MOBILE THEFT DETECTION AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING AN OBJECT FROM THEFT BY MEANS OF A MOBILE THEFT DETECTION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile anti-theft device comprising: a connecting element adapted to be alternately in an open position in which the connecting element forms an open loop with the rest of the anti-theft device and in a closed position in which the connecting element forms a closed loop with the rest of the anti-theft device, a safety element adapted to be selectively in a locking and unlocking state of the closure of the closed loop formed by the connecting element with the rest of the anti-theft device; said linking device being adapted to link an object to be protected against theft to a support when the closed loop passes through said support and said object and the safety device is in the locked state.

[0002] Such examples, including key or combination locks, are used for example as anti-theft devices for bicycles.

[0003] US 2018 / 230713 A1 presents a mobile anti-theft device.

[0004] US 2019 / 347884 A1 presents a portable lock, which can be a padlock or loop lock, and which records an identifier of a mobile device during initial pairing so that this identifier can be used subsequently to authenticate the mobile device and control the lock.

[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to offer a reliable, secure and easy-to-use mobile anti-theft device.

[0006] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a mobile anti-theft device conforming to claim 1.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible to offer a secure mobile anti-theft device, usable in many places and which requires neither possession of a physical key nor memorization of a code by the user.

[0008] In embodiments, the mobile anti-theft device according to the invention further comprises one or more of the features of claims 2 or 3.

[0009] According to a second aspect, the present invention proposes a method of protection against the theft of an object conforming to claim 4.

[0010] In embodiments, the process according to the invention further comprises one or more of the features of claims 5 or 6.

[0011] The object could, for example, be luggage or computer equipment.

[0012] These features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 represents a mobile anti-theft device in one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a functional view of a mobile anti-theft device in one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a flowchart of steps implemented in an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 schematically represents a distributor of mobile anti-theft devices in one embodiment of the invention.

[0013] There figure 1 represents a mobile anti-theft device 10 in an embodiment of the invention linking in a locked manner, in the example considered, a suitcase 1 to a luggage support bar 4 3 in a train.

[0014] The mobile anti-theft device 10 includes a case 13 and a lanyard 12.

[0015] The lace 12 includes two adapted ends 15 and 16 to be secured each with the housing 13 thus forming a closed loop.

[0016] In the present case, the lace 12 comprises a flexible steel cable 14 connected at its end 16, in this case permanently, for example by welding, to the housing 13.

[0017] The cable 14 is attached at its other end to a connecting appendage 15 adapted to, in a closed position of the anti-theft device 10, be manually engaged in a corresponding housing 11 in the housing 13, and to, in an open position of the anti-theft device 10, be manually disengaged from this housing and then present a free end.

[0018] In the open position of device 10, the assembly housing 13 - lace 12 forms an open loop and in the closed position of device 10, the assembly housing 13 - lace 12 forms a closed loop.

[0019] The anti-theft device 10 also includes a locking block for closure, here located in the housing 13.

[0020] When the anti-theft device 10 is in the closed position, it is also adapted to be locked or unlocked in the closed position by the locking block, as described below. When locked in the closed position, no user other than the authorized user(s) can perform the unlocking procedure that is the only way to open the anti-theft device 10.

[0021] With reference to the figure 2 , the anti-theft device 10 includes, in the housing 13, a wireless telecommunications interface 50, a controller 20 comprising a microprocessor, a memory 30 and a locking block 40.

[0022] The anti-theft device 10 also includes a rechargeable power supply (not shown) in the housing 13.

[0023] In an embodiment illustrated in figure 4 The device is recharged when stored in a dedicated space 19 (for example, a dispenser-type space) which allows for the storage, recharging, and locking of the anti-theft devices 10 placed there. A battery charge indicator is, for example, located on the equipment: in one embodiment, it indicates the remaining usage time in hours or minutes.

[0024] In one embodiment, a user, once they no longer need the anti-theft device 10, simply inserts it vertically, from bottom to top, into a holder 25 of the dispenser 19. On the figure 4 A section 28 showing an exploded view of the bracket 25 is further shown. Once the device 10 is in the bracket 25, the device 10 is locked into the bracket 25 using a connecting appendage 27 similar to the connecting appendage 15 and integrated into the housing 25. Once the device 10 is inserted and locked, the bracket 25 supplies power to the device 10 via two power pins 26 of the bracket 25.

