Abstract:
A computer security system for protecting a portable computer unit such as personal computers, laptops and PDAs from being taken away or moved by anyone other than the owner when such computer units are being used in the public, comprising a control unit, a motion detector and an alarm device, wherein the motion detector detects any unauthorized movement of the portable computer and generates a motion signal to the control unit. The control unit, which connects to the portable computer unit, activates the alarm device when a motion signal is received from the motion detector, such that an alert signal is produced by the alarm device to scare away anyone who wishes to steal or move the computer and to alert the owner and people around the portable computer unit when the portable computer unit is moved in an unauthorized manner.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a computer security system, and more particularly to a portable computer security system for protecting a portable computer unit such as personal computers, laptops and PDAs from being taken away or moved by anyone other than the owner.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Arts  
         [0004]     Nowadays, as people heavily rely on their computers, portable computer devices such as laptops and PDAs (personal data assistants) become more and more popular, important and indispensable. People carry such devices around and use them as their organizers, address books, document or work storages, as well as their work stations, and as a result, a lot of important information is stored in such portable computer devices. Hence, most people cannot afford to loose such devices, especially when such devices are fairly costly.  
         [0005]     However, the fact that such portable computer devices are so useful, convenient and easy to carry around creates the greatest drawback of attracting thieves to simply carry them away when the owners are not paying attention when such devices are being used in the public.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, most owners would find it a hassle to have to shut down the systems and put such devices away just to get a cup of coffee or go to the restroom, or they would run into the risk of loosing the devices.  
         [0007]     Seeing the need to protect such important personal property and to provide maximum convenience, a lot of software, hardware, as well as physical locks are developed to help protecting such devices. Software locks are essentially password locks locking the computer operating system, such that unauthorized person cannot access the data in the computer; hardware locks such as USB keys prevents the operation of the system from being used without the presence of the key; physical locks fix the personal computer on one location.  
         [0008]     The above mentioned protections, however, can only act as passive protections which protect the data in the computer system once the computer device has been taken away and are therefore not effective enough in protecting the computer devices from being carried away. Software locks and hardware locks can only prevent an unauthorized person from accessing the data in the system, but cannot prevent the personal computer device from being taken away in an unauthorized manner. As for physical chain locks, indeed, they can help keeping the computer devices in one place, however, they can easily be tampered with and or dismantled, providing insufficient protection.  
         [0009]     As a result, an active portable computer security system that can offer full protection to computer devices before or after being carried away has to be developed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0010]     A main object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system, and more particularly to a portable computer security system for protecting a portable computer unit such as personal computers, laptops and PDAs from any unauthorized movement, such as being taken away by anyone other than the owner, wherein the computer security system comprises a control unit adapted for communicatively connecting with a portable computer unit, a motion detector electrically connected with the control unit, wherein the motion detector is adapted for generating a motion signal to the control unit in response to a motion of the portable computer unit and an alarm device electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the alarm device is activated to generate an alert signal when the control unit receives the motion signal from the motion detector for actively safeguarding the portable computer unit against unauthorized movement thereof, so as to alert the owner when the computer unit is moved in an unauthorized manner and scare away unauthorized persons trying to carry away the computer unit.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system that generates the alert signal simply when the computer unit is being moved in an unauthorized manner, providing an active security device attracting attention from people, as oppose to the passive security device provided by conventional software and hardware locks.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system further comprises a locking controller, which is electrically connected with the alarm device, comprising a universal connector for adapting with the portable computer unit and an activating device the alarm device to generate the alert signal when the universal connector is disconnected with respect to the portable computer unit in an unauthorized manner, such that the computer security system is easily activated and to prevent intentional detachment of the computer security system from the computer unit.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system that can be built in with the computer unit such that no extra burden is laid on the owner.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system that can be externally connected with the computer unit, such that the computer security system can be applied to different computer units as required by the owner.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system that is compact and small, such that it is convenient to be carried around and easy to store, along with other accessories.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system wherein once the security system is activated, the security system remains activated even when the computer unit is shut down.  
