A Tamper Alert System

Abstract

The present invention relates to system for raising an alarm if an electronic device is stolen. The tamper alert system for an electronic device comprises: a cable with a plug for connecting to a terminal of the device which has a processor; a sensor that is operable to communicate with the processor in the device and in accordance with computer implemented software.

When an authorised connection of the cable is made to the electrical device a signal is received by the processor which configures an alarm to a standby mode. When in standby mode, if the sensor senses an unauthorised disconnection of the cable from the device, the processor transmits an alert signal, indicating an unauthorised event, to the alarm which activates the alarm.

Claims

1. A tamper alert system for an electronic device comprising: a cable with a plug for connecting to a terminal of the electronic device and a transmitter is connected to the cable, the transmitter is operative to send a signal to a receiver in the device, the receiver communicates with a processor in the device and in accordance with computer implemented software, the processor determines when an authorised connection of the plug is made to the terminal and configures an alarm to a standby mode in response thereto; whereby when the alarm is in standby mode and when the sensor senses an unauthorised interruption of the signal from the transmitter, the processor transmits an alert signal, indicating an unauthorised event, to activate an alarm, characterised in that the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

2. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is configured to sense a severing of the cable and the processor transmits an alert signal in response thereto.

3. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein a battery, which is preferably a rechargeable battery, is connected to the wireless transmitter.

4. The tamper alert system according to claim 3 wherein the alarm is transmitted from the wireless transmitter.

5. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the alarm is an audible alarm that is generated by a loudspeaker in the device.

6. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the alarm is a haptic alarm that is generated by one or more vibrating elements in the device.

7. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the alarm is a visual alert, generated by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the device.

8. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 whereby, when the alarm is configured in standby mode, the processor is operative to present a menu on a display of the device, the menu presents a choice of input options to a user to select at least one of: an audible alarm and/or a visual alarm and/or haptic alarm.

9. The tamper alert system according to claim 8 in which the menu presents an option to input a third party mobile telephone number, to where an alert message is sent, and when selected, configures the processor to transmit the alert message which is from the group comprising an instant message, such as WhatsApp® alert message and an SMS alert message.

10. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to communicate with a remote second processor, via a communication channel, the second processor operates in accordance with computer implemented software and is operative to send an email message to a nominated email address.

11. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device, such as a smart phone or tablet.

12. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the cable includes a tether or anchor for securing the cable to a person or an item.

13. The tamper alert system according to claim 12 wherein the tether or anchor includes a closed loop.

14. The tamper alert system according to claim 13 wherein the size of the closed loop is adjustable by way of a lock means.

15. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit signals, when in standby mode, at predefined instants to a remote receiver which derives an indication of a geolocation of the device to which the transmitter is connected.

16. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter is formed integrally with the cable.

17. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 whereby a confirmatory command input is required to disable and/or reconfigure the alarm, once triggered, to return it to its standby mode.

18. The tamper alert system according to claim 17 whereby the confirmatory command input is a personal identity number (PIN) which is input to a key-pad or a code word is spoken into a microphone.

19. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 includes a panic button which when depressed for a present time relays or sends a message to one or more nominated mobile devices.

20. The tamper alert system according to claim 1 whereby a motion sensor sends a trigger signal to the processor to place it in an active state to activate the alarm.

21. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0080] FIG. 1 shows an overall view of an electronic device connected to a cable;

[0081] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the system;

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment in FIG. 2;

[0083] FIG. 4 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment in FIG. 2;

[0084] FIG. 5 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment in FIG. 2;

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the system, having a wireless transmitter provided on the cable;

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a process for initiating the system;

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a process to disable the alarm by an authorised user;

[0088] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram representing the process of activating the alarm;

[0089] FIGS. 10 and 11 show views of another embodiment of the cable; and

[0090] FIGS. 12 and 13 show views of an embodiment of a tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0091] With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown an example of a mobile phone 10 connected to a cable 40 for reference and illustrative purposes.

[0092] The device 10 has a terminal 20 that receives a plug 30 at a first end of the cable 40. At a second end of the cable 40 there is an anchor. The anchor is formed by a loop 50 by means of a connector 60 and a spring lock 65. The connector 60 permits adjustment of the size of the loop 50.

[0093] FIGS. 2 to 5 show an embodiment of the tamper alert system 200 which has a wireless transmitter 210 arranged at a second end of the cable 40. In this embodiment 200 the cable 40, which carries an electric current, has a wireless transmitter 210 in the form of a Bluetooth® transceiver that is arranged at a second end of the cable 40 and housed in a housing 215. A first end of the cable has a plug 30.

[0094] The housing 215 also provides an anchor to enable formation of the cable 40 into a loop 50 by way of aperture 55 whish is formed in the housing 215. The aperture 55 is sized to permit the cable 40 and plug 30 to pass therethrough in order to form a loop 50. The aperture 55 has a cable grip 56 for locking the cable 40 in position.

