Security system for portable computer

• US 20070101135A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Simon, Morgan, David, Benton, Farrel, Octaviano, Raymond, Saba, Alberto, Salembier, James, Rutledge, James, Ulrich, Sean, Branch, Shane
• Granted Patent: US 8,121,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/572 Secure firmware programming, e.g. of basic input output system [BIOS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/575 Secure boot
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A portable computer searches for preprogrammed wireless stations when it boots, and if it does not recognize any, stops booting the O.S. so that data cannot be accessed. In this way, should the portable computer be stolen and removed from its intended vicinity, data on the computer cannot be accessed by the thief.

Claims

1. A computer including a processor executing a basic input-output system (BIOS) to undertake logic comprising:

determining, prior to completing a boot, whether any wireless stations communicating with the computer match at least one wireless station stored in the computer as being authorized; and

selectively completing the boot based on the determining act.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein an operating system is booted if a wireless station is recognized and otherwise is not booted.

3. The computer of claim 1, wherein the logic sends a position of the computer to a monitoring server if no wireless station is recognized.

4. A method comprising allowing a computer with wireless communication capability to complete booting an operating system if it recognizes an authorized wireless communication station and otherwise not allowing the computer to complete the boot.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising sending a position of the computer to a monitoring server if no wireless station is recognized.

6. A portable computer that searches for preprogrammed wireless stations when it boots, and if it does not recognize any preprogrammed wireless station, stops booting an operating system such that, should the portable computer be stolen and removed from its intended vicinity, data on the computer cannot be accessed.

7. The computer of claim 6, wherein an operating system is booted if a wireless station is recognized and otherwise is not completed.

8. The computer of claim 6, wherein the computer sends a position of the computer to a monitoring server if no wireless station is recognized.