Security monitor for PDA attached telephone

• US 7,356,835 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Kelly, James Michael, Gancarcik, Edward Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Song; Hosuk
• Application Number:
  US10/926,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 726 2- 3, 726 34- 35
• US Class Current: 726/2
• 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 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM

Abstract

A user enabled application for monitoring the presence of a PDA connected to a network via a cradle and, in response, ringing a phone in the vicinity of the PDA. The display on the telephone displays a message that asks the user to enter an access code via the telephone dialpad. If the user enters the correct access code then nothing happens and the phone continues to work as normal. If, however, the correct access code is not entered, the system communicates the unauthorized removal of the PDA to pre-selected phone numbers, pager numbers or email addresses. Appropriate steps can then be taken to try to and recover the missing device.

Claims

1. A security system within a network of connected devices, comprising:

a database containing contact information including at least one of a security phone number, user phone number, user pager number or email address;

a server application for periodically monitoring unauthorized removal of at least one of said devices to said network and in the event of detecting unauthorized removal of said at least one device from the network then communicating said unauthorized removal in accordance with said contact with said contact information; and

a phone in the vicinity of said at least one device, said phone operating under control of said server application to generate a display for prompting entry of an access code upon detection of said unauthorized removal, whereby correct entry of said access code prevents communicating said unauthorized removal.

2. The security device of claim 1, wherein said at least one device is selected from the group comprising a PDA, an IP phone, a router, a printer, a laptop and a PC.

3. A security system within a network of connected devices, comprising;

a database containing contact information;

a server application for periodically monitoring unauthorized removal of at least one of said devices to said network and in the event of detecting unauthorized removal of at least of said at least one device from the network then communicating said unauthorized removal in accordance with said contact information;

a client application for registering a MAC address of at least one of said devices with said server application upon initial connection to the network, whereupon said server application monitors said unauthorized removal by pinging the network for MAC address and in the absence of a response renders said device inoperable; and

a phone in the vicinity of at least one device, said phone operating under control of said server application to generate a display for prompting entry of an access code upon detection of said unauthorized removal, whereby correct entry of said access code prevents communicating said unauthorized removal.

4. The security device of claim 3, wherein said client application deletes/encrypts at least one internal database of said device for rendering the device inoperable.

5. The security device of claim 3, wherein said client application encrypts data in at least one internal database of said device for rendering the device inoperable.

6. A method of monitoring devices connected to a network and implementing security measures in the event of disconnection therefrom, comprising:

storing contact information in database, said contact information includes at least one of a security phone number, user phone number, user pager number or email address; and

periodically monitoring unauthorized removal of at least one of said devices to said network; and

in the event of detecting unauthorized removal of said at least one device from the network the i) communicating said unauthorized removal in accordance with said contact information, and ii) generating a display at a phone in the vicinity of said at least one device for prompting entry of an access code upon detection of said unauthorized removal, whereby correct entry of said access code prevents communicating said unauthorized removal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one device is selected from the group comprising a PDA, an IP phone, a router, a printer, a laptop and a PC.

8. A method of monitoring devices connected to a network and implementing security measures in the event of disconnection therefrom, comprising:

storing contact information in a database;

periodically monitoring unauthorized removal of at least one of the devices to the network; and

registering a MAC address of the at least one device upon an initial connection to the network, and subsequently monitoring the connection by pinging the network for the MAC address and

in the event of detecting unauthorized removal of the at least one device from the network then i) communicating the unauthorized removal in accordance with the contact information, and ii) generating a display at a phone in the vicinity of the at least one device for prompting entry of an access code upon detection of the unauthorized removal, whereby correct entry of the access code prevents communicating the unauthorized removal.

9. The method of claim 8, further including rendering said device inoperable in response to detecting said unauthorized removal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said rendering of said device inoperable includes deleting at least one internal database of said device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said rendering of said device inoperable includes encrypting data in at least one internal database of said device.