Hardware Locking Mechanism for Electronic Device Theft Deterrence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security measures for electronic devices, such as password protection and encryption, are ineffective in deterring theft and unauthorized use, as thieves can simply wipe the devices clean and sell or use them as their own, and do not discourage theft of the device itself.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hardware locking mechanism that can be activated based on a client-side defined locking policy, allowing the device to operate in a limited mode and requiring specific conditions to be met for deactivation, thereby making the device unusable if stolen and costly to tamper with.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If password protection and encryption are used, then information security is improved, but the device itself remains vulnerable to theft and unauthorized use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoidtheft vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device functionality into two distinct modes: a full-function mode for authorized use and a limited mode for stolen devices. By dividing the operational capabilities and implementing separate execution environments for each mode, the system protects information security while simultaneously addressing theft vulnerability through functional segmentation rather than relying solely on passwords and encryption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If traditional security measures are implemented, then access control is improved, but the device can still be wiped clean and resold without loss of value to thieves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess controlVSAvoiddevice resale value after theft

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by embedding a hardware locking mechanism and client-side locking policy that automatically activates upon detecting theft conditions. This pre-configured security measure ensures that before a thief can wipe or resell the device, the system has already transitioned it to a limited mode, thereby preserving device value and preventing unauthorized resale while maintaining ease of access control for legitimate users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a hardware locking mechanism is activated, then device security is improved, but the device operates in a limited mode reducing functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the device operational mode changeable based on security conditions. The system dynamically transitions between full-function mode and limited mode depending on whether the device is authorized or stolen. This dynamic approach allows the device to maintain full functionality when secure while automatically reducing functionality when security is compromised, thereby improving device security without permanently sacrificing adaptability or versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8984653B2Client controlled lock for electronic devices

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An electronic device can be locked and secured by activating a hardware locking mechanism on the device. The locking mechanism is controlled by a locking policy that is defined and implemented from the client side. If the locking mechanism is activated, then the device operates in a limited mode of operation instead of in a normal mode of operation. The locking mechanism can be deactivated, placing the device into the normal mode of operation, when a specified condition is satisfied.