DE102007059978A1 - Protection system for protecting mobile telephone and important personal articles from damage, has personal articles, which are identified by radio frequency identification transponder - Google Patents

Abstract

The protection system has personal articles, which are identified by a Radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder and a RFID read device integrated in a mobile telephone, which regularly monitors the transmitting power of the transponder. The read device is controlled by software that is suitable to work on the mobile telephone. A warning message is emitted as warning about the imminent damage to the articles, if the transmitting power of the transponder, which is fixed on the article, experienced by the read device falls below defined desired value.

Description

1 The problem - the loss of important items

Of the Loss of important personal objects is as old as humanity itself. Usually, personal items are special at risk from loss due to loss or theft. today belong especially keys, ID cards, Money cards, purses, weapons and glasses to the important personal Objects.

• • weil das mobile Telefon in manchen Lebenssituationen dringend gebraucht wird, z.B. als Uhr, oder um Hilfe zu rufen, einen Treffpunkt zu vereinbaren, oder ein Taxi oder Hotelzimmer zu bestellen.
• • weil das mobile Telefon mißbraucht werden kann, wobei hohe Kosten entstehen können.
• • und weil das mobile Telefon darüber hinaus persönliche Daten, Adressen, elektronisches Geld, Fotos und Musik beinhalten kann.

For some years, the mobile phone has been added as another very important personal item. In particular, therefore,

• • Because the mobile phone is urgently needed in some life situations, such as a clock, or to call for help, to arrange a meeting place, or to order a taxi or hotel room.
• • because the mobile phone can be misused, which can result in high costs.
• • And because the mobile phone can also contain personal information, addresses, electronic money, photos and music.

The worldwide existence of foundations are a proof that the Loss of personal objects a bigger problem for a long time represents.

at More than 40% of American street crime plays Meanwhile, a mobile phone has a role. Alone in the UK In 2006, 4.5 million mobile phones were lost or lost stolen.

there arises next to the personal Loss also a big one economic damage. A report from Loughborough University (from June 2006) estimates the damage caused by theft of mobile phones in the UK on annually 1-7 billion English Pounds depending on assumptions and methods of calculation.

Which one Damage worldwide for Loss due to losing and theft of mobile phones adopted must become, can not be quantified in the context of this document. I'm leaving out that annually worldwide from a high double-digit billion euro amount is.

2 Subject of the invention

Of the The invention provides a system which, when threatening Loss of important personal objects and warns of impending loss of the mobile phone. It also helps it future Minimize damage. In the implementation of the system, the RFID Technology related to a mobile phone and installed on it special hardware and software used.

3 Brief introduction to the technical field RFID technology

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. By this one understands a technical well-developed system. This consists of one or more RFID transponders which act as miniaturized radio transmitters / receivers Send a wireless request from a reader to verify their identity. Most of the transponders do not have their own power supply (passive Transponder), but are inductively by the transmission power of a reader loaded. Some RFID transponders have their own power supply (active, RFID transponder). The transponders can be built very small. you Single price is sometimes well below the fraction of one EUR.

use finds RFID technology primarily for the identification of Goods in the field of logistics and for the identification of check cards, ski passes, garbage cans, Automobiles, etc. The request and transmission of information can also be encrypted respectively.

The RFID technology will be understandable to the layman www.wikipedia.com explained.

hazards of technology of data protection are discussed controversially.

4 State of the art

• • Präventiv-Maßnahmen, welche dem Schaden, der bei einem eventuellen künftigen Verlust eines mobilen Telefons entstehen kann, entgegenwirken sollen.
• • Primäre Maßnahmen, welche den Verlust wichtiger Gegenstände oder den Verlust eines mobilen Telefons überhaupt verhindern sollen.
• • Sekundär-Maßnahmen, welche dazu dienen, einen abhanden gekommenen Gegenstand oder ein abhanden gekommenes mobiles Telefon wiederzufinden.
• • Sekundär-Maßnahmen, welche dazu dienen, nach einem Diebstahl oder Verlust künftigen Schaden zu minimieren:

There are several measures to counteract the loss of items and especially of mobile phones. In this context, we will distinguish between the following possible measures:

