DE102015001516A1 - Device and method for the electronic security of electrical devices or any objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention consists of a device and a method to secure an electronic device, for example a smartphone or a tablet or a laptop or an electronic camera or a comparable electronic device via an existing, not redefining plug device against theft. In this case, no electronic data transmission mechanisms are used, so it is avoided to install on the device to be backed up a software or an application. The device indicates that a connected device is secured. And the device recognizes in connection with the method when one of the electrical connectors is released. The device contains a monitoring unit (2) with additional units (3) to (6) connected thereto, as well as two connection units (A1) and (A2), to which a device or object can be connected via an electrical cable and an electric battery charger.

Description

The present invention relates to theft prevention of electrical devices, in particular smartphones, tablets, electronic still cameras, mobile computers and similar devices. For the sake of simplicity, the descriptive part addresses smartphones as an example without thereby restricting the invention to this field.

The increasing theft of smartphones is a problem associated with the proliferation of these devices of modern society, for example, in 2014, the government of the State of California adopted a law calling for smart phone manufacturers to take appropriate measures to reduce theft risk For example, the company Apple has implemented a procedure called "Activation Lock" for their smartphones, which allows the user to remotely disable the stolen device under certain conditions, and there are also effective ways for thieves to do so to bypass the appropriate technologies.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned measures, the preventive securing of smartphones or tablets against theft is certainly the more effective, because it does not even steal at their implementation, in particular the theft of a smartphone not only results in the loss of the device itself, in the In most cases, this is associated with the loss of all locally stored data such as photos, your own telephone number, as well as numerous contact details and the address book.

In the field of laptops and comparable mobile computers, steel cables and locks have developed, an example being in DE 112012005661 T5 to find. One of the leading companies in this field is for example the company "Kensington" with the product "Kensington lock" ( http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington-Schloss ), the principle here is that a mechanical lock is inserted into a hole in the laptop and locked with a key. Attacked at the lock is a steel cable wrapped in a loop around a secure object such as the desk-foot, so the laptop is inextricably linked to the desk and can only be detached using a pair of pliers or similar device. This method has become widely used in companies where laptops are chained by occasional thieves in the offices and desks.

There are laptops, which do not have the above-mentioned hole in the case, for example the MacBooks of the company Apple, but also devices of other manufacturers do not have this support. For this type of equipment, there are some self-kits to buy in which existing glands are used in the device to screw on these appropriate locks and steel cables, a representative in this market is the company Maclocks (http: //www.maclocks. com).

In addition to the mechanical anti-theft devices described, there are also electronic alarm systems that are electrically connected to the device to be protected, especially for the mobile use of laptops. The applicant himself one such device called "gorilla-compute" in trade (http://www.gorillahome.com/gorilla-compute). These devices follow the same approach as the above-discussed steel cables with mechanical locks, however, the connection between the laptop and the z. B. Desk not mechanically locked, but electrically. Similar to the steel cable, an electrical, so-called USB cable is placed in a loop around the desk and plugged into a USB port of the computer, at the end of the cable sits a small electronics and siren, which is then armed. The electronics checks whether the USB plug is disconnected or the cable is cut. In this case, the alarm siren sounds and discourages the occasional thief. A partially similar procedure is used, for example, in DE 102010016685 A1 described.

Newer devices like smartphones or tablets do not have the backup features that have been established with laptops. Due to the small size of a mounting hole is not provided and in most cases not possible. It is certainly not conceivable that the steel cables known from laptops are used on a small smartphone.

An electrical fuse as mentioned above would be conceivable in principle, however, smartphones and tablets are so-called "USB slaves" and, in the case of laptops and computers, so-called "USB masters". The difference is that "USB Master" is designed as a data source and power source, and "USB slaves" are designed as a data sink and sink. Where it is easy to determine by computers, by measuring the charging voltage, whether the computer is still connected to the alarm system, this is not possible with smartphones, because they receive charging current of chargers and donate none.

