Method and apparatus for implementing a handheld security system

• US 7,674,298 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McAfee, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAfee, Inc. (McAfee, LLC)
• Inventors: Cambridge, Rodney D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PYZOCHA, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US09/916,607
• Time in Patent Office: 3,148 Days
• Field of Search: 380/247, 455/421, 726/35, 713/168
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing security to Bluetooth-enabled handheld or portable devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a handheld security system includes a control unit and a device. The control unit is Bluetooth-enabled, and has an associated communications range. The device, which is also Bluetooth-enabled, is registered with the control unit such that the device cooperates with the control unit using Bluetooth communications to determine when the device is within the range of communications of the control unit. When it is determined that the device is within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is allowed to remain functional. Alternatively, when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is rendered to be substantially non-functional.

Claims

1. A handheld security system, comprising:

a Bluetooth-enabled control unit having a range of communications; and

a Bluetooth-enabled device, wherein the device is registered with the control unit such that the device cooperates with the control unit using Bluetooth communications to determine when the device is within the range of communications of the control unit, wherein when it is determined that the device is within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is functional, and when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is at least partially non-functional;

wherein the device is configured to periodically send an identifying signal to the control unit and the control unit is configured to send a return signal to the device when the identifying signal is received by the control unit;

wherein when the device is at least partially non-functional in a situation where it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is configured to continue periodically sending the identifying signal to the control unit;

wherein the control unit is configured to produce an alert when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit;

wherein the control unit includes a control unit display, the control unit display being configured to display information associated with the device when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit;

wherein the device includes a device display, the device display being configured to display information associated with the control unit when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit;

wherein the device is configured to periodically send the identifying signal utilizing a period of time which is configured based on movements of an owner;

wherein the identifying signal includes information pertaining to a battery status of the device;

wherein the handheld security system is operable such that a range of communications of the device is set to match the range of communications of the control unit for avoiding signals of a first range from being received by the control unit from the device when the range of communications of the control unit is not large enough to enable a return signal to be sent from the control unit to the device;

wherein the handheld security system is operable such that, in response to the alert, the device is added to a list of lost or stolen devices;

wherein the handheld security system is operable such that the list of lost or stolen devices is maintained on a website for allowing a potential buyer of the device to determine whether the device is included in the list of lost or stolen devices.

2. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device includes a lockout interface, wherein when the device does not receive the return signal in response to the identifying signal, the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit and the lockout interface locks out the device and causes the device to be at least partially non-functional.

3. The handheld security system according to claim 2 wherein when the device receives the return signal, the lockout interface unlocks the device and causes the device to be functional.

4. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device is exclusively registered with the control unit.

5. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device display is configured to display a message that warns that the device is at least one of lost and stolen, when the device is at least partially non-functional.

6. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device display is configured to display contact information that is capable of being used by someone who locates the device to identify the owner of the device, when the device is at least partially non-functional.

7. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device is configured to periodically send the identifying signal utilizing the period of time of at least one hour for accommodating the owner who rarely leaves a particular area.

8. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device is configured to periodically send the identifying signal utilizing the period of time of less than 15 minutes for accommodating the owner who travels frequently.

9. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the device is configured to periodically send the identifying signal as long as the device has access to power.

10. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is a wrist-worn device.

11. The handheld security system according to claim 10 wherein the control unit is the wrist-worn device for effectively ensuring that the control unit stays with the owner.

12. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to attempt to initiate handshakes with multiple missing devices.

13. The handheld security system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld security system is operable such that the device is registered with multiple separate control units.

14. A method for executing a security protocol for a first Bluetooth-enabled device with respect to a second Bluetooth-enabled device, the method comprising:

periodically emitting a first Bluetooth transmission signal from the first Bluetooth-enabled device;

determining if a second Bluetooth transmission signal is received from the second Bluetooth-enabled device; and

locking out the first Bluetooth-enabled device to at least partially prevent the first Bluetooth-enabled device from functioning if it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received, wherein the first Bluetooth-enabled device periodically emits the first Bluetooth transmission signal while being locked out in a situation where it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received;

wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device is configured to produce an alert when it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received;

wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device includes a second Bluetooth-enabled device display, the second Bluetooth-enabled device display being configured to display information associated with the first Bluetooth-enabled device when the first Bluetooth-enabled device is locked out;

wherein the first Bluetooth-enabled device includes a first Bluetooth-enabled device display, the first Bluetooth-enabled device display being configured to display information associated with the second Bluetooth-enabled device when the first Bluetooth-enabled device is locked out;

