Global positioning satellite [GPS] based recovery device and risk management system for portable computing devices and data

• US 8,427,305 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2009
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apogee Technology Consultants, LLC
• Original Assignee: Apogee Technology Consultants, LLC
• Inventors: Coker, Michael J., Madsen, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US12/461,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20100188287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.1
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain

Abstract

A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite [GPS] technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices and for compensating owners of devices. The invention inserts a GPS mechanism into a computing device that is enabled once the device is reported missing. The GPS emits real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.

Claims

1. A compact global positioning satellite device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising:

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

wherein the global positioning satellite device is configured to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records; and

wherein said one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records utilizing a random binary fill 128 bit encryption that is capable of de-encryption and data recovery if the portable computing device is located.

2. A compact global positioning satellite device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising:

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

wherein the global positioning satellite device is configured to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records; and

wherein said one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records where a binary fill is activated over-the-air and is not required for the portable computing device to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

3. A compact global positioning satellite device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising:

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

wherein the global positioning satellite device is configured to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records; and

wherein said one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records where a binary fill de-encryption is activated over-the-air and is not required for the portable computing device to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

4. A method of utilizing a compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device as part of an insurance and risk management service to mitigate the economic cost of loss or theft of said portable computing device and any proprietary data files stored therein, the method comprising:

receiving electrical power from either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said global positioning satellite device;

installing a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device;

operating a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device; and

determining a value and payment scheme for said insurance and risk management service using a series of computerized algorithms;

wherein one or more inputs to said computerized algorithms are selected from the group consisting of the cost of said global positioning satellite device, the cost of installation of said global positioning satellite device, the cost of a monitoring service, the cost of communications from the monitoring service to the one or more global positioning satellite arrays, the cost of communication between a global positioning satellite and a covertly installed global positioning satellite device, and a future time based value for information and data maintained or to be maintained on said portable computing device for which an owner will be compensated in the event of theft or loss of said portable computing device.

5. A compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device comprising:

an electrical power system configured to receive power from either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

a data port configured to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device configured to communicate wirelessly with one or more global positioning satellite arrays and to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device, wherein transmission of the geographic coordinates is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of the portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions cause the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to modify electronically stored records utilizing a random binary fill or encryption that is capable of decryption and data recovery if the portable computing device is located.

6. The compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device of claim 5, wherein the one or more received transmissions are wireless.

7. The compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device of claim 5, wherein the one or more transmissions cause the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to decrypt encrypted electronically stored records.