Anti-theft computer security system

• US 6,147,603 A
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc., DBA Vanguard Protex Global
• Original Assignee: Protex International Corporation (Vanguard Protex Global)
• Inventors: Rand, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/438,648
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.3, 340/568.4, 340/571, 439/344, 439/917, 379/44
• US Class Current: 340/568.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply

Abstract

A computer anti-theft security system comprising a USB connector having a housing section and a contact connectd to the housing section is disclosed. A cable is connected to the contact and extends through the housing section. The contact inserts into a USB port of a computer or peripheral and the cable is then connected to a central alarm monitoring unit. A sensor is disposed within the housing and connected to the cable as well. If the USB connector is disconnected from the computer or peripheral, or if the cable is cut, an alarm sounds from the central alarm monitoring unit.

Claims

1. An anti-theft computer security system, comprising:

a USB connector comprising;

(a) a housing;

(b) a contact extending from the housing and having data+ and data- terminals for connecting to a USB port on an electronic device;

(c) a sensor disposed within the housing;

a cable comprising a plurality of wires connected to the sensor and contact at one end and having a free end; and

a central alarm monitoring unit connected to the free end of the cable,

wherein said central alarm monitoring unit detects the presence of the sensor and sends an alarm signal when the connector is disconnected from the electronic device or the cable is cut.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a diode connected to two wires in the cable and to the ground and data- terminals of the contact such that a circuit is completed when the connector is connected to an electronic device through a USB port, and wherein the circuit is broken when the connector is disconnected or the wire is cut.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the cable has four wires and wherein sensor further comprises a bi-color LED connected to the two wires not connected to the diode, said LED glowing one color when the connector is connected to an electronic device and to the central alarm monitoring unit, and glowing another color when the connector is disconnected from the electronic device.

4. A USB connector for connecting to an electronic device and to a central monitoring unit having an alarm, comprising:

a housing;

a contact extending from the housing for connecting to a USB port on an electronic device, said contact having ground and data- terminals;

a sensor disposed within the housing and connected to the contact; and

a cable comprising a plurality of wires connected to the sensor and contact at one end and having a free end;

wherein the sensor activates the alarm when the cable is cut or the contact is disconnected from the electronic device.

5. The USB connector according to claim 4, wherein the sensor comprises a diode connected to two wires in the cable and to the ground and data- terminals of the contact such that a circuit is completed when the connector is connected to a USB port on an electronic device, and wherein the circuit is broken when the connector is disconnected or the wire is cut.

6. The USB connector according to claim 5, wherein the cable has four wires and wherein sensor further comprises a bi-color LED connected to the two wires not connected to the diode, said LED glowing one color when the connector is connected to an electronic device and to a central alarm monitoring unit, and glowing another color when the connector is disconnected from the electronic device.