wherein the first Bluetooth-enabled device is configured to periodically emit the first Bluetooth transmission signal utilizing a period of time which is configured based on movements of an owner;

wherein the first Bluetooth transmission signal includes information pertaining to a battery status of the first Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein a range of communications of the first Bluetooth-enabled device is set to match a range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device for avoiding signals of a first range from being received by the second Bluetooth-enabled device from the first Bluetooth-enabled device when the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device is not large enough to enable a return signal to be sent from the second Bluetooth-enabled device to the first Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein, in response to the alert, the first Bluetooth-enabled device is added to a list of lost or stolen devices;

wherein the list of lost or stolen devices is maintained on a website for allowing a potential buyer of the first Bluetooth-enabled device to determine whether the first Bluetooth-enabled device is included in the list of lost or stolen devices.

15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein locking out the first Bluetooth-enabled device includes:

displaying information on the first Bluetooth-enabled device display of the first Bluetooth-enabled device which indicates that the first Bluetooth-enabled device is locked out.

16. The method as recited in claim 14 further including:

operating the first Bluetooth-enabled device if it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is received.

17. A method for executing a security protocol with respect to at least a first Bluetooth-enabled device and a second Bluetooth-enabled device, the method comprising:

determining when a first Bluetooth transmission signal is received from the second Bluetooth-enabled device, wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device automatically and periodically emits the first Bluetooth transmission signal;

emitting a second Bluetooth transmission signal when it is determined that the first Bluetooth transmission signal is received from the second Bluetooth-enabled device; and

generating an alarm to indicate that the second Bluetooth-enabled device is not within a communications range of the first Bluetooth-enabled device when it is determined that the first Bluetooth transmission signal is not received from the second Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein after the generation of the alarm, the second Bluetooth-enabled device is configured to continue periodically emit the first Bluetooth transmission signal to the first Bluetooth-enabled device in a situation where it is determined that the first Bluetooth-enabled device is not within the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device includes a second Bluetooth-enabled device display, the second Bluetooth-enabled device display being configured to display information associated with the first Bluetooth-enabled device when it is determined that the first Bluetooth-enabled device is not within the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein the first Bluetooth-enabled device includes a first Bluetooth-enabled device display, the first Bluetooth-enabled device display being configured to display information associated with the second Bluetooth-enabled device when it is determined that the first Bluetooth-enabled device is not within the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device is configured to periodically emit the first Bluetooth transmission signal utilizing a period of time which is configured based on movements of an owner;

wherein the first Bluetooth transmission signal includes information pertaining to a battery status of the second Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein a range of communications of the first Bluetooth-enabled device is set to match the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device for avoiding signals of a first range from being received by the second Bluetooth-enabled device from the first Bluetooth-enabled device when the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device is not large enough to enable a return signal to be sent from the second Bluetooth-enabled device to the first Bluetooth-enabled device;

wherein, in response to the alert, the first Bluetooth-enabled device is added to a list of lost or stolen devices;

wherein the list of lost or stolen devices is maintained on a website for allowing a potential buyer of the first Bluetooth-enabled device to determine whether the first Bluetooth-enabled device is included in the list of lost or stolen devices.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein determining when the first Bluetooth transmission signal is received from the second Bluetooth-enabled device includes:

determining when the second Bluetooth-enabled device is registered with the first Bluetooth-enabled device, wherein emitting the second Bluetooth transmission signal when it is determined that the first Bluetooth transmission signal is received from the second Bluetooth-enabled device includes emitting the second Bluetooth transmission signal when it is determined that the second Bluetooth-enabled device is registered with the first Bluetooth-enabled device.

19. A first device comprising:

a Bluetooth-enabled mechanism;

computer code that causes the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism to periodically emit a first Bluetooth transmission signal;

computer code that causes the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism to receive a second Bluetooth transmission signal from a second Bluetooth-enabled device;

computer code for determining when the second Bluetooth transmission signal is received;

computer code for locking out the first device to at least partially prevent the first device from being operational when it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received;

wherein the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism periodically emits the first Bluetooth transmission signal while the first device is locked out in a situation where it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received;

a processor for executing the computer codes; and

a computer-readable medium that stores the computer codes;

wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device is configured to produce an alert when it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received;

wherein the second Bluetooth-enabled device includes a second Bluetooth-enabled device display, the second Bluetooth-enabled device display being configured to display information associated with the first device when the first device is locked out;

wherein the first device includes a first device display, the first device display being configured to display information associated with the second Bluetooth-enabled device when the first device is locked out;

wherein the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism is configured to periodically emit the first Bluetooth transmission signal utilizing a period of time which is configured based on movements of an owner;

wherein the first Bluetooth transmission signal includes information pertaining to a battery status of the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism;

wherein the first device is operable such that a range of communications of the first device is set to match a range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device for avoiding signals of a first range from being received by the second Bluetooth-enabled device from the first device when the range of communications of the second Bluetooth-enabled device is not large enough to enable a return signal to be sent from the second Bluetooth-enabled device to the first device;

wherein a website is utilized such that, in response to the alert, the first device is added to a list of lost or stolen devices;

wherein the website maintains the list of lost or stolen devices for allowing a potential buyer of the first device to determine whether the first device is included in the list of lost or stolen devices.

