SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPUTING DEVICE PROTECTION

• US 20160343083A1
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Published: 11/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: F-Secure Corporation (F-Secure Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Lookout Incorporated
• Inventors: Hering, John Gunther, Mahaffey, Kevin, Buck, Brian James, Robinson, William Neil
• Granted Patent: US 10,489,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/50 Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/56 Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/033 Test or assess software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/034 Test or assess a computer or a system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure help protect computing devices by, among other things, identifying events that may pose a risk to a computing device based on data from sensors coupled to the computer device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving data pertaining to a computing device from a sensor coupled to the computing device;

identifying, based on the sensor data for the computing device, an event posing a risk to the computing device, wherein the risk comprises one or more of damage to the computing device and loss of the computing device; and

presenting, based on the identified event, an offer to insure the computing device to a user of the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes comparing the sensor data for the computing device to risk data for a plurality of computing devices, each of the plurality of computing devices having a characteristic in common with the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the offer to insure the computing device includes determining, based on information retrieved from a database, that the user does not have an existing insurance policy covering the computing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the offer to insure the computing device includes:

transmitting the sensor data for the computing device and identification information for the user of the computing device to an insurance provider over a network; and

receiving, over the network, approval from the insurance provider to provide the offer to insure the computing device to the user of the computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the event includes determining that the sensor data exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold is provided by an insurance provider associated with the offer to insure the computing device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold is selected based on risk data for a plurality of computing devices, each of the plurality of computing devices having a characteristic in common with the computing device.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the sensor includes a thermal detector, and determining that the data from the thermal detector exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that a temperature measured by the thermal detector is below a first threshold or above a second threshold.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the sensor includes a location detector and determining that the data from the location detector exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that the computing device is within a predetermined distance of a computing device associated with an individual related to a theft of another computing device.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the sensor includes a moisture sensor and determining that the data from the moisture detector exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that a level of moisture measured by the moisture detector exceeds a predetermined amount.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the sensor includes an altimeter and determining that the data from the altimeter exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that an altitude measured by the altimeter exceeds a predetermined level.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer and identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes determining, based on the data from the accelerometer, that the computing device experiences a rapid deceleration.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes determining that the computing device is dropped based on a period of free fall measured by the accelerometer followed by the rapid deceleration measured by the accelerometer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes determining whether the data from the accelerometer is indicative of the computing device being accidentally dropped or intentionally thrown.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a location detector and identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes determining, based on the data from the location detector, that the computing device is in one or more of:

an unexpected location, and a location associated with an elevated risk of one or more of;

damage to the computing device and loss of the computing device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes analyzing the sensor data for the computing device in conjunction with previously-received sensor data for the computing device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the event posing the risk to the computing device includes detecting the presence of malware on the computing device.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying, based on the sensor data for the computing device, risk data for a plurality of computing devices, each of the plurality of computing devices having a characteristic in common with the computing device.

19. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to:

receive data pertaining to a first computing device of the one or more computing devices from a sensor coupled to the first computing device;

identify, based on the sensor data for the first computing device, an event posing a risk to the first computing device, wherein the risk comprises one or more of damage to the first computing device and loss of the first computing device; and

present, based on the identified event, an offer to insure the first computing device to a user of the first computing device.

20. A system comprising:

one or more computing devices; and

memory in communication with the one or more computing devices and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to;

receive data pertaining to a first computing device of the one or more computing devices from a sensor coupled to the first computing device;

identify, based on the sensor data for the first computing device, an event posing a risk to the first computing device, wherein the risk comprises one or more of damage to the first computing device and loss of the first computing device; and

present, based on the identified event, an offer to insure the first computing device to a user of the first computing device.