IP Library Granted Patent US 8,427,305
Granted Patent B2
US 8,427,305 · App. 12/461,482 · Granted Apr 23, 2013

Global positioning satellite [GPS] based recovery device and risk management system for portable computing devices and data

Inventors: John J. Madsen (Round Rock, TX); Michael J. Coker (Round Rock, TX)
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,427,305
App. No.
12/461,482
Granted
Apr 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite [GPS] technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices and for compensating owners of devices. The invention inserts a GPS mechanism into a computing device that is enabled once the device is reported missing. The GPS emits real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.

Claims (34)

1. A compact global positioning satellite device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising:

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

wherein the global positioning satellite device is configured to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records; and

wherein said one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records utilizing a random binary fill 128 bit encryption that is capable of de-encryption and data recovery if the portable computing device is located.

2. A compact global positioning satellite device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising:

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

wherein the global positioning satellite device is configured to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records; and

wherein said one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records where a binary fill is activated over-the-air and is not required for the portable computing device to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

3. A compact global positioning satellite device, installed into a portable computing device, comprising:

utilization of an electrical power system of either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

installation of a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

operation of a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays that is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device;

wherein the global positioning satellite device is configured to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate its electronically stored records; and

wherein said one or more received transmissions authorize the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to alter or eradicate electronically stored records where a binary fill de-encryption is activated over-the-air and is not required for the portable computing device to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

4. A method of utilizing a compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device as part of an insurance and risk management service to mitigate the economic cost of loss or theft of said portable computing device and any proprietary data files stored therein, the method comprising:

receiving electrical power from either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said global positioning satellite device;

installing a data port to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device;

operating a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device for wireless communication with one or more global positioning satellite arrays conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of said portable computing device; and

determining a value and payment scheme for said insurance and risk management service using a series of computerized algorithms;

wherein one or more inputs to said computerized algorithms are selected from the group consisting of the cost of said global positioning satellite device, the cost of installation of said global positioning satellite device, the cost of a monitoring service, the cost of communications from the monitoring service to the one or more global positioning satellite arrays, the cost of communication between a global positioning satellite and a covertly installed global positioning satellite device, and a future time based value for information and data maintained or to be maintained on said portable computing device for which an owner will be compensated in the event of theft or loss of said portable computing device.

5. A compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device comprising:

an electrical power system configured to receive power from either said portable computing device or a separate battery system affixed to said installed global positioning satellite device;

a data port configured to communicate digitally with an operating system of said portable computing device; and

a signal reception and transmission assembly in said global positioning satellite device configured to communicate wirelessly with one or more global positioning satellite arrays and to transmit geographic coordinates of said installed global positioning satellite device to assist the locating and recovery of said portable computing device, wherein transmission of the geographic coordinates is conditioned upon an input indicating the theft or loss of the portable computing device;

wherein one or more received transmissions cause the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to modify electronically stored records utilizing a random binary fill or encryption that is capable of decryption and data recovery if the portable computing device is located.

6. The compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device of claim 5 , wherein the one or more received transmissions are wireless.

7. The compact global positioning satellite device installed in a portable computing device of claim 5 , wherein the one or more transmissions cause the installed global positioning satellite device to instruct the portable computing device to decrypt encrypted electronically stored records.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2017
From: APOGEE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC
To: POLSINELLI LLP
Reel/Frame 043760/0675 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2017
From: POLSINELLI LLP
To: APOGEE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 042175/0383 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2017
From: APOGEE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC
To: POLSINELLI LLP
Reel/Frame 041727/0778 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2013
From: HOP-ON PROPERTIES, INC.
To: APOGEE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 030979/0339 →
RELEASE AND SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENT OF MICHAEL COKER AND JOHN MADSEN IN CASE NO. C-1-CV-10-002345 Recorded Aug 9, 2013
From: BUFFUM, CHRIS; BUFFUM, REBECCA
To: COKER, MICHAEL; MADSEN, JOHN
Reel/Frame 030994/0892 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2013
From: MADSEN, JOHN J.; COKER, MICHAEL J.
To: APOGEE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 030567/0562 →
JUDGEMENT BY COURT Recorded May 14, 2013
From: JUSTICE COURT PRECINCT 3 WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS CASE NO. FED2011-086 JUDGEMENT AGAINST: JOHN MADSEN AND MICHAEL COKER
To: PUTNEY, MICHAEL
Reel/Frame 030407/0035 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2013
From: JEFFERIES, THOMAS R, MR
To: HOP-ON PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 029983/0275 →
JUDGMENT BY COURT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: IN THE DISTRICT COURT, 126TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, TRAVIS COUNTY, TX CAUSE NO. GN304892. JUDGEMENT AGAINST: MICHAEL J. COKER, JOHN MADSEN, INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL POSITIONING INC, 3T FAMILY INVESTMENTS LLC
To: JEFFERIES, THOMAS R
Reel/Frame 029600/0604 →
JUDGMENT BY COURT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: COUNTY COURT OF LAW NUMBER ONE TRAVIS COUNTY TX, CASE NO. C-1-CV-10-002345, JUDGMENT AGAINST: MICHAEL COKER
To: BUFFUM, CHRIS AND BUFFUM, REBECCA
Reel/Frame 029600/0533 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61188727 · Aug 12, 2008
Related Publication 20100188287A1 · Jul 29, 2010