Location-based recovery device and risk management system for portable computing devices and data

• US 9,026,170 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apogee Technology Consultants, LLC
• Original Assignee: Apogee Technology Consultants, LLC
• Inventors: Madsen, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ajayi, Joel
• Application Number:
  US13/955,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20130318620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 455/411, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0294 Trajectory determination or predictive filtering, e.g. target tracking or Kalman filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/13 File access structures, e.g. distributed indices arrangements of input from, or output to, record carriers G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/602 Providing cryptographic facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/10 Usage protection of distributed data files
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 : Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 : Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 : Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

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, protecting data on such devices, and for compensating owners of devices. A GPS mechanism of the invention provides 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 encrypt or 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 device for protecting a portable computing device comprising:

a circuit board having a circuit element disposed thereon, the circuit board having a first face and a second face;

a global positioning satellite device for determining a location of the portable computing device, the global positioning satellite device being disposed on the first face of the circuit board and in communication with the circuit element;

a rechargeable battery for powering the circuit and the global positioning satellite device disposed on the first face of the circuit board;

a flexible global positioning satellite antenna communicating with the global positioning satellite device for enabling communication of the global positioning satellite device with one or more global positioning satellites, the global positioning satellite antenna being disposed on the rechargeable battery;

a communication antenna communicating with the circuit and disposed on the second side of the circuit board;

a global positioning satellite antenna communicating with the circuit element and the global positioning satellite device for transmitting a location as determined by the global positioning satellite device in response to a lost signal being received by the circuit element at the communication antenna;

the global positioning satellite device, circuit board, rechargeable battery, flexible global positioning satellite antenna, communication antenna, and circuit element being dimensioned to be disposed within the portable computing device in a manner which is not detected by the ordinary observer of the portable computing device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit element includes a portal digitally communicating with an operating system of the portable computing device to prevent access to the electronically stored records in response to the signal.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit element causes the global position to continue outputting a location at predetermined intervals.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit element prevents the use of the electronically stored records by erasing the electronically stored records.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit element prevents the use of the electronically stored records by encrypting the electronically stored record.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the circuit element erases the electronically stored record a predetermined time interval after receipt of the lost signal.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit decrypts the electronically stored records in response to a key code received at the communication antenna.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the electronically stored records include at least one of data, software programs, and operating systems.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the electronically stored records include at least one of data, software programs, and operating systems.