Security apparatus using a telecommunication device

• US 7,531,007 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Sharma, Bettadapura Srinath
• Primary Examiner(s): Parthasarathy; Pramila
• Application Number:
  US10/886,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20060010504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,771 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/045 using recorded signals, e.g. speech
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A security apparatus using a telecommunication device is disclosed. A telephone microprocessor is used for sending a predefined security message to a security telephone number preprogrammed in the telecommunication device. A sensing device associated with the telecommunication device is used for detecting an undesired activity around or in association with the telecommunication device. The sensing device directs the telephone microprocessor to send the predefined security message to alert the undesired activity.

Claims

1. A security apparatus using a telecommunication device comprising:

a telephone microprocessor implemented in the telecommunication device and configured with a security mode and a preprogrammed security phone number;

a sensing device interfaced with the telephone microprocessor, wherein the sensing device comprises at least one directional motion detector coupled to the telephone microprocessor, and arranged in a manner capable of detecting a movement with an angular range of predetermined degree, and collaboratively constituting an enlarged angular range of multiple of the predetermined degrees for monitoring the movement of the telecommunication device;

wherein when the security mode is on and the sensing device is triggered in response to a predetermined security setting, a priority microprocessor interrupt on one of the general purpose input output (GPIO) lines of the telephone microprocessor is triggered, causing a preprogrammed message silently and discreetly sent to the preprogrammed security phone number.

2. The new security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one directional detector is an accelerometer.

3. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is a smoke detector.

4. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is an alcohol detector.

5. The security apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telecommunication device is a wireless phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone.

6. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preprogrammed message is a text message.

7. The security apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preprogrammed message is a voice message.

8. A security apparatus using a telecommunication device comprising:

a telephone microprocessor implemented in the telecommunication device and configured with a security mode and a preprogrammed security phone number;

at least one directional motion detector coupled to the telephone microprocessor, and arranged in a manner capable of detecting a movement within an angular range of a predetermined degree, and collaboratively constituting an enlarged angular range of multiple of the predetermined degrees for monitoring a movement of the telecommunication device;

wherein when the security mode is on and the at least one directional motion detector detects a movement of the telecommunication device, a priority microprocessor interrupt on one of the general purpose input output (GPIO) lines of the telephone microprocessor is triggered, causing a preprogrammed message silently sent to the preprogrammed security phone number.

9. The security apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one directional motion detector is an accelerometer.

10. The security apparatus of claim 8, wherein the preprogrammed message is a text message.

11. The security apparatus of claim 8, wherein the preprogrammed message is a voice message.

12. The security apparatus of claim 8, wherein the telecommunication device is a wireless phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone.

13. An anti-theft method comprising:

providing a telephone microprocessor of a telecommunication device;

configuring the telephone microprocessor with a security mode and a preprogrammed security phone number;

providing at least one directional motion detector coupled to the telephone microprocessor for monitoring a movement of the telephone devices, and arranged in a manner capable of detecting a movement with an angular range of predetermined degree, and collaboratively constituting an enlarged angular range of multiple of the predetermined degrees for monitoring the movement of the telecommunication device;

triggering a priority microprocessor interrupt on one of the general purpose input output (GPIO) lines of the telephone microprocessor when the security mode is on and the at least one directional motion detector detects a movement of the telecommunication device; and

sending a preprogrammed message silently and discreetly sent to the preprogrammed security phone number.

14. The anti-theft method of claim 13, wherein the telecommunication device is a wireless phone, a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

15. The anti-theft method of claim 13, wherein the at least one directional motion detector is an accelerometer.

16. The anti-theft method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

ignoring the interrupt signal when the security mode is off.