Motion detection for preventing removal of a fixed wireless terminal

• US 5,809,123 A
• Filed: 03/15/1996
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Reynolds, Kevin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/618,414
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/60, 379/61, 379/143, 379/145, 379/155, 379/37, 379/397, 379/45, 379/49, 379/51, 340/501, 340/568, 340/571, 340/686, 340/687, 340/689, 455/403, 455/410, 455/411, 455/422, 455/423, 455/425, 455/550, 455/565
• US Class Current: 379/145
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/667 Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set H04M1/677 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

Method and apparatus for deterring fraudulent use of a fixed wireless telephone, comprising sensing motion of the telephone with a motion sensor and preventing operation of the telephone after it has been placed in motion and until entry of a security code to reset operation of the telephone. A central facility may also be automatically notified in the event movement of the telephone is detected.

Claims

1. A wireless telephone comprising a housing adapted for stationary usage and a device for preventing operation of the telephone in the event said housing is moved, said preventing device comprising:

a motion sensor attached to said housing for generating a movement signal indicating movement of said housing; and

,

a microprocessor system for preventing operation of the telephone in response to said movement signal, and comprising software for causing said microprocessor system to be reset in response to said movement signal to an operating stage requiring further input, such that the telephone is disabled until said microprocessor system receives said further input.

2. The wireless telephone according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises at least one of a mercury switch and a cantilever switch.

3. The wireless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said motion sensor is arranged to interrupt power and said software is such that said power interruption causes said microprocessor system to be reset to said operating stage requiring further input.

4. The wireless telephone according to claim 1 further comprising a transmitter responsive to an output of said microprocessor system for alerting a central facility of telephone housing movement.

5. The wireless telephone according to claim 4, wherein said software includes a program for periodically sending an alarm signal to said central facility while said telephone is disabled such that said alarm signal may be used as a homing signal for locating said moved housing.

6. The wireless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said software causes said movement signal to be ignored after entry of an access code so that said microprocessor system is not reset by subsequent movement of said housing.

7. The wireless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said microprocessor system is arranged to detect disconnection of said motion sensor, and wherein said software includes a detection program for resetting said microprocessor system to said operating stage requiring further input upon detection of said disconnection.

8. A wireless telephone comprising a housing adapted for stationary usage and a device for inhibiting unauthorized movement of the wireless telephone, said inhibiting device comprising:

a motion sensor attached to said housing for generating a motion signal indicative of mobility of said wireless telephone; and

,

a microprocessor system for preventing operation of the telephone in response to said motion signal;

said microprocessor system comprising software for causing said microprocessor system to be reset in response to said motion signal to an operating stage requiring further input such that the telephone is disabled until said microprocessor system receives said further input, an input component for entering an authorization code indicating authorized operation of said wireless telephone, and a component for restoring operation of the telephone upon receipt of said authorization code.

9. The wireless telephone according to claim 8, wherein the motion sensor comprises at least one of a mercury switch and a cantilever switch.

10. The wireless telephone according to claim 8 further comprising a transmitter responsive to an output of said microprocessor system for alerting a central facility of telephone housing movement.

11. The wireless telephone according to claim 10, wherein said software includes a program for periodically sending an alarm signal to said central facility while said telephone is disabled such that said alarm signal may be used as a homing signal for locating said moved housing.

12. The wireless telephone according to claim 8, wherein said motion sensor is arranged to interrupt power and said software is such that said power interruption causes said microprocessor system to be reset to said operating stage requiring further input.

13. The wireless telephone according to claim 8, wherein said software causes said motion signal to be ignored after entry of an access code so that said microprocessor system is not reset by subsequent movement of said housing.

14. The wireless telephone according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor system is arranged to detect disconnection of said motion sensor, and wherein said software includes a detection program for resetting said microprocessor system to said operating stage requiring further input upon detection of said disconnection.

15. A method of preventing operation of a wireless telephone having a housing upon movement of the housing, said housing being adapted for stationary usage, and said method comprising steps of:

receiving a signal from a motion sensor attached to the housing of the wireless telephone;

comparing said signal with a threshold to determine that the telephone housing has moved; and

,

preventing operation of the telephone upon a determination of telephone housing movement;

said preventing step being performed by a microprocessor system comprising software for causing said microprocessor system to be reset in response to said determination to an operating stage requiring further input, such that the telephone is disabled until said microprocessor system receives said further input.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the motion sensor comprises at least one of a mercury switch and a cantilever switch.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said signal is provided by interrupting a power supply to a central processing unit of said microprocessor system, said interruption causing said microprocessor system to be reset to said operating stage requiring further input.

18. The method according to claim 15 further comprising periodically polling said motion sensor with said microprocessor system in accordance with a detection program to determine if said motion detector has been disconnected, and resetting said microprocessor system to said operating stage requiring further input upon detection of said disconnection.

19. A method of inhibiting unauthorized movement of a wireless telephone comprising steps of:

attaching a motion sensor to a housing of the wireless telephone;

electrically connecting the motion sensor with a microprocessor system of the wireless telephone so that a signal from the motion sensor is detected by the microprocessor system; and

,

preventing operation of the wireless telephone after said detection of the signal from the motion sensor;

said preventing step being performed by a microprocessor system comprising software for causing said microprocessor system to be reset in response to said detection to an operating stage requiring further input, such that the telephone is disabled until said microprocessor system receives said further input.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the motion sensor comprises at least one of a mercury switch and a cantilever switch.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said signal is provided by interrupting a power supply to a central processing unit of said microprocessor system, said interruption causing said microprocessor system to be reset to said operating stage requiring further input.

22. The method according to claim 19 further comprising periodically polling said motion sensor with said microprocessor system in accordance with a detection program to determine if said motion detector has been disconnected, and resetting said microprocessor system to said operating stage requiring further input upon detection of said disconnection.