[0025] When a phone is then brought near the device 10 in the dispenser 19, the dispenser cuts off the power supply to the device 10 and unlocks it. In one embodiment, the locking and unlocking of the device 10 relative to the support 25 uses, for example, the same mechanism (e.g., a metal solenoid) as that for locking and unlocking the lanyard 12 described later.

[0026] In the case under consideration, the wireless telecommunications interface 50 includes a telecommunications interface 51 of type CCP (Near Field Communication, also called NFC for "Near Field communication" in English, as defined for example by the ISO / IEC, ECMA or ETSI organizations) and a wireless telecommunications interface 52 of other type, for example Bluetooth as standardized by the IEEE.

[0027] Memory 30 contains software instructions for a program P. The microprocessor of controller 20 is adapted to execute the software instructions of program P. The operations of controller 20 are implemented as part of the execution of this program P.

[0028] Memory 30 also includes, in a memory area called the authorized users area, an emergency identifier ID urg.

[0029] With reference to the figure 3 In one embodiment, steps of a method for protecting an object against theft using a mobile anti-theft device, as shown in figures 1 And 2 .

[0030] The anti-theft device 10 is suitable for implementing the steps described below as being its responsibility.

[0031] Thus, consider a traveler on a train who wishes to protect his suitcase 1 against theft using the anti-theft device 10.

[0032] For example, the user of the anti-theft device 10 brings his mobile phone 60, also equipped with a CCP communication interface, within 4 centimeters of the dedicated space in order to unlock the device 10, or even places it on the surface 18 of the housing 13 of the device 10 housed in the dedicated space.

[0033] In a preliminary coupling step 101, the controller 20, via the CCP interface 51, detects the presence of the mobile phone 60 and obtains, via a CCP exchange with the latter, an ID 1 identifier of the mobile phone, for example the IMSI number (in English, "The International Mobile Subscriber Identity") stored in the SIM card of the phone 60. An application will allow, in one embodiment, if necessary, the user to be debited with a predetermined sum.

[0034] Controller 20 stores this ID 1 identifier in the authorized users area of ​​memory 30.

[0035] The anti-theft device 10 is then paired with the mobile phone 60. Device No. 10 is then released from its designated space. The user can then carry the device in the luggage compartment and lock it.

[0036] A positioning step is now described. If the device 10 is in the open position, the housing 13 - lace 12 assembly forms an open loop (if the device 10 is in the closed position, a step similar to step 103 described below will then be implemented before this positioning step) and in this open position, a user can then pass the cable 14 through the space between the handle 2 of a case 1 and the body of this case 1 placed on the bars 4, then pass the cable 14 under a bar 4 before engaging the end 15 in the housing 11 and thus close the loop, placing the device 10 in the closed position.

[0037] It should be noted that if the device 10 is in the open position, this positioning step can be carried out before or after the coupling step 101.

[0038] In a locking step 102, after the user has placed the mobile phone 60 on the surface 18 of the device's housing 13, the controller 20 detects the presence of the phone 60 via its CCP telecommunications interface 51. As soon as it detects this presence, the controller 20 communicates with the mobile phone 60 via its CCP interface 51 and obtains its identifier, in this case, the IMSI identifier. It then compares this received identifier with those stored in the authorized users area. If and only if the received identifier is identical to one of those stored, the controller 20 then commands the locking block 40 to switch from its current state to the other state: in this case, the current state is the unlocked state; thus, the controller 20 triggers the switch from the unlocked state to the locked state of the anti-theft device 10.

[0039] In this locked state of the anti-theft device 10, an individual of normal strength and without special tools will not be able to open the loop formed by the lace 12 and the case 13, even by pulling hard on both to try to separate them.

[0040] In another embodiment, the lock is triggered in step 102 only when the device 10 is determined by the controller 20 to be in the closed position and the user of a phone placed on the surface 18 and identified as authorized removes his phone from the surface 18 and takes it out of the range of CCP communication.

[0041] In an unclaimed example, the lock is triggered in step 102 only when that user of an authorized phone placed on the surface 18 removes their phone from the surface 18 or moves it out of the NFC communication range.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, the locking is triggered in step 102 when the device 10 is determined by the controller 20 to be in the closed position, regardless of whether or not an authorized phone is nearby.

