JP2007114889A - Theft prevention system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify generation of theft of an information processor storing information, or to prevent leakage of the information stored by the stolen information processor. <P>SOLUTION: A master unit 1 and each slave unit perform transmission/reception of an inquiry message and a response message by a short-range radio communication. The master unit 1 notifies a prescribed connection destination about the theft via a telephone communication network 6 when not receiving the response message. Each the slave unit disables operation of a connected personal computer when not receiving the inquiry message from the master unit 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a theft countermeasure system that notifies that an information processing apparatus such as a computer that stores information has been stolen or prevents information stored in the information processing apparatus that has been stolen from leaking. , And a theft countermeasure method.

  Theft of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) and the leakage of confidential information and personal information stored by the personal computers that were stolen will result in loss of the image and credibility of the company that owned the personal computers, etc. Can cause serious blows.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent the theft of a personal computer, a method of fixing the personal computer with a fixing means such as a chain has been used so that the personal computer cannot be moved. However, since the destruction of the fixing means is not so difficult in practice, the personal computer fixed by the fixing means is stolen.

  In addition, there is a method for preventing information leakage by setting a password on a personal computer to prevent information leakage so that only those who know the password can read information.

  Furthermore, a terminal configured to be usable only when a terminal device such as a personal computer performs near field communication between the key device and the data received from the key device matches the data stored in advance. An apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a system including such a terminal device and a key side device, only a person carrying the key side device can use the terminal device. Therefore, another person cannot extract information from the terminal device, and the prevention of information leakage can be enhanced.

JP 2004-102682 A (paragraphs 0017 to 0048, FIG. 1)

  However, the method of preventing information leakage with a password has a problem that information leakage cannot be prevented if a third party knows the password.

  In addition, the method described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that information leakage cannot be prevented when the key-side device and the personal computer are taken out together.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a theft countermeasure system and a theft countermeasure method that can prevent information leakage even if anyone takes out an information processing apparatus.

  The anti-theft system according to the present invention is an anti-theft system comprising a monitoring device connected to a communication network and a monitored device connected to an information processing device targeted for anti-theft and performing wireless communication with the monitoring device. The monitoring device includes an inquiry means for transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device and receiving a response message to the inquiry message. The monitored device receives and receives the inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device. Response means for transmitting a response message to the inquiry message, and an operation stop means for making the operation of the information processing apparatus impossible when the response means does not receive the inquiry message even after a predetermined time has elapsed. And

  The monitoring device may include notification means for notifying the occurrence of theft via the communication network when a response message to the inquiry message transmitted by the inquiry means is not received.

  The anti-theft system according to another aspect of the present invention is a anti-theft measure comprising a monitoring device connected to a communication network and a monitored device that is connected to an information processing device targeted for anti-theft and performs wireless communication with the monitoring device. In the system, the monitoring device transmits an inquiry message for requesting a response to the monitored device, receives an inquiry message for receiving the response message for the inquiry message, and does not receive a response message for the inquiry message transmitted by the inquiry device A notification means for notifying the occurrence of theft via a communication network, and the monitored apparatus includes a response means for receiving an inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring apparatus and transmitting a response message to the received inquiry message. It is characterized by.

  The notifying unit of the monitoring device may notify the occurrence of theft when a response message is not received for a predetermined number of inquiry messages transmitted by the inquiry unit.

  The monitored device includes a storage battery, and when the electromotive force of the storage battery decreases to a predetermined value or less, the response means sends a response message including power reduction information, which is information indicating that the electromotive force has decreased, to the monitoring device. The notification means of the monitoring device transmits the communication after the inquiry means receives the response message including the power reduction information and does not receive the response message for the transmitted inquiry message for a predetermined number of times. You may notify that the electromotive force fell via the network.

  The inquiry unit of the monitoring device may transmit an inquiry message to the monitored device at a predetermined time interval. The monitored device may be connected to the USB terminal of the information processing device.

  The monitoring device includes an activation connection unit that connects to a predetermined connection destination at the time of activation, and the inquiry unit of the monitoring device inquires to the monitored device when the notification unit receives a normal response from the predetermined connection destination. Message transmission may begin.

