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http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/09/10/future.ipods.to.get.anti.theft.technology/

Apple patent filing details acceleration-based theft alarms

updated 08:15 pm EDT, Thu September 10, 2009

 

Future iPods to get anti-theft technology?


A recent patent filing, submitted by Apple, describes an anti-theft system that utilizes acceleration data to detect if a portable device is stolen. Information from the accelerometer would be analyzed by a controller to determine if the particular direction and speed of movement indicates that a thief might be taking the device.

To avoid false alarms, the system would include a filter for attenuating common acceleration frequencies and "isolating those representative of theft." The software plays a role in determining if the acceleration data matches a "known acceleration profile characteristic of theft."

Fig. 5 shows an outline of the basic functions available through the graphical user interface. Controls would be provided for enabling the alarm, setting the volume, or displaying a personalized warning message. The sensitivity can also be adjusted, along with the time it takes before the alarm reaches full volume. A password dialog would provide a way for the owner to disable a false alarm.

Apple integrates accelerometers in a variety of portable devices. In a MacBook, the sensor is used to lock a hard drive to protect data if the notebook is dropped. The iPhone, iPod touch and iPod nano use an accelerometer for several different functions such as screen reorientation, tracking steps while walking, or as input for playing games.

It remains unclear if Apple plans to add the anti-theft protection to its mobile products. The company files for a variety of patents, although not all of the technology is immediately integrated.


by MacNN Staff

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 iPod, iPhone, security, patent, Apple
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Comments

  1. elroth

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2006

    -1

    huh?

    So if I'm walking down the street, and all of a sudden start running to catch a bus, the alarm will go off?

    Ridiculous.

  1. LouZer

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2000

    0

    Ummm

    I recall several people making use of Apple's hard disk accelerometer to do the very same thing.

    The problem with any of this is that the computer must be ON. Sleep won't cut it (as it is sleeping, it isn't supposed to be sucking battery life looking for movement).

    Of course, just hold the power button for four seconds to turn off the machine to get around all this

  1. gitcypher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2007

    +1

    Maybe

    it uses the mic to hear if the person yells, "Yoink."

  1. gutilin

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2009

    0

    Thief Buster does that and much more

    I happened to find it at the App Store recently and not only it uses the accelerometers but the PROXIMITY SENSOR! How cool is that!
    Check it out here:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEszmmBjzXY

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