[0043] In the embodiment considered, the locking block 40 is, for example, a metal solenoid adapted to slide under the effect of a magnetic field, for example, generated by a coil whose current supply is triggered by the controller 20 when it commands a state change operation of the locking block 40 (the sign of the current being reversed at each change). Thus, when the device 10 is in the unlocked closed position and the controller 20 commands a change of state to lock, the solenoid slides in one direction and locks the end portion 15 engaged in the housing 11, for example, by engaging in a corresponding housing provided in this end portion 15, thereby locking the anti-theft device 10 in the closed position.When the device 10 is in the locked closed position and the controller 20 commands a change in the locking state, the solenoid slides in the opposite direction and releases the end portion 15 that was engaged in the housing 11, thus unlocking the anti-theft device 10 in the closed position. Of course, other locking devices can be used.

[0044] Later, in unlocking step 103, after the mobile phone 60 has been placed again by its user on the surface 18 of the device 10's housing 13, the controller 20 detects the presence of the phone 60 via its NFC interface. As soon as it detects this presence, it exchanges data with the mobile phone 60 via its NFC interface 51 and obtains its identifier, in this case, the IMSI identifier. It then compares this received identifier with those stored in the authorized users area. If and only if the received identifier is identical to one of those stored, the controller 20 then commands the locking block 40 to switch from its current state to the other state: in this case, the current state is the locked state; thus, the controller 20 triggers the unlocking mechanism to switch the locking mechanism of the anti-theft device 10.

[0045] To avoid successive untimely state changes of the lock block 40 when the user leaves their mobile phone 60 on the surface 18 for a long time, if a state change has been triggered following the detection of the presence of an authorized phone, a new state change can only be triggered if there is an interruption of the detection of the presence of the authorized phone (which means that the user, after placing their phone on the surface 18, removed it, then put it back).

[0046] Once the anti-theft device 10 is unlocked, the user can then disengage the end 15 from the housing 11, and release, if desired, their case 1, or the bar 4, from the cable 14. Later, they can relock the anti-theft device 10 if they wish, by repeating step 102. Or they can store the device in the dedicated space, which will allow the battery to recharge and the device to be made available to other users.

[0047] In one embodiment, authorized train personnel, for example train controllers, are further equipped with suitable telecommunication devices to exchange with the anti-theft device 10 via its CCP 51 communication interface and provide it with the emergency identifier ID urg, which will enable the unlocking of the device 10, during a step 103 implemented this time between the anti-theft device 10 and the telecommunication device of a train controller, in the event of a malfunction observed in a step 103 implemented by the user.

[0048] In another embodiment, the train controllers are further equipped with telecommunication devices adapted to exchange with the anti-theft device 10 via its bluetooth communication interface 52 and provide it with the identifier of the device 10 and the emergency identifier ID urg, the commanding controller 20, upon receipt and only after a comparison step verifying that one of the identifiers provided is indeed equal to the identifier stored in memory 30 and that the other identifier provided is indeed that of the anti-theft device 10, the unlocking of the locking block 40.

[0049] Following such an emergency unlocking, in one embodiment, an alert message will then be sent by the anti-theft device 10 to the user's mobile phone 60, via the telecommunications interface 52.

[0050] The present invention thus proposes a mobile (weighing, for example, between 100 and 300 grams), self-contained, rechargeable anti-theft device that allows for the easy securing of various types of luggage in existing storage areas on trains. It is designed to unlock only after successful identification with the mobile phone of the user who performed the initial pairing (or with strictly authorized personnel if their intervention is necessary).

[0051] In one embodiment, the anti-theft devices are obtained on board a train from a dispensing device, for example an automatic anti-theft device dispenser, to which they are also returned after use. While in the automatic dispenser, the user identifier ID 1 of the anti-theft devices is erased from the authorized user area in their memory, and the power supply is recharged if necessary.

[0052] In some embodiments, other wireless telecommunication devices are used instead of a mobile phone 60, comprising a CCP communication interface (or any other wireless telecommunication technology whose exchanges are permitted only at a short distance from the interlocutor, for example a distance of less than 1 cm, or 5 cm or 10 cm) for example a memory card etc.

Claims

1. Mobile anti-theft device (10), comprising: - a connecting member (12, 13) comprising a lace (12) and a casing (13), the casing having a surface (18), the connecting member being adapted to be alternately in an open position in which it forms an open loop with the rest of the anti-theft device and in a closed position in which the connecting member forms a closed loop with the rest of the anti-theft device, and - a security member (40) adapted to be selectively in a state of locking and unlocking the closure of the closed loop formed by the connecting member with the rest of the anti-theft device; said connecting member being adapted to connect an object to be protected against theft to a support when the closed loop passes through said support and said object and the security member is in the locking state; said mobile anti-theft device comprising: - a control unit (20) including a wireless telecommunication interface (51) of the Near Field Communication type, and adapted to: - detect the presence of a mobile wireless telecommunications device (60) via the wireless telecommunications interface (51) when the wireless telecommunications device (60) is positioned on the surface (18) of the casing (13), - in an initial pairing operation, obtain an identifier for the mobile wireless telecommunication device (60) via said wireless telecommunication interface, and - following said pairing operation, receive an identifier via said wireless telecommunication interface and permit a command to transition the security member from its locked state to its unlocked state only if the received identifier is identical to the initially obtained identifier; the control unit being adapted to receive an identifier via the said wireless telecommunication interface after the pairing operation, and to permit a command to transition the security member from its unlocked state to its locked state only if the received identifier is identical to the initially obtained identifier; the control unit being adapted to prevent a command to the safety member (40) to transition from its unlocked state to its locked state if a command to the safety member to transition from its locked state to its unlocked state state has been executed and if the mobile device has not been removed from the surface (18) and then placed back on the surface (18) since the control unit commanded the safety member to transition from its locked state to its unlocked state; the control block being adapted to prevent a command to the safety member (40) to transition from its locked state to its unlocked state if a command to the safety member to transition from its unlocked state to its locked state has been executed and if the mobile device has not been removed from the surface (18) and then placed back on the surface (18) since the control unit commanded the safety member to transition from its unlocked state to its locked state.

2. Mobile anti-theft device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (20) is adapted to, upon receiving via said wireless telecommunications interface (51) an identifier identical to the identifier initially obtained, command the security member to transition to its unlocked state, if the security member is in the locked state.

3. Mobile anti-theft device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (20) is adapted to, upon receiving via said wireless telecommunications interface (51) an identifier identical to the identifier initially obtained, command the security member to transition to its locked state, if the security member is currently in the unlocked state.

4. Method for protecting against the theft of an object (1) using a mobile anti-theft device (10) comprising a connecting member (12, 13) comprising a lace (12) and a casing (13), the casing having a surface (18), the connecting member being adapted to be alternately in an open position wherein it forms an open loop with the rest of the anti-theft device, and in a closed position wherein it forms a closed loop with the rest of the anti-theft device, said connecting member being adapted to secure an object to be protected against theft to a support when the closed loop passes through said support and said object, and the security member is in the locked state, and a security member (40) adapted to selectively be in a state of locking and unlocking the closure of the closed loop formed by the connecting element with the rest of the anti-theft device, a control unit (20) having a wireless telecommunication interface (51) of the Near Field Communication type, said method comprising the steps consisting in: - detecting the presence of a wireless communication device (60) via the wireless communication interface (51) when the mobile wireless communication device (60) is placed on the surface (18) of the casing (13) - in an initial pairing operation, obtaining, by the control unit of the mobile anti-theft device (10), an identifier of the mobile wireless telecommunication device (60), via said wireless telecommunication interface, and - following the said pairing operation, the reception, by the control unit of the mobile anti-theft device (10), of an identifier via said wireless telecommunication interface, said control unit permitting a command to transition the security member from its locked state to its unlocked state only if the received identifier is identical to the initially obtained identifier; according to which the control unit, following said pairing operation, receives an identifier via said wireless telecommunication interface and permits a command to transition the security member from its unlocked state to its locked state only if the received identifier is identical to the initially obtained identifier; according to which the control unit prevents a command to transition the safety member (40) from its unlocked state to its locked state if a command to transition the safety member from its locked state to its unlocked state has been executed and if the mobile apparatus has not been removed from the surface (18) and then placed back on the surface (18) since the control unit has commanded the safety member to transition from its locked state to its unlocked state; according to which the control unit prevents a command to the safety member (40) to transition from its locked state to its unlocked state if a command to the safety member to transition from its unlocked state to its locked state has been executed, and if the mobile device has not been removed from the surface (18) and then placed back on the surface (18) since the control unit commanded the safety member to transition from its unlocked state to its locked state.

5. Method for protecting against the theft of an object (1) according to claim 4, according to which the control unit (20), upon receipt, via said wireless telecommunications interface (51), of an identifier identical to the initially obtained identifier, commands the security member to transition to its unlocked state, if the security member is in the locked state.

6. Method for protecting against the theft of an object (1) according to claims 4 or 5, according to which the control unit (40), upon receiving via said wireless telecommunications interface (51) an identifier identical to the initially obtained identifier, commands the security member to transition to its locked state, if the security member is in the unlocked state.