For smartphones, there is a theft solution called "Gorilla-Lock" (http: // www. gorillalock.nl/) from a Dutch company, this device is a combination of a belt-mounted roller containing a thin but sturdy plastic rope. At the other end of the plastic rope is an adhesive strip, which is glued to the smartphone. As a result, the smartphone is connected via a pullout rope firmly attached to the belt and can therefore be difficult to be stolen by thieves. The practical use of this device is limited because the sticking of the adhesive strip on the smartphone it permanently connected to the device, and can not be removed, also fits so that the smartphone is no longer in designated leather bags or protective covers.

Now, with smartphones, the risk of a smartphone lying on the table being stolen is lower than with a laptop on the table. If you work in the library or in the cafe with the laptop and want to get a coffee, then you do not take the laptop and its connected devices, but leaves it on the table and moves away. If you work with a smartphone at the table and get a cup of coffee, you simply put the smartphone in your pocket and the laptop problem does not arise in this way.

With smartphones, there is an increased risk of theft when the smartphone is charging. In this case, the smartphone is connected via a charging cable with a charger plugged into a socket, in some cases it is instead of a charger on a mobile, so-called "battery bank", this is a number of batteries in a mobile housing the size of about two packets of cigarettes, which provides a charging current that resembles that of a plug-in charger.

A typical situation is when you are in a restaurant or in a bar and the battery charge of the smartphone is running out. In this case, the smartphone is then usually charged in the vicinity of the nearest outlet, this is in restaurants mostly several tables away from your own or in a bar, the charging smartphone is usually somewhere behind the wet bar near a power outlet. In these situations, casual thefts occur more frequently, where someone exploits the situation of the unattended smartphone and steals the device. By the same token, most people have a discomfort when your smartphone is charged some tables farther, or somewhere behind the bar, or somewhere in a corner.

For this purpose, the state of the art uses computer programs to be installed on the device to be protected, so-called "smartphone apps" which inform when a movement of the device has been registered or when an attached charger has been disconnected. DE 202013001569 U1 describes a device which detects and reports a change in the position of the device via an acceleration sensor and positioning functions by means of so-called GPS technology.

A comparable technology has been using a number of purchasable "smartphone apps" for some time, such as "Anti Theft" and "Secure my iPhone" for Apple Smartphone or "Anti Theft Alarm" and "Burglar Alarm" for Android smartphones. These smartphone apps use the built-in smartphone sensors, mostly the motion sensors, which also control the tilting of the screen when turning the smartphone and recognize the sudden changes in position, some also use the "gyro-sensor", which can detect slow movements of the smartphone Some use the functionality of the internal operating system that is notified when a charger has been removed. In addition, some of the apps use the mechanism to trigger an alarm when the code number is entered incorrectly. These apps can be customized and use the built-in speaker or built-in bell to alert if any of the above events occur.

Other devices use the Bluetooth wireless technology built into their smartphones to indicate removal of the stolen smartphone, such as KR102013138409A or DE 102009033121 A1 or DE 000010127437 A1 an example of a variety of available products of this type is the product "Smart Nudge", this is a small card that is in your pocket or keychain and beeps as soon as the smartphone is more than 7 to 10 feet away from the "smart nudge", furthermore, some of the so-called "smart watches" have the same function. These are watches that are connected to the smartphone via the Bluetooth technology and also report when the smartphone is more than 10 meters away from the smart watch, ie the wrist of the user. Practice shows that this is in most cases no theft protection, because the thief in these cases is already too far away and can not be clearly identified when this form of alarm is signaled.

For display stands and stalls, so-called "Display Security" steel frames are designed, such as the devices of the company "Gripzo" (http://www.gripzo.com/). These grasp a smartphone or tablet in a solid, lockable steel frame, so that the Devices can not be stolen from this steel frame.

The aforementioned smartphone apps are a protection against theft dar. However, market research, which will not be discussed here, however, show that most users do not use these apps, users prefer something "tangible", ie a hardware, the first is clearly visible and secondly signaled by optical flashing that is monitored. According to market research, an apparatus would be ideal, consisting of an orange cable and a blinking little box, which signals "Attention, this charging smartphone is protected against theft".

Users associate this with, for example, the activated alarm system of a car, which signals by a clearly visible, flashing red LED that the car in question is protected by a theft alarm system from theft. Here, various devices are known, such as DE 102008051667 A1 ,

Customers also know the theft-fuses for smartphones from the electrical shops, where behind the smartphone a small box is glued on and connected to a power-carrying steel cable with an alarm system connected behind the exhibition counter. The small box has a light emitting diode that usually stays lit and indicates that this smartphone is protected against theft. For example DE 000004443550 A1 describes an expression of this method. An example of a design is the so-called "linen protection" of the company "Eastek" (http://www.eastek.de/produkte/leinensicherung/). This consists of a "mini-cable reel" containing a conductive "Stahlseilchen" at the end of the "Stahlseilchen" is the box above, which is glued with a good-adhesion, double-sided adhesive tape on the back of the smartphone. The mechanical "Stahlseilchen" mechanical anti-theft protection given and the LED is signaled to the customer in a memorable form that the "Stahlseilchen" is electrically monitored and when cutting the "Stahlseilchens" an alarm siren is activated. The principle of the described "safety rope" is very effective and is therefore used in many ways, however, it is only suitable for stationary use, ie for securing exhibits in the electrical trade. The glued-on fuse box is permanently attached and prevents normal use. The above-mentioned "Gorilla Lock" picks up on this idea, as already described.

The question now arises, how to realize an everyday suitable anti-theft device for charging, but also for lying on the table smartphones or similar devices. Ideal would be a device as mentioned above, which signals with an orange cable and a blinking box that an alarm siren will start as soon as an attempt is made to remove the device from this charger. The problem is that a charging smartphone, in order to stay in this example, has no mechanically insoluble connection in a charging smartphone, the smartphone is connected via a USB charging cable to the USB charger, which in turn is plugged into a power outlet. It complies with the practicality that the mechanical connections can be easily solved here, the charging plug can be quickly pulled out of the smartphone and in most cases from the charger, furthermore, the charger itself can be quickly pulled out of the power socket.

A mechanical solution would be, if you attach small locks to the connection between the charging plug and smartphone, to the connection on the other side of the charging cable, between the charging plug and charger and thirdly to the connection of the charger to the wall socket. It is immediately obvious that this would not be practical.

The present invention is based on the basic idea of locking these compounds listed above, not mechanically, but electrically. The invention is further based on the assumption that in some form a flashing monitoring unit should signal monitoring of this charging structure.

The state of the art DE 102011017524 A1 describes a theft fuse for forklift batteries, are used in the unlocking cryptographic means for unlocking and locking, however, a mechanical locking means, such as a bolt is used, but this is comparable to an electronic lock, in which the ultimate mechanical unlocking not by means of a key, but is activated by means of a cryptographic method.

The state of the art WO 002012167909 A1 respectively DE 102011106221 A1 describes the theft protection of solar panels and solar panels, but this is ultimately based on long-range data communication and is not applicable to the present case.

In DE 102010016685 A1 and US 6069563 A becomes a device to protect against theft described, this control signals are generated on a loop, which is looped around a stationary object, thereby recognizes a control unit when the security cable is cut, this is similar to the "linen protection" shown above. In DE 102010016685 A1 It also describes how an electronic security of the cable between the retaining ring, the control unit and the electronic device to be secured can be realized, this is based on the fact that between the two units a data communication takes place, so there are two computer programs talk to each other, this method It has also been used for many years to check if the wireless link still exists in wireless communications. A similar method of strapping describes WO 002004102497 A4 ,

From the DE 19503732 A1 is an anti-theft device for electrical equipment and machines known, this optical or electro-optical signals are used to detect whether connectors are removed from a power strip.

The DE 19537419 A1 or EP 000000291827 A2 describe the electronic theft protection of a car radio. Here is a continuous monitoring of a connection of the car radio with at least one speaker. The anti-theft device is activated when an interruption of this connection is detected.

It describes DE 000003440379 C2 a car radio theft device, which describes the entry of a security code. DE 000004008528 A1 describes an anti-theft device for an electronic device in a motor vehicle, which is based on a Nebenschalterdetektorkreis and informed when the electronic device is in attached state, and the sub-switch is turned off.

The DE 102006031781 A1 describes the device for securing electrical or electronic devices by attaching a data carrier to the device, which detects a theft in connection with a read-out device. This is applicable example for department stores with scanner cash registers.

The EP 000001284555 A2 describes a device and method for theft prevention of electronic devices connected to a bus system, also here data transfer methods are used to protect devices that are coupled to a bus system from theft.

In summary, the researched prior art does not provide a solution to the above-indicated technical problem that an electronic device, for example a smartphone or a tablet or a laptop or an electronic camera or a comparable electronic device via an existing, not redefining plug against Theft is secured. In this case, no electronic data transmission mechanisms are used, so it should be avoided to install on the device to be backed up software or an application that communicates via electronic data transmission mechanisms with the fuse element. In addition, the device should indicate that a connected device is secured. And the device should detect when one of the electrical connectors is released. Accordingly, in the multiple-use example of a smartphone, a smartphone connected to a charger should be secured by the appropriate arrangement of a monitor from theft, the monitor should indicate that the smartphone is secured and the monitor should activate a siren or the like as soon as one of the connections is released become.

The present invention solves the above problem and is described in the claims.

The following exemplary embodiments are intended to explain the invention in more detail. The embodiments are also intended to illustrate that this invention can be made commercially useful by constructing and selling a monitoring unit as shown, which implements the present invention.

Embodiment 1 - A smartphone is being charged

This embodiment is referenced too and , shows a smartphone ( 200 ) which is connected to the charger in a wall socket ( 203 ) is loaded. The charging cable ( 204 ) is the standard USB charging cable supplied with the smartphone and the charger ( 203 ) is also the smartphone supplied as standard charger. (In some chargers the charging cable is pluggable via USB plug, in some chargers the charging cable is firmly struck, but this does not change the basic structure.) The present invention is used as a monitoring device ( 201 ) and a second, standard USB-to-micro-USB cable ( 205 ) between the smartphone and the charger. The user moves in accordance with the key ( 31 ) and thus reinforces the device ( 1 ), this shows a clearly visible, flashing LED ( 6 ) that the loading smartphone is protected. The method described in the claims now recognizes when the cable ( 204 ) and then activates the built-in siren ( 5 ). For this purpose, the method uses a peculiarity inherent in all electronic devices. In this embodiment, the two ports "charging (-)" and "shielding" are interconnected within the smartphone. If the cable connection is made, so there is an electrical short circuit between the lines (SCH) and (MI), as long as the electrical connection exists. This electrical short circuit no longer exists as soon as the plug-in connection is released or the cable is severed. At the same time, the procedure detects if the key is being 31 ) a charger is or is connected, this is ensured by a voltage measurement between the lines (PL) and (MI). If the connection between the power socket and the device ( 1 ), either by pulling one of the two USB plugs of the charging cable ( 205 ) or by pulling the charger from the socket in the wall or by cutting the cable, this is detected by the method and the alarm siren activated. The charge of the smartphone is always guaranteed because the charging lines through the device ( 201 ) to run.

Exemplary Embodiment 2 - Securing a Tablet Computer

This embodiment is referenced too and ,

In this embodiment, the tablet computer (hereinafter referred to as "tablet") is not charged, so there is no charger in the arrangement. The tablet ( 300 ) stands on a table ( 301 ). The present invention is a monitoring device ( 302 ) and placed on the page for easier explanation, so that in the device ( 302 ) sees hole. A cable ( 303 ) connects the tablet to the monitor.

