āJā system for securing a portable computer which optionally requires an entry of an invalid power on password (POP), by forcing an entry of a valid POP
First Claim
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1. A portable computer, which optionally requires entry of a valid Power On Password during system initialization and said computer is currently not requiring the entry thereof, comprising:
- a microprocessor;
Power On Self Test (POST) code that is executed by said microprocessor during system initialization, said POST code can require a user to enter a Power On Password (POP) to enable system operation, and if the POST code requires a POP and a valid POP is not entered the computer will not complete system initialization and will be non-operational;
an input/output device operatively coupled to said microprocessor; and
a battery-backed wireless RF receiver operatively coupled to said microprocessor;
wherein said computer implements a security mode which can be remotely activated either by transmitting a security command to said wireless RF receiver whether the computer is on or off or by the receiver failing to receive a periodic status signal; and
wherein said security mode includes, if the computer is off when the security mode is activated, forcing a user to enter a valid POP the next time the computer is turned on.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer security system whereby access is controlled by remote enablement or disablement. The system can be coupled with third-party products to accommodate satellite transmissions for long-distance access control.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A portable computer, which optionally requires entry of a valid Power On Password during system initialization and said computer is currently not requiring the entry thereof, comprising:
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a microprocessor;
Power On Self Test (POST) code that is executed by said microprocessor during system initialization, said POST code can require a user to enter a Power On Password (POP) to enable system operation, and if the POST code requires a POP and a valid POP is not entered the computer will not complete system initialization and will be non-operational;
an input/output device operatively coupled to said microprocessor; and
a battery-backed wireless RF receiver operatively coupled to said microprocessor;
wherein said computer implements a security mode which can be remotely activated either by transmitting a security command to said wireless RF receiver whether the computer is on or off or by the receiver failing to receive a periodic status signal; and
wherein said security mode includes, if the computer is off when the security mode is activated, forcing a user to enter a valid POP the next time the computer is turned on. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of securing a portable computer which optionally requires entry of a valid Power On Password during system initialization and said computer is currently not requiring the entry thereof, comprising:
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receiving a periodic security message from an RF transmitting source whether the computer is on or off; and
activating a security mode either when the next of said periodic security messages is not received or when a security activation signal is received;
wherein when the computer is off, responding to the activation of the security mode by requiring entry of a valid POP to enable system operation during subsequent system initialization. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable computer, which optionally requires entry of a valid Power On Password during system initialization, comprising:
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a microprocessor;
a nonvolatile memory device;
a trouble bit within said nonvolatile memory device that identifies whether the portable computer runs in a normal mode or a security mode;
a Power On Self Test (POST) code that is executed by said microprocessor during system initialization, said POST code can require a user to enter a Power On Password (POP) to enable system operation, and if the POST code requires a POP and a valid POP is not entered the computer will not complete system initialization and will be non-operational;
an input/output device operatively coupled to said microprocessor; and
a battery-backed wireless RF receiver operatively coupled to said microprocessor and to said trouble bit in nonvolatile memory;
wherein said computer implements a security mode that is initiated by setting the trouble bit and which can be remotely activated either by transmitting a security command to said wireless RF receiver whether the computer is on or off or by the receiver failing to receive a periodic status signal; and
wherein when said trouble bit is set, if the computer is on when the security mode is activated, the computer is disabled by forcing the computer to perform a system reset and requiring a user to enter a valid POP, or, if the computer is off when the trouble bit is set, forcing a user to enter a valid POP the next time the computer is turned on. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of securing a portable computer which optionally requires entry of a valid Power On Password during system initialization, comprising:
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receiving a periodic security message from an RF transmitting source whether the computer is on or off; and
activating a security mode either when the next of said periodic security messages is not received or when a security activation signal is received; and
enabling said security mode by setting a bit in nonvolatile memory;
responding to the setting of said bit by I. when the computer is off, requiring entry of a valid POP to enable system operation during subsequent system initialization;
orii. when the computer is on, forcing a reset of the computer and requiring entry of a valid Power On Password (POP) to enable system operation during subsequent system initialization. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification