US6011473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
•
Filing: 1998-01-13
•
Granted: 2000-01-04
•
Expires: 2018-01-13
Abstract
Abstract One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for generating an alarm in a portable computer system. In this embodiment, when an owner of a portable computer system determines that the portable computer system is either stolen or missing, the owner activates a remote transmitter. This remote transmitter sends an activation signal to a receiver in the portable computer system. In response to the activation signal, the portable computer system takes at least one theft deterrence action, such as generating an audio alarm. In one embodiment of the present invention, the theft deterrence action includes erasing at least part of the contents of a data storage device in the portable computer system. In another embodiment, the theft deterrence action includes disabling power for the portable computer system. In yet another embodiment, the theft deterrence action includes dialing a telephone number through a mobile telephone coupled with the portable computer system.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean A. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:14
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1409; G08B13/1418; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/81; G06F21/88; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2111; G06F2221/2143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system, comprising: detecting at the portable computer system an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; setting, in response to the activation signal, an alarm condition at the portable computer system; determining the location of the portable computing system by detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal; and activating, in response to the alarm condition, at least one theft deterrence action, the at least one theft deterrence action including transmitting the determined location to a remote receiver.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system, comprising: detecting at the portable computer system an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; setting, in response to the activation signal, an alarm condition at the portable computer system; determining the location of the portable computing system by detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal; and activating, in response to the alarm condition, at least one theft deterrence action, the at least one theft deterrence action including transmitting the determined location to a remote receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, including: detecting at the portable computer system a deactivation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; and resetting the alarm condition in response to the deactivation signal at the portable computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, wherein detecting the activation signal and detecting the deactivation signal involve detecting the same signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, including resetting the alarm condition if a user of the portable computer system inputs a valid deactivation signal into the portable computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the activation signal includes detecting a radio frequency signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the activation signal includes detecting an infrared signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the activation signal includes detecting a pager signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the activation signal includes detecting an interruption in a proximity signal, the proximity signal being of limited range and regularly broadcast from the remote transmitter, so that an interruption in the proximity signal indicates that the portable computer system has left the proximity of the remote transmitter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes generating an audio alarm from the portable computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes sending an infrared communication signal to a remote infrared receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes erasing at least part of the contents of a storage device in the portable computer system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes disabling power for the portable computer system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes preventing a login to the portable computer system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system, comprising: detecting at the portable computer system an activation signal for the alarm from a remote radio frequency transmitter; and setting, in response to the activation signal, an alarm condition at the portable computer system; determining the location of the portable computing system by detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal; activating, in response to the alarm condition, at least one theft deterrence action, the at least one theft deterrence action including transmitting the determined location to a remote receiver; detecting at the portable computer system a deactivation signal for the theft deterrence action from a remote transmitter; and resetting the alarm condition in response to the deactivation signal at the portable computer system.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system, comprising: detecting at the portable computer system an activation signal for the alarm from a remote radio frequency transmitter; and setting, in response to the activation signal, an alarm condition at the portable computer system; determining the location of the portable computing system by detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal; activating, in response to the alarm condition, at least one theft deterrence action, the at least one theft deterrence action including transmitting the determined location to a remote receiver; detecting at the portable computer system a deactivation signal for the theft deterrence action from a remote transmitter; and resetting the alarm condition in response to the deactivation signal at the portable computer system.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system, comprising: detecting at the portable computer system an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; setting, in response to the activation signal, an alarm condition at the portable computer system; determining the location of the portable computing system by detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal; and activating, in response to the alarm condition, at least one theft deterrence action, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes sending a mobile telephone signal from the portable computer system to call a telephone number, and transmitting the determined location to a remote receiver.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for generating an alarm in a portable computer system, comprising: detecting at the portable computer system an activation signal for the alarm from a remote transmitter; setting, in response to the activation signal, an alarm condition at the portable computer system; determining the location of the portable computing system by detecting a global positioning system (GPS) signal; and activating, in response to the alarm condition, at least one theft deterrence action, wherein activating the at least one theft deterrence action includes sending a mobile telephone signal from the portable computer system to call a telephone number, and transmitting the determined location to a remote receiver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15, wherein sending the mobile telephone signal includes sending the mobile telephone signal through a modem in the portable computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15, wherein sending the mobile telephone signal includes sending a signal that can be identified through a caller identification feature in a telephone system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 15, wherein sending the mobile telephone signal includes sending a signal that can be identified through a caller identification feature in a telephone system, and including determining a location for the portable computer system through the telephone system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4686514A
Cited
US4804943A
Cited
US5448748A
Cited
US5406261A
Cited
US5675321A
Cited
US5767771A
Cited
US5748084A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |