Security apparatus and method

• US 5,715,174 A
• Filed: 11/15/1994
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Absolute Software Corporation
• Original Assignee: Absolute Software Corporation
• Inventors: Cotichini, Christian, Cain, Fraser
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLE, TONY MITCHELL
• Application Number:
  US08/339,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 379/56, 379/57, 379/93, 379/106, 379/37, 379/39, 379/40, 379/142, 379/45, 379/58, 379/95, 342/451, 342/450, 364/222.5, 364/709.05, 364/286.4, 364/514 R, 340/426, 340/506, 340/825.44, 340/825.36, 340/825.54, 340/568, 340/825.34, 340/571, 340/572, 340/503, 307/10.2, 326/8, 180/287, 116/5, 116/6, 116/75
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/02 using radio waves G01S19/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1408 by using cryptography for digital transmission H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/126 and has means for transferring I/O instructions and statuses between control unit and main processor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/313 using a call-back technique via a telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/28 Restricting access to network management systems or functions, e.g. using authorisation function to access network configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent

Abstract

A method and apparatus with an integral security system. The apparatus includes an electronic device for sending signals to a remote station, such as a pre-determined telephone number, at spaced-apart intervals of time. The signals include identifying indicia for the apparatus. The identifying indicia may be a characteristic serial number. The apparatus may include a computer and software for providing the signals to a communication interface on the computer. Preferably the software is programmed on a memory device for the computer at a location not normally accessible to operating software for the computer such as a boot sector of a disk thereof. The system should contact the remote station without visual or audio signals apparent to the user. The remote station is able to determine the identification and location of the computer from the signals received including the identifying indicia and caller I.D. signals provided by a telephone company.

Claims

1. A computer including a RAM device and a magnetic recording disc, an integral security system and a central processing unit, comprising:

means for sending signals including identifying indicia for said computer at spaced-apart intervals of time to a remote station having a telecommunication receiver via a telecommunications interface connecting said computer to a telecommunications system;

means for accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number to access said remote station; and

means for providing signals to said telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said means for providing signals including security software recorded on said disc in a manner such that the security software is loaded onto said RAM device before operating software.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc has a boot sector, the security software being recorded on the boot sector.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc has a hidden system file, the security software being recorded on the hidden system file.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the computer is a personal computer and the hidden system file is IO-SYS or MS DOS-SYS.

5. A method for providing a computer with a security system, comprising the steps of loading software into the computer with instructions for dialing a remote telecommunication number without emitting visible or audible signals to the user of the computer and transmitting identification indicia for the computer, and recording the software on a hard disk of a computer at a location loaded into RAM of the computer prior to loading of the operating software into RAM.

6. A security system for a computer including a hard disc and RAM and having operating software, comprising:

means for loading software into the computer with instructions for dialing a remote telecommunication number without emitting visible or audible signals to the user of the computer;

means for transmitting identification indicia for the computer;

means for recording the software on said hard disc at a location which is loaded into said RAM prior to loading of said operating software into RAM.

7. A method for providing an integral security system for a computer having a central processing unit, a RAM device, a magnetic recording disc and operating software, said method comprising the following steps:

sending signals to a remote station through a telecommunication interface connecting said computer to a telecommunication system at spaced-apart intervals of time, said signals including identifying indicia for said device;

accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number for accessing a telecommunication receiver associated with said remote station;

providing signals to the telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said step of providing signals uses security software programmed on said electronic device;

recording said security software on said disc in a manner such that said security software is loaded onto said RAM device before said operating software.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the disc has a boot sector, and said step of recording further includes recording the security system on the boot sector.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the disc has a hidden system file, and said step of recording further includes recording the security software on the hidden system file.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the computer is a personal computer and the hidden system file is IO-SYS or MS DOS-SYS.

11. A computer with an integral security system and a central processing unit, comprising:

means for sending signals including identifying indicia for said computer to a remote station having a telecommunication receiver via a telecommunications interface connecting said computer to a telecommunications system, said signals are sent at regular, periodic intervals wherein said means repeatedly sends said signals at intervals shorter than said periodic intervals if the remote station does not receive said signals;

means for accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number to access said remote station; and

means for providing signals to said telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said means for providing signals including security software programmed on said computer.

12. A method for providing an-integral security system for a computer having a central processing unit, said method comprising the following steps:

sending signals at regular, periodic intervals to a remote station through a telecommunication interface connecting said computer to a telecommunication system, said signals including identifying indicia for said computer, wherein said signals are sent repeatedly at intervals shorter than said periodic intervals if the remote station does not receive said signals;

accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number for accessing a telecommunication receiver associated with said remote station; and

providing signals to the telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said step of providing signals uses security software programmed on said electronic device.