Techniques for capturing identifying information on a device user
View Patent ↗A technique for identifying a user of a device includes receiving a tracking mechanism trigger and capturing (e.g., periodically) identifying information on the user of the device in response to the trigger.
1. A method for associating an unauthorized user with a stolen computer system, said method comprising:
in response to a receipt of a tracking mechanism trigger by a computer system via a wireless network, wherein said tracking mechanism trigger is received in response to a reported theft of said computer system,
capturing identifying information on an unauthorized user of said computer system under control of a basic input/output system (BIOS), and storing said identifying information in a non-volatile storage device that is only accessible by said BIOS of said computer system;
capturing data entered into said computer system from a keyboard by said unauthorized user under the control of said BIOS, and storing said data in said non-volatile storage device; and
wirelessly transmitting said data and said identifying information to a device recovery service provider.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said identifying information includes biometric information of said unauthorized user.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said biometric information includes voice, a picture, or a fingerprint of said unauthorized user.
4. A computer-readable storage device having a computer program product for associating an unauthorized user with a stolen computer system, said computer-readable storage device comprising:
program code for, in response to a receipt of a tracking mechanism trigger by a computer system via a wireless network, wherein said tracking mechanism trigger is received in response to a reported theft of said computer system,
capturing identifying information on an unauthorized user of said computer system under control of a basic input/output system (BIOS), and storing said identifying information in a non-volatile storage device that is only accessible by said BIOS of said computer system;
capturing data entered into said computer system from a keyboard by said unauthorized user under the control of said BIOS, and storing said data in said non-volatile storage device; and
program code for wirelessly transmitting said data and said identifying information to a device recovery service provider.
5. The computer-readable storage device of claim 4 , wherein said identifying information includes biometric information of said unauthorized user.
6. The computer-readable storage device of claim 5 , wherein said biometric information includes voice, a picture, or a fingerprint of said unauthorized user.
7. A computer system, comprising:
a keyboard;
a non-volatile storage device; and
a processor, coupled to said non-volatile storage device and said keyboard, wherein said processor, in response to a receipt of a tracking mechanism trigger by said computer system via a wireless network, wherein said tracking mechanism trigger is received in response to a reported theft of said computer system,
captures identifying information on an unauthorized user of said computer system under the control of a basic input/output system (BIOS), and storing said identifying information in a non-volatile storage device that is only accessible by said BIOS of said computer system;
captures data entered into said computer system from a keyboard by said unauthorized user under the control of said BIOS, and storing said data in said non-volatile storage device; and
a network interface card for wirelessly transmitting said data and said identifying information to a device recovery service provider.
8. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein said identifying information includes biometric information of said unauthorized user.
9. The computer system of claim 8 , wherein said biometric information includes voice, a picture, or a fingerprint of said unauthorized user.