US6362736B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for automatic recovery of a stolen object
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
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Filing: 2000-01-04
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Granted: 2002-03-26
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Expires: 2020-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically locating a personal electronic object is described. The system comprises: a communicator; a location sensor; and a security controller. The security controller activates the location sensor to determine a location of the personal electronic object. When security of the system is compromised and access to a computer network or a wireless network is available, the location is transmitted through the communicator.
Inventors
- 👤 Narayan L. Gehlot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1472; G08B13/1436; G08B29/00; G08B29/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least two wireless communicators; at least two location sensors; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a stimulus, determines a location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two location sensors and transmits said location through at least one of said at least two wireless communicators.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least two wireless communicators; at least two location sensors; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a stimulus, determines a location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two location sensors and transmits said location through at least one of said at least two wireless communicators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two wireless communicators is a network interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two location sensors is a global positioning system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a storage device for recording a sequence of location data for the personal electronic object, wherein movement of the object may be tracked.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said security controller transmits said sequence of location data for the personal electronic object through at least one of said at least two wireless communicators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said storage device includes an erase device, the security controller operable to cause the erase device to erase data on the storage device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the security controller causes the erase device to erase data in response to a signal from a remote location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said stimulus is a remote trigger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said stimulus is responsive to a physical tamper sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said stimulus is responsive to an improper response by a user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two location sensors is selected at random.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least two wireless communicators is selected at random.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: providing the personal electronic object with at least two location sensors and at least two wireless communicators; detecting a security stimulus; determining a location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two location sensors; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two wireless communicators.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: providing the personal electronic object with at least two location sensors and at least two wireless communicators; detecting a security stimulus; determining a location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two location sensors; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two wireless communicators.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein at least one of said at least two wireless communicators is a network interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of determining a location utilizes a global positioning system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of storing a series of locations of the personal electronic object wherein movement of the personal electronic object is tracked.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 16 wherein the step of communicating includes transmitting said series of locations of the personal electronic object.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said security stimulus is derived from a remote trigger.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said security stimulus is derived from a physical tamper sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said security stimulus is derived from an improper response by a user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of randomly selecting a location sensor to determine said location.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of randomly selecting a communicator before communicating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of randomly selecting an antenna before communicating.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for automatically locating a personal electronic object, said object having at least two global positioning system receivers and at least two wireless communication interfaces, the system comprising: a stimulus sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a signal from said stimulus sensor, utilizes at least one of said global positioning system receivers to determine a location of the personal electronic object and manages transmission of the location through at least one of said at least two wireless communication interfaces.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for automatically locating a personal electronic object, said object having at least two global positioning system receivers and at least two wireless communication interfaces, the system comprising: a stimulus sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a signal from said stimulus sensor, utilizes at least one of said global positioning system receivers to determine a location of the personal electronic object and manages transmission of the location through at least one of said at least two wireless communication interfaces.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 24 further comprising a storage device for recording a series of locations of the personal electronic object wherein movement of the personal electronic object may be tracked.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 25 wherein said security controller transmits said series of locations of the personal electronic object through at least one of said at least two wireless communication interfaces.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as recited in claim 25 wherein said storage device includes an erase device, the security controller operable to cause the erase device to erase data on the storage device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 27 wherein the security controller causes the erase device to erase data in response to a signal from a remote location.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as recited in claim 24 wherein said stimulus sensor detects a remote trigger.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as recited in claim 24 wherein said stimulus sensor detects physical tampering with the personal electronic object.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 24 wherein said stimulus sensor detects an improper response by a user.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
85 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least two wireless interfaces; at least two location sensors; and a security controller; wherein said security controller compares a location of the personal electronic object determined with at least one of said at least two location sensors to determine if said location is within a predefined boundary, when said location is not within said predefined boundary then said security controller transmits said location through at least one of said at least two wireless interfaces.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
85 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least two wireless interfaces; at least two location sensors; and a security controller; wherein said security controller compares a location of the personal electronic object determined with at least one of said at least two location sensors to determine if said location is within a predefined boundary, when said location is not within said predefined boundary then said security controller transmits said location through at least one of said at least two wireless interfaces.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as recited in claim 32 wherein at least one of said at least two wireless interfaces is a network interface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as recited in claim 32 wherein at least one of said at least two wireless interfaces is a telecommunication device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as recited in claim 32 wherein at least one of said at least two location sensors is a global positioning system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as recited in claim 32 further comprising a storage device for recording a series of locations of the personal electronic object wherein movement of the personal electronic object is tracked.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: providing the personal electronic object with at least two location sensors and at least two wireless communicators; determining a location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two location sensors; comparing said location to determine if said location is within a predefined boundary; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two wireless communicators if said location is outside of said predefined boundary.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: providing the personal electronic object with at least two location sensors and at least two wireless communicators; determining a location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two location sensors; comparing said location to determine if said location is within a predefined boundary; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object with at least one of said at least two wireless communicators if said location is outside of said predefined boundary.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 37 wherein at least one of said at least two wireless communicators is a network interface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 37 wherein the step of determining a location utilizes a global positioning system.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for automatically locating a personal electronic object, said object having at least two global positioning system receivers and at least two wireless communication interfaces, the system comprising: a stimulus sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller utilizes at least one of said at least two global positioning system receivers to determine a location of the personal electronic object, said location when outside a predefined boundary is transmitted through at least one of the at least two wireless communication interfaces.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for automatically locating a personal electronic object, said object having at least two global positioning system receivers and at least two wireless communication interfaces, the system comprising: a stimulus sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller utilizes at least one of said at least two global positioning system receivers to determine a location of the personal electronic object, said location when outside a predefined boundary is transmitted through at least one of the at least two wireless communication interfaces.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
74 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least one communicator; at least one location sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a stimulus, determines a location of the personal electronic object with one of said at least one location sensor and transmits said location through one of said at least one communicator; wherein one of said at least one location sensor is selected at random.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
74 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least one communicator; at least one location sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a stimulus, determines a location of the personal electronic object with one of said at least one location sensor and transmits said location through one of said at least one communicator; wherein one of said at least one location sensor is selected at random.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
73 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least one communicator; at least one location sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a stimulus, determines a location of the personal electronic object with one of said at least one location sensor and transmits said location through one of said at least one communicator; wherein one of said at least one communicator is selected at random.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
73 words
A device for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising: at least one communicator; at least one location sensor; and a security controller; wherein said security controller, in response to a stimulus, determines a location of the personal electronic object with one of said at least one location sensor and transmits said location through one of said at least one communicator; wherein one of said at least one communicator is selected at random.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: detecting a security stimulus; randomly selecting a location sensor to determine a location of the personal electronic object; determining said location of the personal electronic object; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object; wherein said communicating step transmits said location of the personal electronic object through at least one of at least two wireless interfaces.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: detecting a security stimulus; randomly selecting a location sensor to determine a location of the personal electronic object; determining said location of the personal electronic object; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object; wherein said communicating step transmits said location of the personal electronic object through at least one of at least two wireless interfaces.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
38 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: detecting a security stimulus; determining a location of the personal electronic object; randomly selecting a communicator; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
38 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: detecting a security stimulus; determining a location of the personal electronic object; randomly selecting a communicator; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: detecting a security stimulus; determining a location of the personal electronic object; randomly selecting a location sensor to determine said location; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for automatically locating a personal electronic object comprising the steps of: detecting a security stimulus; determining a location of the personal electronic object; randomly selecting a location sensor to determine said location; and communicating said location of the personal electronic object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-25 | 2005-09-24 | 2006-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-25 | 2009-09-24 | 2010-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-25 | 2013-09-24 | 2014-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |