Patent · US Expired

Data processing system and method for disabling a portable computer outside an authorized area

US6166688A · kind A · utility

131Cited by
13References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 1999
Grant dateDec 26, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04W88/02
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A data processing system and method are disclosed for disabling a portable computer in response to the portable computer being moved outside of an authorized area of use. An authorized, geographical area of use is established. The authorized, geographical area is any geographical area capable of being defined. The geographical area is not limited to areas within an enclosure, and is not bounded by a transmitter's broadcast range. A determination is made regarding whether the portable computer is located outside of the authorized area. If the portable computer is moved outside of the authorized area, the portable computer is disabled. The portable computer is inoperable when disabled.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.