Global positioning satellite [GPS] based recovery device and risk management system for portable computing devices and data

• US 20100188287A1
• Filed: 08/12/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apogee Technology Consultants, LLC
• Original Assignee: Apogee Technology Consultants, LLC
• Inventors: Madsen, John J., Coker, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,427,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.540
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain

Abstract

A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite [GPS] technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices and for compensating owners of devices. The invention inserts a GPS mechanism into a computing device that is enabled once the device is reported missing. The GPS emits real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.

Claims

1. A compact Global Positioning Satellite [GPS] device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising;

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed GPS device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with the operating system of said portable computing device;

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said GPS device for wireless communication with one or more Global Positioning Satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device, and;

the transmission of geographic coordinates of said installed GPS device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device.

2. The invention of claim 1 where the means to operate the GPS device is a software algorithm installed into the GPS device.

3. The invention of claim 2 where said software algorithms are code protected.

4. The invention of claim 1, where the transmissions of said GPS device are encrypted and de-encrypted by said GPS device through a digitalized electronic security code.

5. The invention of claim 1 where the GPS satellite array is in wireless communication with a monitoring service.

6. The invention of claim 5 where said monitoring service electronically receives and stores said wireless communications.

7. The invention of claim 5 where an owner of a portable computing device with an installed GPS device communicates with the monitoring service to authorize transmission

8. The invention of claim 5 where said wireless communications are encrypted.

10. The invention of claim 1 where the emitted signals of said installed GPS device consist of periodic data to compute the real time location of said portable computing device connected to said installed GPS device.

11. The invention of claim 1 where said emitted signals consist of data files authorized for wireless transmission from said portable computing device to said portable computing device monitoring service by said installed GPS device.

12. The invention of claim 1 where said received transmissions may authorize the installed GPS device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records.

15. The invention of claim 1 where a system consists of a plurality of GPS devices installed on a plurality of portable computing devices.

17. The invention of claim 12 where said received transmissions may authorize the installed GPS device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records utilizing a random Binary fill 128 bit encryption that is capable of de-encryption and data recovery if laptop is located.

18. The invention of claim 12 where said received transmissions may authorize the installed GPS device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records where a Binary fill is activated OTA (Over The Air) and is not required for the laptop to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

19. The invention of claim 12 where said received transmissions may authorize the installed GPS device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records where a Binary fill de-encryption is activated OTA (Over The Air) and is not required for the laptop to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

9. A method where;

a compact Global Positioning Satellite [GPS] device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed GPS device, installation of a data port to communicate digitally with the operating system of said portable computing device, installation of a data port to communicate digitally with the operating system of said portable computing device, operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said GPS device for wireless communication with one or more Global Positioning Satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

is a used as component of an insurance and risk management service to mitigate the economic cost of loss or theft of said portable computing device and or any proprietary data files stored therein.

13. The invention of claim 9 where said insurance and risk management service is created by a series of computerized algorithms that compute a value and payment scheme for said insurance and risk management service.

14. The method of claim 13 where inputs to said computerized algorithms may include;

the cost of said GPS device, the cost of installation of said GPS device, the cost of monitoring service, the cost of communications from monitoring service to GPS satellite array, the cost of communication of the GPS satellite with a covertly installed GPS device, a future time based value of information and data maintained or to be maintained on said portable computing device for which an owner will be compensated in the event of theft or loss of said portable computing device.

16. The invention of claim 9 where the method consists of a plurality of GPS devices installed on a plurality of portable computing devices and which are conveyed using a plurality of insurance and risk management services.