Patent · US Expired

Selective wireless disablement for computers passing through a security checkpoint

US6286102A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
17References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1998
Grant dateSep 4, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F21/88
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A security system for computers defines a control zone using radiation, preferably at radio frequency, having a distinctive characteristic, such as a particular frequency. The zone may be established, for example, at a door exit or other limited passage to a secured area. The radiation triggers a device in the computer that in turn sends out a serial number signal. To further prevent unauthorized removal a personal identification number is required of the person in the zone with the computer, either by key input or an encoded radio signal. A receiver located near the control zone applies the serial number to a table look up computer that triggers an emergency signal if a match to an authorized list of serial numbers for the computer and corresponding person does not occur. The emergency signal activates a transmitter that sends out an emergency radiation signal with a different distinctive characteristic. A second receiver in the computer then responds to the emergency radiation signal to trigger the security logic to render the computer inoperative.

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