• • Preventive measures intended to counteract the damage that may be caused by any future loss of a mobile telephone.
• • Primary measures designed to prevent the loss of important items or the loss of a mobile phone at all.
• • Secondary measures to retrieve a lost item or a lost mobile phone.
• • Secondary measures designed to minimize future damage following a theft or loss:

4.1 Preventive measures

• 1) Eine häufig gewählte Maßnahme besteht darin, einen Gegenstand oder ein mobiles Telefon gegen Verlust zu versichern.
• 2) Eine weitere Maßnahme besteht darin, eine automatische Sperrung des Telefons einzurichten, welche sich regelmäßig in gewissen Zeitintervallen aktiviert.
• 3) Außerdem sollte man die Geheimzahl (PIN und Super-PIN) niemand bekanntgeben, daß niemand das Telefon benutzen kann.
• 4) Um seine Daten nicht zu verlieren, sollte man regelmäßig Backups durchführen.
• 5) Die IMEI Nummer (International Mobile Equipment Identity) sollte notiert werden.
• 6) Die SIM Karte sollte auf dem mobilem Tel. registriert werden dergestalt, daß nur diese eine SIM Karte verwendet werden kann.

Preventive measures, which measure the damage caused by any future loss nes mobile phone can arise, to counteract.

• 1) A frequently chosen measure is to insure an item or a mobile phone against loss.
• 2) Another measure is to set up an automatic lock on the phone, which activates regularly at certain time intervals.
• 3) In addition, the secret number (PIN and Super-PIN) nobody should announce that no one can use the phone.
• 4) In order not to lose your data, you should perform regular backups.
• 5) The IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) should be noted.
• 6) The SIM card should be registered on the mobile phone in such a way that only this one SIM card can be used.

4.2 Primary measures

• 1) Gegenstände, welche man nicht verlieren will, versucht man nahe am Körper oder in Taschen zu tragen. Außerdem kann man solche Gegenstände durch Bänder oder Ketten an seine Hose oder ähnlich anbinden.
• 2) Mobile Telefone sind klein und handlich. Deshalb können sie auch leicht verloren werden. Deshalb werden z.B. größere Stofftiere (sog. Phonies) vertrieben. Sie werden als Maskottchen am mobilen Telefon befestigt. Sie sollen helfen, daß das Telefon nicht verloren wird.

Primary measures designed to prevent the loss of important items or the loss of a mobile phone at all.

• 1) Objects that you do not want to lose, you try to carry close to the body or in pockets. In addition, you can tie such objects by ties or chains to his pants or similar.
• 2) Mobile phones are small and handy. Therefore, they can also be easily lost. Therefore, for example, larger stuffed animals (so-called phonies) are sold. They are attached to the mobile phone as a mascot. They should help that the telephone is not lost.

4.3 Secondary measures for recovery

• 1) Die beste Methode ein verlorenes mobiles Telephon zu finden, besteht darin, es von einem anderen Telefon anzurufen. Wenn es dann klingelt, ist es eventuell zu finden.
• 2) Weiterhin werden Piepser verkauft, welche auf Klatschen oder Rufen mit Dauerton reagieren, so daß der damit ausgerüstete Gegenstand daraufhin gefunden werden kann.
• 3) Verlorene Telefone können bei einer LSP Datenbank (Lost and Stolen Program) als verloren gemeldet werden.
• 4) Wenn ein mobiles Telefon einen GPS Sensor besitzt, über eine geeignete Software verfügt, und eine diesbezügliche Schaltung und entsprechenden Vertrag hat, als auch in Betrieb ist, kann es dem Besitzer seinen augenblicklichen Standort übermitteln.
• 5) Man kann einen Adresssticker aufbringen, so daß ehrliche Leute das mobile Telefon zurückgeben können. Ein Test zeigte, daß weltweit ca. 60% von 960 absichtlich verlorenen mobilen Telefone zurückgegeben wurden. Entsprechende Dienste werden z.B. von www.tracitback.com angeboten.

Secondary measures to retrieve a lost item or a lost mobile phone.

