BACKGROUND ART Recently, technologies related to electronic device making information receive easily and efficiently are developed. In particular, portable electronic device such as a notebook computer, a lap-top computer, a mobile phone ect. is operated by receiving a power from an external power source or a recharging battery equipped on itself, accordingly it can be used easily in places where the place can not provide an external power source. Therefore, the portable electronic device can be used conveniently without regard to its

using places because its weight is light and it is easy to be carried by person, however it can be disappeared, or can be stolen easily.

Accordingly, in order to solve above-mentioned problems, manufacturers of the portable electronic device develop antitheft apparatus for preventing theft of the portable electronic device, and apply the antitheft apparatus to the portable electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the conventional antitheft apparatus for the portable electronic device, it comprises an input unit 1 for installing/setting and canceling an antitheft program, a detecting unit 2 installed at the bottom surface of the portable electronic device for detecting movement of the portable electronic device from its placed position, a control unit 3 for outputting a theft alarm control signal by operating/canceling an antitheft mode in accordance with the signal outputted from the input unit 1, and outputting a theft alarm control signal by comparing detecting signals outputted form the input unit 1 operated as a detecting unit in an antitheft mode and detecting unit 2 with a set value, and an alarm sound generation unit 4 for outputting an alarm sound in accordance with the theft alarm control signal outputted from the control unit 3.

Herein, the input unit 1 comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, and the alarm sound generation unit 4 comprises a speaker.

Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional antitheft apparatus will now be described.

When a user sets the control unit 3 of the portable electronic device by operating the input unit 1, the control unit 3 is inputted the detecting signals

outputted from the input unit 1 and detecting unit 2 in the antitheft mode, compares the detected signal values with the set values set in the antitheft mode. In other words, the control unit 3 judges there is a theft attempt when the detecting signal value is bigger than the set value by comparing the detecting signal with the set value after being inputted a detecting signal outputted from the detecting unit 2 and the detecting signal outputted from the input unit 1 (key board, mouse, and touch screen) in the antitheft mode. When the control unit 3 judges there is the theft contempt on the portable electronic device, the control unit 3 outputs the control signal to the alarm sound generation unit 4, and the alarm sound generation unit 4 outputs an alarm sound.

Meanwhile, the antitheft mode set on the portable electronic apparatus can be canceled by inputting an antitheft mode cancel keyword through the input unit 1 as the antitheft mode is set.

However, because the conventional antitheft apparatus for the portable electronic device warns the theft attempt by detecting only the movement of the portable electronic device or keyword input for canceling the antitheft mode, it can not detect a theft attempt using the other means, therefore once the portable electronic device is stolen, it is impossible to get the apparatus back to the owner of it.

TECHNICAL GIST OF THE PESENT INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an antitheft apparatus and a method for a portable electronic device which is capable of preventing

a theft of the portable electronic device by warning the theft with various means after detecting the theft attempt by using various theft detecting means and information inputted and preset by a user.

The other object of the present invention is provide an antitheft apparatus and a method for portable electronic device which is capable of preventing a theft of the portable electronic device by registering the portable electronic device information on a certain server in advance, and transmitting the theft occurrence to the certain server when the stolen portable electronic device is connected to the internet.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the antitheft apparatus and a method for portable electronic device of the present invention comprises a detecting unit for detecting physical change or instrumental change of the portable electronic device, a control unit for comparing a set value inputted in advance with a detecting signal outputted from the detecting unit, and outputting a control signal corresponding to the comparing result, and an alarm unit for alarming in accordance with the control signal outputted from the control unit.

In addition, an antitheft method of the present invention comprises an installing step for installing an antitheft program by setting user input information such as an antitheft mode cancel keyword, a sensitiveness of detectors included in the detecting unit, a reaction standby time after detecting a theft attempt, volume and type of an alarm sound, a warning screen, a number of a mobile communication equipment of the owner of the portable electronic device, a antitheft mode performing step for performing the antitheft

mode after a certain time passage by checking the connection state and operation state of the portable electronic device, and maintaining the power state when the keyword for setting the antitheft mode is inputted through an external device such as an input unit or a mouse, a judging step for judging whether there is a theft attempt by detecting installation/removal of the external device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad by comparing the set user input information value and detecting signals, and an alarm sound outputting step for outputting an alarm sound and at the same time displaying a warning screen in accordance with the antitheft program set in advance until the antitheft mode cancel keyword is inputted.

