Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present embodiment relates to an anti-theft device for protecting portable electronic devices, and more particularly relates to the anti-theft device for the protection of electronic devices at kiosks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Usually, electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones are displayed at the counters of kiosks and shops for the customers to view and make a purchase. Similarly, some hotels provide their tablets/ phones to the customer during checkout or to fill the feedback forms.
These devices are monitored by the staff for the prevention of any theft and damage. However, during rush hours, it is not possible to physically monitor each and every device.
There are a few solutions available in the market for the prevention of theft in these situations. These solutions may range from combination locks to key locks, alarm locks to cable locks. However, all these solutions are physical in nature and require special arrangements.
Therefore, there is a need of a universal anti-theft device that can be used with any laptop/tablet/phone irrespective of the brand and specifications. There is also a need of the anti-theft device that can immediately alert the authority in cases of theft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In as aspect, an anti-theft device for protection of electronic devices is provided. The anti-theft device is for the protection of electronic devices at stores and kiosks. The device comprises an in port, an out port and a microcontroller.
The in port connects the charger of the electronic devices with the anti-theft device. This connection ensures simultaneous charging of the electronic devices.
The out port connects the anti-theft device to the electronic devices through a wire/cable. The wire/cable ensures the proper connection of the electronic devices with the anti-theft device.
The microcontroller monitors the electronic devices connected to the anti-theft device. The microcontroller monitors the disconnection of the electronic devices in real-time and further triggers an alarm. The microcontroller triggers an alarm in cases of the disconnection of charger from the in port and/or the disconnection of the electronic devices from the out port.
The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some aspects of embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates connection of an anti-theft device (100) with electronic devices, according to an embodiment herein; and
Figure 2 illustrates a microcontroller (106) of the anti-theft device (100), according to an embodiment herein.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRPTION
As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to.
The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.
As previously mentioned, there is a need of a universal anti-theft device (100) that can be used with any electronic device irrespective of the brand and specifications. There is also a need of the anti-theft device (100) that can immediately alert the authority in cases of theft.
Figure 1 illustrates the anti-theft device (100) for the protection of the electronic devices. In an embodiment, the electronic device may be any such device that needs charging to operate. In an embodiment, the electronic devices may be devices such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a laptop and a tablet.
In an embodiment, the anti-theft device (100) may be used for displaying the electronic devices at kiosks and stores for the customers to make a purchase. In other embodiment, the anti-theft device (100) may also be used for personal uses such as at airports and/or coffee shops wherein the device can be plugged to a charger.
The anti-theft device (100) is a dongle/USB like device having an in port (102), an out port (104) and a microcontroller (106).
The in port (102) is an input port that connects the charger of the electronic devices with the anti-theft device (100). The connection ensures simultaneous charging of the electronic devices. In an embodiment, the in port (102) may be customized for any type of charger. In a preferred embodiment, the in port (102) is a C-type port.
The out port (104) is an output port that connects the anti-theft device (100) to the electronic devices through a wire/cable. The wire/cable protrudes out from the out port (104) and connects the electronic devices that have to be protected with the anti-theft device (100). The wire/cable ensures the proper connection of the electronic devices with the anti-theft device (100).
The microcontroller (106) monitors the electronic devices connected to the anti-theft device (100). In an embodiment, the microcontroller (106) monitors the disconnection of the electronic devices in real-time.
The microcontroller (106) triggers an alarm when the electronic device is removed from the out port (104). The microcontroller (106) initiates a few warning beeps followed by the alarm.
In an embodiment, the alarm is further followed by a flash light. In an embodiment, the flash light is useful to immediately detect the electronic device in a big kiosk/shop. In an embodiment, the flash light ensures an immediate action without wasting any time.
The microcontroller (106) triggers an alarm by measuring the change in frequency at the out port (104) of the anti-theft device (100). The out port (104) has two detection pins. In an embodiment, the two detection pins are CC1 and CC2.
The electronic devices pull down the detection pins using a pull down resistor Rd. The value of the pull down resistor is fixed to 5.1kohm.
Typically a charger for the electronic devices has a pull up resistor Rp. One end of the pull up resistor is connected (pulled up) to 5volt/3.3v inside the charger of the electronic devices and the other end is connected to the CC1 and CC2 pins. By avoiding this pull-up resistor in the anti-theft device (100), we ensure that the electronic device will continuously emit the frequency as it is not able to detect a pulled-up charger. Retrying the detection of pull-up is what causes the frequency/wave. As the interval of retrying would differ in different electronic devices, there is scope to detect the connected device.
