Method and system for controllably and selectively securing a portable computing device to a physical holding device

• US 20060066438A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Penzias, Arno, Altounian, David
• Application Number:
  US10/951,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066438A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.530
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A method and system for controllably and selectively securing a portable computing device to a physical holding device includes a physical holding device for receiving a portable computing device. A locking mechanism locks the portable computing device to the physical holding device. A security application associates with the portable computing device for responding to an authorization input for generating an electronic locking mechanism control signal. An actuator mechanism responds to the electronic locking mechanism control signal to actuate the locking mechanism in locking the portable computing device to the physical holding device.

Claims

1. A system for controllably and selectively securing a portable computing device to a physical holding device, comprising:

a secured physical holding device for receiving a portable computing device;

a locking mechanism for locking the portable computing device to said physical holding device;

a security application associated with said portable computing device for responding to an authorization input for generating an electronic locking mechanism control signal; and

an actuator mechanism for responding to said electronic locking mechanism control signal to actuate said locking mechanism in locking the portable computing device to said physical holding device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device belongs to a set of associated portable computing devices and further wherein said actuation mechanism further comprises circuitry for associating the portable computing device with said set of portable computing devices for permitting the physical removal of more than one portable computing devices from said set of portable computing devices upon the receipt of an actuation signal from a master controlling computing device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said set of portable computing devices associates with a physical inventory application for accounting for the physical presence of each of said set of portable computing devices.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said set of portable computing devices associate with a physical inventory application for accounting for the physical presence of each of said set of portable computing devices.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said portable computing device comprises a tablet personal computer.

6. The system of claim 1, further wherein said system associates with a wall mount for receiving the portable computing device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint sensor for actuating said actuator mechanism.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a biometric sensor device for actuating said actuator mechanism.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal for actuating said actuator mechanism.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising circuitry for dynamically communicating authorized user data for actuating said actuator mechanism.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said authorized user data comprises a list of authorized users for actuating said actuator mechanism.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry for dynamically communicating and making effective alternative algorithms and security procedures for actuating said actuator mechanism.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said alternative algorithms comprise varying levels of authorization for actuating said actuator mechanism.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry for controlling actuation of said actuator mechanism according to a time measurement for providing an input to said security application.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising instructions associated with a dashboard control utility associated with an operating system for the portable computing device for controlling actuation settings for actuation of said actuator mechanism.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising instructions associated with said security application for tracking the location of said portable computing device.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising logging instructions associated with said security application for recording access attempts to the portable computing device.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for associating said security devices with a vehicle for controllable securing said portable computing device to said vehicle.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a biometric sensor for associating with said security application for actuating said actuator mechanism.

20. A method for controllably and selectively securing a portable computing device to a secured physical holding device, comprising the steps of:

receiving a portable computing device in a physical holding device;

locking the portable computing device to said physical holding device using a locking mechanism;

responding to an authorization input for generating an electronic locking mechanism control signal using a security application associated with said portable computing device; and

responding to said electronic locking mechanism control signal to actuate said locking mechanism in locking the portable computing device to said physical holding device using an actuator mechanism.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the portable computing device belongs to a set of associated portable computing devices and further comprising the step of associating the portable computing device with said set of portable computing devices for permitting the physical removal of more than one portable computing devices from said set of portable computing devices upon the receipt of an actuation signal from a master controlling computing device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of accounting for the physical presence of each of said set of portable computing devices.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of associating said set of portable computing devices with a physical inventory application for accounting for the physical presence of each of said set of portable computing devices.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of receiving a receive tablet computer in a wall mount device.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of actuating said actuator mechanism using a fingerprint sensor.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of receiving a wireless signal for actuating said actuator mechanism.

27. The method of claim 26, dynamically communicating authorized user data for actuating said actuator mechanism.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of dynamically communicating and making effective alternative algorithms and security procedures for actuating said actuator mechanism.

29. The method of claim 20, controlling actuation of said actuator mechanism according to a time measurement for providing an input to said security application.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of tracking the location of said portable computing device instructions using a tracking application associated with said security application.

31. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of recording access attempts to the portable computing device logging instructions associated with said security application.

32. The method of claim 20, further comprising means for associating said security devices with a vehicle for controllable securing said portable computing device to said vehicle.