Theft deterrence method and system
A computer system includes a theft deterrence program installed on a monitor ( 12 ) and a host computer ( 11 ). The theft deterrence program is in a deactivated state as long as the monitor ( 12 ) is connected to the host computer ( 11 ) and to a power source. Once the monitor ( 12 ) is disconnected from the power source and the host computer ( 11 ), the theft deterrence program enters an activated state when the monitor ( 12 ) powers up again. If not deactivated within a predetermined time period, the theft deterrence program enters a theft deterrence mode that disables or significantly deteriorates the function of the monitor ( 12 ). Connecting the monitor ( 12 ) to an authorized host computer or entering a PIN before the countdown time elapses can deactivate the theft deterrence program. The deactivated theft deterrence program allows the normal operation of the monitor ( 12 ).
1 . A process for deterring an unauthorized move of a device, comprising:
detecting a triggering event indicating the unauthorized move of the device;
starting a time countdown;
terminating the time countdown in response to a valid authorization code; and
entering a theft deterrence mode in response the time countdown elapsing a predetermined time period.
2 . The process of claim 1 , detecting a triggering event including detecting a disconnection of the device from a host device.
3 . The process of claim 1:
detecting a triggering event including detecting a power shutdown of the device; and
starting a time countdown including starting the time countdown in response to a power up to the device.
4 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising:
installing a theft deterrence program on the device; and
enabling the theft deterrence program on the device.
5 . The process of claim 4 , enabling the theft deterrence program on the device including storing a personal identification number (PIN) in the device.
6 . The process of claim 5 , further comprising entering the PIN to disable the theft deterrence program.
7 . The process of claim 1 , terminating the time countdown in response to a valid authorization including:
comparing a first personal identification number (PIN) in the device with a second PIN in a host device; and
terminating the time countdown in response to the first PIN matching the second PIN.
8 . The process of claim 1 , terminating the time countdown in response to a valid authorization code including:
requesting an input of a first personal identification number (PIN);
comparing the first PIN with a second PIN stored in the device; and
terminating the time countdown in response to the first PIN matching the second PIN.
9 . The process of claim 1 , entering a theft deterrence mode including rendering the device inoperable.
10 . The process of claim 1 , entering a theft deterrence mode including substantially deteriorating a performance of the device.
11 . A method for deterring an unauthorized move of a computer peripheral device, comprising:
coupling the computer peripheral device to a host computer;
installing a theft deterrence program on the computer peripheral device and on the host computer;
enabling the theft deterrence program by entering a password;
storing the password in the computer peripheral device;
detecting a disconnection of the computer peripheral device from the host computer;
activating the theft deterrence program to start a clock countdown in response to the computer peripheral device being disconnected from the host computer and connected to a second host computer;
terminating the time countdown in response to a password in the second host computer matching the password stored in the computer peripheral device; and
entering a theft deterrence mode in response to the time countdown elapsing a predetermined time period.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein activating the theft deterrence program includes activating the theft deterrence program further in response to the computer peripheral device being disconnected from a first power source and subsequently connected to a second power source.
13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
requesting an input of a password at the second host computer;
comparing the input password with the password stored in the computer peripheral device; and
terminating the time countdown in response to the input password matching the password stored in the computer peripheral device.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising entering a password matching the password stored in the computer peripheral device to disable the theft deterrence program.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein entering a theft deterrence mode includes rendering the device inoperable.
16 . A theft deterrence system for deterring an unauthorized moved of a computer peripheral device coupled to a host computer comprising a theft deterrence program on the computer peripheral device and on the host computer, the theft deterrence program including the steps of:
detecting a disconnection of the computer peripheral device from the host computer;
entering an activation state to start a clock countdown in response to the computer peripheral device being disconnected from the host computer and connected to a second host computer;
entering a deactivation state and terminating the time countdown in response to a code in the second host computer matching a code stored in the computer peripheral device; and
entering a theft deterrence mode in response to the time countdown elapsing a predetermined time period.
17 . The theft deterrence system of claim 16 , wherein the step of entering an activation state includes entering the activation state further in response to the computer peripheral device being completely powered down and subsequently powered up.
18 . The theft deterrence system of claim 16 , the theft deterrence program further including the steps of:
requesting an input of a code at the second host computer;
comparing the input code with the code stored in the computer peripheral device; and
entering the deactivation state in response to the input code matching the code stored in the computer peripheral device.
19 . The theft deterrence system of claim 16 , the theft deterrence program further including the step of entering a disabled state in response to a user request with an input code matching the code in the computer peripheral device.
20 . The theft deterrence system of claim 16 , wherein entering a theft deterrence mode includes significantly affecting a performance of the computer peripheral device.