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US 8,427,275 B1Granted
Autolocation of gray goods
AssigneeHarris Technology, LLC
InventorScott C. Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device is allowed to be used only in a specified location. The device has an automatic location detection part, and automatically determines its location, and whether that location is authorized. If unauthorized, or if no location detection signal is detected for too long a time, the device is deactivated.
Claims17
An apparatus, comprising:
- an electronic device, connectable to be powered from a source of power and operable to carry out an operation that uses said source of power for said operation;
- a wireless receiver which receives first wireless information of a first type;
- and
- a processor, operating on initial power up of the electronic device to analyze said first wireless information, to determine location information indicative of a location of said electronic device from said first wireless information, and to store said location information;
- said processor controlling whether or not said electronic part is enabled to carry out said operation, said processor determining if said location information indicative of said location has been obtained and stored, and preventing said electronic part from carrying out said operation if said location has not been obtained and stored, and allowing said electronic part to continue carrying out said operation once said location has been obtained and stored.
2 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- an electronic device operable to carry out a first operation;
- said electronic device including a wireless receiver which receives first wireless information of a first type;
- a processor, operating to analyze said first wireless information, to determine location information indicative of a location of said electronic device from said first wireless information, and to store said location information;
- said processor controlling whether or not said electronic device is enabled carry out said first operation, said processor determining if said location has been determined and stored within a predetermined period of time, and preventing said apparatus from carrying out said first operation when said location has not been determined and stored within said predetermined period of time.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising:
- an electronic device, connectable to be powered from a source of power and operable to play electronic media under control of said user;
- said electronic device including a wireless receiver which receives first wireless information of a first type;
- an antenna for receiving said first wireless information, connected to said wireless receiver;
- a processor, operating to analyze said first information, to determine location information indicative of a location of said electronic device from said first wireless information, and to store said location information,
- said processor controlling whether or not said electronic device can operate to play said electronic media based on whether said location has not been obtained and stored,
- wherein said processor controls said device not to carry out any operation under control of the user that uses said location information.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.