Anti-theft and security system for computers

• US 20060152365A1
• Filed: 01/23/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walter Taehwan Kim
• Original Assignee: Walter Taehwan Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Walter Taehwan
• Granted Patent: US 7,362,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

A system is disclosed for preventing an unauthorized person from use a portable computer having an external port. The system includes a control device capable of connecting to an external port of the portable computer. The control device includes a wireless receiver to receive wireless signals. The control device is capable of enabling and disabling a security function executed by the computer based on a wireless signal received by the wireless receiver.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a control device capable of connecting to a port of a computer, the control device including a wireless receiver capable of receiving wireless signals, the control device capable of enabling and disabling a security function based on a wireless signal received by the wireless receiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the security function comprises software instructions executed by the computer which prevents access to at least a portion of a storage device of the computer when the security function is enabled.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device further comprises:

a motion sensor to generate a motion signal indicating that the control device is being moved.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control device is capable of enabling and disabling an alarm function based on a wireless signal received by the wireless receiver.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the alarm function comprises software instructions executed by the computer which causes an audible alarm to be generated if a movement of the control device is detected while the alarm function is enabled.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein control device simultaneously enables both the alarm function and the security function when a first signal is received by the wireless receiver of the control device from a remote control unit;

and

wherein the control device simultaneously disables both the alarm function and the security function when a second signal is received by the wireless receiver of the control device from the remote control unit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to removably connect to an external port of the computer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the external port comprises a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of the computer.

9. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a remote control unit including a transmitter to transmit wireless signals to the control device to enable and disable the security function and the alarm function, and a receiver to receive wireless signals from the control device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the control device further comprises a transmitter to transmit a signal to the remote control unit when a movement of the control device is detected while the alarm function is enabled.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the control device further comprises a user interface to allow the user to enable and disable the alarm function and the security function, wherein the user interface comprises at least one of a numeric keypad and a sensor configured to scan fingerprint of an authorized user.

12. A method comprising:

removably connecting a control device to a port of a computer;

enabling a security function of the computer in response to a wireless signal received by the control device from a wireless remote control unit; and

preventing access to at least a portion of a storage device of the computer when the security function is enabled.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

enabling an alarm function of the computer in response to a wireless signal received by the control device from the remove control unit;

detecting movement of the control device; and

causing an audible sound to be generated by the computer based on a signal generated within the control device as a result of detection of movement by the control device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the security function and the alarm function are enabled simultaneously when a first signal is received by a wireless receiver of the control device from the wireless remote control unit;

and

the security function and the alarm function are disabled simultaneously when a first signal is received by the wireless receiver of the control device from the wireless remote control unit.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein connecting the control device to the computer comprises connecting to an external port of the computer.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting a signal from the control device to the remote control unit when movement of the control device is detected while the alarm function is enabled.

17. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure;

a wireless receiver contained in the enclosure to receive wireless signals from a remote control unit;

a connector coupled to the enclosure to connect to a port of a computer; and

a controller contained in the enclosure and coupled to the wireless receiver, wherein the controller is capable of enabling and disabling a security function of the computer based on a wireless signal received by the wireless receiver from the remote control unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the security function comprises software instructions executed by the computer which prevents access to at least a portion of a storage device of the computer when the security function is enabled.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller capable of enabling and disabling an alarm function of the computer based on a wireless signal received by the wireless receiver from the remote control unit.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein controller simultaneously enables both the alarm function and the security function when a first signal is received by the wireless receiver from the remote control unit;

and

wherein the controller simultaneously disables both the alarm function and the security function when a second signal is received by the wireless receiver from the remote control unit.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a motion sensor contained in the enclosure to enable detection of movement of the enclosure, wherein the controller generates a motion signal indicating that the enclosure is being moved, wherein an audible alarm is generated by the computer based on the motion signal generated by the controller when the alarm function is enabled.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a transmitter coupled to the controller to transmit a wireless signal to the remote control unit when movement is detected while the alarm function is enabled.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the connector is configured to removably connect to an external port of the computer.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the external port comprises a USB port of the computer.