Stimulus-dependent electronic device

• US 7,139,560 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Wireless Communications
• Original Assignee: Advanced Wireless Communications
• Inventors: Blakeley, Peter Alan, Kulseth, Paul Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DANH C
• Application Number:
  US10/028,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,798 Days
• Field of Search: 455/420, 455/418, 455/410, 455/456.1, 455/41.G, 340/10.33, 340/10.5, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

Herein is disclosed a method, system, and apparatus for dettering theft of portable electronice devices. A portable electronic device is rendered incapable of properly operating after being powered down, without at least some exposure for some time to a given stimulus during a subsequent power-up sequence. A source of the stimulus is provided within a locality from which the devices are not to be removed. Transmission of the stimulus is limited to a region of space within the locality.

Claims

1. A method of deterring removal of a portable electronic device from a locality, the method comprising:

(a) rendering operation of the portable electronic device dependent upon a given stimulus, so that the device is inoperable without at least some exposure for some time to the given stimulus, wherein the portable electronic device is a two-way radio, the two-way radio being dependent upon said exposure to the given stimulus for operability;

(b) providing a source of the stimulus within the locality;

(c) limiting transmission of the stimulus to a region of space within the locality; and

(d) closing a stimulus-sensitive switch of the two-way radio upon said exposure to the given stimulus, until such time as the radio is powered down, the stimulus-sensitive switch being interposed between a power source of the two-way radio and the operational circuitry.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises:

preempting a power-up sequence, until exposure to the stimulus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a two-way radio, and wherein step (a) comprises:

disabling reception of a radio signal, until exposure to the stimulus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a two-way radio, and wherein step (a) comprises:

disabling transmission of a radio signal, until exposure to the stimulus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus is a magnetic field.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus is an infrared signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus is an identification code modulated against a radio frequency carrier signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises interrupting an output of a voltage regulator that powers circuitry within the portable electronic device, until exposure to the stimulus.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the given stimulus is transmission of a radio signal, the two-way radio including operational circuitry for reception and transmission of the radio signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the two-way radio includes a power source that provides power to the operational circuitry.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the two-way radio further includes an on/off switch interposed between the power source and the operational circuitry.

12. The method of claim 1, further including:

closing a first switch of the stimulus-sensitive switch in response to said exposure to the given stimulus; and

closing a second switch of the stimulus-sensitive switch in response to closure of the first switch.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein closing the second switch completes a feedback circuit causing the second switch to remain closed.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus-sensitive switch is configured to respond to exposure to a magnetic field.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus-sensitive switch is configured to respond to exposure to an infrared signal.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the stimulus-sensitive switch is configured to respond to exposure to a radio frequency signal.