WO2004102823A1

WO2004102823A1 - Portable computer device with anti-theft function

Info

Publication number: WO2004102823A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Geun Choi
Original assignee: David & Chris Corporation
Priority date: 2003-05-16
Filing date: 2003-06-20
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Also published as: KR200325720Y1; AU2003243029A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable computer device for detecting the changes of the position of the portable computer device when the device is stolen. The device comprises a body of a portable computer device, a position detecting means for producing data representing the position of the body of the device, a memory for storing the data transmitted from the detecting means and user's password, a security module for determining whether the position of the device are changed more than a predetermined value by comparing the present data received from the detecting means with the previous data stored in memory, and requesting an input of a user's password when the position are changed more than the predetermined value, a key input part for inputting a password, and a warning signal indicator for producing a warning message when the inputted password is not identical with the user's password.

Description

PORTABLE COMPUTER DEVICE WITH ANTI-THEFT FUNCTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable computer device with an anti-theft function, and more particularly to a portable computer device which is capable of detecting the changes of the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device in case where the portable computer device is stolen, thereby preventing the theft of the portable computer device.

BACKGROUNDS OF THE INVENTION

Recently, a portable telephone, one of the representative portable computer devices, is world-widely used along with the development of the wireless telecommunication technology. The conventional portable telephone also works as an electronic pocket book, so acquaintance's name, address, telephone number, and one's own schedules are stored and managed therein. Further, the portable computer devices such as a PDA (personal digital assistants), portable telephones, tablet personal computer (PC), note book PC and so on, have various calculation functions. However, the probability of losing the portable computer device is relatively high due to its small size, and the probability of theft is also high due to its high price, various functions and convenience. If the portable computer device is lost or stolen, the owner not only may suffer economical losses but also loses all information stored in the portable computer device.

Accordingly, various methods for preventing the theft or the loss of the portable computer device were developed. One of the methods is disclosed in Korean patent laid-open publication No. 1999-79565 wherein a wireless transmitter is mounted on a body of a portable telephone, and a wireless receiver forming a pair with the wireless transmitter is provided for a user. When the transmitter is separated from the receiver by a predetermined distance due to the theft or the loss of the portable telephone, a warning signal is generated by the receiver. However, there is an increasing demand for a more effective and convenient device for preventing the theft or the loss of the portable computer device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer device having a more effective anti-theft function. It is other object of the present invention to provide a portable computer device having a more convenient anti-theft function.

In order to achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a portable computer device with an anti-theft function comprising a body of a portable computer device, a position detecting means for periodically producing data representing the position and/or the direction of the body of portable computer device, a memory for storing the data transmitted from the position detecting means and at least one user's password, a security module for determining whether the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device are changed more than a predetermined value by comparing the present data received from the position detecting means with the previous data stored in the memory, and requesting an input of a user's password when the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device are changed more than the predetermined value, a key input part for inputting the user's password, and a warning signal indicator for producing a warning message when the inputted user's password is not identical with the at least one user's password stored in the memory.

Preferably, the security module detects the periodical transmission of the data from the position detecting means, and requests the input of a user's password when the periodical transmission of the data is terminated, and the warning signal indicator produces the warning message when the user's password is not inputted for a predetermined time interval. In addition, the position detecting means preferably includes at least one acceleration sensor for periodically detecting the position and/or the direction of the body of portable computer device, and a microprocessor for controlling the acceleration sensor and for processing the data produced by the acceleration sensor. The portable computer device can be a portable telephone, a tablet personal computer, a notebook computer, or a personal digital assistant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a portable computer device with an anti-theft function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating a portable computer device with an anti-theft function according to other embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart for illustrating a method for preventing the theft of the portable computer device by using the portable computer device of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a flow chart for illustrating a method for preventing the theft of the portable computer device when the components of an anti-theft device are removed from the portable computer device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof can be better appreciated by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a portable computer device with an anti-theft function according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which some components for preventing a theft are removably attached to the body of the portable computer device. Referring to Fig. 1 , the components for preventing the theft of the portable computer device comprises a key input part 11, a memory 12, a security module 13, a warning signal indicator 14, an automatic dialing part 15 and a data receiver 16 which are installed in the body of the portable computer device 10. The warning signal indicator 14 and the automatic dialing part 15 are controlled by the security module 13. The warning signal indicator 14 is a well-known element in the art, and the exemplary warning signal indicator 14 includes a warning message display device for displaying a warning message or a warning signal to a user, and a warning sound generator for producing a warning sound when the portable computer device is stolen. The automatic dialing part 15 is optionally provided to send a warning message to a predetermined device, such as a user's home or office telephone by a wireless telecommunication. The telephone number of the predetermined device can be stored in the security module 13 or the memory 12. The data receiver 16 receives a series of data from a position detecting means 100, and transfers the received data to the memory 12 and the security module 13. The memory 12 is provided for storing the data transmitted from the position detecting means 100 and at least one user's password. The key input part 11 provided in the body of the portable computer device 10 can be a conventional data input device for inputting various data including telephone numbers, passwords, schedule et al. When the portable computer device 10 is a mobile telephone, the key input part 11 can be the conventional number buttons for inputting telephone number for connecting a communication line.

