Portable computing device with data encryption and destruction

• US 9,369,834 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• 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): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US13/955,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 system for protecting a portable computing device, the system comprising:

a wireless communication assembly of a positioning device, the wireless communication assembly receiving and transmitting wireless signals to and from the portable computing device;

a connector of the positioning device allowing the positioning device to be installed in a slot of a motherboard of the portable computing device; and

a circuit element of the positioning device in communication with the wireless communication assembly and with the connector, wherein the circuit element transmits a claim signal using the wireless communication assembly upon receipt of an alert signal at the wireless communication assembly, the alert signal indicative of one of a loss of the portable computing device or a theft of the portable computing device, the claim signal including data corresponding to an insurance claim, the insurance claim requesting one of a replacement of the portable computing device or a reimbursement for an economic value of the portable computing device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuit element prevents access to one or more data files stored in a memory of the portable computing device in response to the receipt of the alert signal at the wireless communication assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning device communicates with one or more positioning satellites using the wireless communication assembly, determines a location of the portable computing device based on the communications, and transmits a location signal using the wireless communication assembly, the location signal including information corresponding to the location.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the positioning device updates the determined location at predetermined intervals and subsequently transmits an updated location signal including the updated determined location at the predetermined intervals.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein preventing access to the one or more data files includes at least one of erasing or overwriting the one or more data files.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein preventing access to the one or more data files includes encrypting the one or more data files.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the positioning device waits for a predetermined time interval before preventing the use of the one or more data files.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is one of a laptop computer, a tablet device, or a smartphone device.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the positioning device decrypts the encrypted one or more data files in response to receipt of a key code at the wireless communication assembly.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more data files include at least one of an electronic data record, a software program, or an operating system.

11. A method for protecting a portable computing device, the method comprising:

receiving an alert signal at a wireless communication assembly of a positioning device, the alert signal indicative of one of a loss of the portable computing device or a theft of the portable computing device, the positioning device coupled to a motherboard of the portable computing device via a connector of the positioning device, wherein a circuit element of the portable computing device is in communication with both the wireless communication assembly and the connector; and

transmitting a claim signal using the wireless communication assembly, the claim signal including data corresponding to an insurance claim, the insurance claim requesting one of a replacement of the portable computing device or a reimbursement for an economic value of the portable computing device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising preventing access to one or more data files stored at a memory of the portable computing device using the portable computing device upon receipt of the alert signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein preventing access to the one or more files stored at the memory of the portable computing device includes at least one of erasing or overwriting the one or more data files.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein preventing access to the one or more files stored at the memory of the portable computing device includes encrypting the one or more data files.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising waiting until a predetermined time interval has lapsed from receipt of the alert signal before preventing access to the one or more files stored at the memory of the portable computing device.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising decrypting the encrypted one or more files in response to receipt of a key code at the wireless communication assembly.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining a location of the portable computing device in response to the alert signal, wherein determining the location includes communicating via the wireless communication assembly with one or more global positioning system satellites; and

transmitting the determined location to a second device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

updating, periodically, the determined location of the portable computing device according to predetermined intervals; and

transmitting, periodically, the updated determined location to the second device according to the predetermined intervals.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program executable by a processor to perform a method for protecting a portable computing device, the method comprising:

receiving an alert signal at a wireless communication assembly of a positioning device, the alert signal indicative of one of a loss of the portable computing device or a theft of the portable computing device, the positioning device coupled to a motherboard of the portable computing device via a connector of the positioning device, wherein a circuit element of the portable computing device is in communication with both the wireless communication assembly and the connector; and

transmitting a claim signal using the wireless communication assembly, the claim signal including data corresponding to an insurance claim, the insurance claim requesting one of a replacement of the portable computing device or a reimbursement for an economic value of the portable computing device.