         [0017]     Another object to the present invention is to provide a computer security system requiring a password to deactivate once activated, wherein the password, along with other properties of the computer security system can be customized for the owner according to the owner&#39;s preference.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system wherein the movement detector can also be manually activated by pressing an activating key on the computer unit or the computer security system such that the computer security system is usable on all operating systems.  
         [0019]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system, wherein the activating device of the locking controller is in a removable memory.  
         [0020]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system, wherein a security system power required by the computer security system is provided by the computer unit.  
         [0021]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system further comprising a power control circuit electrically connected to the computer security system, providing the security system power to the computer security system when the computer unit is shut down.  
         [0022]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer security system, the configuration of which is simple and inexpensive, such that a useful, cheap and reliable security system is provided to the computer units.  
         [0023]     Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a computer security system, comprising:  
         [0024]     a control unit adapted for communicatively connecting with the portable computer unit;  
         [0025]     a motion detector electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the motion detector is adapted for generating a motion signal to the control unit in response to a motion of the portable computer unit; and  
         [0026]     an alarm device electrically connected with the control unit, wherein the alarm device is activated to generate an alert signal when the control unit receives the motion signal from the motion detector for actively safeguarding the portable computer unit against unauthorized movement thereof.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a computer security system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of the computer security system according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of the computer security system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of the method for actively protecting a portable computer unit according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  of the drawings, computer security system for a portable computer unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein computer security system comprises a control unit  10 , a motion detector  20  and an alarm device  30 .  
         [0032]     The control unit  10  is adapted for communicatively connecting to the portable computer unit. The motion detector  20  is electrically connected to the control unit  10 . The motion detector  20  generates a motion signal to the control unit  10  when a motion of the portable computer unit is detected by the motion detector  20 .  
         [0033]     The alarm device  30  is electrically connected to the control unit  10 . The alarm device  30  is activated to generate an alert signal when the control unit  10  receives the motion signal from the motion detector  20 .  
         [0034]     Such a computer security system provides an active safeguard to the portable computer unit against any unauthorized physical movement of the portable computer unit, such that an alert is provided to the owner, as well as people around the device, when the computer unit is being moved in an unauthorized manner. It also scares away such unauthorized persons when they try to carry away the computer unit. Such active computer security system attracts attention from people when the computer unit is being tampered with or carried away, which can prevent the lost of such units right from the very beginning, as oppose to conventional passive security devices, which can only protect important information in the computer units after the units have been tampered with or carried away.  
         [0035]     The alert signal generated by the alarm device  30  can be in the form of audio signal, lighting effect or a device that can send message to a cell phone or a pager. The alert signal generated by the alarm device  30  can also be a combination of such signals.  
         [0036]     In the case where the alert signal is in the form of audio signal, the alarm device  30  comprises a speaker for producing an audio signal as the alert signal when the control unit  20  receives the motion signal from the motion detector  10 .  
         [0037]     In the case where the alert signal is in the form of a lighting effect, the alarm device  30  comprises a light emitting diode for producing a lighting effect as the alert signal when the control unit  10  receives the motion signal from the motion detector  20 .  
         [0038]     In the case where the alert signal is in the form of a message sent to a cellphone or a pager, the alarm device  30  comprises a wireless communication unit for wirelessly sending a communication signal as the alert signal when the control unit  10  receives the motion signal from the motion detector  20 .  
         [0039]     In order to enhance the alert signal produced by the alarm device  30 , the alarm device  30  comprises a combination of the speaker, the light emitting diode and the wireless communication unit. The manner of the alert signal produced is controlled by the control unit  10 .  
         [0040]     For application flexibility, the control unit  10  is able to be applied to the portable computer unit both internally and externally. When applied internally, the control unit  10  of the computer security system is integrated with the portable computer unit so as to provide a computer security system that does not create an accessory to the owner.  
