Method of safeguarding electronic devices

• US 20060125634A1
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Schreyer, Oliver
• Application Number:
  US10/559,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125634A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection

Abstract

A method is described of safeguarding electronic devices (1, 2, 3, 4) against unauthorized removal, in which one device (1) of the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) is automatically selected as the security device (SG) which transmits a security signal (SS) periodically and/or following receipt of an inquiry signal (RS) from one of the other devices (2, 3, 4). If one of the other devices (2, 3, 4) receives no security signal (SS) after a particular time and/or following transmission of an inquiry signal (RS), a security reaction is triggered by that device (2, 3, 4). A corresponding security system and an electronic device which can be safeguarded in said security system are also described.

Claims

1. A method of safeguarding at least two electronic devices (1, 2, 3, 4) against unauthorized removal, in which:

at least a first device (1) is automatically selected as the security device (SG) from among the devices (1, 2, 3, 4), which device transmits a security signal (SS) periodically and/or after receipt of an inquiry signal (RS) from one of the other devices (2, 3, 4);

and a security reaction is triggered by one of the other devices (2, 3, 4) if the device in inquiry receives no security signal (SS) after a given time and/or within a given period following transmission of an inquiry signal (RS).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a second device (2) is automatically selected as the security response device (AG), which transmits a response signal (AS) following receipt of a security signal (SS) and in that a security reaction is triggered by the security device (SG) if the security device (SG) receives no response signal (AS) within a particular period following transmission of a security signal (SS).

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that at least two devices (1, 2) are selected as security devices (SG), which transmit a security signal (SS) periodically and/or following receipt of an inquiry signal (RS), and a security reaction is triggered by one of the security devices (SG) if that security device (SG) receives no security signal (SS) from the other security device (SG) after a particular time and/or within a particular period following transmission of an inquiry signal (RS).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the security signal (SS) and/or the response signal (AS) is connected to a network to which the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) are connected, and/or the transmitting device (SG, AG) contains a uniquely assigned identification key (IDN).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the identification key (IDN) is encoded into the security signal (SS) and/or the response signal (AS) in a manner such that the security signal (SS) and/or the response signal (AS) is constantly changed.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each device (1, 2, 3, 4) is assigned a priority value (PRI) which is a measure of the suitability of that device (1, 2, 3, 4) to act as the security device (SG) and/or secure answer device (AG).

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the security signal (SS) and/or the response signal (AS) contains the priority value (PRI) assigned to the respective device (SG, AG) transmitting the signal (SS).

8. A method according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that selection of one of the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) as the security device (SG) or as the security response device (AG) is accomplished using a given procedure having due regard to the priority values assigned to the individual devices (1, 2, 3, 4).

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a device with a priority value which represents better suitability of that device to act as the security device than that of the priority value of the current security device itself transmits a security signal and takes over transmission of further security signals following receipt of said security signal.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the security device, if it is switched off, firstly transmits a logoff signal which indicates to the devices to be safeguarded that no more security signals will be transmitted by the security device and hence a further device will automatically be selected as the security device from the remaining devices.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a device, if it receives no security signal after a particular time and/or within a particular period following transmission of an inquiry signal and/or if it receives a logoff signal from the current security device, itself transmits a security signal and waits for a particular period for a response signal.

12. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10 and claim 11, characterized in that the period to the initial transmission of its own security signal by the device depends on the priority value of that device.

13. A security system for safeguarding at least two electronic devices (1, 2, 3, 4) against unauthorized removal having:

a receiver unit (9) in each device (1, 2, 3, 4) to receive a security signal SS;

a reaction unit (13) in each device (1, 2, 3, 4) to trigger a security reaction if said device (1, 2, 3, 4) does not receive a security signal (SS) after a given time and/or within a given time period following transmission of an inquiry signal (RS);

a transmitter unit (8) in a plurality of the devices (1, 2, 3, 4), to transmit a security signal (SS) independently;

and a decision unit (11) in the devices (1, 2, 3, 4) having transmitter units (8) for transmitting a security signal (SS), to automatically decide whether the device (1, 2, 3, 4) is independently transmitting security signals (SS).

14. An electronic device (1, 2, 3, 4) which can be safeguarded in a security system according to claim 13, having:

a receiver unit (9) for receiving a security signal (SS);

a reaction unit (13) to trigger a security reaction if the device (1, 2, 3, 4) receives no security signal (SS) after a given time and/or within a particular period following transmission of an inquiry signal (RS);

a transmitter unit (8) for transmitting a security signal (SS); and

a decision unit (11) to automatically decide whether the device (1, 2, 3, 4) is independently transmitting security signals (SS).