In addition, the antitheft method for the portable electronic device of the present invention comprises a judging step for judging whether the portable electronic device is rebooted after the antitheft mode is ended abnormally by being cut off the power forcefully without inputting the keyword for canceling the antitheft mode, a reading step for reading the information of the portable electronic device after judging the portable electronic device is stolen when the portable electronic device is rebooted, a transmitting step for transmitting the read information to a certain server connected to the internet when the portable electronic device is contacted to the internet, and a checking step for checking the information of the portable electronic device when the original owner of the portable electronic device contacts the certain server by using the other electric equipment and checks the information of the portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the conventional antitheft apparatus for a portable electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an antitheft apparatus for a portable electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an antitheft method for a portable electronic device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control method of the antitheft mode ended abnormally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an antitheft apparatus for a portable electronic device of the present invention, it comprises an input unit 100 for triggering the installation of an antitheft program into the portable electronic device, setting or canceling an antitheft mode and operating as a detecting unit in the antitheft mode, a detecting unit 200 for detecting a movement of the portable electronic device, for example whether the portable electronic device is separated from a surface where it is placed, an opening or closing of a plurality of lids attached to the portable electronic device and vibration of the portable electronic device, a control unit 400 for installing the antitheft program, setting or canceling the antitheft mode, grasping overall information related to the portable electronic device in the antitheft mode, and controlling each circuit unit, a power supply unit 300 for providing power to the portable electronic device in accordance with the control of the control unit

400 in the antitheft mode, a memory 500 for storing an image of a moving object taken when the portable electronic device was stolen, and an alarm unit 600 for outputting an alarm sound according to an alarm sound control signal outputted from the control unit 400 and displaying a warning screen according to a warning screen display control signal.

Herein, the detecting unit 200 comprises a vibration detector 201 for detecting vibration of the portable electronic device, a movement detector 202 for detecting movement of the portable electronic device, an opening/closing detector 203 for detecting the opening/closing of the plurality of lids attached on the portable electronic device, and a camera 204 for taking a picture of the moving object after the portable electronic device was stolen.

In addition, the alarm unit 600 comprises a display unit 601 for outputting a theft warning words set in advance by an owner, and an alarm sound generation unit 602 for outputting various alarm sounds.

In addition, the portable electronic device is connected to a certain server 700 which manages the information of the portable electronic device via the internet, and the state information of the portable electronic device can be checked by the other computer 800 connected to the internet.

The operation of the antitheft apparatus for the portable electronic device of the present invention will now be described in detail.

The input unit 100 operates various functions such as a installation/cancellation/alteration of the antitheft program, a set/alteration of sensitiveness of the detectors, a reaction standby time after the theft attempt, a volume and type of the alarm sound, kind of the warning screen, a number

of a mobile communication equipment of an owner of the portable electronic device, a set/alteration of the keyword for setting/canceling the antitheft mode, an operation/cancellation of the antitheft mode ect., when the portable electronic device is in the antitheft mode, the input unit is operated as a theft detecting unit.

Herein, the input unit 100 comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a touch pad ect.

The detecting unit 200 comprises the vibration detector 201 for detecting vibration due to the horizontal or vertical movement or tilt of the portable electronic device, the movement detector 202 installed at the lower portion of the portable electronic device for detecting separation of the portable electronic device from the surface where it is placed, the opening/closing detector 203 for detecting the opening/closing of the lids installed on the portable electronic device, and a camera 204 for taking a picture of the moving objects when there is an theft of the portable electronic device.

The memory 500 stores the images taken through the camera 204 in accordance with the control of the control unit 400.

The control unit 400 controls the circuit units for preventing a theft, and keeps a theft alarm by supplying the power to the antitheft apparatus continually when there is an attempt for canceling the antitheft mode through the input unit 100 in the antitheft mode. When the antitheft program is installed on the control unit 400, the user can set various kinds of user input information.

The user input information can be a keyword for setting/canceling the antitheft mode, a set value included in the detecting unit 200 (for example, sensitiveness, reaction standby time after detecting the theft attempt, volume and type of the alarm sound, kind of the warning screen), a number of the mobile communication equipment of the owner of the portable electronic device ect..

When the antitheft mode is set and a certain time (for example, 5 seconds) is passed, the portable electronic device is in the antitheft mode. In the antitheft mode, the control unit 400 compares the set value with the detecting signals inputted from the detectors 201,202,203 included in the detecting unit 200 or the input unit 100. Herein, the input unit 100 (keyboard, mouse, touch pad ect.) operates the function of the detecting unit 200 in the antitheft mode, when the input unit detects the operation/installation/removal of the portable electronic device, the detected signal from the input unit is inputted to the control unit 400. Accordingly, when the control unit 400 judges the theft attempt by being inputted the detecting signals outputted from the detecting unit 200 and input unit 100, it operates the alarm sound by outputting the alarm sound control signal to the alarm unit 600 according to the antitheft program set by the owner, outputs the warning screen control signal and informs the theft warning to the display unit 601.