• 1) The best way to find a lost mobile phone is to call it from another phone. If it rings, it may be.
• 2) Furthermore, beepers are sold, which respond to clapping or calling with continuous tone, so that the thus equipped object can then be found.
• 3) Lost phones can be reported as lost on an LSP (Lost and Stolen Program) database.
• 4) If a mobile phone has a GPS sensor, has appropriate software, and has a related circuit and contract, as well as in operation, it may provide the owner with his current location.
• 5) You can apply an address sticker so that honest people can return the mobile phone. A test showed that approximately 60% of 960 intentionally lost mobile phones were returned worldwide. Corresponding services are eg of www.tracitback.com offered.

4.4 Secondary measures to minimize further losses

• 1) Nach dem Verlust des mobilen Telefons sollte man die SIM Karte sperren lassen.
• 2) Durch einen sogenannten „Remote Kill" kann man alle auch zum Teil vertraulichen Daten von der Ferne auf dem mobilen Telefon löschen lassen.
• 3) Durch Meldung der IMEI Nr. (International Mobile Equipment Identity) kann man das mobile Telefon sperren lassen. Damit kann es von den Providern erkannt und gesperrt werden.

Secondary measures designed to minimize future damage after a theft or loss.

• 1) After losing the mobile phone you should have the SIM card blocked.
• 2) Through a so-called "remote kill" you can delete all partially confidential data on the mobile phone remotely.
• 3) By notifying the IMEI No. (International Mobile Equipment Identity), you can block the mobile phone. Thus it can be recognized and blocked by the providers.

4.5 defects in the prior art

The listed above activities according to point 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4 are preventative or secondary Activities, which in no way directly against the loss of an object or a lost mobile phone are helpful. Besides, they are some of these approaches not very practical and their effectiveness is in some cases too doubt.

The single mentioned primary Activities, to prevent a loss after point 4.2 are trivial and have So far, little helped, the number of lost and stolen mobile Reduce phones.

5 Technical problem definition and solution approach

If lost or stolen an item or a mobile phone it is usually too late and preventive or secondary Measures help not or only partially.

Of the new solution of the system according to the invention is that loss or theft by a permanent monitoring immediately discovered become. The system according to the invention allows to discover an impending loss, or a theft to note in flagranti.

This Approach does not exist in any of the prior art proposed Method. The approach is new.

This new approach characterizes the invention according to the system.

6 System description

The Invention is in the interaction of RFID transponders, a in a mobile phone built-in reader and a special on technically realized and operated the mobile telephone software.

in the The following describes the specific new applications and theirs practical benefits explained.

Of the The purpose of the invention is monitoring the impending loss of important personal belongings such as Keychain, Eyeglasses, gloves, umbrellas, credit cards of all kinds, identity cards and especially the loss of the mobile phone itself. This objects (except the telephone) are identified by an RFID transponder. This is e.g. glued to the object in question, attached or clicked. Check cards may show up. by already existing own transponder identifications themselves, so these are not encrypted should.

One suitable RFID reader or its function is technically integrated into a mobile telephone.

If now an object is moved too far away from the mobile phone, so will be in the reader perceived transmission power proportional to the distance of the transponder from the reader weaker. If this power drops below a defined threshold, it will considered this fact as a threatening loss of the object.

Therefore Then a warning, e.g. through a special the transponder of the item assigned ringtone to the owner of the mobile Telephone spent. Thus, the owner of the item and the mobile phone to the circumstance of imminent loss or discover and prevent a theft.

Under circumstances The mobile phone was also moved away and one of the items remained at the owner. In this case, the phone may still have an audible message if it is still audible Close range is located. Therefore, the transmit power threshold, from which the warning message is issued, the best of a distance correspond, in which still a ringtone of a mobile phone be heard acoustically can.

• 1. an eine Service Telefon Nr. des Telefon Providers, welcher darauf manuell oder automatisch präventive Aktionen veranlassen kann wie z.B. die SIM Karte zu sperren.
• 2. an eine private Telefon Nr., (z.B. Festnetzanschluß des Besitzers des mobilen Telefons). Nun kann der Besitzer daraufhin präventive Aktionen veranlassen und sinnvoll reagieren.
• 3. an eine Service Telefon Nr. von Kartengesellschaften (insbesondere bei Geldkarten), welche z.B. daraufhin die betroffenen Karten manuell oder automatisch sperren können,
• 4. an die Tel. Nr. einer Verlustdatenbank. Dadurch kann die IMEI Nr auf eine sogenannte „Blacklist" geschrieben werden.
• 5. weitere Möglichkeiten bestehen.

