Method for locking an electrical device to a given locale

• US 7,518,486 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2008
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Rowland, Simon, Beardall, Gavin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Nam V
• Application Number:
  US12/098,935
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 340/7.23, 340/7.27, 340/5.5, 340/568.1, 340/825.49, 340/825.34, 340/5.73, 235/375, 455/414.1, 455/41.2, 70/57, 702/77
• US Class Current: 340/7.23
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A method for locking an electrical device to a location includes installing a location code generating unit into a power network hub servicing a geographic area, generating a location code for the geographic area, at least periodically transmitting the generated location code substantially throughout the geographic area, further including, transmitting the location code substantially throughout the geographic area at a specific frequency, installing at least one frequency filter along at least one boundary of the geographic area for filtering the specific frequency at which the location code is transmitted to prevent transmission of the location code beyond a boundary of the geographic area, receiving the location code from the power network, prompting one or more electronic devices within the geographic area to input the location code, and locking the one or more electronic devices to the location via the location code.

Claims

1. A method for locking an electronic device to a location comprising:

installing a location code generating unit into a power network hub servicing a geographic area;

generating a location code for the geographic area;

at least periodically transmitting the generated location code substantially throughout the geographic area, further including;

transmitting the location code substantially throughout the geographic area at a specific frequency;

installing at least one frequency filter along at least one boundary of the geographic area for filtering the specific frequency at which the location code is transmitted to prevent transmission of the location code beyond a boundary of the geographic area;

receiving the location code from the power network hub;

prompting one or more electronic devices within the geographic area to input the location code;

locking the one or more electronic devices to the location via the location code;

broadcasting a lock notification including a notification that an electronic device within the geographical area is locked to the location code;

preventing an electronic device transported from to a second geographic area outside the boundary of the geographic area from powering on unless a unique device code for the electronic device is received;

programming a location code generator for use with the electronic device;

implementing a waiting period between at least two attempts to enter an electronic device unique device code, the waiting period increasing proportional to the number of incorrect unique device codes that are input;

installing a decoder within an electronic device within an electronic device power supply;

providing a displayable notification for an electronic device;

fitting at least one electric choke along a boundary of the location; and

constructing a location management system utilizing two way data transmission, further including;

utilizing an electronic device attached to the power network may broadcast a unique identifier and electronic device details of an electronic device to enumerate the electronic device and control or interrogate the electronic device.