Security device for portable computer and method thereof

• US 6,333,684 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1998
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kang, Deog-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brain
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US09/223,716
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.44, 340/5.54, 340/5.74, 340/691.2, 340/568.2, 340/571, 340/7.1, 340/7.2, 713/202, 713/185, 713/189, 455/412, 455/456
• US Class Current: 340/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof

Abstract

A security device and a method for controlling operating status of portable computers with a pager to prevent unauthorized access to information stored in the portable computers, in the event of a theft or a loss are disclosed. The security device for a portable computer comprises: a memory for storing pager processing routine; data processing means for receiving, storing, and determining paged information to generate a corresponding interrupt signal according to a determined result; and a controller for displaying a message or a telephone number, or for changing system password by performing the pager processing routine, according the interrupt signal from the data processing means. The security method for a portable computer comprises the steps of: receiving a paged information; determining the paged information after sensing the presence of power supply and generating an interrupt signal according a result of determined paged information; and controlling operating status of the portable computer according to a type of interrupt signal to prevent unauthorized access to the information stored in the portable computer.

Claims

1. A security device for a portable computer comprising:

a memory for storing a pager processing routine;

data processing means for storing and determining a type of received paged information and for generating a corresponding interrupt signal according to a determined result; and

a controller, said controller displaying a message indicating said portable computer is lost or stolen when it is determined that the paged information is a message, displaying a telephone number when it is determined that the paged information is a telephone number, and changing a system password when it is determined that the paged information is a new password, by performing the pager processing routine according to whether the interrupt signal from the data processing means is a pager interrupt signal, a message interrupt signal or password interrupt signal, respectively.

2. The security device for a portable computer according to claim 1, wherein the memory is BIOS ROM, and the pager processing routine includes a password change handler, a message display handler, and a pager display handler.

3. The security device for a portable computer according to claim 2, wherein the data processing means comprises:

a pager for receiving a paged information;

a non-volatile memory for storing the paged information; and

a micro-controller for controlling a keyboard, a mouse, and an infrared-module, storing the paged information in the non-volatile memory, determining whether the paged information is a new system password, a message, or a telephone number, and for generating a password interrupt signal, a message interrupt signal, or a pager interrupt signal, according to the determined result.

4. The security device for a portable computer according to claim 3, wherein the controller is a central processing unit which controls the activation of a password change handler for changing a system password, a message display handler for displaying a message on a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a pager display handler for displaying a telephone number on the LCD, and for controlling an operation status of the portable computer by stopping a program in use or turning off power.

5. A security method for a portable computer comprising the steps of:

receiving a paged information;

determining the type of paged information received after sensing the presence of a power supply and generating a corresponding interrupt signal according a result of the determined type of paged information; and

controlling operating status of the portable computer according to a type of interrupt signal to prevent the access of the portable computer, wherein the controlling step comprises the steps of;

turning off power supply after changing a system password stored in a backup memory to a new password by operating a password change handler, in presence of a password interrupt signal;

stopping system operations after displaying a paged message on a liquid crystal display by operating a message display handler, in presence of a message interrupt signal; and

displaying a paged telephone number on the liquid crystal display by operating a telephone display handler, in presence of a pager interrupt signal.

6. A security method for a portable computer comprising the steps of:

receiving a paged information;

determining the type of paged information received and generating a corresponding interrupt signal according a result of determined type of paged information; and

controlling an operating status of the portable computer by stopping a program in use in presence of the interrupt signal and by preventing further access of the portable computer according to a type of interrupt signal, wherein the controlling step comprises the steps of;

turning off power supply after stopping the program in use, and after changing a system password stored in a backup memory to a new password by operating a password change handler, in presence of a password interrupt signal;

stopping system operations after displaying a paged message on a liquid crystal display by operating a message display handler, in presence of a message interrupt signal; and

displaying a paged telephone number on the liquid crystal display by operating a telephone display handler, in presence of a pager interrupt signal.