[0095] The housing 215 also includes a socket 216 for receiving a second plug (not shown) of a charging device (not shown) to permit connection to a mains power supply or battery (not shown) or battery pack (not shown). In this way the housing 215 and cable 40 of the tamper alert system 200 may be part of a charging pathway for charging the mobile phone 10 or other device to which the tamper alert system 200 is connected.

[0096] When the cable 40 is connected to the mobile device 10 the wireless transmitter 210 receives electric current from a battery (not shown) within the mobile device 10. In operation a wireless signal, from the wireless transmitter 210 is transmitted to a receiver in the device 10 and processed by a processor (not shown) in the device 10.

[0097] Continual receipt of the wireless signal affirms connection of the tamper alert system 200 to the mobile device 10. Any disruption to the signal indicates disconnection or rem oval of the tamper alert system 200. Therefore a separate sensor to detect connection through the terminal 20 of the mobile device is not required.

[0098] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the system 300. Like parts have like reference numerals. In this embodiment 300 the wireless transmitter 210 (in the form of a Bluetooth® transceiver) is provided at a first end of the cable 40 which is close to the end of the cable 40 which where the plug 30 is provided. The Bluetooth® transceiver 210 is therefore combined in the housing 215 with the plug 30 attached thereto.

[0099] In some embodiments, if the electronic device 10 has a low battery level, for example that is insufficient to operate the electronic device 10 and the wireless transmitter 210, a back-up or ancillary battery (not shown) can be connected to the wireless transmitter 210 to maintain transmission of signals from the wireless transmitter 210.

[0100] Preferably any such back-up or ancillary battery (not shown) is configured only to be used if an active repeating signal ceases due to low battery in the electronic device 10 and/or when the battery level of the electronic device 10, is detected as being below a predetermined level. This ensures that the tamper alert system 200 remains operable. For the avoidance of doubt such a back-up or ancillary battery is not intended to be the main power source for the electronic device 10.

[0101] In use cable 40 is connected to an electronic device 10 and the electronic device 10 needs to be configured to standby mode. This is usually carried out after suitable software, such as contained in application specific software (an APP), has been loaded into memory and for use on the electronic device 10.

[0102] FIGS. 7 to 9 show examples of processes of the system where like parts have the same references.

[0103] In FIG. 7 the cable 40 is shown connected to the device 10 by the terminal 20. Connection of the cable 40 initiates an authentication step whereby detection of the connection by a sensor (not shown) prom pts the user, by means of the APP, to enter a Personal Identification Code (PIN) before the option to switch on (Y) or to not switch on (N) the alert is provided.

[0104] The flow diagram shows the selection of ‘Y’ to place the alarm in standby mode. Once ‘Y’ is selected a microprocessor (not shown) places the alarm on the device to a standby status or in standby mode, so that if the sensor no longer detects the connection between the transmitter 210 and the electronic device 10, this is interpreted as an event that will automatically activate the alarm.

[0105] FIG. 8 shows an example, depicted in a flow diagram, of the tamper alert system 200 in operation during unintentional disconnection or malicious severing of the cable 40. On detection of a disruption of signal event, a menu option to set or disable the alarm is presented on display 99 of the electronic device 10. This menu provides the user an opportunity to disarm the alarm if the disconnection was intentional. Typically a 5 second timeframe enables the user to authorise the deactivation of the alarm by entering a PIN. Failure to enter the PIN in this time frame leads to automatic activation of the alarm after seconds.

[0106] Alternative time frames may be specified. Likewise the APP may provide the user with a ‘blank screen option’, so that the display 99 which may be switched on by selected buttons, so as not to alert a thief because in some embodiments no audible alarm is activated at the electronic device 10 and instead a signal is sent to another device or location.

[0107] In FIG. 8 disconnection of the cable 40 is authorised as intentional by inputting the correct PIN. Selection to deactivate the alarm is then made thereby stopping the alarm being activated although the cable 40 has been disconnected. The device 10 can continue to be used normally.

[0108] FIG. 9 shows the system process of an unauthorised disconnection of cable 40, when the option to deactivate the standby mode is not selected in time. The absence of an authorisation within 5 seconds to disable the standby mode results in the transmission of a ‘No’ signal from the processor thereby leading to automatic activation of alerts in the form of an alarm and a Bluetooth® signal to a remote device. Alternatively a WhatsApp® alert message or an SMS alert message is sent to a third party.

[0109] FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of different types of cable with spring locks 65 that may be used with the system 200. FIGS. 12 and 13 show examples of different tethers 150 an friction connectors 160 that may be used with the system 200. When no lateral force is applied to the friction connector 160 it may be envisaged that the friction connector is relatively free to slide on the tether 150, so that changes in closed loop diameter are easily and swiftly accomplished, even with one hand and during use.

[0110] Variation may be made to the invention, for example the tamper alert system may be modified to include a panic button when depressed for a predefined interval alerts one or more members of a group or relays or sends a message to one or m ore nominated mobile devices. For example, the panic button may be configured to send a distress message to one or more nominated recipients.

[0111] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variaton may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.