Security apparatus and method

• US 5,802,280 A
• Filed: 02/12/1997
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• 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): Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLE, TONY MITCHELL
• Application Number:
  US08/799,401
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 364/514 R, 364/222.5, 364/286.4, 364/709.05, 379/37, 379/39, 379/40, 379/45, 379/56, 379/57, 379/58, 379/93, 379/95, 379/106, 379/142, 342/450, 342/451, 307/10.2, 326/8, 180/287, 116/5, 116/6, 116/75, 340/426, 340/503, 340/506, 340/568, 340/571, 340/572, 340/825.34, 340/825.36, 340/825.44, 340/825.48, 340/825.52, 340/825.54, 380/4, 380/23, 380/25, 395/186, 395/200.3, 395/200.31, 395/200.47, 395/200.49, 395/200.57
• US Class Current: 709/200
• 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 method for tracing an electronic device having non-volatile memory and an agent disposed thereon, said agent for initiating communication with a host system to provide said host system with identifying indicia for said electronic device, said electronic device connectable to a telecommunications interface which is connected to a telecommunications system, said telecommunications system connected to said host system, said method comprising the steps:

disposing said agent within said non-volatile memory of said electronic device on ROM BIOS;

establishing an interface between said electronic device and said telecommunications system through said telecommunications interface for communicating with said host system; and

providing said host system with said unique identifying indicia for said electronic device to determine the identity of said electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of determining the appropriate time for said electronic device to communicate with said host system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is a computer.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said telecommunications interface is a modem.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing said host system with identifying indicia occurs periodically at predetermined time intervals.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step for providing said host system with identifying indicia is initiated upon the occurrence of one or more predetermined events.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said agent initiates the step of providing said identifying indicia automatically and without user intervention.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of providing said host system with identifying indicia for said electronic device occurs without causing audible or visible signals to be emitted from said electronic device.

9. An apparatus for tracing an electronic device having ROM BIOS non-volatile memory and an agent disposed thereon for initiating communication with a host system to provide said host system with identifying indicia for said electronic device, said electronic device connectable to a telecommunications interface connected to a telecommunications system, said telecommunications system connected to said host system, said apparatus comprising:

an agent disposed on the ROM BIOS non-volatile memory of said electronic device for initiating communication with said host system;

means for establishing an interface between said electronic device and said telecommunications system through said telecommunications interface for communicating with said host system; and

means for providing said host system with said identifying indicia for said electronic device to determine the identity of said electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said electronic device is a computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said telecommunications interface is a modem.

12. A method for providing an electronic device with the capacity to be traced by a remote host system, said electronic device having an agent disposed thereon for initiating communication with a host system to provide said host system with identifying indicia for said electronic device, said electronic device connectable to a telecommunications interface which connects said electronic device to a telecommunications system, said telecommunications system connected to said host system, said method comprising the steps:

assigning unique identifying indicia for said electronic device;

disposing said agent on the ROM BIOS of said electronic device;

configuring the electronic device for establishing an interface between said electronic device and a telecommunications system through a telecommunications interface for communicating with said host system; and

configuring the electronic device for providing said host system with said identifying indicia for said electronic device.

13. An agent for use in an electronic device, said agent for initiating communication with a host system to provide said host system with unique location information for said electronic device, said electronic device connectable to a telecommunications system, a remote host system also connected to said telecommunications system, said agent comprising:

an agent disposed within the ROM BIOS of said electronic device;

means for initiating and communicating with said host system without human intervention; and

means for preparing said electronic device to transmit said unique location information to said host system.