  The anti-theft method according to the present invention detects theft of an information processing device by performing wireless communication between a monitoring device connected to a communication network and a monitored device connected to an information processing device targeted for anti-theft. An anti-theft method, wherein the monitoring device transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device and receives a response message to the inquiry message; and the monitoring device transmits the inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device. A response step of receiving and transmitting a response message to the received inquiry message, and stopping the operation of the information processing apparatus when the monitored apparatus does not receive the inquiry message even if a predetermined time has elapsed And a step.

  When the monitoring device does not receive a response message to the inquiry message transmitted in the inquiry step, the monitoring device may include a notification step of notifying the occurrence of theft via the communication network.

  The anti-theft method according to another aspect of the present invention provides a wireless communication between a monitoring device connected to a communication network and a monitored device connected to an information processing device targeted for anti-theft, An anti-theft method for detecting theft, wherein the monitoring device transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device at a predetermined time interval and receives a response message to the inquiry message; A response step of receiving an inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device and transmitting a response message to the received inquiry message; and a case where the monitoring device does not receive a response message to the inquiry message transmitted in the inquiry step. Notification step to notify the occurrence of theft Characterized in that it comprises and.

  The monitoring device may notify the occurrence of theft in the notification step when the response message is not received even if the inquiry message is transmitted a predetermined number of times.

  Using a monitored device equipped with a storage battery, the monitored device includes power reduction information that is information indicating that the electromotive force has decreased when the electromotive force of the storage battery has decreased below a predetermined value in the response step. When the response message is transmitted to the monitoring device, the monitoring device receives the response message including the power reduction information in the inquiry step and does not receive the response message even if the inquiry message is transmitted a predetermined number of times. In the notification step, it may be notified that the electromotive force has decreased via the communication network.

  The anti-theft system according to the present invention can notify the occurrence of the theft of an information processing apparatus that stores information. The anti-theft system according to another aspect of the present invention can prevent leakage of information stored in the information processing apparatus by disabling operation of the stolen information processing apparatus.

  After receiving information indicating that the electromotive force of the storage battery of the monitored device has been lowered and not receiving a response message to the transmitted inquiry message a predetermined number of times, the electromotive force is transmitted via the communication network. Can be notified that the monitored device has stopped functioning due to a decrease in the electromotive force of the storage battery.

  If the inquiry means of the monitoring device is configured to send an inquiry message to the monitored device at a predetermined time interval, the theft can be detected within a predetermined time.

  The monitoring device includes an activation connection unit that connects to a predetermined connection destination at the time of activation, and the inquiry unit starts transmission of an inquiry message to the monitored device when a normal response is received from the predetermined connection destination. When configured, the information processing apparatus can be operated when a response of a predetermined connection destination such as a cellular phone of a system administrator is received. In other words, if the response of the predetermined connection destination is not received, transmission of the inquiry message to the monitored device is not started, and the operation stop unit of the monitored device makes the operation of the information processing device impossible. Information leakage can be prevented even when a monitoring device, a monitored device, and an information processing device are stolen at the same time by an employee of a company that owns the device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a theft countermeasure system according to the present invention.

  The antitheft system in this embodiment includes a master unit (monitoring device) 1 connected to a telephone communication network 6, a slave unit (monitored device) 4 connected to a personal computer (information processing device) 2, and a personal computer (information A slave unit (monitored device) 5 connected to the processing device 3.

  The base unit 1, the handset 4 and the handset 5 transmit and receive information (messages) by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN. The handset 4 is connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal of the personal computer 2. The slave unit 5 is connected to a USB terminal of the personal computer 3.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the base unit 1. The base unit 1 includes a telephone network communication unit (notification unit, activation connection unit) 11 that transmits / receives information via the telephone communication network 6, and short-range communication that transmits / receives information to / from the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 by short-range wireless communication. A unit (inquiry means) 12, a storage unit 13 for storing information, and a control unit 14 for controlling each unit are included.

  The memory | storage part 13 has memorize | stored the subunit | mobile_unit identification information which identifies the subunit | mobile_unit 4 and the subunit | mobile_unit 5 previously. The slave unit identification information is, for example, the MAC address of each slave unit.

