DAMAGE DETECTION FOR AN ANTI-THEFT INTERFACE

• US 20080106366A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Zhang, Wan-Li, Dougherty, MIchael J., Siddiquie, Adnan A., Lev, Jeffrey A., Moore, Earl W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,152,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/06 by tampering with fastening

Abstract

An electronic device is provided, the electronic device having an anti-theft interface. If damage to the anti-theft interface is detected, the electronic device enters a user authentication mode.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

an anti-theft interface,

wherein, if damage to the anti-theft interface is detected, the electronic device enters a user authentication mode.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the anti-theft interface comprises a damage detection component that selectively indicates damage to the anti-theft interface.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a damage detection component comprising a conductive material that completes a circuit.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein, if the circuit is open, the damage detection component indicates the anti-theft interface is damaged.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), wherein the BIOS stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, monitor a status of an anti-theft interface damage indicator.

6. The electronic device of claim 5 wherein the BIOS verifies the status of the anti-theft interface damage indicator during a boot process.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein if, during the user authentication mode, a user authentication is successful, the electronic device is enabled.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein if, during the user authentication mode, a user authentication fails, the electronic device is disabled.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a storage coupled to the processor wherein if, during the user authentication mode, a user authentication fails, the electronic device performs at least one of disabling access to predetermined data in the storage and deleting predetermined data in the storage.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a network interface coupled to the processor wherein if, during the user authentication mode, a user authentication fails, the electronic device sends an alert via the network interface.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the alert is used to trigger an alarm.

12. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the alert is used to track the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the anti heft interface is compatible with a cable lock.

14. A method, comprising:

determining if an anti-theft interface of an electronic device is damaged; and

if the anti-theft interface is determined to be damaged, performing a user authentication.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising enabling the electronic device if the user authentication is successful.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising performing a theft response if the user authentication fails, wherein the theft response comprises at least one action selected from the group consisting of:

disabling the electronic device;

disabling a predetermined function of the electronic device;

disabling access to predetermined data stored on the electronic device;

deleting predetermined data stored on the electronic device; and

sending a theft alert via a network.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein determining if an anti-theft interface of an electronic device is damaged comprises detecting an open circuit.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising updating an anti-theft interface damage indicator stored in a non-volatile memory accessible to a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said determining if an anti-theft interface of an electronic device is damaged and said performing a user authentication occurs during a boot process of the electronic device.

20. A Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) stored on a computer-readable medium, the BIOS comprising:

monitoring instructions that, when executed, detect a damage status of an anti-theft interface of an electronic device; and

damage response instructions that, when executed, selectively perform a theft response if damage to the anti-theft interface is detected.

21. The BIOS of claim 20 wherein the damage response instructions further cause the electronic device to enter a user authentication mode.

22. The BIOS of claim 21 wherein the theft response is performed if a user authentication fails.