It is assumed that the user owns a single item that he often carries with him personally. This is called "often personally worn item." If the transponder of this "often personally carried item" shows too little transmit power, it is considered that the mobile phone is about to be lost or stolen. In this case, in addition to a ringtone after a defined time more warnings are issued. This warning message occurs, for example:

• 1. to a service telephone number of the telephone provider, which can cause it manually or automatically preventive actions such as the SIM card lock.
• 2. to a private telephone number, (eg landline connection of the owner of the mobile telephone). Now the owner can initiate preventive actions and react sensibly.
• 3. to a service telephone number of card companies (especially for cash cards), which can then lock the affected cards manually or automatically, for example,
• 4. to the telephone number of a loss database. This allows the IMEI Nr to be written on a so-called "blacklist".
• 5. other possibilities exist.

In addition is it also possible that the Owner of the phone at an online service of a WEB site or a service telephone of the telephone provider or a card company receives further information or further measures can cause.

By the display of the transmission power of the affected RFID, the mobile Phone in search of a lost object nearby Output of transmit power (like a Geiger counter) assist.

6.1 Affected objects

• • Keychain, Glasses, gloves, umbrellas, etc.
• • Larger items like Roof box of a car, trailer a car, surfboard, ski, etc.
• • Check cards of all kinds, especially bank cards, etc.
• • ID cards like identity card, driving license, etc.
• • Etc.

The RFID transponders are glued, attached or attached to an object clicked, unless you already get your own addressable and readable RFID transponders, as with check cards and ID cards increasingly the case.

6.2 Reader Hardware

Mobile phones are equipped with transmitting and receiving devices, so that the Integra tion of the function of an RFID reader hardware-technically good and cheap to implement. Mobile phones also have an operating system, input functions and display, so that new software can be installed so that all the necessary software functions can be provided.

6.3 System & Software Functions

in the The following describes how the software can be constructed:

6.3.1 Registration of the objects

• • To Installation of the software on the mobile phone and attachment the transponder to the desired objects The mobile phone will search all through its search function Display environment detected transponder.
• • Then the user can assign each of these transponders one for each item corresponding name and an associated ringtone (also with spoken text in a "wave file ringtone ") forgive him and therefore with him as an accompanying and supervising Mark the object. Furthermore Can he call a tel. a notification of loss of the item Deposit organization etc. He can do a single item as "often personally worn Item ".
• • In further presettings, the user can select the desired Specify warning messages and actions more precisely.

6.3.2 Monitoring function

• • Well the user activates the monitoring function. This monitoring function can be used at any time, e.g. at home or in the evening, be easily disabled.
• • To Activation of the monitoring function the device starts in a suitable frequency These transponders start to fire and monitor their transmission power.

6.3.3 Alerts & Search Assist

6.3.3.1 Warning message in case of loss of a article

• • Das Telefon kann dann – je nach Voreinstellung – mit dem dem jeweiligen Gegenstand zugeordneten Klingelton klingeln.
• • Alternativ – je nach Einstellung – kann auch ein Telefonat an einen beliebigen Festnetz- oder Mobil Anschluß ausgegeben werden, welches den drohenden Verlust meldet.
• • Dabei können je nach Einstellung auch Anrufe an Geldkartenfirmen ausgegeben werden, welche daraufhin z.B. unmittelbar eine Kartensperrung abhanden gekommener (Geld)-Karten vornehmen.
• • Wenn überhaupt keine Sendeleistung empfangen wird, wird überdies der betroffene Gegenstand als „verloren" registriert. Verlorene Gegenstände werden im Display entsprechend gekennzeichnet.
• • Bei der Suche nach dem verlorenen Gegenstand assistiert das Telefon dem Nutzer mit der Ausgabe der Sendeleistung des betreffenden Transponders (visuell oder akustisch) und wenn möglich auch mit der Richtungsangabe bezüglich der Richtung, aus welcher der Gegenstand sendet. Dies funktioniert dann, wenn überhaupt eine Sendeleistung empfangen werden kann.

