US 5,970,227 A · Wireless proximity detector security feature

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. Computer systems are provided with receivers that detect the distinctive characteristic and responsively produce an alarm signal which triggers security logic. The security logic cooperates with the start-up logic of the computer and disables start-up so that the computer becomes inoperative. In a more complex variation, the radiation triggers a device in the computer that in turn sends out a serial number 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 does not occur. The emergency signal activates a transmitter that sends out a radiation signal with a second distinctive characteristic. A second receiver in the computer then responds to the radiation with the second characteristic to trigger the security logic to render the computer inoperative.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A computer system which stores and processes data, which computer system includes a security system to control access to that data in the event of an unauthorized movement of such system through a gate where radiation having a first distinctive characteristic is present and where radiation having a second distinctive characteristic is selective applied in response to radiation signals bearing identifying characteristics, said computer system comprising:

an electronic computing apparatus which when energized becomes operative by sequencing through a power on logic that performs set up operations;
a first detector for radiation having the first distinctive characteristic, which first detector upon a detection responsively produces a selection signal to indicate a detection has occurred;
identification logic which responds to the selection signal to generate a radiation signal bearing identifying characteristics;
a second detector which responds to radiation having the second distinctive characteristic to produce an alarm signal;
and
security logic connected to the second detector to receive said alarm signal and cooperating with said power-on logic to block said electronic computing apparatus from becoming operative in response to said alarm signal whereby said computer system maybe selectively disabled upon passing through said gate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless proximity detector security feature

Life of this patent

Wireless proximity detector security feature

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6