The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2000
James B. Henrie, Grayslake, IL (US);
palmOne, Inc., Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for preventing unauthorized use of a device (e.g., a portable computer system) and for recovering the device when, for example, the device has been lost or stolen and an attempt to use it is made by someone other than an authorized user. The authorized user registers the device in a database at a central site (e.g., a Web site) using a unique identifier such as the device's serial number. If the device is lost or stolen, this information is entered into the Web site database by the authorized user. When the device is connected to the Internet using either a wireless or a landline connection, the device automatically communicates its unique identity to the Web site. The Web site performs a lookup and, if the database indicates that the device is lost or stolen, the device is so notified. In response, the device disables normal operation and instead will display, for example, the name and address of the authorized user. Other security measures can be used depending on the preferences of the authorized user; for example, the Web site can initiate a trace to locate the device. Thus, when a device is lost or stolen, it can be more readily recovered and, in the meantime, unauthorized use is prevented.