Computer recovery or return

• US 9,390,296 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2015
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carolyn W. Hafeman
• Original Assignee: Carolyn W. Hafeman
• Inventors: Hafeman, Carolyn W.
• Primary Examiner(s): REVAK, CHRISTOPHER A
• Application Number:
  US14/691,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20150261980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/51 at application loading time, e.g. accepting, rejecting, starting or inhibiting executable software based on integrity or source reliability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/575 Secure boot
• 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: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 Hyperlinking

Abstract

A computer return apparatus includes a processor. The apparatus includes a memory connected to the processor. The apparatus includes a display. The apparatus includes a return screen that the processor automatically causes to appear during or after boot-up of the processor on the display, that displays information concerning an owner who owns the computer, concerning user information about who the user is who the computer is assigned to for use, and return information for returning the computer to the owner from data stored in the memory. A method for displaying information to assist with returning a computer to its owner.

Claims

1. A method for displaying information to assist with returning a computer comprising the steps of:

displaying by a processor automatically an ownership recovery screen on a display of the computer which displays information concerning return information for returning the computer to an owner from data stored in a memory of the computer, the ownership recovery screen displaying recovery information before or with a lock screen, to facilitate return of the computer and which is maintained on or with the lock screen so the return information is visible to anyone viewing the ownership recovery screen or lock screen until a security prompt is accepted by the processor, when security information associated with the security prompt is accepted by the processor allowing a user to access the computer;

initiating and changing the additional information through remote communication without assistance by the user with the computer, wherein the changing of the additional information is done through an interactive program stored in the memory of the computer and is remotely accessed only by the owner of the computer or the party authorized by the owner to enable the designing and changing of the ownership recovery screen; and

locking the computer remotely which prevents the user from accessing operatively the computer; and

activating the processor to issue a warning message to the user.

2. The method as described in claim 1 including the step of selecting by the owner or user an Internet link on the ownership recovery screen, an Internet location associated with the Internet link stored in the memory of the computer, the owner or user is automatically able to access the computer and the Internet location associated with the Internet link.

3. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the security information associated with the security prompt is accepted by the processor allowing the user to access the computer, the ownership recovery screen having an active link allowing remote communication to a remote server which provides recovery information to facilitate return of the computer.

4. An apparatus for displaying information at a computer owned by an owner which is used by a user, the apparatus comprising:

a computer comprising;

a memory;

a display; and

a processor in communication with the display and the memory which automatically displays an ownership recovery screen on the display of the computer which displays information concerning return information for returning the computer to an owner from data stored in the memory of the computer, the ownership recovery screen displaying recovery information before or with a lock screen, to facilitate return of the computer and which is maintained on or with the lock screen so the return information is visible to anyone viewing the ownership recovery screen or lock screen until a security prompt is accepted by the processor, when security information associated with the security prompt is accepted by the processor allowing a user to access the computer, the ownership recovery screen or lock screen showing additional information which includes advertisements, logos, pictures, or designs, the initiating and changing the additional information which includes advertisements, logos, pictures, or designs, through remote communication without assistance by the user with the computer, wherein the changing of the additional information is done through an interactive program stored in the memory of the computer and which is remotely accessed only by the owner of the computer or the party authorized by the owner to enable the designing and changing of the ownership recovery screen.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the ownership recovery screen includes an internet link that can be selected by the owner or user, an Internet location associated with the Internet link stored in the memory of the computer, the owner or user is automatically able to access the computer and the Internet location associated with the Internet link.

6. The system as described in claim 4 wherein the ownership recovery screen having an active link to allow remote communication to the remote server which provides recovery information to facilitate return of the computer.

7. A computer program stored in a non-transient memory for displaying information to assist with returning a computer to its owner comprising the computer generated steps of:

displaying by a processor automatically an ownership recovery screen on a display of the computer which displays information concerning return information for returning the computer to a owner from data stored in a memory of the computer, the ownership recovery screen displaying recovery information before or with a lock screen, to facilitate return of the computer and which is maintained on or with the lock screen so the return information is visible to anyone viewing the ownership recovery screen or lock screen until a security prompt is accepted by the processor, when security information associated with the security prompt is accepted by the processor allowing a user to access the computer, the ownership recovery screen or lock screen showing additional information which includes advertisements, logos, pictures, or designs; and

initiating and changing the additional information which includes advertisements, logos, pictures, or designs, through remote communication without assistance by the user with the computer, wherein the changing of the additional information is done through an interactive program stored in the memory of the computer and is remotely accessed only by the owner of the computer or the party authorized by the owner to enable the designing and changing of the ownership recovery screen.