The cable may be the standard charging cable or data cable supplied with the tablet, or it may be a longer cable that has the same connections as the standard charging cable. You can do that that in this case the cable ( 303 ) in a loop around the table leg, then through the hole in the monitor ( 302 ) and then in the tablet ( 300 ) is inserted. Once the key ( 31 ) and the monitoring device ( 302 ) is armored, this arrangement can not be resolved without the siren in the monitor is activated. The underlying mechanism of the device according to the invention ( 1 ) is as described in the first part of Embodiment 1.

Exemplary embodiment 3 - securing a handbag

This embodiment is referenced too and , In this embodiment, a conventional ladies handbag with carrying straps ( 401 ), which are in a chair ( 400 ) with side backrests, this chair can stand for example on the outside terrace of an ice cream parlor or a restaurant. The present invention is a monitoring device ( 402 ). The cable ( 403 ) is a standard USB-to-microUSB connection cable, as it was already in the other embodiments to fruition. This cable is plugged into the connection unit (A1) with one plug and into the connection unit (A2) with the other plug, so that it forms a simple loop from the user's point of view. This loop is guided so that it passes through the carrying handle of the handbag on the one hand and the chair back on the other hand, thus connecting the handbag with the chair. This is when armored monitor ( 402 ) Do not remove the bag without activating the alarm siren unless someone steals the entire chair including the handbag and the monitor. According to checks the monitoring unit ( 2 ) via the connection unit (A1) and the connecting cable, the electrical short circuit within the connection unit (A2) between the terminals (MI) and (A2-SCH). If the cable connection is made, so there is an electrical short circuit between the lines (SCH) and (MI), as long as the electrical connection exists. This electrical short circuit no longer exists as soon as the plug connection is released or the cable is cut.

Further embodiments of the invention

A further embodiment of the invention is specified in claim 3. Here, in the device ( 1 ) power supply ( 4 ) with considerably more power so that they are not only used to power the device ( 1 ) are used, but still has additional power reserves to carry the charge of a connected device, such as a smartphone.

A further embodiment of the invention is specified in claim 7. An embodiment for this purpose would be a charging station for multiple smartphones, the use of which can be offered, for example, in bars and restaurants as a service. Here, the host can charge multiple smartphones at the same time and all connected smartphones with only one Secure key, this could give the host a competitive advantage over competitors.

A further embodiment of the invention is specified in claim 9. In this case, additional data lines are provided which facilitate communication of the device ( 1 ) with a computer or other devices, thereby various additional features of a commercial application can be realized, the most obvious being that an update of the software in the device could be realized. For example, if the connector units were to be USB, then standardized cables and methods of connecting a device based on the invention to a computer could also be used.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 112012005661 T5 [0004]
• DE 102010016685 A1 [0006, 0025, 0025]
• DE 202013001569 U1 [0013]
• KR 102013138409 A [0015]
• DE 102009033121 A1 [0015]
• DE 000010127437 A1 [0015]
• DE 102008051667 A1 [0018]
• DE 000004443550 A1 [0019]
• DE 102011017524 A1 [0023]
• WO 00/2012167909 A1 [0024]
• DE 102011106221 A1 [0024]
• US 6069563 A [0025]
• WO 002004102497 A4 [0025]
• DE 19503732 A1 [0026]
• DE 19537419 A1 [0027]
• EP 000000291827 A2 [0027]
• DE 000003440379 C2 [0028]
• DE 000004008528 A1 [0028]
• DE 102006031781 A1 [0029]
• EP 000001284555 A2 [0030]

Cited non-patent literature

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Clock [0004]

Claims (10)