  Base unit 1 does not have a backup power source such as a battery. The telephone network communication unit 11 notifies a predetermined connection destination such as a cellular phone of a system administrator when the anti-theft system is introduced through the telephone communication network 6. The short-range communication unit 12 starts transmission / reception (operation) of information with the child device 4 and the child device 5 after the telephone network communication unit 11 receives a normal response from a predetermined connection destination. Base unit 1 continues to operate for 24 hours after the start of operation.

  Note that the connection destination that notifies that the master unit 1 has started is normally responded when it is notified that it has started at a predetermined timing (for example, within three days after the introduction of the anti-theft system). Send to base unit 1. Therefore, even if the power supply is resumed after the master device 1 and each slave device are taken out together and the power supply of the master device 1 is stopped, the master device 1 is connected from the connection destination notifying that it has started up. Since normal response is not received, operation is not resumed.

  Note that notifying a predetermined connection destination means, for example, transmitting information or notifying a system administrator's mobile phone by voice. The storage unit 13 stores in advance audio data for notification to the mobile phone. In addition, when the main | base station 1 has a modem function, you may dial-up to the server of a security management company.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the slave unit 4. The subunit | mobile_unit 4 memorize | stores information, the short distance communication part (response means) 41 which transmits / receives information with the main | base station 1 by near field communication, the USB controller 42 which carries out USB connection with the personal computer 2, and transmits / receives information with the personal computer 2. A storage unit 43, a control unit 44 that controls each unit, and a battery (storage battery) 45 that generates an electromotive force are included. The handset 5 has the same configuration as the handset 4.

  The storage unit 43 stores base unit identification information for identifying the base unit 1. The base unit identification information is, for example, the MAC address of the base unit 1.

  Each slave unit is supplied with power from each personal computer via the USB terminal. Each slave unit has a built-in battery 45, and transmits / receives information (message) to / from the master unit 1 by the power supplied from the battery 45 even when the power supply from the personal computer is stopped.

  The telephone communication network 6 is realized by, for example, a fixed telephone communication network, a mobile phone communication network, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) communication network, or the like.

  Each PC operates when a slave unit is connected, and is equipped with a program that disables operation by stopping the operation or making it impossible to start by controlling the connected slave unit. is doing. Then, the USB controller 42 and the control unit 44 (operation stop unit) of each child device controls the personal computer so that the operation can be performed when the message is normally transmitted / received to / from the parent device 1.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the antitheft system according to the present invention.

  Base unit 1 transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to handset 4 and handset 5 (step S101). The inquiry message includes the parent device identification information of the parent device 1.

  When receiving the inquiry message, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 each transmit a response message including the slave unit identification information to the master unit 1 (step S102).

  When a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the inquiry message was transmitted, the parent device 1 transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the child device 4 and the child device 5 (step S103).

  When receiving the inquiry message, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 each transmit a response message including the slave unit identification information to the master unit 1 (step S104).

  The base unit 1 performs an operation of transmitting an inquiry message for requesting a response to the handset 4 and handset 5 every time a predetermined time elapses after the inquiry message is transmitted (that is, at a predetermined time interval). repeat. And the subunit | mobile_unit 4 and the subunit | mobile_unit 5 will transmit the response message containing the information which each identifies an own machine to the main | base station 1, if an inquiry message is received.

  If base unit 1 transmits an inquiry message a predetermined number of times and does not receive a response message (step S105), it notifies a predetermined connection destination that the theft has occurred via telephone communication network 6 (step S105). Step S106).

  As described above, since the master unit 1 notifies that the theft has occurred when no response message is received from each slave unit, the master unit 1 can notify the occurrence of the theft when the personal computer is taken away. .

  Next, the operation when the handset 4 or handset 5 does not receive an inquiry message from the base unit 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation when the handset 4 does not receive the inquiry message from the base unit 1.

  Base unit 1 transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to handset 4 and handset 5 (step S201).

  When receiving the inquiry message, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 each transmit a response message including the slave unit identification information to the master unit 1 (step S202).

  When a predetermined time elapses after transmitting the inquiry message, the parent device 1 transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the child device 4 and the child device 5 (step S203).