The components for preventing the theft of the portable computer device further comprises the position detecting means 100 which is removably attached to the body of the portable computer device 10, and provided for periodically producing data representing the position and/or the direction of the body of portable computer device 10. Thus, when the position detecting means 100 is attached to the body of portable computer device 10, the position detecting means 100 moves together with the body of portable computer device 10. The position detecting means 100 includes at least one acceleration sensor 101 for detecting the position and/or the direction of the body of portable computer device 10, and a microprocessor 110 for controlling the acceleration sensor 101 and for processing the data produced by the acceleration sensor 101.

The acceleration sensor 101 is to detect the movement of the body of the portable computer device 10 and to produce digital data corresponding to the changes of the position and the direction of the body of the portable computer device 10. As the acceleration sensor 101 , any kinds of commercially available sensors capable of carrying out the above-mentioned function can be used. For example, a pendulum provided at the center of the portable computer device can be used as the acceleration sensor 101. When the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device are changed, the pendulum moves according to the change of the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device. Therefore, the movement of the portable computer device can be detected by detecting the movement of the pendulum. In a specific example, the acceleration sensor 101 can be designed to detect only the direction of the body of the portable computer device 10. When the direction of the acceleration sensor 101 is same with the direction of the gravity, the acceleration sensor 101 produces a reference value "1". When the direction of the acceleration sensor 101 tilts with respect to the direction of the gravity, the acceleration sensor 101 produces a cosine value of the tilted degree. For example, when the acceleration sensor 101 rotates by 90 degree from the direction of the gravity, the acceleration sensor 101 produce a value of "0", and when the acceleration sensor 101 rotates by 180 degree from the direction of the gravity, the acceleration sensor 101 produce a value of "-1". The data produced by the acceleration sensor 101 are transmitted to the body of the portable computer device 10, and the security module 13 detects the change of the direction of the portable computer device from the transmitted data. In other specific example, the acceleration sensor 101 can be designed to detect the change of the position of the portable computer device. When the position of the portable computer device changes, the acceleration sensor 101 detects a positive acceleration at the initial period of the change and then detects a negative acceleration, and the acceleration sensor 101 produces data corresponding to the acceleration. The data produced by the acceleration sensor 101 are transmitted to the body of the portable computer device 10, and the security module 13 detects the change of the position of the portable computer device from the transmitted data.

The microprocessor 110 preferably includes a controller 111 for controlling the operation of the acceleration sensor 101 and a data transmitter 112 for transmitting the data produced by the acceleration sensor 101 to the body of the portable computer device 10. The position detecting means 100 is operated with a power supplied from a power supply 17 mounted in the body of the portable computer device 10. The data transmitter 112 in the position detecting means 100 and the data receiver 16 in the body of the portable computer device 10 are connected with a conventional communication port such as USB or RS232C.

The data produced by the acceleration sensor 101 are transmitted to the security module 13, and are stored in the memory 12. With reference to the transmitted data and the stored data, the security module 13 determines whether the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device are changed more than a predetermined value. In detail, the security module 13 receives the data transmitted from the position detecting means 100 through the data receiver 16, and compares the received present data with the previous data stored in the memory 12. The present data represents the present position and/or the direction of the portable computer device, and the previous data represents the just prior position and/or the direction of the portable computer device. When the difference between the received present data and the previous data is greater than a predetermined value, the security module 13 decides that the portable computer device may be in the stolen state, and then requests the input of the user's password. That is, the security module 13 is operated according to the changes of the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device. When a user inputs a password with a key input part 11 , the security module 13 reads the authorized user's password stored in the memory 12, and then examines whether the received password is identical with the authorized user's password. If the received password is not identical with the authorized user's password, or the password is not inputted for a predetermined time interval, the security module 13 controls the warning signal indicator 14 and/or the automatic dialing part 15 to display a warning signal, to produce a warning sound, and/or to send a warning message to a predetermined device, such as a user's home or office telephone.

In the portable computer device with an anti-theft function shown in Fig. 1 , the position detecting means 100 can be separated from the body of portable computer device 10 at ordinary times. And, when the user requires the anti-theft function, the user can attach the position detecting means 100 to the body of portable computer device 10. If necessary, the security module 13 can be provided in the position detecting means 100, instead of in the body of the portable computer device 10. Fig. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating a portable computer device with an anti-theft function according to other embodiment of the present invention, in which all the components for preventing the theft are mounted in the body of the portable computer device. As shown in Fig.2, when all the components for preventing the theft are mounted in the body of the portable computer device 10, namely, when the position detecting means 100 is also provided in the body of the portable telephone 10, the data transmitter 112 and the data receiver 16 shown in Fig. 1 are not necessary, and the microprocessor 110 is directly connected to the security module 13 and the memory 12. In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 101 is fixed to the body of the portable computer device 10. Therefore, if the direction and/or the position of the body of the portable computer device 10 are changed, the acceleration sensor 101 detects the change of the position or the direction, and produces digital data corresponding to the change of the position or the direction. The key input part 11, the memory 12, the security module 13, the warning signal indicator 14, the automatic dialing part 15, acceleration sensor 101 and the microprocessor 110 shown in Fig. 2 perform the same functions as described for Fig. 1.

Hereinafter, the operation of the portable computer device with an anti-theft function will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3.

When the position detecting means 100 is mounted to the body of the portable computer device 10, a power is supplied from the power supply 17 to the position detecting means 100 to put the acceleration sensor 101 and the microprocessor 110 into operation (Step S21). In step S22, the acceleration sensor 101 produces data (initial data) representing the initial direction and the initial position of the portable computer device under the control of the controller 111 of the microprocessor 110. In step S23, the initial data is transmitted to the memory 12 through the data transmitter 112 and the data receiver 16, and stored in the memory 12. With a predetermined time interval, the controller 111 of the microprocessor 110 periodically controls the acceleration sensor 101 to periodically obtain the data representing the direction and the position of the portable computer device (Step S24). The periodically obtained data are successively stored in the memory 12, and transmitted to the security module 13 (Step S25). When the security module 13 receives a present data, the security module 13 reads a previous data from the memory 12 (Step S26), and compares the new present and the previous data (Step S27). When the difference between the received present data and the previous data is greater than a predetermined value, the security module 13 requests the input of the user's password, for example, by displaying the image requesting the password on a monitor or by generating a sound message requesting the password with a speaker (Step S28). On the contrary, when the difference between the received present data and the previous data is smaller than the predetermined value, the security module 13 does not request the input of the user's password. When a user inputs a password with a key input part 11, the security module 13 reads the authorized user's password stored in the memory 12 (Step S29), and then examines whether the received password is identical with the authorized user's password (Step S30). If the received password is not identical with the authorized user's password, the security module 13 controls the warning signal indicator 14 and/or the automatic dialing part 15 to display a warning signal, to produce a warning sound, and/or to send a warning message to a predetermined device, such as a user's home or office telephone (Step S31). If the received password is identical with the authorized user's password, operation of the security module 13 is terminated (Step S32), or can be returned to the Step 27. When the password is not inputted within a predetermined time interval, the security module 13 also controls the warning signal indicator 14 and/or the automatic dialing part 15 to display the warning signal, to produce the warning sound, and/or to send the warning message to a predetermined device.

When the anti-theft device is under operation, and the position detecting means 100 shown in Fig.3 is intentionally removed from the body of the portable computer device 10, the security module 13 also controls the warning signal indicator 14 and/or the automatic dialing part 15 according to the steps shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the step S40 for supplying power to the anti-theft device, the step S41 for detecting the initial data representing the initial position and the initial direction of the body of the portable telephone 10 and the step S42 for storing the initial data in the memory 12 are same with the steps S21, S22 and S23 in Fig. 3, respectively. When the position detecting means 100 is intentionally removed from the body of the portable computer device 10, the periodical transmission of the data from the acceleration sensor 101 to the security module 13 is terminated. The security module 13 detects whether the periodical transmission of the data from the acceleration sensor 101 to the security module 13 is terminated (S43). When the periodical transmission of the data is terminated, the security module 13 requests the input of the user's password through the key input part 11 (Step S44). Steps S45-S48 following the step S44 are similar with the steps S29-S32 in Fig. 3. That is, if a password is inputted through the key input part 11, the security module 13 compares the inputted password with the authorized user's password stored in the memory 12. If the inputted password is identical with the stored password, the operation for the anti-theft function is terminated. On the contrary, if the inputted password is not identical with the stored password, the security module 13 controls the warning signal indicator 14 and/or the automatic dialing part 15 to display the warning signal, to produce the warning sound, and/or to send the warning message to a predetermined device.

If the portable computer device is a portable telephone, and the portable telephone is in a waiting mode, namely, in a power saving, a sleep or a standby mode, the power of the body of the portable telephone 10 is not supplied to the position detecting means 100. However, the power is periodically supplied to the portable telephone even in a waiting mode to periodically communicate with a base station (i.e., wake-up), and the periodically supplied power is also periodically supplied to the position detecting means 100 for the anti-theft function. With the periodically supplied power, the acceleration sensor 101 of the position detecting means 100 detects the changes of the position and/or the direction of the portable telephone, and the data produced by the acceleration sensor 101 is transmitted to the memory 12 and the security module 13. Therefore the anti-theft function according to the present invention can be carried out in the waiting mode of the portable telephone.

The present invention is based on the fact that the theft of the portable computer device must be accompanied with the changes of the position and/or direction of the portable computer device. Thus, the present invention can be applied for various portable computer device, such as a portable or mobile telephone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a notebook computer, a PDA (personal digital assistants), and so on. While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable computer device with an anti-theft function comprising: a body of a portable computer device; a position detecting means for periodically producing data representing the position and/or the direction of the body of portable computer device; a memory for storing the data transmitted from the position detecting means and at least one user's password; a security module for determining whether the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device are changed more than a predetermined value by comparing the present data received from the position detecting means with the previous data stored in the memory, and requesting an input of a user's password when the position and/or the direction of the portable computer device are changed more than the predetermined value; a key input part for inputting the user's password; and a warning signal indicator for producing a warning message when the inputted user's password is not identical with the at least one user's password stored in the memory.

2. The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the security module detects the periodical transmission of the data from the position detecting means, and requests the input of a user's password when the periodical transmission of the data is terminated.

3. The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the warning signal indicator produces the warning message when the user's password is not inputted for a predetermined time interval.

4. The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the position detecting means includes at least one acceleration sensor for periodically detecting the position and/or the direction of the body of portable computer device, and a microprocessor for controlling the acceleration sensor and for processing the data produced by the acceleration sensor.

5. The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the warning signal indicator is a warning message display device for displaying a warning message or a warning sound generator for producing a warning sound.

6. The portable computer device of claim 1 , further comprising an automatic dialing part for sending a warning message to a predetermined device by a wireless telecommunication.

7. The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the position detecting means is removably attached to the body of the portable computer device.

8. The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the portable computer device is a device selected from the group consisting of a portable telephone, a tablet personal computer, a notebook computer, and a personal digital assistant.