Contraption ( 1 ) for monitoring at least one object or electrical device connected to the device via an electrical cable, the device ( 1 ) a monitoring unit ( 2 ), which is connected to the individual lines of the electric cable and the monitoring unit ( 2 ) with a reinforcing unit ( 3 ) connected via one of the devices ( 1 assigned key ( 31 ) turns on and off the reinforcement of the device and the monitoring unit ( 2 ) with a power supply ( 4 ), an optional audible alarm unit ( 5 ) as well as an optional optical signal transmitter ( 6 ), characterized in that the monitoring unit ( 2 ) detects when a connected via an electrical cable to the terminal unit (A1) device or object thereof is disconnected or the connecting electrical cable is severed and at the same time the monitoring unit ( 2 ) detects whether a live electrical appliance or an electric battery charger has been connected to the connection unit (A2) via an electrical cable and at the same time the monitoring unit ( 2 ) detects when the device or battery charger connected to the connection unit (A2) is disconnected, or the connecting electrical cable is cut or the connected device or battery charger has been disconnected from its power supply. Method for monitoring electrical lines and for immediate alerting of occurring, predetermined events, wherein the method can take different states and the method can change from one state to another state by the specified events, characterized in that the method 3 different States "normal", "armored" and "alarm" can take and a) by releasing the key ( 31 ) changes from the "Normal" state to the "Armed" state and b) by inserting the key ( 31 ) changes from the "Armed" state to the "Normal" state, and c) When changing from the "Normal" to the "Armed" state, checks whether there is an electrical short between the two lines between the lines (SCH) and (MI) and d) when changing from the state "normal" to the state "armored" or in the state "armored" checks whether between the lines (PL) and (MI) an electrical voltage is above a threshold value and e) when changing from the state " Normal "to the state" Armed "by short to very short activation of the alarm unit ( 5 ) indicates the functionality of the device, and f) constantly checks in the state "Armiert" whether the situation stated under point "c)" changes or the voltage possibly determined under point "d)" falls below the threshold value and State "Armiert" by optical signaling by means of the optical signal transmitter ( 6 ) indicates that the device is active and h) changes from the Armed state to the Alarm state by the occurrence of any of the events described in item f) and i) in the Alarm state, audible or visual or both by carrying out at least one of the measurements to the 2 ) connected acoustic alarm unit ( 5 ) or the optical signal transmitter ( 6 ) and j) by inserting the key ( 31 ) or changes from the "Alarm" state to the "Normal" state after a specified alarm time has elapsed Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply contained in the device ( 4 ) is used for power supply or for battery charging of at least one electrical device connected to the connection unit (A1). Device according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) has a small size and a low weight, so that it can be transported, for example, in the pocket and thus is mobile deployable. Device and method according to claim 1 to claim 3, characterized in that within the connection unit (A2) an electrical short circuit exists between the terminals (MI) and (A2-SCH). Device according to Patent Claim 5, characterized in that the connection unit (A1) is connected directly to the connection unit (A2) with an electrical cable, thereby producing a closed loop, consisting of the device ( 1 ) and the electrical cable connected to both terminals. Device according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the terminal units (A1) and (A2) are each executed several times including the associated, multiple connections to the monitoring unit ( 2 ) and thus multiple devices can be connected to the connection units, with the associated protection of multiple devices. Device according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that the device housing of the device ( 1 ) has a hole such that at least one connector of an existing electrical cable or an existing standard electrical cable can be passed through this hole and thereby an electric loop around a secure object according to is formed. Device according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that two additional data lines (not in drawn) between the connection unit (A1) and the monitoring unit ( 2 ), so that the monitoring unit ( 2 ) can communicate via these lines and an electronic device connected via an electrical cable to the connection unit (A1) by means of data transmission, including the possibility of possibly occurring in the device ( 1 ) update computer programs. Device according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the terminal units (A1) or (A2) are standardized connectors and thus allow the use of existing electrical cables or standardized electrical cables for the electrical equipment to be connected to these terminal units.

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