Electronic device security

• US 6,504,480 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Luman, David, Magnuson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/925,264
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/540, 340/568.1, 340/686.6, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.21, 340/5.22, 340/5.23, 340/825.44, 455/421, 455/67.1
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00373 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0042 the transmitted data signal containing a code which is changed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00817 where the code of the lock can be programmed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• 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 preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic proximal security system comprising a master device including a first transmitter for communicating at least one device code, and a code processor. The system also comprises at least one slave device including a receiver for communicating the at least one device code, a code translator, and a slave controller for limiting access to functionality of the slave device responsive to the at least one device code transmitted from the master device.

Claims

1. An electronic proximal security system comprising:

a master device including;

a first transmitter for communicating at least one device code;

a code processor;

at least one slave device including;

a receiver for communicating said at least one device code;

a code translator;

a slave controller for limiting access to at least one functionality of said slave device responsive to said at least one device code transmitted from said master device; and

an alternative master device including;

a second transmitter for communicating said at least one device code; and

an alternate code processor;

wherein said alternative master device provides alternative control signals for limiting access to functionality of said slave device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said master device further includes:

a programmable base controller for programming ones of said at least one device code.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said master device is programmed to vary said at least one device code for varying access to functionality of said slave device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said slave device limits functionality without receiving appropriate said at least one device code.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said master device communicates said at least one device code responsive to a page code communicated from said slave device.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said slave device periodically transmits said page.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said slave device automatically erases a memory disposed within said slave device when a user attempts to access functionality of said slave device without receiving appropriate ones of said at least one device code transmitted by said master device.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said master device comprises at least one of:

a fob;

a piece of jewelry;

a smart card; and

an electronic device.

9. An electronic proximal security system comprising:

a master device including;

a first transmitter for communicating at least one device code;

a code processor;

at least one slave device including;

a receiver for communicating said at least one device code;

a code translator;

a slave controller for limiting access to at least one functionality of said slave device responsive to said at least one device code transmitted from said master device; and

a proxy master including;

a third transmitter for communicating said at least one device code;

a proxy code processor for mimicking device codes transmitted by said master device;

a proxy controller for limiting access to functionality of said proxy device responsive to said at least one device code transmitted from said master device; and

a proxy timer for continuing operation of said proxy code processor for a predetermined period of time after exceeding a transmission range of said master device.

10. A method for providing proximal security for electronic devices comprising the steps of:

transmitting an access code from a second device responsive to receiving a page signal transmitted from a first device;

receiving said access code at said first device, wherein said access code determines a level of access to functionality of said first device;

programming said access code for selectively controlling said level of access transmitting an alternative access code from a third device, wherein said alternative access code transmitted by said third device is substantially the same as said access code transmitted from said second device; and

receiving said alternative access code at said first device, wherein said alternative access code determines said level of access to functionality of said first device.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting said page signal from a fourth device;

receiving said access code at said fourth device, wherein said access code determines said level of access to functionality of said fourth device;

transmitting a quasi-access code from said fourth device in response to said received access code, wherein said quasi-access code continues to be transmitted for a preset period of time after failing to receive said access code; and

receiving said quasi-access code at said first device, wherein said quasi-access code determines said level of access to functionality of said first device.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

executing an application at said first device responsive to failing to receive at least one of said access code and said quasi-access code.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said application comprises at least one of:

a communication application for establishing a communication link with a predetermined third party;

a location application for communicating a location of said first device to said predetermined third party; and

an alteration application for altering a functional attribute of said first device.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

executing an application at said first device responsive to failing to receive at least one of said access code and said alternative access code.