  When receiving the inquiry message, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 each transmit a response message including the slave unit identification information to the master unit 1 (step S204).

  The base unit 1 repeats the operation of transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response to the handset 4 and handset 5 every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the inquiry message was sent. And the subunit | mobile_unit 4 and the subunit | mobile_unit 5 will transmit the response message containing a subunit | mobile_unit identification information to the main | base station 1, if an inquiry message is received.

  If the control unit of the child device 4 and the child device 5 does not receive the inquiry message for a predetermined time (step S205), it determines that the device has been stolen. Then, the USB controller outputs a command that disables the operation to the CPU of the personal computer via the USB terminal (step S206).

  As described above, each slave unit cannot operate the personal computer unless it receives an inquiry message from the master unit 1, and thus it is possible to prevent information from leaking from the personal computer taken away.

  Next, an operation when power supply to the slave unit by the personal computer is stopped will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the slave unit when the supply of power is stopped. Here, it is assumed that the handset 4 and handset 5 are operated by the electromotive force of the built-in battery 45 with the power supply from the personal computer stopped.

  Base unit 1 transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to handset 4 and handset 5 (step S301).

  When receiving the inquiry message, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 each transmit a response message including the slave unit identification information to the master unit 1 (step S302).

  When a predetermined time elapses after transmitting the inquiry message, the parent device 1 transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the child device 4 and the child device 5 (step S303).

  The base unit 1 repeats the operation of transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response to the handset 4 and handset 5 every time a predetermined time has elapsed since the inquiry message was sent. And the subunit | mobile_unit 4 and the subunit | mobile_unit 5 will transmit the response message containing a subunit | mobile_unit identification information to the main | base station 1, if an inquiry message is received.

  If the control unit of the child device 4 and the child device 5 determines that the electromotive force of the battery 45 is lowered, a response message including the child device identification information and information indicating the lowered electromotive force is sent to the parent device 1. Transmit (step S304).

  When the control unit 14 of the base unit 1 does not receive a response message for the inquiry message a predetermined number of times or more after receiving a response message including information indicating a decrease in electromotive force (step S305), the control unit 14 sends a predetermined message to the telephone network communication unit 11. The connection destination is notified of which battery in which the slave unit is mounted has been reduced (step S306).

  As described above, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 can transmit a response message to the master unit 1 by the power supplied by the battery 45 even when the power supply from the personal computer is stopped. In addition, after receiving a response message including information indicating a decrease in electromotive force from the slave unit 4 or the slave unit 5, the master unit 1 is installed in the slave unit 4 or the slave unit 5 when the response message is not received a predetermined number of times or more. In order to notify that the electromotive force of the battery that is being operated is decreasing, it is possible to notify that the slave unit 4 or the slave unit 5 has insufficient power.

  That is, according to this embodiment, when the master unit 1 becomes unable to communicate with one slave unit, it notifies the occurrence of theft, and when each slave unit becomes unable to communicate with the master unit 1 It is possible to prevent the leakage of information by making the operation of the personal computer impossible. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform theft notification and prevent information leakage.

  Further, in order to make the personal computer operable, the master unit 1 does not receive a normal response from a predetermined connection destination such as a system administrator's cellular phone at the time of startup, and does not send / receive messages to / from the slave unit. Must not. Therefore, even if the parent device, child device, and PC are stolen by an employee of a company that owns a personal computer, a normal response cannot be received from a predetermined connection destination such as a system administrator's mobile phone at startup. , It becomes impossible to operate the personal computer, and information leakage can be prevented.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the slave unit 4 and the slave unit 5 can transmit a response message to the master unit 1 even when the power supply from the personal computer is stopped. Moreover, when the subunit | mobile_unit 4 or the subunit | mobile_unit 5 has insufficient electric power, it can notify that.

  The present invention can be applied to a system that prevents theft of a personal computer and information leakage accompanying theft.

