Anti-theft and security system for computers

• US 7,135,971 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter Taehwan Kim
• Original Assignee: Walter Taehwan Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Walter Taehwan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Lam
• Application Number:
  US10/755,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.15, 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/568.3, 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.9, 340/686.1, 340/686.4, 702/141
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection

Abstract

A system is disclosed for preventing an unauthorized person from taking or using a portable computer. The anti-theft/security system includes a USB device having a motion sensor attached to a casing of a portable computer. The USB device is connected to a port of the portable computer using a connector. The anti-theft/security system also includes an alarm sub-system to cause an audible sound to be generated, which is triggered based on a signal generated by the motion sensor located inside the USB device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a motion detection device having an enclosure to contain a motion sensor; and

a connector to couple the motion detection device to an external port of a portable computer, the motion detection device capable of receiving electrical power from the portable computer via the connector, wherein the connector enables the enclosure of the motion detection device to establish physical contact with a casing of the portable computer so that the enclosure of the motion detection device is capable of non-detachably attaching to the casing of the portable computer while the motion detection device is electrically coupled to the external port of the portable computer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure of the motion detection device is permanently attached to an external surface of the casing of the portable computer using an adhesive material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computer is operable to generate an audible sound based on a signal generated by the motion detection device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion detection device is operable to generate an audible sound based on a signal generated by the motion sensor.

5. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure;

a wireless receiver contained in the enclosure to receive wireless signals;

a motion sensor contained in the enclosure to enable detection of movement of the enclosure;

a controller contained in the enclosure and coupled to the wireless receiver and the motion sensor, the controller to generate a signal indicating that the enclosure is being moved; and

a connector to couple between the controller and an external port of a portable computer, wherein the connector enables the enclosure to establish physical contact with a casing of the portable computer so that the enclosure of the motion detection device is capable of non-detachably attaching to the casing of the portable computer while the controller is electrically coupled to the external port of the portable computer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the enclosure is permanently attached to an external surface of the casing of the portable computer using an adhesive material.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the portable computer is operable to generate an audible sound based on the signal generated by the controller.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a sound generator contained in the enclosure, the sound generator operable to generate an audible sound based on a signal generated by the motion sensor.

9. A system comprising:

a motion detection device having a motion sensor, the motion detection device capable of connecting to an external port of a portable computer, the motion detection device including a wireless receiver capable of receiving wireless signals;

a remote wireless transmitter unit to transmit wireless signals to the motion detection device to enable and disable an alarm function; and

a connector to enable an enclosure of the motion detection device to establish physical contact with a casing of the portable computer so that the enclosure of the motion detection device is capable of non-detachably attaching to the casing of the portable computer while the motion detection device is electrically coupled to the external port of the portable computer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the enclosure of the motion detection device is permanently attached to an external surface of the casing of the portable computer using an adhesive material.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the portable computer is operable to generate an audible sound based on a signal generated by the motion detection device.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the motion detection device is operable to generate an audible sound based on a signal generated by the motion sensor.

13. A method comprising:

non-detachably attaching a motion detection device having a motion sensor to a casing of a portable computer via a connector;

using the connector to couple the motion detection device to an external port of the portable computer;

supplying electrical power from the portable computer to the motion detection device via the connector;

causing an audible sound to be generated based on a signal generated by the motion detection device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the connector comprises a flexible cable.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein non-detachably attaching the motion detection device comprises using an adhesive to permanently attach a portion of the enclosure of the motion detection device to an external surface of the casing of the portable computer.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

enabling an alarm function executable by the portable computer, wherein the audible sound is generated by the portable computer based on a signal generated by the motion detection device while the alarm function is enabled.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

enabling an alarm function executable by the motion detection device, wherein the audible sound is generated by the motion detection device based on a signal generated by the motion sensor while the alarm function is enabled.