US5715174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security apparatus and method
Assignee: Absolute Software Corp
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Filing: 1994-11-15
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Granted: 1998-02-03
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Expires: 2014-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus with an integral security system. The apparatus includes an electronic device for sending signals to a remote station, such as a pre-determined telephone number, at spaced-apart intervals of time. The signals include identifying indicia for the apparatus. The identifying indicia may be a characteristic serial number. The apparatus may include a computer and software for providing the signals to a communication interface on the computer. Preferably the software is programmed on a memory device for the computer at a location not normally accessible to operating software for the computer such as a boot sector of a disk thereof. The system should contact the remote station without visual or audio signals apparent to the user. The remote station is able to determine the identification and location of the computer from the signals received including the identifying indicia and caller I.D. signals provided by a telephone company.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Cotichini
- 👤 Fraser Cain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/14; G06F12/1408; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/12; G06F13/124; G06F13/126; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/313; G06F21/70; G06F21/71; G06F21/73; G06F21/88; H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/04; H04L41/046; H04L41/28; H04L43/00; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0817; H04W; H04W12/00; H04W12/12; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2111; H04W12/30; H04W12/60; H04W12/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A computer including a RAM device and a magnetic recording disc, an integral security system and a central processing unit, comprising: means for sending signals including identifying indicia for said computer at spaced-apart intervals of time to a remote station having a telecommunication receiver via a telecommunications interface connecting said computer to a telecommunications system; means for accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number to access said remote station; and means for providing signals to said telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said means for providing signals including security software recorded on said disc in a manner such that the security software is loaded onto said RAM device before operating software.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer including a RAM device and a magnetic recording disc, an integral security system and a central processing unit, comprising: means for sending signals including identifying indicia for said computer at spaced-apart intervals of time to a remote station having a telecommunication receiver via a telecommunications interface connecting said computer to a telecommunications system; means for accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number to access said remote station; and means for providing signals to said telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said means for providing signals including security software recorded on said disc in a manner such that the security software is loaded onto said RAM device before operating software.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc has a boot sector, the security software being recorded on the boot sector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc has a hidden system file, the security software being recorded on the hidden system file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the computer is a personal computer and the hidden system file is IO-SYS or MS DOS-SYS.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing a computer with a security system, comprising the steps of loading software into the computer with instructions for dialing a remote telecommunication number without emitting visible or audible signals to the user of the computer and transmitting identification indicia for the computer, and recording the software on a hard disk of a computer at a location loaded into RAM of the computer prior to loading of the operating software into RAM.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing a computer with a security system, comprising the steps of loading software into the computer with instructions for dialing a remote telecommunication number without emitting visible or audible signals to the user of the computer and transmitting identification indicia for the computer, and recording the software on a hard disk of a computer at a location loaded into RAM of the computer prior to loading of the operating software into RAM.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A security system for a computer including a hard disc and RAM and having operating software, comprising: means for loading software into the computer with instructions for dialing a remote telecommunication number without emitting visible or audible signals to the user of the computer; means for transmitting identification indicia for the computer; means for recording the software on said hard disc at a location which is loaded into said RAM prior to loading of said operating software into RAM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A security system for a computer including a hard disc and RAM and having operating software, comprising: means for loading software into the computer with instructions for dialing a remote telecommunication number without emitting visible or audible signals to the user of the computer; means for transmitting identification indicia for the computer; means for recording the software on said hard disc at a location which is loaded into said RAM prior to loading of said operating software into RAM.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for providing an integral security system for a computer having a central processing unit, a RAM device, a magnetic recording disc and operating software, said method comprising the following steps: sending signals to a remote station through a telecommunication interface connecting said computer to a telecommunication system at spaced-apart intervals of time, said signals including identifying indicia for said device; accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number for accessing a telecommunication receiver associated with said remote station; providing signals to the telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said step of providing signals uses security software programmed on said electronic device; recording said security software on said disc in a manner such that said security software is loaded onto said RAM device before said operating software.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for providing an integral security system for a computer having a central processing unit, a RAM device, a magnetic recording disc and operating software, said method comprising the following steps: sending signals to a remote station through a telecommunication interface connecting said computer to a telecommunication system at spaced-apart intervals of time, said signals including identifying indicia for said device; accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number for accessing a telecommunication receiver associated with said remote station; providing signals to the telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said step of providing signals uses security software programmed on said electronic device; recording said security software on said disc in a manner such that said security software is loaded onto said RAM device before said operating software.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the disc has a boot sector, and said step of recording further includes recording the security system on the boot sector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the disc has a hidden system file, and said step of recording further includes recording the security software on the hidden system file.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the computer is a personal computer and the hidden system file is IO-SYS or MS DOS-SYS.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer with an integral security system and a central processing unit, comprising: means for sending signals including identifying indicia for said computer to a remote station having a telecommunication receiver via a telecommunications interface connecting said computer to a telecommunications system, said signals are sent at regular, periodic intervals wherein said means repeatedly sends said signals at intervals shorter than said periodic intervals if the remote station does not receive said signals; means for accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number to access said remote station; and means for providing signals to said telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said means for providing signals including security software programmed on said computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer with an integral security system and a central processing unit, comprising: means for sending signals including identifying indicia for said computer to a remote station having a telecommunication receiver via a telecommunications interface connecting said computer to a telecommunications system, said signals are sent at regular, periodic intervals wherein said means repeatedly sends said signals at intervals shorter than said periodic intervals if the remote station does not receive said signals; means for accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number to access said remote station; and means for providing signals to said telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said means for providing signals including security software programmed on said computer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for providing an-integral security system for a computer having a central processing unit, said method comprising the following steps: sending signals at regular, periodic intervals to a remote station through a telecommunication interface connecting said computer to a telecommunication system, said signals including identifying indicia for said computer, wherein said signals are sent repeatedly at intervals shorter than said periodic intervals if the remote station does not receive said signals; accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number for accessing a telecommunication receiver associated with said remote station; and providing signals to the telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said step of providing signals uses security software programmed on said electronic device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for providing an-integral security system for a computer having a central processing unit, said method comprising the following steps: sending signals at regular, periodic intervals to a remote station through a telecommunication interface connecting said computer to a telecommunication system, said signals including identifying indicia for said computer, wherein said signals are sent repeatedly at intervals shorter than said periodic intervals if the remote station does not receive said signals; accessing a pre-selected telecommunication number for accessing a telecommunication receiver associated with said remote station; and providing signals to the telecommunication interface to dial said telecommunication number and send said identifying indicia without signalling a user interface, said step of providing signals uses security software programmed on said electronic device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |