WO2004040886A1 - A method and means of shutting off the supply of power from a battery - Google Patents

A method and means of shutting off the supply of power from a battery Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004040886A1
WO2004040886A1 PCT/NO2003/000350 NO0300350W WO2004040886A1 WO 2004040886 A1 WO2004040886 A1 WO 2004040886A1 NO 0300350 W NO0300350 W NO 0300350W WO 2004040886 A1 WO2004040886 A1 WO 2004040886A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
battery
watchdog component
unit
signal
power supply
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2003/000350
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Rolf G. Hansen
Original Assignee
Hansen Rolf G
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hansen Rolf G filed Critical Hansen Rolf G
Priority to AU2003274843A priority Critical patent/AU2003274843A1/en
Publication of WO2004040886A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004040886A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/70—Protecting specific internal or peripheral components, in which the protection of a component leads to protection of the entire computer
    • G06F21/81—Protecting specific internal or peripheral components, in which the protection of a component leads to protection of the entire computer by operating on the power supply, e.g. enabling or disabling power-on, sleep or resume operations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
    • G06F21/31—User authentication
    • G06F21/34—User authentication involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
    • G06F21/35—User authentication involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards communicating wirelessly
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2221/00—Indexing scheme relating to security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F2221/21—Indexing scheme relating to G06F21/00 and subgroups addressing additional information or applications relating to security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F2221/2129—Authenticate client device independently of the user
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Definitions

  • This invention regards a method for shutting off the power supply from a battery.
  • the method is suitable for preventing unauthorized use of electrical devices such as a mobile telephone or a computer.
  • the invention also includes means of implementing the method.
  • a battery is taken to mean any form of rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery or accumulator, be it dry or liquid.
  • Portable electrical devices are quite often the subject of theft or are often left behind, e.g. in restaurants, airports or in taxis. If the device has been opened to enable an authorized user to ,gain access to it, the device may later be misused by an unauthorized person, who then gains access to the information stored in the device.
  • a device with a personal identification code, e.g. in the form of a user name, a password and/or a Personal Identification Number, called a PIN-code.
  • a personal identification code e.g. in the form of a user name, a password and/or a Personal Identification Number, called a PIN-code.
  • PIN-code Personal Identification Number
  • Bluetooth technology which includes a standard for a short-range radio link adapted for inter-device communication.
  • a device that has been opened to allow access for an authorized user is also open to unauthorized users until the device is switched off.
  • a mobile phone that has been opened by keying in the PIN-code is open to anyone into whose possession it comes.
  • Such use may obviously lead to misuse of the mobile telephone and associated costs, but it also means that unauthorized persons can gain access to stored information such as executed calls, text messages exchanged and other information.
  • stored information such as executed calls, text messages exchanged and other information. The same also applies to computers.
  • the object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of prior art.
  • the battery of the device is equipped with a watchdog component designed to receive a coded signal from a transmitter in an identification and authorization unit, hereinafter termed an ID-unit, externally of the battery. Communication with the ID-unit may be intermittent.
  • the watchdog component recognizes the ID-unit through the ID-unit transmitting a predefined code.
  • the watchdog component is built into the battery, forming a part of this.
  • the watchdog component may further be equipped with a transmitter, and the ID-unit may be equipped with a receiver to allow two-way communication.
  • the watchdog component and the ID-unit may accept each other because the. received signal strength is greater than a predefined value, or because the received code corresponds to a predefined code, or because the code is received before the expiry of a predefined period.
  • the watchdog component and the ID-unit are within communication range and the watchdog component accepts the ID-unit, the battery terminal remains energized. If the ID- unit moves out of communication range or is not accepted by the watchdog component, the watchdog component activates a blocking function in the battery, causing the power supply from the battery to be disconnected for a predetermined period.
  • the watchdog component may furthermore be designed to reconnect the power supply if the watchdog component recognizes an ID-unit located within communication range and possibly receives an acceptable code from it.
  • said transmitter will have a short range, such that the power is shut off if the distance between the battery, watchdog component and ID-unit exceeds a few metres.
  • the transmitter signal strength is adjustable so .as to be adaptable to the area in which the device is located.
  • the watchdog component and the ID-unit may be provided with an indicator such as an acoustic signal, to call the user's attention to the fact that power will shortly be shut off.
  • Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an ID-unit and a battery equipped with a watchdog component, and where the devices are provided with a transmitter;
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the watchdog component
  • Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the ID-unit.
  • reference number 1 denotes a battery equipped with a watchdog component 2 , where the watchdog component 2 is arranged so as to be able to disconnect the power supply to the battery 1 terminal 4 from the battery cell 5 by means of a switch 6.
  • the watchdog component 2 comprises a microprocessor 10, a modulator/demodulator 12 connected to an antenna 14, a code register 16 and an input/output unit 18, which in addition to the switch 6, is connected to a speaker 20 and possibly also other terminals (not shown), see figure 2.
  • An identification and authorization unit 30, the ID-unit, which is preferably carried by the user of the device, comprises a microprocessor 32, a modulator/demodulator 34 connected to an antenna 36, a code register 38 and an input/output unit 40 connected to a speaker 42.
  • the microprocessor 10 of the watchdog component 2 sends a coded signal via the modulator/demodulator 12 and the antenna 14, and waits for a reply. If the ID-unit 30 is within range, it intercepts the signal via antenna 36 and modulator/demodulator 34. The signal is processed in the microprocessor 32, and if the signal strength is correct, the ID-unit 30 will reply using its code via the modulator/demodulator 34 and antenna 36.
  • the watchdog component 2 receives the signal via the antenna 14 and the modulator/demodulator 12, from where it is transferred to the microprocessor 10. If the reply is correct (correctly coded), arrives at the right time and has acceptable signal strength, the switch 6 will remain connected.
  • the switch 6 opens after a predetermined period has elapsed.
  • the switch 6 may be set to re- connect instantly or to wait for an acceptable code from the ID-unit 30.
  • the transmitting power of the watchdog component 2 may be changed, whereby the range is also adjusted.
  • the ID-unit 30 does not receive a signal from the watchdog component 2 within a predetermined period, a signal is transmitted via the speaker 42, giving warning that the ID- unit 30 is out of range of the watchdog component 2. By doing so, the signal indicates that the power to the terminal 4 will be disconnected. The signal also tells the user that the battery 1 with the watchdog component 2 is about to be left behind.
  • the switch may be in the form of a mechanical contact or a semiconductor element.

Abstract

A method and means of shutting off the power supply from a battery (1) in order to prevent unauthorized use of a device connected to the battery (1), where the battery (1) is equipped with a watchdog component (2) that communicates electronically with an identification and authorization unit (30), and where the watchdog component (2) disconnects the power supply to the battery (1) terminal (4) unless it receives a signal from an acceptable identification and authorization unit (30).

Description

A METHOD AND MEANS OF SHUTTING OFF THE SUPPLY OF POWER FROM A BATTERY
This invention regards a method for shutting off the power supply from a battery. The method is suitable for preventing unauthorized use of electrical devices such as a mobile telephone or a computer. The invention also includes means of implementing the method.
In this context, a battery is taken to mean any form of rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery or accumulator, be it dry or liquid.
Portable electrical devices are quite often the subject of theft or are often left behind, e.g. in restaurants, airports or in taxis. If the device has been opened to enable an authorized user to ,gain access to it, the device may later be misused by an unauthorized person, who then gains access to the information stored in the device.
It is known to provide a device with a personal identification code, e.g. in the form of a user name, a password and/or a Personal Identification Number, called a PIN-code. Normally, the user must key in this code every time the device is .put to use after having been switched off. Some portable computers are designed to switch themselves off after a set idle period.
Likewise, it is known that e.g. mobile telephones may be shut off as the telephone passes a transmitter adapted just for this purpose, through use of the so-called Bluetooth technology, which includes a standard for a short-range radio link adapted for inter-device communication.
According to prior art, a device that has been opened to allow access for an authorized user is also open to unauthorized users until the device is switched off. Thus a mobile phone that has been opened by keying in the PIN-code is open to anyone into whose possession it comes. Such use may obviously lead to misuse of the mobile telephone and associated costs, but it also means that unauthorized persons can gain access to stored information such as executed calls, text messages exchanged and other information. The same also applies to computers.
The object of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of prior art.
The object is achieved in accordance with the invention, by the characteristics given in the description below and in the following claims.
According to the method of the invention, the battery of the device is equipped with a watchdog component designed to receive a coded signal from a transmitter in an identification and authorization unit, hereinafter termed an ID-unit, externally of the battery. Communication with the ID-unit may be intermittent. The watchdog component recognizes the ID-unit through the ID-unit transmitting a predefined code. The watchdog component is built into the battery, forming a part of this.
The watchdog component may further be equipped with a transmitter, and the ID-unit may be equipped with a receiver to allow two-way communication.
The watchdog component and the ID-unit may accept each other because the. received signal strength is greater than a predefined value, or because the received code corresponds to a predefined code, or because the code is received before the expiry of a predefined period.
As long as the watchdog component and the ID-unit are within communication range and the watchdog component accepts the ID-unit, the battery terminal remains energized. If the ID- unit moves out of communication range or is not accepted by the watchdog component, the watchdog component activates a blocking function in the battery, causing the power supply from the battery to be disconnected for a predetermined period.
The watchdog component may furthermore be designed to reconnect the power supply if the watchdog component recognizes an ID-unit located within communication range and possibly receives an acceptable code from it.
For practical purposes, said transmitter will have a short range, such that the power is shut off if the distance between the battery, watchdog component and ID-unit exceeds a few metres. Preferably, the transmitter signal strength is adjustable so .as to be adaptable to the area in which the device is located. The watchdog component and the ID-unit may be provided with an indicator such as an acoustic signal, to call the user's attention to the fact that power will shortly be shut off.
The following describes an example illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an ID-unit and a battery equipped with a watchdog component, and where the devices are provided with a transmitter;
Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the watchdog component; and
Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the ID-unit.
In the drawings, reference number 1 denotes a battery equipped with a watchdog component 2 , where the watchdog component 2 is arranged so as to be able to disconnect the power supply to the battery 1 terminal 4 from the battery cell 5 by means of a switch 6.
The watchdog component 2 comprises a microprocessor 10, a modulator/demodulator 12 connected to an antenna 14, a code register 16 and an input/output unit 18, which in addition to the switch 6, is connected to a speaker 20 and possibly also other terminals (not shown), see figure 2. An identification and authorization unit 30, the ID-unit, which is preferably carried by the user of the device, comprises a microprocessor 32, a modulator/demodulator 34 connected to an antenna 36, a code register 38 and an input/output unit 40 connected to a speaker 42.
The microprocessor 10 of the watchdog component 2 sends a coded signal via the modulator/demodulator 12 and the antenna 14, and waits for a reply. If the ID-unit 30 is within range, it intercepts the signal via antenna 36 and modulator/demodulator 34. The signal is processed in the microprocessor 32, and if the signal strength is correct, the ID-unit 30 will reply using its code via the modulator/demodulator 34 and antenna 36.
The watchdog component 2 receives the signal via the antenna 14 and the modulator/demodulator 12, from where it is transferred to the microprocessor 10. If the reply is correct (correctly coded), arrives at the right time and has acceptable signal strength, the switch 6 will remain connected.
If the connection to the ID-unit 30 is broken, the returned code is wrong or the signal strength is too weak, a signal/alarm is transmitted via the speaker 20, whereupon the switch 6 opens after a predetermined period has elapsed. Depending on the application, the switch 6 may be set to re- connect instantly or to wait for an acceptable code from the ID-unit 30.
The transmitting power of the watchdog component 2 may be changed, whereby the range is also adjusted. b
If the ID-unit 30 does not receive a signal from the watchdog component 2 within a predetermined period, a signal is transmitted via the speaker 42, giving warning that the ID- unit 30 is out of range of the watchdog component 2. By doing so, the signal indicates that the power to the terminal 4 will be disconnected. The signal also tells the user that the battery 1 with the watchdog component 2 is about to be left behind.
The switch may be in the form of a mechanical contact or a semiconductor element.

Claims

C l a i m s
method of shutting off the power supply from a battery (1) in order to prevent unauthorized use of a device connected to the battery ( 1 ) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the battery (1) is equipped with a watchdog component (2) that communicates electronically with an identification and authorization unit (30), and where the watchdog component (2) disconnects the power supply to the battery (1) terminal (4) unless it receives a signal from an acceptable identification and authorization unit (30).
A method in accordance with Claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the watchdog component (2) transmits a coded message which is accepted by the identification and authorization unit (30), and to which it responds by transmitting a signal that carries a code which the watchdog component (2) then receives and accepts, and where, if it does not receive a signal from an acceptable identification and authorization unit (30), the watchdog component (2) activates a switch ( 6 ) .
A means of implementing the method of Claims 1-2 to shut off the power supply from a battery (!)• in order to prevent unauthorized use of a device connected to the battery (1), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the battery (1) is equipped with a watchdog component (2) designed to activate a switch (6) and by so doing, disconnect the power supply to the battery ( 1 ) terminal (4) when the watchdog component (2) does not receive a signal from an acceptable identification and authorization unit (30).
PCT/NO2003/000350 2002-10-30 2003-10-23 A method and means of shutting off the supply of power from a battery WO2004040886A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003274843A AU2003274843A1 (en) 2002-10-30 2003-10-23 A method and means of shutting off the supply of power from a battery

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20025199 2002-10-30
NO20025199A NO318006B1 (en) 2002-10-30 2002-10-30 Method and apparatus for switching off the power supply from a battery

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004040886A1 true WO2004040886A1 (en) 2004-05-13

Family

ID=19914131

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2003/000350 WO2004040886A1 (en) 2002-10-30 2003-10-23 A method and means of shutting off the supply of power from a battery

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003274843A1 (en)
NO (1) NO318006B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004040886A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1911263A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2008-04-16 Kangaroo Media Inc. System and methods for enhancing the experience of spectators attending a live sporting event
EP2023261A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2009-02-11 Sony Corporation Communication system, authentication method, information processing device, information processing method, and battery
US9059809B2 (en) 1998-02-23 2015-06-16 Steven M. Koehler System and method for listening to teams in a race event