If the transmit power of an item that is not the "often personally carried item" falls below a typical threshold that is proportional to its distance from the reader, a warning message will be issued

• • The phone can then - depending on the default setting - ring with the ringtone assigned to the respective item.
• • Alternatively - depending on the setting - a telephone call to any fixed or mobile connection can be issued, which reports the impending loss.
• • Depending on the setting, calls can also be made to cash card companies, which then, for example, immediately make a card lock on lost (money) cards.
• • If no transmit power is received at all, the affected item is also registered as "lost." Lost items are marked on the display accordingly.
• • In the search for the lost object, the phone assists the user with the output of the transponder's transmit power (visually or acoustically) and, if possible, with the indication of the direction from which the item is sent. This works if at all a transmission power can be received.

6.3.3.2 If the phone is lost

• • In diesem Fall kann das Telefon ebenfalls mit einen spezifischen Klingelton klingeln, damit es beim Weggehen gehört werden kann.
• • Falls das Telefon noch Kontakt zu registrierten Gegenständen hat, weil es z.B. mit ihnen in einer abhanden gekommen Tasche befindet, kann es diese Information telefonisch an eine Datenbank des Providers weitergeben.
• • Diese Datenbank kann dann über ein Internetportal des Providers eingesehen und/oder über ein (automatisches) Servicetelefon abgefragt werden.
• • In diesem Zusammenhang kann das Telefon ebenfalls eine Mitteilung an eine Organisation zur Sperrung einer Scheck- oder Geld- Karte weitergeben.
• • Außerdem kann das Telefon – je nach Voreinstellung – einen Warnanruf an den Telefonprovider abgeben, welcher die SIM Karte deaktiviert und das Telefon wird sich selbst für den normalen Gebrauch abstellen, um Mißbrauch vorzubeugen.
• • Den nach dem Telefon suchenden Anwender unterstützt das Telefon bei der Suche durch wiederholtes Klingeln, welches akustisch die Sendeleistung kennzeichnet (z.B. nach dem Prinzip des Geigerzähler).
• • Wenn das Telefon vom Besitzer gefunden wird d.h., wenn es wieder in die Nähe des „häufig persönlich getragenen Gegenstandes" kommt, aktiviert es – je nach Voreinstellung – wieder seine eigene SIM Karte und schaltet sich automatisch selbst wieder an. Danach kann es – je nach Voreinstellung – auch Sperrmeldungen von Karten automatisch aufheben.

If the transmission power of the item that has been marked as "often personally worn item" decreases, the system assumes that the mobile phone has been lost.

• • In this case, the phone may also ring with a specific ringing tone so that it can be heard when leaving.
• • If the phone still has contact with registered items, eg because it is in a lost bag with them, it can pass on this information by telephone to a database of the provider.
• • This database can then be viewed via an Internet portal of the provider and / or queried via an (automatic) service telephone.
• • In this context, the phone may also forward a message to a check or cash card blocking organization.
• • In addition, depending on the default settings, the phone may issue a warning call to the phone provider, which deactivates the SIM card and the phone will shut itself off for normal use to prevent misuse.
• • The phone searches for the user looking for the phone in the search by repeated ringing, which acoustically characterizes the transmission power (eg according to the Geiger counter principle).
• • If the phone is found by the owner, ie when it comes close to the "often personally worn item", it activates - depending on the default - again its own SIM card and automatically turns itself back on after before setting - also automatically remove blocking messages from cards.

6.4 embodiments

The Need, badges, cards, glasses and wallets with you it is obvious to wear, but a permanent monitoring of these objects requires some attention and falls especially older and careless people hard. Here the presented system can one to offer good benefits.

Examples:

