GB2396261A

GB2396261A - Secure charger and portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2396261A
Application number: GB0226656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Mccallum
Original assignee: Malcolm Mccallum
Priority date: 2002-11-15
Filing date: 2002-11-15
Publication date: 2004-06-16
Also published as: GB0226656D0

Abstract

A portable electronic apparatus (e.g. mobile phone 10) has a rechargeable battery 14 and an associated battery charging device (21, Fig 2A) whereby the charging device (21) and the portable electronic apparatus 10 are each provided with an electronic identification code and means for exchanging and acknowledging that said electronic identification codes are correct. Thus the portable electronic apparatus 10 is only able to be charged from a particular charging device (21) hence preventing unauthorised charging of the device 10.

Description

1 239626 1

Security Apparatus for Portable Electronic Devices This invention relates to security apparatus for portable electronic devices. More specifically but not exclusively this invention relates to security apparatus for mobile telephones. It is known that portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones are particularly susceptible to theft. Once the mobile telephone is stolen it can be easily reprogrammed to the new user's requirements thus making this type of electronic equipment particularly vulnerable to misuse or theft.

It is known to provide mobile telephones with security passwords or codes which must be entered to activate the telephone, however such information may be forgotten or misplaced by the authorised user.

According to the present invention there is provided portable electronic apparatus comprising a rechargeable battery and an associated battery charging device wherein said battery and charging devices are each provided with an electronic identification code, means for exchanging said identification codes and means for checking said exchanged identification code and acknowledging whether said code is correct and hence allowing the charging process to continue.

Advantageously the portable electronic apparatus may only be charged by its own associated charging device which is programmed to fully charge once the identification code has been recognised. Thus if the portable electronic device is stolen then it cannot be charged without access to its own associated or designated charger. Preferably the identification code of the portable electronic apparatus is stored within a ROM. Alternatively the identification code may be stored within other ROM comparable write protected storage.

Preferably the code is identified on the charging unit for ease of replacement should a fault arise or loss occur.

Advantageously the code cannot be reprogrammed to allow use with another charging device.

Preferably the portable electronic device is a mobile telephone.

An embodiment of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone suitable for use with the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a charging lead being inserted into the mobile telephone of figure 1.

Figure 2B is a perspective view of a charging device and associated charging lead Figure 2B is a perspective view of another example of a charging device and associated lead.

Figure 3 is a schematic signal/sequence diagram of the security process for authorised use of a mobile telephone.

Figure 4 is a schematic signal/sequence diagram of the security process for the unauthorized use of a mobile telephone.

A mobile telephone 10 is shown in figure 1 and is provided with a telephone keypad 12, a rechargeable battery pack 14 and a liquid crystal display 16. The mobile telephone is controlled by a microprocessor (not shown). The telephone functions in the conventional manner being capable of receiving and sending both telephone calls and text messages. The keypad 12 comprises two main sets of keys, numeric and function keys. Thus alphanumeric data may be inputted into the telephone and the function buttons can be used to provide various predetermined functions or operations. An on-off button 17 is located at the top of the telephone which enables the telephone to be turned off or on by connecting and disconnecting the battery pack power supply.

t A socket 18 is provided at the base of the telephone and is designed to accept power and transmit or receive a control bus signal from a charger lead 20 (figure 2). The charger lead 20 is attached to a charging unit which is plugged into an AC wall outlet during the charging process.

When the charger 21 is connected to the telephone to commence a charging operation the telephone 10 and the charger 21 each provide an electronic identification code or digital address which is acknowledged by the charger 21 before the charging process is allowed to continue.

Figures 2A and 2B both show examples of a charging unit (charger) 21. The charging unit 21 shown in figure 2A is shaped to fit within the socket 18 of the mobile telephone 10. The charging unit 21 shown in figure 2B is of a stand type whereby the mobile telephone is positioned vertically within a slot 23 to receive charging power via pins 25.

Each mobile telephone 10 has an individual identification code or digital address which is recognised by its charger thus ensuring it is not possible to charge the telephone using any other charger 21. Equally each charger 21 has its own identification code which needs to be recognised by the telephone for the charging operation to continue. Hence the identification process is a 'two-way' acknowledgment. The telephone will not allow the battery to be charged if it does not recognise the charger and the charger 21 will not charge the battery if it does not recognise the mobile telephone 10.

If the charging device 21 receives an unrecognized identification code or signal then charging is disabled and the telephone becomes unusable.

An authorised code and therefore a successful charging operation is shown in figure 3, An unauthorized and therefore unsuccessful charging operation is shown by figure 4. It is also envisaged that if the phone does not correctly identify the battery then an external reading device could be provided to put the mobile telephone in its acknowledged state and hence be able to receive its electronic identification.

As is clear from figures 3 and 4 the charger 21 ignores an unrecognized mobile telephone 10 and does not complete a successful charging operation. It is envisaged that both the mobile telephone and the charger are provided with ROM electronic addresses or identification codes which prevents reprogramming.

Claims

l CLAIMS

1. Portable electronic apparatus comprising a rechargeable battery and an associated battery charging device wherein said battery and charging devices are each provided with an electronic identification code, means for exchanging said identification codes and means for checking said exchanged identification code and acknowledging whether said code is correct and hence allowing the charging process to continue.

2. Portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the identification codes are stored within ROM or other write protected storage.

3. Portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said electronic device is a mobile telephone.

4. Portable electronic apparatus as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.