Techniques for capturing identifying information on a device user

• US 8,490,200 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2008
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rivera, David, Challener, David C., Waltermann, Rod D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABYANEH, ALI S
• Application Number:
  US12/054,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20090249485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,939 Days
• Field of Search: 726/26, 726/34, 726/35, 726/2, 755/456.1, 755/404.2, 755/410, 755/411
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

A technique for identifying a user of a device includes receiving a tracking mechanism trigger and capturing (e.g., periodically) identifying information on the user of the device in response to the trigger.

Claims

1. A method for associating an unauthorized user with a stolen computer system, said method comprising:

in response to a receipt of a tracking mechanism trigger by a computer system via a wireless network, wherein said tracking mechanism trigger is received in response to a reported theft of said computer system,

capturing identifying information on an unauthorized user of said computer system under control of a basic input/output system (BIOS), and storing said identifying information in a non-volatile storage device that is only accessible by said BIOS of said computer system;

capturing data entered into said computer system from a keyboard by said unauthorized user under the control of said BIOS, and storing said data in said non-volatile storage device; and

wirelessly transmitting said data and said identifying information to a device recovery service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying information includes biometric information of said unauthorized user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said biometric information includes voice, a picture, or a fingerprint of said unauthorized user.

4. A computer-readable storage device having a computer program product for associating an unauthorized user with a stolen computer system, said computer-readable storage device comprising:

program code for, in response to a receipt of a tracking mechanism trigger by a computer system via a wireless network, wherein said tracking mechanism trigger is received in response to a reported theft of said computer system,

capturing identifying information on an unauthorized user of said computer system under control of a basic input/output system (BIOS), and storing said identifying information in a non-volatile storage device that is only accessible by said BIOS of said computer system;

capturing data entered into said computer system from a keyboard by said unauthorized user under the control of said BIOS, and storing said data in said non-volatile storage device; and

program code for wirelessly transmitting said data and said identifying information to a device recovery service provider.

5. The computer-readable storage device of claim 4, wherein said identifying information includes biometric information of said unauthorized user.

6. The computer-readable storage device of claim 5, wherein said biometric information includes voice, a picture, or a fingerprint of said unauthorized user.

7. A computer system, comprising:

a keyboard;

a non-volatile storage device; and

a processor, coupled to said non-volatile storage device and said keyboard, wherein said processor, in response to a receipt of a tracking mechanism trigger by said computer system via a wireless network, wherein said tracking mechanism trigger is received in response to a reported theft of said computer system,

captures identifying information on an unauthorized user of said computer system under the control of a basic input/output system (BIOS), and storing said identifying information in a non-volatile storage device that is only accessible by said BIOS of said computer system;

captures data entered into said computer system from a keyboard by said unauthorized user under the control of said BIOS, and storing said data in said non-volatile storage device; and

a network interface card for wirelessly transmitting said data and said identifying information to a device recovery service provider.

8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein said identifying information includes biometric information of said unauthorized user.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein said biometric information includes voice, a picture, or a fingerprint of said unauthorized user.