APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for providing protection against unauthorized movement of an unattended camera control device, said apparatus comprising:
- a) a tripod connectable with the camera control device, said tripod having tripod legs, said tripod equipped with a device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed and wherein said device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed is lockable with a locking element, said locking element configured to be unlocked with a tool;
b) an anchoring element that comprises a surface piercing portion and a removable driving portion wherein said surface piercing portion and said removable driving portion are connected by way of a correspondingly-shaped lock-and-key connection; and
c) at least one tether with at least one locking mechanism, wherein said at least one tether connects the camera control device to said tripod and to said anchoring element and said at least one locking mechanism prevents removal of said at least one tether.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Anti-theft protection systems and methods for portable devices, such as portable electronic devices, that are unattended during use. The anti-theft protection systems and methods use a combination of measures including mechanical aspects, such as tethering the device to an object that is difficult to move, and electronic aspects that detect unauthorized movement and or alarm the user or other responsible party if unauthorized movement occurs.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing protection against unauthorized movement of an unattended camera control device, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a tripod connectable with the camera control device, said tripod having tripod legs, said tripod equipped with a device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed and wherein said device that prevents the tripod legs from being closed is lockable with a locking element, said locking element configured to be unlocked with a tool; b) an anchoring element that comprises a surface piercing portion and a removable driving portion wherein said surface piercing portion and said removable driving portion are connected by way of a correspondingly-shaped lock-and-key connection; and c) at least one tether with at least one locking mechanism, wherein said at least one tether connects the camera control device to said tripod and to said anchoring element and said at least one locking mechanism prevents removal of said at least one tether. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for providing protection against unauthorized movement of an unattended electronic device comprising:
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a) at least one location sensor associated with the unattended device to detect the location of the associated unattended device, wherein said location sensor senses location based on signals received from a global positioning system; b) an electronic control device that stores location information sensed by said location sensor; and c) at least one first signaling device, wherein said at least one first signaling device is configured to provide an alarm signal when the location of the unattended device has substantially changed. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of creating an alarm when an unattended device is moved, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a location sensor associated with the unattended device;
wherein the location sensor is integrated with the unattended device and the location sensor detects location by receiving signals from a global positioning system;b) detecting an initial location of the unattended device by the location sensor; c) electronically storing the initial location; d) periodically detecting current locations of the unattended device; e) determining whether the current location of the unattended device is substantially different from the electronically stored initial location; f) providing an alert when it is determined that the current location of the unattended device is substantially different from the electronically stored initial location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification