intensity arranged in such a manner that said alarm device is activated by said control unit to generate said alert signal when a motion intensity of said motion of said portable computer unit is greater than said preset motion intensity.

6. The computer security system, as recited in claim 4, wherein said motion detector comprises a motion relay having a preset motion intensity arranged in such a manner that said alarm device is activated by said control unit to generate said alert signal when a motion intensity of said motion of said portable computer unit is greater than said preset motion intensity.

7. The computer security system, as recited in claim 6, wherein said preset motion intensity is preset by a user so as to allow said control unit to tolerate said motion of said motion intensity less than said preset motion intensity.

8. The computer security system, as recited in claim 7, wherein said locking controller further comprises a deactivating device deactivating said computer security system and said alarm device.

9. The computer security system, as recited in claim 8, wherein said deactivating device is a preset password inputted to said control unit of said computer security system, wherein said preset password is preset by said user.

10. The computer security system, as recited in claim 9, wherein said activating device is in a removable memory.

11. The computer security system, as recited in claim 4, wherein a plurality of keys are provided on said interaction surface of said portable compact housing, wherein each of said keys is electrically connected to said control unit allowing said user to control said control unit, as well as input said preset password.

12. The computer security system, as recited in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary power electrically connected to said motion detector and said alarm device, forming a complete circuit to provide a power required by said computer security system when said portable computer is turned off.

13. The computer security system, as recited in claim 12, wherein said auxiliary power comprises a battery compartment for receiving a battery.

14. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said motion detector comprises a mercury switch.

15. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said motion detector comprises an ambient light sensor.

16. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said motion detector comprises a digital camera.

17. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said motion detector comprises an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic receiver.

18. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said alarm device comprises a light emitting diode generating a lighting effect as said alert signal.

19. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said alarm device comprises a speaker to generate an audio signal as said alert signal.

20. The computer security system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said alarm device comprises a wireless communication unit electrically connected with said control unit, wherein said wireless communication unit is activated for wirelessly sending a communication signal when said control unit receives said motion signal from said motion detector.

21. The computer security system, as recited in claim 1, further comprises a remote controller controlling said motion detector, wherein said remote controller comprises a signal emitter adapted for emitting a remote control signal, wherein said motion detector further comprises a signal receiver adapted for receiving said remote control signal emitted by said signal emitter.

22. The computer security system, as recited in claim 20, further comprises a remote controller controlling said motion detector, wherein said remote controller comprises a signal emitter adapted for emitting a remote control signal, wherein said motion detector further comprises a signal receiver adapted for receiving said remote control signal emitted by said signal emitter.

23. A method for actively protecting a portable computer unit by a computer security system comprises a control unit, a motion detector and an alarm device, comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting a movement of the portable computer unit by the motion detector;

(b) generating a motion signal by the motion detector when said movement of the portable computer unit is detected;

(c) receiving said motion signal by the control unit; and

(d) activating the alarm device to generate an alert signal by the control unit.

24. The method, as recited in claim 23, further comprises the steps of:

(e) connecting the security system to the portable computer unit; and

(f) locking the security system to the portable computer unit by a locking controller having an activating device and a deactivating device, in such a manner that when the security system is detached from the portable computer unit in an unauthorized manner, said activating device activates the alarm device to generate said alert signal.

25. The method, as recited in claim 23, further comprises a step of:

(g) deactivating the alarm device by said deactivating device.

26. The method, as recited in claim 25, wherein said step (f) and said step (g) is controlled by a remote controller.

27. The method, as recited in claim 26, wherein said step (f) further comprises the steps of:

(f1) personalizing said deactivating device by providing a preset password.

28. The method, as recited in claim 27, wherein said step (g) is inputting said preset password to said deactivating device.