Apparatus for generating an alarm in a portable computer system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating an alarm in a portable computing system, comprising:
- a portable computing system;
a portable source of power located within the portable computer system for providing electrical power to the portable computer system;
a receiver within the portable computing system that receives an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; and
a computational circuit located within the portable computing system and coupled to the receiver, the computational circuit including resources to set an alarm condition in response to the activation signal received by the receiver;
a theft deterrence mechanism located within the portable computer system and communicating with the computational circuit, the theft deterrence mechanism performing at least one theft deterrence action in response to the alarm condition;
a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for determining a location for the portable computer system; and
a transmitter for transmitting the determined location of the portable computer system to a remote location.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for generating an alarm in a portable computer system. In this embodiment, when an owner of a portable computer system determines that the portable computer system is either stolen or missing, the owner activates a remote transmitter. This remote transmitter sends an activation signal to a receiver in the portable computer system. In response to the activation signal, the portable computer system takes at least one theft deterrence action, such as generating an audio alarm. In one embodiment of the present invention, the theft deterrence action includes erasing at least part of the contents of a data storage device in the portable computer system. In another embodiment, the theft deterrence action includes disabling power for the portable computer system. In yet another embodiment, the theft deterrence action includes dialing a telephone number through a mobile telephone coupled with the portable computer system.
103 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for generating an alarm in a portable computing system, comprising:
-
a portable computing system; a portable source of power located within the portable computer system for providing electrical power to the portable computer system; a receiver within the portable computing system that receives an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; and a computational circuit located within the portable computing system and coupled to the receiver, the computational circuit including resources to set an alarm condition in response to the activation signal received by the receiver; a theft deterrence mechanism located within the portable computer system and communicating with the computational circuit, the theft deterrence mechanism performing at least one theft deterrence action in response to the alarm condition; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for determining a location for the portable computer system; and a transmitter for transmitting the determined location of the portable computer system to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus for generating an alarm in a portable computing system, comprising:
-
a portable computing system; a portable source of power located within the portable computer system that provides electrical power to the portable computer system; a receiver within the portable computing system, for receiving an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; and a computational circuit located within the portable computing system and coupled to the receiver, the computational circuit setting an alarm condition in response to the activation signal received by the receiver; a theft deterrence mechanism located within the portable computer system and communicating with the computational circuit that performs at least one theft deterrence action in response to the alarm condition, the theft deterrence mechanism including a mobile telephone transmitter that automatically calls a telephone number in response to the alarm condition; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for determining a location for the portable computer system; and a transmitter for transmitting the determined location of the portable computer system to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
-
18. An apparatus for generating an alarm in a portable computing system, comprising:
-
a portable computing system; a portable source of power located within the portable computer system that provides electrical power to the portable computer system; a radio frequency receiver within the portable computing system, for receiving a radio frequency activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; and a computational circuit located within the portable computing system and coupled to the radio frequency receiver, the computational circuit setting an alarm condition in response to the activation signal received by the radio frequency receiver, the computational circuit also resetting the alarm condition in response to a deactivation signal received by the radio frequency receiver; and a theft deterrence mechanism located within the portable computer system and communicating with the computational circuit that performs at least one theft deterrence action in response to the alarm condition, the theft deterrence mechanism including an audio alarm; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for determining a location for the portable computer system; and a transmitter for transmitting the determined location of the portable computer system to a remote location.
-
Specification