It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of embodiment of the antitheft system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of a main | base station. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of a subunit | mobile_unit. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the antitheft system by this invention. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation when a slave unit does not receive an inquiry message from a master unit. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the subunit | mobile_unit when supply of electric power stops.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main | base station 2, 3 Personal computer 4, 5 Subordinate machine 6 Telephone communication network 11 Telephone network communication part 12, 41 Short-range communication part 13, 43 Storage part 14, 44 Control part 42 USB controller 45 Battery

Claims (13)

In the anti-theft system comprising a monitoring device connected to a communication network and a monitored device connected to an information processing device targeted for anti-theft and performing wireless communication with the monitoring device,
The monitoring device
An inquiry means for sending an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device, and receiving an answer message for the inquiry message;
The monitored device is:
Response means for receiving an inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device and transmitting a response message to the received inquiry message;
An anti-theft system characterized by including an operation stopping means for making the operation of the information processing apparatus impossible when the response means does not receive an inquiry message even after a predetermined time has elapsed. The antitheft system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes notification means for notifying the occurrence of theft via the communication network when a response message to the inquiry message transmitted by the inquiry means is not received. In the anti-theft system comprising a monitoring device connected to a communication network and a monitored device connected to an information processing device targeted for anti-theft and performing wireless communication with the monitoring device,
The monitoring device
An inquiry means for sending an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device, and receiving a response message to the inquiry message;
Notification means for notifying the occurrence of theft via a communication network when not receiving a response message to the inquiry message transmitted by the inquiry means;
The monitored device is:
The antitheft system comprising: response means for receiving an inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device and transmitting a response message to the received inquiry message. The antitheft system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the notifying means of the monitoring device notifies the occurrence of theft when a response message is not received for the predetermined number of inquiry messages transmitted by the inquiry means. The monitored device includes a storage battery,
The response means, when the electromotive force of the storage battery decreases to a predetermined value or less, transmits a response message including power decrease information that is information indicating that the electromotive force has decreased, to the monitoring device,
The notifying means of the monitoring device is a communication network after the inquiry means receives the response message including the power reduction information and does not receive a response message for the predetermined number of transmitted inquiry messages. The antitheft system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a notification is made that the electromotive force has decreased. The antitheft system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inquiry unit of the monitoring device transmits an inquiry message to the monitored device at a predetermined time interval. The antitheft system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the monitored device is connected to a USB terminal of the information processing device. The monitoring device includes activation connection means for connecting to a predetermined connection destination at the time of activation,
The inquiry unit of the monitoring device starts transmission of an inquiry message to the monitored device when the notification unit receives a normal response from the predetermined connection destination. 1. The anti-theft system described in item 1. In the anti-theft method for detecting theft of the information processing device by performing wireless communication between the monitoring device connected to the communication network and the monitored device connected to the information processing device targeted for anti-theft,
An inquiry step in which the monitoring device transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device and receives a response message to the inquiry message;
A response step in which the monitored device receives an inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device and transmits a response message to the received inquiry message;
An anti-theft method, comprising: an operation stop step of disabling operation of the information processing apparatus when the monitored apparatus does not receive an inquiry message even after a predetermined time has elapsed. The antitheft method according to claim 9, further comprising a notification step of notifying the occurrence of the theft via the communication network when the monitoring device does not receive a response message to the inquiry message transmitted in the inquiry step. In the anti-theft method for detecting theft of the information processing device by performing wireless communication between the monitoring device connected to the communication network and the monitored device connected to the information processing device targeted for anti-theft,
An inquiry step in which the monitoring device transmits an inquiry message requesting a response to the monitored device at a predetermined time interval and receives a response message to the inquiry message;
A response step in which the monitored device receives an inquiry message transmitted by the monitoring device and transmits a response message to the received inquiry message;
And a notification step of notifying the occurrence of theft via a communication network when the monitoring device does not receive a response message to the inquiry message transmitted in the inquiry step. The antitheft method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the monitoring device notifies the occurrence of the theft in the notifying step when the response message is not received even if the inquiry message is transmitted a predetermined number of times. Using a monitored device with a storage battery,
In the response step, the monitored device transmits a response message including power reduction information, which is information indicating that the electromotive force has decreased, when the electromotive force of the storage battery has decreased to a predetermined value or less. ,
The monitoring device receives the response message including the power reduction information in the inquiry step, and does not receive the response message even if the inquiry message is transmitted a predetermined number of times. The antitheft method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the fact that the electromotive force has decreased is notified.

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