Patent ID: 8542833

Claim:
A security system, comprising: a mobile device to be secured, comprising: a processor; a data storage device coupled to the processor; a standard wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver configured to access a data network, powered by a main power source of the mobile device, wherein the standard wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver is disabled if the mobile device is sleeping, hibernating, or powered off; and a low power wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver configured to communicate a signal indicating a security status of the mobile device, powered by an independent power source comprising a battery or super-capacitor coupled to the low power wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver, wherein the low power wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver is configured to continue operating using the independent power source even if the mobile device is sleeping, hibernating, or powered off; and a base station comprising a remote wireless protocol 802.11 transceiver configured to periodically communicate a heartbeat signal with the low power wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver of the mobile device; wherein the low power wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver of the mobile device receives the heartbeat signal from the base station when the mobile device is within a predetermined range of the base station, wherein data on the data storage device is accessible and the mobile device is enabled for authorized access when within the predetermined range of the base station; wherein the low power wireless 802.11 protocol transceiver of the mobile device does not receive the heartbeat signal from the base station when the mobile device is outside the predetermined range of the base station, wherein an alarm is generated, data on the data storage device is rendered inaccessible, and the mobile device is disabled in order to prevent unauthorized access when outside the predetermined range of the base station.