USE OF ACCELEROMETER AND ABILITY TO DISABLE POWER SWITCH FOR TAMPER PROTECTION AND THEFT TRACKING
First Claim
1. A sensor device comprising:
- a processor;
power circuitry configured to receive a supply of power;
a sensor configured to detect activity external to the sensor device;
an accelerometer configured to detect relative movement of the sensor device; and
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor device to perform the operations of;
monitoring, via the sensor, activity external to the sensor device;
initiating a tamper monitoring state that includes monitoring relative movement data of the sensor device, the relative movement data received from the accelerometer;
in response to detecting movement of the sensor device meeting a predetermined threshold of movement, executing a tamper detection response, the tamper detection response comprising;
transmitting a notification that indicates sensor device movement meeting the predetermined threshold of movement; and
initiating a low-power state of the sensor device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein include a sensor device that monitors external activity and that includes functionality to detect tampering of the device itself. When monitoring for tampering, a power switch is disabled. Techniques include detecting relative movement of the sensor device, reporting tampering activity, and executing tamper detection responses. Responses can include tracking geographical movement and/or subsequent tampering activity to assist in recovery of a transported device. Responses can also include adjusting power consumption such as by modifying sensing functionality of the sensor device. Techniques include use of an accelerometer that can be positioned in the sensor device to detect relative movement. Once relative movement meets a predetermined threshold indicating device tampering, the sensor device transmits a notification of such tampering, via a network, or in response to a query from an authorized peer device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor device comprising:
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a processor; power circuitry configured to receive a supply of power; a sensor configured to detect activity external to the sensor device; an accelerometer configured to detect relative movement of the sensor device; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor device to perform the operations of; monitoring, via the sensor, activity external to the sensor device; initiating a tamper monitoring state that includes monitoring relative movement data of the sensor device, the relative movement data received from the accelerometer; in response to detecting movement of the sensor device meeting a predetermined threshold of movement, executing a tamper detection response, the tamper detection response comprising; transmitting a notification that indicates sensor device movement meeting the predetermined threshold of movement; and initiating a low-power state of the sensor device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A radar sensor device comprising:
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power circuitry configured to receive a supply of power from at least one battery; a radar signal transmitter configured to transmit radar signals; a radar signal receiver configured to receive reflected radar signals; a processor, the processor configured to compute radar data from received reflected radar signals such that computed radar data includes a distance to an external object; radio circuitry configured to execute wireless communication events including communication transmissions with peer devices; Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry configured to identify location information of the radar sensor device; an accelerometer configured to detect relative movement of the radar sensor device; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the radar sensor device to perform the operations of; collecting radar data that identifies distance of external objects; initiating a tamper monitoring state that includes monitoring relative movement data of the radar sensor device, the relative movement data received from the accelerometer, the tamper monitoring state including disabling use of a manual power shutoff switch of the radar device; in response to detecting relative movement of the radar sensor device meeting a predetermined threshold of movement, executing a tamper detection response, the tamper detection response comprising; immediately transmitting a notification via the radio circuitry, the notification indicating radar sensor device movement meeting the predetermined threshold of movement; and initiating a low-power state of the radar sensor device that includes reducing power consumption of the radar signal transmitter and the radar signal receiver. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-implemented method of tamper detection, the computer-implemented method comprising:
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monitoring, via a sensor device, activity external to the sensor device, the sensor device including a sensor that detects external activity, the sensor device including an accelerometer that detects relative movement of the sensor device, the sensor device including communication circuitry that transmits and receives communication transmissions via a communication interface; initiating a tamper monitoring state that includes monitoring relative movement data of the sensor device, the relative movement data received from the accelerometer, the tamper monitoring state including disabling use of a manual power shutoff switch of the sensor device; in response to detecting movement of the sensor device meeting a predetermined threshold of movement, executing a tamper detection response, the tamper detection response comprising; transmitting a notification that indicates relative movement of the sensor device meeting the predetermined threshold of movement; and initiating a low-power state of the sensor device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification