Movement monitoring security devices and systems

• US 9,972,182 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2017
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William J. Warren
• Original Assignee: William J. Warren
• Inventors: Warren, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Baotran N
• Application Number:
  US15/404,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20170124825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 726 34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup

Abstract

Motion sensing devices for computer security are provided. In various embodiments, a security device includes a sensor for receiving periodic signals from a mobile device, the sensor being for detecting movement of a computing device to which the security device is removably coupled. The security device can receive from the sensor messages indicative of the movement of the computing device. The security device can further determine if the computing device has been moved, using the sensor messages. The security device can be paired with the mobile device, the mobile device having an application. The security device can output a warning message to the mobile device, the warning message being outputted via the application, if the strength of the signals received is below a predetermined threshold. A decrease in the strength of the signals may be indicative of the computing device being moved.

Claims

1. A security device, comprising:

a sensor for receiving periodic signals from a mobile device, the sensor being for detecting movement of a computing device to which the security device is removably coupled;

a transmitter;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to perform instructions to;

receive messages from the sensor indicative of the movement of the computing device;

determine if the computing device has been moved, using the messages from the sensor;

pair the security device with the mobile device over a communications path, the mobile device comprising an application; and

output a warning message using the transmitter to the mobile device over the communications path, the warning message being outputted via the application, if strength of the periodic signals received is below a predetermined threshold.

2. The security device according to claim 1, wherein a decrease in the strength of the periodic signals indicates an increase in distance between the mobile device and the sensor.

3. The security device according to claim 2, wherein the increase in distance between the mobile device and the sensor is indicative of the movement of the computing device.

4. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the warning message comprises at least two or more of an audible warning, a visual warning, a textual warning, or any combinations thereof.

5. The security device according to claim 1, further comprising an audio output device, the audio output device being controlled by the processor to output the warning message.

6. The security device according to claim 5, wherein the warning message is output as a warning tone or spoken word if the strength of the periodic signals received is below the predetermined threshold.

7. The security device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a housing that encloses the sensor, the processor, and the memory; and

a clamp that couples the housing to the computing device.

8. The security device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a housing; and

means for positioning the sensor proximate an object that is adjacent to the computing device, the means for positioning the sensor extending from the housing.

9. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the security device is integrated into a protective cover that is configured to enclose at least a portion of the computing device.

10. The security device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking interface that is configured to secure the security device to the computing device so as to make removal of the security device from the computing device difficult.

11. A security system, comprising:

a security device comprising;

a sensor for receiving periodic signals from a mobile device; and

means for communicatively coupling the sensor with a computing device; and

the computing device comprising;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to perform instructions to;

receive messages from the sensor indicative of movement of the computing device;

determine if the computing device has been moved, using the messages from the sensor;

pair the security device with the mobile device over a communications path, the mobile device comprising an application; and

output a warning message using a transmitter to the mobile device over the communications path, the warning message being outputted via the application, if strength of the periodic signals received is below a predetermined threshold.

12. The security system according to claim 11, wherein a decrease in the strength of the periodic signals indicates an increase in distance between the mobile device and the sensor.

13. The security system according to claim 12, wherein the increase in distance between the mobile device and the sensor is indicative of the movement of the computing device.

14. The security system according to claim 11, wherein the warning message comprises at least two or more of an audible warning, a visual warning, a textual warning, or any combinations thereof.

15. The security system according to claim 11, further comprising an audio output device, the audio output device being controlled by the processor to output the warning message.

16. The security system according to claim 15, wherein the warning message is output as a warning tone or spoken word if the strength of the periodic signals received is below the predetermined threshold.

17. The security system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a housing that encloses the sensor, the processor, and the memory; and

a clamp that couples the housing to the computing device.

18. The security system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a housing; and

means for positioning the sensor proximate an object that is adjacent to the computing device, the means for positioning the sensor extending from the housing.

19. The security system according to claim 11, wherein the security device is integrated into a protective cover that is configured to enclose at least a portion of the computing device.

20. The security system according to claim 11, further comprising a locking interface that is configured to secure the security device to the computing device so as to make removal of the security device from the computing device difficult.