20. The first device according to claim 19 wherein the computer code for locking out the first device includes computer code for displaying information on the first device display to indicate that the first device is locked out when it is determined that the second Bluetooth transmission signal is not received.

21. The first device according to claim 19 wherein the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism is a Bluetooth-enabled radio.

22. A first device comprising:

a Bluetooth-enabled mechanism, the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism being configured to receive a first Bluetooth transmission signal from a second device that periodically emits the first Bluetooth transmission signal;

computer code for determining when a first Bluetooth transmission signal is received;

computer code for causing the Bluetooth-enabled mechanism to emit a second Bluetooth transmission signal when it is determined that the first Bluetooth transmission signal is received;

computer code for generating an alarm to indicate that the second device is not within a communications range of the first device when it is determined that the first Bluetooth transmission signal is not received;

wherein after the generation of the alarm, the second device is configured to continue periodically emitting the first Bluetooth transmission signal in a situation where it is determined that the first device is not within the range of communications of the second device;

a processor that executes the computer codes; and

a computer-readable medium that stores the computer codes;

wherein the second device includes a second device display, the second device display being configured to display information associated with the first device when it is determined that the first device is not within the range of communications of the second device;

wherein the first device includes a first device display, the first device display being configured to display information associated with the second device when it is determined that the first device is not within the range of communications of the second device;

wherein the second device is configured to periodically emit the first Bluetooth transmission signal utilizing a period of time configured which is based on movements of an owner;

wherein the first Bluetooth transmission signal includes information pertaining to a battery status of the second device;

wherein the second device is operable such that a range of communications of the second device is set to match the communications range of the first device for avoiding signals of a first range from being received by the first device from the second device when the communications range of the first device is not large enough to enable a return signal to be sent from the first device to the second device;

wherein a website is utilized such that, in response to the alert, the second device is added to a list of lost or stolen devices;

wherein the website maintains the list of lost or stolen devices for allowing a potential buyer of the second device to determine whether the second device is included in the list of lost or stolen devices.

23. A handheld security system, comprising:

a WiFi-enabled control unit having a range of communications; and

a WiFi-enabled device, wherein the device is registered with the control unit such that the device cooperates with the control unit using WiFi communications to determine when the device is within the range of communications of the control unit, wherein when it is determined that the device is within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is functional, and when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is at least partially non-functional;

wherein the device is configured to periodically send an identifying signal to the control unit and the control unit is configured to send a return signal to the device when the identifying signal is received by the control unit;

wherein when the device is at least partially non-functional in a situation where it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit, the device is configured to continue periodically sending the identifying signal to the control unit;

wherein the control unit is configured to produce an alert when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit;

wherein the control unit includes a control unit display, the control unit display being configured to display information associated with the device when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit;

wherein the device includes a device display, the device display being configured to display information associated with the control unit when it is determined that the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit;

wherein the device is configured to periodically send the identifying signal utilizing a period of time which is configured based on movements of an owner;

wherein the identifying signal includes information pertaining to a battery status of the device;

wherein the handheld security system is operable such that a range of communications of the device is set to match the range of communications of the control unit for avoiding signals of a first range from being received by the control unit from the device when the range of communications of the control unit is not large enough to enable a return signal to be sent from the control unit to the device;

wherein the handheld security system is operable such that, in response to the alert, the device is added to a list of lost or stolen devices;

wherein the handheld security system is operable such that the list of lost or stolen devices is maintained on a website for allowing a potential buyer of the device to determine whether the device is included in the list of lost or stolen devices.

24. The handheld security system according to claim 23 wherein the device includes a lockout interface, wherein when the device does not receive the return signal in response to the identifying signal, the device is not within the range of communications of the control unit and the lockout interface locks out the device and causes the device to be at least partially non-functional.

25. The handheld security system according to claim 24 wherein when the device receives the return signal, the lockout interface unlocks the device and causes the device to be functional.