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5594319A (en) * 1996-06-05 1997-01-14 Motorola, Inc. Battery pack having theft deterrent circuit
DE19957502A1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-06-29 Dennis Huang Switch arrangement for wireless theft protection system has transmitter and receiver held together by attachment arrangement, each with power supply circuit, power supply on/off switch
DE10049965A1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-05-02 Ameur Raouf Ben Security device fitted into mobile telephone or motor vehicle, comprises anti-theft apparatus with chip card and communication interfaces for wireless communication
US20030114143A1 (en) * 2001-12-19 2003-06-19 Kulseth Paul Michael Stimulus-dependent electronic device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5594319A (en) * 1996-06-05 1997-01-14 Motorola, Inc. Battery pack having theft deterrent circuit
DE19957502A1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-06-29 Dennis Huang Switch arrangement for wireless theft protection system has transmitter and receiver held together by attachment arrangement, each with power supply circuit, power supply on/off switch
DE10049965A1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2002-05-02 Ameur Raouf Ben Security device fitted into mobile telephone or motor vehicle, comprises anti-theft apparatus with chip card and communication interfaces for wireless communication
US20030114143A1 (en) * 2001-12-19 2003-06-19 Kulseth Paul Michael Stimulus-dependent electronic device

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9059809B2 (en) 1998-02-23 2015-06-16 Steven M. Koehler System and method for listening to teams in a race event
US9350776B2 (en) 1998-02-23 2016-05-24 Tagi Ventures, Llc System and method for listening to teams in a race event
US9560419B2 (en) 1998-02-23 2017-01-31 Tagi Ventures, Llc System and method for listening to teams in a race event
EP1911263A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2008-04-16 Kangaroo Media Inc. System and methods for enhancing the experience of spectators attending a live sporting event
EP1911263A4 (en) * 2005-07-22 2011-03-30 Kangaroo Media Inc System and methods for enhancing the experience of spectators attending a live sporting event
US8391774B2 (en) 2005-07-22 2013-03-05 Kangaroo Media, Inc. System and methods for enhancing the experience of spectators attending a live sporting event, with automated video stream switching functions
US9065984B2 (en) 2005-07-22 2015-06-23 Fanvision Entertainment Llc System and methods for enhancing the experience of spectators attending a live sporting event
EP2023261A1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2009-02-11 Sony Corporation Communication system, authentication method, information processing device, information processing method, and battery
EP2023261A4 (en) * 2006-05-15 2010-07-07 Sony Corp Communication system, authentication method, information processing device, information processing method, and battery
US8387113B2 (en) 2006-05-15 2013-02-26 Sony Corporation Communication system, authentication method, information processing device, information processing method, and battery

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20025199D0 (en) 2002-10-30
NO318006B1 (en) 2005-01-17
AU2003274843A1 (en) 2004-05-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7868733B2 (en) System for identifying an individual in an electronic transaction
US7761080B2 (en) Emergency call method
EP1974415B1 (en) Battery authentication in a wireless communication device
EP1601216B1 (en) Mobile communication terminal
US20110028091A1 (en) Method and system for near-field wireless device pairing
JP2007052513A (en) Target device, authentication device, and authentication method
US7248865B2 (en) Mobile communication terminal
EP1251472A1 (en) Means for loss protection of a mobile terminal
GB2318707A (en) Mobile Radio Device Protected against Misuse by a Thief
CN104851169A (en) Wireless smart lock and unlocking control method thereof
CN101499190A (en) Security management method, system and apparatus for electronic purse
JPH0964967A (en) Dial lock system for portable telephone set
CN101171866A (en) Function halt information notifying method and mobile communication terminal apparatus
JP2003199155A (en) Theft notice system, mobile communication apparatus thereof, and communication apparatus
JP2001245354A (en) Automatic dial lock system for mobile phone
WO2004040886A1 (en) A method and means of shutting off the supply of power from a battery
CN210574242U (en) Mobile terminal reminding device, system, mobile terminal and vehicle
KR101134839B1 (en) Emergency signal transmission system using of a mobile phone and method of the same
KR100511178B1 (en) Security system using origination message of wireless communication terminal and method thereof
KR100639331B1 (en) mobile communication terminal having a riding information transferring function and controlling method therefore
CN105657164A (en) Method and device for eliminating service restriction of portable terminal
KR20050098744A (en) Received statement alarm system of cellular phone
JP2002315055A (en) Communication terminal and radio communication system
KR100600967B1 (en) Mobile communication terminal with contactress card ic and method of controlling the same
JPH0998480A (en) Portable communication equipment

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP