US6300863B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus to monitor and locate an electronic device using a secured intelligent agent via a global network
Assignee: Absolute Software Corp
•
Filing: 1998-03-24
•
Granted: 2001-10-09
•
Expires: 2018-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A system for locating and monitoring electronic devices utilizing a security system that is secretly and transparently embedded within the software, firmware, or hardware of a computer. This security system initiates the client computer to periodically and conditionally call a host system to provide unique identifying indicia and location information. In one embodiment, the security system calls the host through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits the indicia in encoded form. In an alternative embodiment, which may be incorporated concurrently with the PSTN application, the security system calls the host system through the Internet and provides the host with indicia encoded within the DNS query sent. The host system is able to identify the calling computer from the indicia and is able to physically locate the computer through either caller identification or by referencing the Internet links which were used to connect the calling computer with the host system.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Cotichini
- 👤 Fraser Cain
- 👤 David G. Ashworth
- 👤 Peter Michael Bruce Livingston
- 👤 Gabor Solymar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/006; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/313; G06F21/70; G06F21/71; G06F21/73; G06F21/88; H04L41/00; H04L41/04; H04L41/046; H04L41/28; H04W; H04W12/00; H04W12/12; H04W12/126; H04W12/30; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2111; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0811; H04L43/0817; H04L43/10; H04W12/60; H04W12/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 97
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for tracing an electronic device having an agent initiating communication and providing identifying indicia to a host system, said electronic device connectable to said host system through a global network, said method comprising the steps of: automatically providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said global network for determining the identity of said electronic device; and providing said host system with one or more global network communication links used to enable transmission between said electronic device and said host system, said transmission via said communication links used for determining the location of said electronic device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for tracing an electronic device having an agent initiating communication and providing identifying indicia to a host system, said electronic device connectable to said host system through a global network, said method comprising the steps of: automatically providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said global network for determining the identity of said electronic device; and providing said host system with one or more global network communication links used to enable transmission between said electronic device and said host system, said transmission via said communication links used for determining the location of said electronic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said global network includes Internet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host system through a telephone network, and said method further comprising the steps of: providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said telephone network; and determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said telephone network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host system through a cablevision network, and said method further comprising the steps of: providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said cablevision network; and determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said cablevision network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host system through a wireless radio frequency network, and said method further comprising the steps of providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said wireless radio frequency network; and determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said wireless radio frequency network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host system through a wireless microwave network, and said method further comprising the steps of: providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said wireless microwave network; and determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said wireless microwave network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said global network, and said step of providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said telephone network occur at predetermined intervals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said electronic device is lost or stolen and said method further including the step of tracing lost or stolen electronic devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing said host system with said one or more of the Internet communication links i accomplished using a traceroute routine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing said host system with said identifying indicia is accomplished by sending a data packet including address information relating to the source of the global network transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing said host system with said identifying indicia is accomplished by sending a domain name service query with said identifying indicia encoded therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of providing a list of lost or stolen electronic devices to said host system and comparing said list of lost or stolen electronic devices with said identifying indicia to determine if said electronic device is lost or stolen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said host system sends a signal through said Internet to said electronic device if it is determined to be lost or stolen indicating that said lost or stolen electronic device should initiate a traceroute routine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said host system sends a signal through said Internet to said electronic device if it has been determined to be lost or stolen indicating that said electronic device should initiate a call to said host system via said telephone network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said identifying indicia is encoded within said domain name service query according to a predetermined scheme.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said host system decodes said identifying indicia to determine the identity of said electronic device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electronic device is a computer having a hard drive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of providing said agent with deflection means to enable said agent to resist disablement attempts and evade detection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said deflection means deflects read and write attempts to the location where said agent is disposed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of evading detection is accomplished by providing an agent which is operable without interfering with the normal operation of said electronic device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of loading said agent within said computer is accomplished by loading said agent within the boot sector of said hard drive.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of loading said agent within said computer is accomplished by loading said agent within the partition sector of said hard drive.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of loading said agent within said computer is accomplished by loading said agent within an operating system file on said hard drive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said operating system is MS-DOS and said operating system file is IO.SYS.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said operating system is PC-DOS and said operating system file is IBMBIO.COM.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of loading said agent within said computer is accomplished by loading said agent on the ROM BIOS.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said agent is a terminated and stay resident program.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said agent is a virtual device driver program.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said agent is an application program.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said agent is a file filter program.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said agent provides said identifying indicia automatically and without user intervention.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said step of providing said host system with said identifying indicia occurs without causing audible or visible signals to be emitted from said electronic device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the communication link between said electronic device and said host system is provided through a link to a private network connection to the Internet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the communication link between said electronic device and said host system is provided through a telephone line connected to an Internet provider.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of assigning said identifying indicia to said agent wherein said identifying indicia comprises a unique electronic serial number, said electronic serial number for enabling the determination of the identity of said electronic device associated with said agent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of loading said agent within said electronic device for with said host system such that said agent evades detection.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for monitoring an electronic device connectable to a host system through a global network, said electronic device having an agent, said agent providing identifying indicia for determining the identity of said electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: loading said agent within said device such that said agent evades detection; and automatically providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said network without causing audible or visual signals to be emitted from said electronic device.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for monitoring an electronic device connectable to a host system through a global network, said electronic device having an agent, said agent providing identifying indicia for determining the identity of said electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: loading said agent within said device such that said agent evades detection; and automatically providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said network without causing audible or visual signals to be emitted from said electronic device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host system through a telephone network, and said method further includes the step of providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said telephone network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said step of providing said identifying indicia occurs automatically and without human intervention.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said step of providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said global network, and said step of providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said telephone network occur at predetermined intervals.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said global network is the Internet and said step of providing said identifying indicia is accomplished by encoding a domain name service query to include said identifying indicia.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7 or 40 wherein said step of providing said host system with said identifying indicia through said global network, and said step of providing said identifying indicia to said host system through said telephone network occur simultaneously.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the Agent is encoded in one or more forms, including software, firmware and hardware.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the Agent is encoded in one or more device components in the electronic device, including internal non-volatile memory device, communication device, processor, digital signal processor, integrated circuit and hardware circuit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the internal non-volatile memory device includes one of ROM BIOS, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM and Flash ROM.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the communication device is a modem.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the Agent establishes communication with the host system by using a command function which initializes the communication and a call management function which interfaces with the host system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the Agent establishes communication with the host system independent of normal operations of the electronic device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the Agent is activated independent of normal system operations of the electronic device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the Agent is activated prior to normal system operations of the electronic device.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the Agent is activated by loading into an internal volatile memory and running the Agent prior to activating normal system operations of the electronic device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 50 further comprising the steps of: checking whether the Agent is also found on a hard disk within the electronic device; and copying the Agent to the hard disk prior to loading and running the Agent.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 44 wherein a first component of the Agent is provided in a first device component and a second component of the Agent is provided in a second device component.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the first component of the Agent includes a secure protocol component of the Agent which communicates with the electronic device's operating system.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 54 wherein the Agent immediately establishes the communication link with the host system to transmit the identifying indicia of the electronic device if the secure protocol component fails to establish communication with the operating system.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the second device component includes a hard disk drive.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus within an electronic device including an agent for initiating communication with a host monitoring system and providing identifying indicia to a host monitoring system, said electronic device connectable to said host monitoring system through a global network, said apparatus comprising: means for automatically providing said host monitoring system with said identifying indicia through said global network for determining the identity of said electronic device; means for providing said host monitoring system with one or more global network communication links used to enable transmission between said electronic device and said host monitoring system; and means for assisting the host monitoring system to determine the location of said electronic device by tracing said communication links.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus within an electronic device including an agent for initiating communication with a host monitoring system and providing identifying indicia to a host monitoring system, said electronic device connectable to said host monitoring system through a global network, said apparatus comprising: means for automatically providing said host monitoring system with said identifying indicia through said global network for determining the identity of said electronic device; means for providing said host monitoring system with one or more global network communication links used to enable transmission between said electronic device and said host monitoring system; and means for assisting the host monitoring system to determine the location of said electronic device by tracing said communication links.