In addition, when the theft attempt is judged, the control unit 400 informs the theft attempt as a sound or message to the mobile communication equipment of the user, controls the camera to take a picture the moving object with a certain time interval, stores the taken images on the memory 500, and

transmits the taken images to the certain server when the portable electronic device is connected to the internet.

Although the portable electronic device is stolen in spite of the warnings, the antitheft apparatus for the portable electronic device of the present invention operates as below.

After the portable electronic device installed the portable antitheft apparatus of the present invention is stolen, when it is contacted to a communication network in order to contact the internet, the information and theft alarm signal stored on the memory 500 are transmitted to the certain server on the internet (for example, a server operated by a antitheft program provider) in accordance with the antitheft mode set in advance by the owner of the portable electronic device. Accordingly, it is possible to make the owner get back the stolen portable electronic device by transmitting the present state of the stolen portable electronic device from the certain server to the mobile communication equipment of the original owner. Hereinafter, it will now be described in more detail.

When the portable electronic device is in the antitheft mode and its operation is ended by cutting the power off forcefully without inputting the antitheft cancel keyword through the input unit 100, the control unit 400 regards it as a theft attempt. Accordingly, the control unit 400 storing the theft attempt controls the information such as an initial number of the portable electronic device, an IP address, a name of the portable electronic device, a user name, and images stored on the memory 500 so as to be transmitted to the certain server when a power is provided to the portable electronic

device and it is contacted to the internet.

And, the certain server 700 connected to the internet for supporting the antitheft is received the information (internet serial number of the portable electronic apparatus which is not changeable, IP address changeable in accordance with a user, name of the portable electron equipment, user name ect.) and images transmitted from the portable electronic device, and transmits the present state of the portable electronic device to the mobile communication equipment of the original user. Herein, the information is set in the server when the portable electronic device is registered with the owner's keyword to access the server.

Accordingly, when a thief stealing the portable electronic device connects to the internet by using the stolen portable electronic device, the present state of the stolen portable electronic device is transmitted to the certain server 700 in accordance with the control of the antitheft apparatus of the present invention, accordingly the original owner can check the information of the stolen portable electronic device.

The alarm unit 600 comprises an alarm sound generation unit 602 for outputting an alarm sound as a type and volume set in advance through a speaker in accordance with the alarm sound control signal outputted from the control unit 400, and a display unit 601 for displaying words warning the theft attempt on a screen in accordance with the warning screen control signal when there is a theft attempt.

Meanwhile, the alarm unit 600 can set the control unit 400 so as to inform the theft attempt by operating a certain program designated by the user

besides outputting the alarm sound and warning screen.

When the antitheft apparatus is in the antitheft mode, the power supply unit 300 provides the power to the antitheft apparatus so that the alarm sound or the warning screen is continually outputted from the alarm unit until the keyword for canceling the antitheft mode is inputted. In other words, in the antitheft mode, even through the power switch of the portable electronic device is pushed in order to cancel the antitheft mode without inputting the antitheft mode cancel keyword, the power is not cut off and is provided continually to the portable electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an antitheft method for a portable electronic device of the present invention.

The antitheft program is installed on the portable electronic device by inputting the user input information such as a inherent number of the portable electronic device, an antitheft mode cancel keyword, a sensitiveness of detectors included in the detecting unit, a reaction standby time after detecting a theft attempt, volume and type of an alarm sound, a warning screen, a number of a mobile communication equipment of the owner of the portable electronic device ect. ST1.

Herein, in the installation of the antitheft program, the user input information can be changed or reinstalled before the antitheft program is operated in order to set a antitheft mode corresponding to the user request.

In addition, in the installation of the antitheft program, the owner of the portable electronic device can register the information of the portable electronic device to a certain server. When the portable electronic device is

stolen, the antitheft program asks to the owner whether the user approves transmission of the information such as the inherent number of the portable electronic device, present IP address used by the portable electronic device, name of the portable electronic device, and owner name to the certain server connected to the internet.

Herein, in order to register the information of the portable electronic device on the certain server, the owner has to be registered in advance by inputting a user ID and a keyword required for connecting to the certain server.

Meanwhile, the certain server stores and manages the information of the portable electronic device with the user ID.

When the portable electronic device registered on the certain server is stolen and is contacted to the internet, the control unit transmits the present state of the stolen portable electronic device to the certain server, and the original owner can know the present state of the stolen portable electronic device by inputting the his/her ID and keyword registered on the certain server by using the other electronic device.