The pullup and pulldown resistor in the charger and the anti-theft device (100) (connected in both CC1 and CC2 pins) will make voltage divider circuit. The anti-theft device (100) measures the voltage at the CC1 and CC2 pins. If the voltage matches the expected value based on the known Rp and Rd, the charger confirms that a device is connected. This acts as another signature for the electronic device, apart from the frequency.
The microcontroller (106) continuously monitors the frequency generated in the pull up resistor of the charger through the CC1 and CC2 pins of the anti-theft device (100) through a first GPIO pin. In case of disconnection/removal of the charger, a low frequency pulse will be detected on the CC1 and CC2 pins and thereafter, the microcontroller (106) will trigger an alarm.
The microcontroller (106) triggers an alarm by measuring the change in resistance to detect the disconnection/removal of the electronic devices from the out port (104).
The microcontroller (106) has a second GPIO pin that is connected to the CC1 and CC2 pins and measures the resistance of the pull down resistor Rd. In an embodiment, a reference Rd value is set in the microcontroller (106). In a preferred embodiment, the reference Rd value is 5.1 kΩ. In an embodiment, any deviation from the reference Rd value will trigger an alarm.
In an embodiment, the anti-theft device (100) may be used for device identification. In another embodiment, the anti-theft device (100) may be used for identifying device swapping.
In an embodiment, device identification may be used in kiosks and shops to record the count of each device type. In an embodiment, device identification is also done through frequency measurement. In cases when the pull up resistor is not connected to the reference voltage, the electronic device will send a low frequency pulse on the CC1 and CC2 pins. The frequency of pulse is unique to the type and model of the electronic device. The microcontroller (106) detects this frequency and identifies the type and model of the electronic devices.
In an embodiment, the device swapping is exchange/swap of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the microcontroller (106) identifies the device swapping by measuring the resistance of the pull down resistor Rd. In an embodiment, a reference Rd value is set in the microcontroller (106). In a preferred embodiment, the reference Rd value is 5.1 kΩ. In an embodiment, any deviation from the reference Rd value will trigger an alarm.
In an embodiment, the microcontroller (106) identifies the device swapping through unique frequency signature sent by the electronic devices. During device swapping, the frequency generated by the new device will differ from the previously identified frequency. The microcontroller (106) compares the measured frequency with the stored frequency of the originally connected device and triggers an alarm if a mismatch is detected.
In an embodiment, the microcontroller (106) is monitoring the resistor and/or frequency values continuously and a break of even half a second in either of these values will trigger an alarm even before a signature mismatch is determined.
In an embodiment, the anti-theft device (100) has an in-built battery to continue detection in case of power failure or charger removal.
In an embodiment, only an authorized person can stop the alarm. The authorized person may deactivate/unarm the device through a main device. In an embodiment, the main device manages the alarms of multiple anti-theft devices in the kiosks.
The anti-theft device (100) is connected to the main device and other anti-theft devices through Wi-Fi or BLE (Bluetooth low energy) connection.
The anti-theft device (100) combines voltage monitoring, frequency detection, and resistance measurement to identify connected devices and detect device swapping or removal. The CC1 and CC2 pins ensures that the anti-theft device (100) can recognize the unique characteristics of connected devices, making it highly effective in preventing theft or unauthorized device replacement.
The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.
Moreover, though the description of the present invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An anti-theft device (100) for protection of electronic devices, the device (100) comprises:
- an in port (102) for connecting the charger of the electronic devices with the anti-theft device (100), wherein the connection ensures simultaneous charging of the electronic devices;
- an out port (104) for connecting the anti-theft device (100) to the electronic devices through a wire/cable, wherein the wire/cable ensures the proper connection of the electronic devices with the anti-theft device (100);
- a microcontroller (106) for monitoring the electronic devices connected to the anti-theft device (100), wherein the microcontroller (106) triggers an alarm in case of
• disconnection of charger from the in port (102); and
• disconnection of the electronic devices from the out port (104).
2. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-theft device (100) is a dongle/USB like device.
3. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic devices includes mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
4. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device has an in-built battery to continue detection in case of power failure or charger removal.
5. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1 is connected to a main device for managing the alarms of multiple anti-theft devices.
6. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1 is connected to the main device and other anti-theft devices through Wi-Fi or BLE (Bluetooth low energy) connection.
7. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm is triggered along with a flash light to inform the theft.
8. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1 can detect/identify the electronic devices through resistance, frequency and voltage changes.
9. The anti-theft device (100) as claimed in claim 1 can detect/identify a device swap through resistance, frequency and voltage changes.