         [0041]     However, if the owner wishes to apply the computer security system to more than one portable computer unit, an externally applied computer security system is available. The control unit  10  of the computer security system is connected to the computer unit through connection ports such as USB, PCMCIA or RS232, such that the computer security system is detachable from the portable computer unit, allowing the computer security system to be applied to different computer units.  
         [0042]     The motion detector  20  comprises any conventional motion detectors, such as a mercury switch, tilt switch, tilt sensor or an ambient light sensor, a digital camera or an ultrasonic transducer and receiver.  
         [0043]     In the case where the motion detector  20  comprises a mercury switch, when the detector or the laptop is moved, the switch changes from on to off or vice versa. The change in the switch is then sensed by the control unit  10 , which activates the alarm device  30  to generate the alert signal.  
         [0044]     In the case where the motion detector  20  comprises an ambient light sensor, when the laptop is moved, the light entered the sensor changes. The change in the light sensed is then sensed by the control unit  10 , which activates the alarm device  30  to generate the alert signal.  
         [0045]     In the case where the motion detector  20  comprises a digital camera, when the laptop is moved, the scene captured will change. The change in the scene captured is sensed by the control unit  10 , which activates the alarm device  30  to generate the alert signal.  
         [0046]     In the case where the motion detector  20  comprises an ultrasonic transducer and receiver, when the laptop is moved, the echo received by the receiver changes. The change in the received echo is sensed by the control unit  10 , which activates the alarm device  30  to generate the alert signal.  
         [0047]     In order to enhance the motion detection of the motion detector  20 , the motion detector  20  comprises a combination of the mercury switch, tilt switch, tilt sensor, the ambient light sensor, the digital camera and the ultrasonic transducer and receiver In order to avoid the computer security system from being detached from the portable computer unit in an unauthorized manner, the control unit  10  comprises a locking controller  11 , which is electrically connected to the alarm device  30 , wherein the locking controller  11  comprises a universal connector  12  for adapting with the portable computer unit and an activating device  111  activating the alarm device  30  to generate the alert signal when the universal connector  12  is disconnected in an unauthorized manner.  
         [0048]     Such activating device  111  of the locking controller  11  can be software installed in the portable computer unit.  
         [0049]     For application flexibility, the activating device  111  further comprises a remote controller  60  in order to further enhance the flexibility of the computer security system. By providing this flexibility, the owner will be able to activate or deactivate the locking controller  10  by the remote controller  60 . The remote controller  60  comprises a signal emitter  61  emitting a remote control signal to the motion detector  20 . When the owner would like to activate the security system, he or she may enable the motion detector  20  to start detecting any movement of the portable computer unit by remote controller  60 . The motion detector  20  further comprises a signal receiver  21  receiving the remote control signal emitted by the signal emitter  61  of the remote controller  60 . When the owner would like to deactivate the security system, he or she may also disable the motion detector  20  by remote controller  60 . In brief, the owner has the flexibility of choosing whether or not to activate or deactivate the security system by the remote controller  60 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the activating device  111  of the locking controller  11  can be software written on a portable memory, such as a disc or a CD-ROM or a permanent memory, such as BIOS. The owner has the flexibility of choosing whether or not to install the software into the portable computer unit, depending on the memory status of the portable computer unit.  
         [0051]     Once the universal connector  12  in connection with the portable computer unit, the activating device  111  also enable the motion detector  20  to start detecting any movement of the portable computer unit. The detection of the motion detector  20  remains activated even when the portable computer unit is accidentally shut down due to reasons such as battery running out or system failure.  
         [0052]     When the computer security system is applied externally, a portable compact housing  40  is provided to receive the control unit  10 , the motion detector  20  and the alarm device  30  such that an external casing is formed to facilitate the detachable connection of the motion detector  20  with the portable computer unit such that the portability of the computer security system is enhanced. The portable compact housing  40  also acts as a protection to the control unit  10 , the motion detector  20  and the alarm device  30 , so as to avoid easy tempered with or accidental damage.  
         [0053]     Once the computer security system is activated, in order to deactivate the computer security system once activated, as well as deactivating the alarm device once it is activated, the locking controller  11  further comprises a deactivating device  112 . Such deactivating device  112  can be a preset password is to be inputted. The password can be inputted through the key pad of the portable computer device.  
         [0054]     To allow a user to input the preset password directly through the computer security system, a plurality of keys  42 , each of which is electrically connected to the control unit  10 , is provided on an interaction surface  41  of the portable compact housing  40 .  
         [0055]     In order to enhance the flexibility of the computer security system, the preset password is allowed to be preset, customized and changed according to the preference of the user, such that each user can create his own easy-to-remember password.  
         [0056]     In order to further enhance the flexibility of the computer security system, the motion detector  20  further comprises a motion relay having a present motion intensity. When a motion intensity of the motion of the portable computer unit is greater than the preset motion intensity, the alarm device is activated to generate the alert signal. The motion with a motion intensity of the portable computer unit smaller than the present motion intensity will not activated the alarm device to generate the alert signal.  
         [0057]     The preset motion intensity is preset by the owner of the computer security system, such that the owner can adjust the preset motion intensity to tolerate a desired motion intensity of the motion of the portable computer unit and will not trigger the alarm device  30 . By providing this flexibility, the owner will be able to make limited degree of movement to the portable computer unit, such as accidentally moving it while inputting the password, without triggering the alarm device  30  to generate the alert signal.  
         [0058]     When the portable computer unit is turned on, a power required by the computer security system is provided by a power source of the portable computer unit. However, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer security system further comprises an auxiliary power  50  electrically connected to the motion detector  20  and the alarm device  30 , forming a complete circuit with the control unit  10 , the motion detector  20  and the alarm device  30 , such that when the portable computer unit is switched off, the power required by the computer security system is provided by the auxiliary power  50 .  
         [0059]     The auxiliary power  50  further comprises a battery compartment  51  for receiving a battery which supplies the power required by the computer security system, such that when the power source is of the portable computer unit is accidentally or intentionally cut off, the computer security system continues to operate. This arrangement will not only provide maximum reliability of the computer security to the user but also limit the use of the battery to a minimum, such that the user does not have to worry about paying extra money to operate the computer security device.  
         [0060]      FIG. 4  of the drawings illustrates another alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein a method for actively protecting a portable computer unit by a computer security system comprises a control unit, a motion detector and an alarm device is disclosed, wherein the method comprises the steps of detecting a movement of the portable computer unit by the motion detector, generating a motion signal by the motion detector when the movement of the portable computer unit is detected, receiving the motion signal by the control unit and activating the alarm device to generate an alert signal by the control unit.  
         [0061]     The computer security system as mentioned above is one that is in-built into the portable computer. The computer security system is also capable to be detachable from the portable computer. When the computer security system is one which is detachable from the portable computer, the method further comprises a step of connecting the security system to the portable computer unit, such that the computer security system can detect the movement of the portable computer unit.  
         [0062]     It further comprises a step of locking the security system to the portable computer unit, such that when the security system is detached from the portable computer unit in an unauthorized manner, the activating device activates the alarm device to generate the alert signal.  
         [0063]     After the alarm device is activated by the activating device to generate the alert signal, in order to deactivate the alert signal by the owner of the portable computer, the method further comprises a step of deactivating the alarm device by the deactivating device.  
         [0064]     The step of locking of the security system to the portable computer and the step of deactivating the alarm device is allowed to be controlled by a remote controller.  
         [0065]     In order to allow the owner of the portable computer to deactivate the alarm device, the deactivating device has first to be personalized by the owner before the security system is in use. The deactivating device is personalized by providing a preset password to the deactivating device.  
         [0066]     When the alert signal is to be deactivated by the owner, the owner has to input the preset password to the deactivating device. When an incorrect password is being inputted to into the deactivating device, the alert signal will not be deactivated.  
         [0067]     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.  
         [0068]     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.