After the antitheft program is installed, it is judged whether a signal for setting the antitheft mode is inputted ST2.

In the result of the judging, when the signal for setting the antitheft mode is inputted, the connection state and operation state of the portable electronic device are checked, at the same time the power providing state is continued ST3. In other words, the control unit checks the state of the program operated on the portable electronic device or state of the external

devices connected to the portable electronic device from the input time point of the signal for setting the antitheft mode.

The control unit checks the connection state and operation state of the portable electronic device, controls the power state to be supplie, and operates the antitheft mode after a certain time is passed ST4.

Herein, the antitheft mode is operated after a certain time passage, because the user has to manage the portable electronic device for the certain time after the antitheft mode is set.

After the operation of the antitheft mode, the control unit 400 compares the detecting signals outputted from the input unit 100 and the detecting unit 200 comprising the vibration detector, movement detector, opening/closing detector with the set value set in advance for the antitheft mode ST5. For example, when the other person opens/closes a LCD panel or moves the portable electronic device in order to use the portable electronic device in the antitheft mode, the signals outputted from the detecting unit 200 and input unit 100 are transmitted to the control unit 400, and the control unit 400 detects the theft attempt.

When the detected signal is smaller than the set value after comparing them, the control unit 400 detects the operation of the key board, mouse, touch pad, power switch ect. or installation/removal of the various external devices ST6.

Meanwhile, when the detected signal is bigger than the set value, the control unit 400 gets the alarming message displayed by judging there is a theft attempt, outputting the alarm sound control signal to the alarm sound

generation unit 602, outputting the alarm sound through the speaker, at the same time outputting the display control signal to the display unit 601 ST7.

In addition, the camera 204 is installed on the portable electronic device, the control unit 400 controls the camera 204 in order to take a picture of the moving object with a certain time internal and store the images on the memory 500 ST8.

Although the antitheft mode is operated, the portable electronic device can be stolen. In that case, as same as the setting of the first step ST1, besides of the output of the alarm sound and warning screen, the present state of the portable electronic device and images taken by the camera 204 stored on the memory 500 and theft alarm signal (a character message on the owner mobile communication equipment) are automatically transmitted to the certain server connected to the internet in accordance with the control of the control unit 400 when the portable electronic device is connected to the internet ST9.

Accordingly, the certain server informs the theft attempt of the portable electronic device to the mobile communication equipment of the original owner registered in advance on the basis of the information transmitted from the control unit 400 of the stolen portable electronic device, accordingly the original owner can know the present state of the stolen portable electronic device.

After detecting the theft attempt, it is judged whether the key signal for canceling the antitheft mode is inputted, the alarm sound and warning screen are continually outputted as described in the step 7-to step 9 until the

antitheft mode cancel keyword is inputted ST10, and the present set antitheft mode is canceled when the antitheft mode keyword is inputted ST11.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control method of the antitheft mode ended abnormally.

When the portable electronic device is in the antitheft mode and the antitheft mode is ended abnormally such as the cutting the power off forcefully in order to cancel the antitheft mode, the control unit 400 stores the state and judges whether the portable electronic device is rebooted ST21.

When the portable electronic device is rebooted, the control unit 400 judges the portable electronic device is stolen, and reads the information of the portable electronic device operating in present ST22.

After reading the information of the portable electronic device, it is judged whether the portable electronic device is contacted to the internet ST23, when its contact to the internet is judged, the read information is transmitted to the certain server connected to the internet ST24.

Accordingly, the original owner inputs the his/her ID and keyword after contacting the certain server by using the other electronic device ST 25, and can get it back by searching and checking the information of the stolen portable electronic device ST26.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, an antitheft apparatus for a portable electronics equipment and a method thereof according to the present invention is capable of preventing a theft by setting user input information such as a inherent

number of the portable electronic device, type and volume of an alarm sound, kind of a warning screen (displayed message), taking picture of a moving object by using a camera, a registering of the portable electronic device on a certain server connected to the internet, a theft attempt alarming through a mobile communication equipment of an owner of the portable electronic device.

In addition, although the portable electronic device is stolen, when the stolen portable electronic device is connected to the internet, the information of the stolen portable electronic device is transmitted automatically to the certain server connected to the internet, accordingly the original owner can check the present state of the portable electronic device by using the other electronic device connected to the server.

Accordingly, when the portable electronic device is stolen, the antitheft apparatus for the portable electronic device according to the present invention is capable of helping the original owner to get the stolen portable electronic device back.

The portable electronic device described in the embodiment of the present invention means an electronic device which is capable of carrying along with one such as a notebook computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a HPC, a lap-top computer and a mobile communication system.