Wireless security beacon for consumer equipment
First Claim
1. A security system (40) for consumer equipment (60), the system having:
- a lock (10) for preventing use of the equipment, the lock having a receiver for receiving a key signal from an external source (90), the lock being arranged to check the key is valid, and if so, enable the use of the equipment, the system also having;
a wireless transmitter (20) for the equipment for broadcasting a beacon signal indicating stolen status, if the lock does not receive a valid key.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security system for consumer equipment has a lock for preventing use of the equipment, and broadcasts a beacon signal indicating stolen status, if the lock does not receive a valid key signal over a wireless link. The beacon signal can help police identify stolen goods, and makes mere possession of stolen goods more risky and so deters theft. The lock serves to make the equipment useless or very expensive to make useful, once stolen. Little or no change of behaviour by users is needed. The beacon can be passive, in snooze state to save power, with periodic listening for an interrogating (police) radio, which causes it to wake up and transmit. The system can securely store, and optionally broadcast, a secure identifier which is traceable to an owner of the equipment, to aid recovery and conviction. Tamper resisting measures can be included.
22 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A security system (40) for consumer equipment (60), the system having:
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a lock (10) for preventing use of the equipment, the lock having a receiver for receiving a key signal from an external source (90), the lock being arranged to check the key is valid, and if so, enable the use of the equipment, the system also having;
a wireless transmitter (20) for the equipment for broadcasting a beacon signal indicating stolen status, if the lock does not receive a valid key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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16. A security system (40) for consumer equipment (60), the system having:
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a lock (510) for preventing use of the equipment, the lock having a receiver for receiving a key signal from an external source, the lock being arranged to check the key is valid, and if so, enable the use of the equipment, the system also having;
an identifier, incorporated securely in the lock and traceable to an owner of the equipment in the case of theft of the equipment. - View Dependent Claims (17, 25)
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18. A security system (40) for consumer equipment (60), the system having:
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a lock (550) for preventing use of the equipment, the lock having a receiver for receiving a key signal from an external source, the lock being arranged to check the key is valid, and if so, enable the use of the equipment, the system also having;
a tamper detector (550) for detecting tampering with the system, and for permanently preventing use of the equipment if tampering is detected.
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Specification