Detecting theft and disabling stolen equipment

• US 20080180244A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miriyala, Prasad, Howarth, Arthur G., Prasad, Chandrodaya, Saville, Roland
• Granted Patent: US 7,786,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

Some implementations of the present invention provide methods and devices for detecting the theft of, and disabling, electronic devices such as computers and network devices. The devices may be disabled when a signal is not detected, e.g., for a predetermined period of time. For example, a radio frequency (“RF”) signal (e.g., a beacon), an Internet Protocol (“IP”) signal or the like may define a space within which the devices may be operated with complete functionality. Outside this space, the devices will be disabled, at least to some degree. The degree of disablement may depend on the length of time since the signal was last detected. Alternatively, the devices may be disabled when a signal is detected: some such implementations define “portals,” “choke points” or the like past which a device may not be transported without some degree of disablement.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining whether a signal is detected; and

controlling an operational state of a computing device according to whether the signal is detected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device when the signal is not detected.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device when the signal is detected.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising ascertaining a length of time that the signal is not detected, wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device only after a predetermined length of time that the signal is not detected.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising ascertaining a length of time that the signal is not detected, wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device to varying degrees according to the length of time the signal is not detected.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising ascertaining a length of time after the signal is detected, wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device to varying degrees according to the length of time after the signal is detected.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether a radio frequency signal is detected.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether an Internet Protocol signal is detected.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the signal to a predetermined area.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein disabling the computing device to varying degrees comprises:

setting the computing device to first disabled state after a first predetermined length of time that the signal is not detected; and

setting the computing device to second disabled state after a second predetermined length of time that the signal is not detected, wherein the first disabled state includes more functionality than the second disabled state.

11. The method of claim 9,

wherein the predetermined area comprises an area within which the computing device is authorized to function, and

wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device when the computing device is transported outside the predetermined area, where the signal is not detected.

12. The method of claim 9,

wherein the predetermined area comprises a portal between an authorized area within which the computing device is authorized to function and an unauthorized area within which the computing device is not authorized to function, and

wherein the controlling step comprises disabling the computing device when the computing device is transported into the predetermined area, where the signal is detected.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of allowing the computing device to function in a fully operational state until the first predetermined length of time has elapsed.

14. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining whether a signal is detected; and

means for controlling an operational state of a computing device according to whether the signal is detected.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controlling means is configured to disable the computing device when the signal is not detected.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controlling means is configured to disable the computing device when the signal is detected.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for ascertaining a length of time that the signal is not detected, wherein the controlling means is configured to disable the computing device only after a predetermined length of time that the signal is not detected.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for ascertaining a length of time that the signal is not detected, wherein the controlling means is configured to disable the computing device to varying degrees according to the length of time the signal is not detected.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for ascertaining a length of time after the signal is detected, wherein the controlling means is configured to disable the computing device to varying degrees according to the length of time after the signal is detected.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determining means comprises means for determining whether a radio frequency signal is detected.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determining means comprises means for determining whether an Internet Protocol signal is detected.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determining means comprises a radio frequency interface.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determining means comprises a wireless interface.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controlling means comprises a processor.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the determining means and the controlling means are configured for communication with a motherboard of the computing device.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the determining means and the controlling means comprises an active radio frequency identification tag.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controlling means is configured to do the following:

set the computing device to first disabled state after a first predetermined length of time that the signal is not detected; and

set the computing device to second disabled state after a second predetermined length of time that the signal is not detected, wherein the first disabled state includes more functionality than the second disabled state.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controlling means is configured to allow the computing device to function in a fully operational state until the first predetermined length of time has elapsed.

29. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver for determining whether a signal is detected; and

a processor configured for communication with the receiver and with a computing device, the processor further configured for controlling an operational state of the computing device according to whether the receiver detects the signal.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured to disable the computing device when the receiver does not detect the signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured to disable the computing device when the receiver detects the signal.