• • The A person's glasses are lost. The phone shows this through a particular ringtone (e.g., by wave file ringtone: "where is because your glasses? ") and assist in the search immediately. The glasses will be back found.
• • The Bank card of a person is lost. The phone indicates this (eg by wave file ringtone: "take care of your check card!") and assist immediately in search. The check card will not found. The system notifies the organization, depending on the default settings. which has issued the card and has the card blocked.
• • The Handbag of a person with badges and mobile phone is lost. The phone notices this because a key is considered a "frequently personally worn item" or a pair of glasses still remained with the owner. The phone logs in during the Loss (for example, by wave file ringtone: "Help, I'm lost!") And the owner can still intervene and pick up his bag again.
• • Also A person's handbag goes with badges, objects and lost on mobile phone. The phone also notes this, as one key as a "frequently personally worn object" or a pair of glasses still remained with the owner. The phone logs in during the Loss, but the owner may not be able to intervene or not hard. The phone will now notify you - depending on Preset - the Organization which issued the card and leaves the card lock. Furthermore It notifies the phone provider and blocks the SIM card. this It also reports which other items are still in its vicinity. A variety of other reactions will now be possible. For example, a with GPS receiver equipped mobile phone pass on its GPS coordinates according to the state of the art.
• • One mobile phone is e.g. positioned in a car and monitored the presence of the roof box, trailer or surfboard. (Transponders have been attached to the respective objects.) In This scenario is the device so pre-set that it does not warn by ringtone, but by a call on a another mobile or landline telephone. This can react to the owner and e.g. look for the car.

6.5 advantages:

• • Less trouble with lost items
• • Protection from theft and car theft
• • Fewer Trouble with the recovery of ID cards and personal cards objects
• • Fewer money losses
• • Fast Blocking of cash cards and SIM card
• • Fewer Data and information losses
• • None Loss of the mobile phone
• • One little life improvement

6.6 Additional benefits

The described above with RFID hardware equipped mobile phone gives the User further benefits:

6.6.1 Localization of RFID transponders

• • First the user can verify the existence of transponders in his personal Discover the environment.
• • Not encrypted He can read transponders
• • Encrypted transponders the user can locate and, if appropriate or necessary, this remove.
• • This are good measure for privacy dubious spy attacks to protect. The user receives a weapon for personal privacy in an increasingly spied-out world.

6.6.2 Purchase support

• • Er kann die Kosten der Waren in seinem Warenkorb zusammenrechnen lassen.
• • Er kann diese Kosten mit den Kosten des Konkurrenz Unternehmens vergleichen lassen.
• • Er kann eine Liste der Waren, welche bei der Konkurrenz billiger sind, erzeugen lassen etc.

It is desired by the industry and to assume that in some time the goods in supermarkets are marked by RFID transponders. This gives the user of a RFID-equipped mobile phone many new opportunities when new information and new software packages are made available:

• • He can calculate the cost of the goods in his shopping cart.
• • He can compare these costs with the costs of the competition company.
• • He can make a list of goods that are cheaper at the competition, etc.

Claims (3)

Protection system which protects against the loss of a mobile telephone and the loss of important personal belongings, consisting of: a) personal items marked by RFID transponders b) and an RFID reader integrated into a mobile telephone which regularly monitors the transmission power of these transponders, c) the reader being controlled by suitable software operating on the mobile telephone, characterized in that when the transmission power of a transponder attached to an object as perceived by the reading device falls below a certain threshold, a warning message is issued indicating the impending one Loss of this item or the impending loss of the mobile phone warns. System according to claim 1, in which a single by the user frequently personally worn object as such registered and marked separately becomes, characterized in that the warning message after Claim 1 depending on the default setting of the one object identifying transponders in different ways can be: a) placing the mobile phone with the respective item associated ringtone (also with spoken text in a "wave file Ringing tone ") rings and thus the owner on the impending loss of the item points out, b) or by using the mobile phone with the "personally worn Subject "assigned Ringtone (also with spoken text in a "wave file ringtone") rings and thus the owner points to the impending loss of the mobile phone. c) and / or by the phone issuing a warning call, whichever Presetting the software addressed to different recipients will be like 1) to a service telephone number of the telephone provider, which on it the SIM card can lock manually or automatically, 2) and / or to a private telephone number, (e.g., landline of the owner of the mobile phone) 3) and / or to a service telephone no. of card companies (especially for cash cards), which thereupon manually or automatically lock the affected cards, 4) and / or the telephone number of a loss database containing the information to pass on to a blacklist. System according to claim 1 and / or -2 characterized, that the mobile phone the user with the output of the transmission power of the transponder (acoustic or visual) in the search assisted by a lost object when the object within range of the reader has arrived or if the phone itself was lost, the searching owner is assisted in the search by repeated ringing which acoustically characterizes the transmitting power, if the "often personally carried Object "within reach of the reader has arrived.