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host monitoring system through a cablevision network, and said apparatus further includes means for providing said identifying indicia to said host monitoring system through said cablevision network, and means for determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said cablevision network.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host monitoring system through a wireless radio frequency network, and said apparatus further includes mean, for providing said identifying indicia to said host monitoring system through said wireless radio frequency network, and means for determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said wireless radio frequency network.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host monitoring system through a wireless microwave network, and said apparatus further includes means for providing said identifying indicia to said host monitoring system through said wireless microwave network, and means for determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said wireless microwave network.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said electronic device is a computer having a hard drive.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said agent evades detection by operating without interfering with the normal operation of said electronic device.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said means for providing said host monitoring system with said identifying indicia operates automatically and without user intervention.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said means for providing said host monitoring system with said identifying indicia for said electronic device occurs without causing audible or visible signals to be emitted from said electronic device.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said global network is the Internet.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said agent is provided with deflection means for evading detection and resisting disablement.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said deflection means deflect read and write attempts to the location on said hard drive where said agent is disposed.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said identifying indicia is encoded within a domain name service query.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 68 wherein said host monitoring system includes means for decoding said identifying indicia to determine the identity of said electronic device.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said means for providing said host monitoring system with said one or more global network communication links is accomplished using a traceroute routine.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said Internet connection between said electronic device and said host monitoring system is provided through a link to a private network connection to the Internet.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 69 wherein said link to a private network connection to the Internet is a wireless link.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said Internet connection between said electronic device and said host monitoring system is provided through a telephone line connected to an Internet provider.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 65 further including means for assigning said identifying indicia to said agent wherein said identifying indicia comprises a unique electronic serial number, said electronic serial number for enabling the determination of the identity of said electronic device associated with said agent.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said electronic device is further connected to said host monitoring system through a telephone network, and said apparatus further includes means for providing said identifying indicia to said host monitoring system through said telephone network, and means for determining the location of said electronic device by tracing the source of said identifying indicia within said telephone network.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said means for providing said host monitoring system with said identifying indicia through said global network, and said means for providing said identifying indicia to said host monitoring system through said telephone network operate at predetermined intervals.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said electronic device is lost or stolen.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 75 further including means for providing a list of lost or stolen electronic devices to said host monitoring system and means for comparing said list of lost or stolen electronic devices with said identifying indicia to determine if said electronic device is lost or stolen.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said host monitoring system includes means for sending a signal through the Internet to said electronic device if it is determined to be lost or stolen, indicating that said lost or stolen electronic device should initiate said traceroute routine.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said host monitoring system includes means for sending a signal through the Internet to said electronic device if it is determined to be lost or stolen indicating that said lost or stolen electronic device should initiate a call to said host monitoring system through said telephone network.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the Agent is encoded in one or more forms, including software, firmware and hardware.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 81 wherein the Agent is encoded in one or more device components in the electronic device, including internal non-volatile memory device, communication device, processor, digital signal processor, integrated circuit and hardware circuit.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 82 wherein the internal non-volatile memory device includes one of ROM BIOS, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM and Flash ROM.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 83 wherein the communication device is a modem.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 84 wherein the Agent comprises a command function which initializes communication with the host system and a call management function which interfaces with the host system.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 82 wherein the Agent is configured to establish communication with the host system independent of normal operations of the electronic device.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 83 wherein the Agent is configured to be activated independent of normal system operations of the electronic device.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 87 wherein the Agent is configured to be activated prior to normal system operations of the electronic device.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 87 wherein the Agent is configured to be loaded into an internal volatile memory and executed prior to activating normal system operations of the electronic device.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 88 wherein the Agent is further configured to check whether the Agent is also found on a hard disk within the electronic device and copying the Agent to the hard disk prior to loading and running the Agent.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 82 wherein a first component of the Agent is provided in a first device component and a second component of the Agent is provided in a second device component.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 91 wherein the first component of the Agent includes a secure protocol component of the Agent which communicates with the electronic device's operating system.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 92 wherein. the Agent is configured to immediately establish the communication link with the host system to transmit the identifying indicia of the electronic device if the secure protocol component fails to establish communication with the operating system.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 91 wherein the second internal memory device is a hard disk drive.
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) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |