GB2382711A

GB2382711A - Security of electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2382711A
Application number: GB0127287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Samuel Bell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-14
Filing date: 2001-11-14
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Also published as: GB0127287D0

Abstract

An electronic device having an LCD screen is provided with a unique invisible security mark. The mark is unique to the owner of the device and is situated behind the device's LCD screen, the mark can be used to identify the rightful owner in the event of the device being stolen. The security mark may be applied to devices such as a mobile phone or laptop. A transparent sheet 2 contains a unique image 3, which is visible only when it is illuminated by a suitable light source. Transparent sheet 2 is placed between a backing sheet 1 and an LCD 4 so that it cannot be tampered with or easily removed from the device.

Description

SECURITY OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving the security of electronic equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to security marking of electronic equipment having a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

Many individuals today carry with them portable electronic equipment such as mobile telephones, lap-top or palm-top computers, electronic personal organisers and the like. If left unattended, such equipment can easily be stolen by unscrupulous persons. Once stolen, many of the items, which are mass produced, can be difficult to identify if recovered. In addition many individuals take pleasure from personalising their own items for decorative purposes or simply as an expression of their own personality.

It is known to personalise such items by the use of variously decorated snap on covers, or, in the case of a telephone, by use of a personalised ring tone. Such markers can, however, be easily identified and altered by an unscrupulous thief so as to render the article in question very difficult to identify.

The present invention aims to provide a means for marking such equipment with a marking which is personal to a specific person or corporate body, but which is not easily visible to a potential thief.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a screen for a portable electronic device, the screen comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) electrically communicable with the electronic device, a backing screen behind the liquid crystal display and a means for illuminating an electronically generated display on the screen, characterised by a an at least partially transparent image located between the backing screen and the liquid crystal display, the at least partially transparent image being selected by the owner of the electronic device, and personal thereto, whereby the

image is not visible when the screen is not illuminated but may be made visible on illumination of the screen.

Conveniently, the image is provided on a layer of at least partially transparent material, although, alternatively, the image may be created directly onto the surface of the backing sheet. The at least partially transparent material may, conveniently, be a piece of acetate sheet. The image may, for example, be a reproduction of photograph, an artistic work or a corporate logo. Other suitable forms of image will no doubt occur to the skilled addressee. The at least partially transparent material may be incorporated into the screen on manufacture of the electronic article or may be retrofitted at a later date.

Optionally, the image will become visible on illumination by the means for illuminating an electronically generated display on the LCD. Alternatively, the image may be configured only to become visible under other sources of illumination which may be of a different wavelength and/or intensity to that used as a means for illuminating an electronically generated display. In the latter case, this can be achieved by providing the image with a single filter invisible ink, alternatively a filter may be provided between the image and an appropriate light source.

The portable electronic device may be selected from, but not strictly limited to; a mobile telephone, a lap-top computer, a palm top computer, a hand-held games console or an electronic personal organiser. Other suitable electronic devices to which the invention may be applied will no doubt occur to the skilled addressee without departing from the true scope of the invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for security marking an electronic device having a liquid crystal display (LCD), comprising: i) disassembling the device to access the LCD; ii) separating the LCD from its backing screen; iii) inserting an at least partially transparent image between the backing screen

and the LCD, the at least partially transparent image being selected by the owner of the electronic device, and personal thereto: (iv) re-assembling the device.

Optionally the image may be provided on a sheet of at least partially transparent material, the sheet being inserted between the backing screen and the LCD.

Alternatively, the image may be applied directly to the backing sheet.

One embodiment of the invention will now be further described by way of example, with reference to the following figures, in which; Figure 1 shows schematically, a disassembled screen of an article of portable electronic equipment incorporating the novel features of the invention: Figure 2 shows a mobile telephone incorporating the device when the screen is not illuminated in a way which illuminates the image (Figure 2 (a) ) and when the screen is illuminated by a source suitable for illuminating the image.

As can be seen from Figure 1 the screen of the invention, generally designated 10, basically comprises a backing sheet 1 of substantially opaque but reflective material, a sheet of at least partially transparent material 2 bearing an image 3 and an LCD 4. The LCD comprises a pair of sheets of polarising material Sa, Sb sandwiching a layer of liquid crystal solution 6 between them.

As can be seen from Figure 2 (a), a mobile telephone, generally designated 20 incorporating the screen, 10, of the invention gives no indication of the unique identifying symbol of image 3 when the telephone is switched off and the screen not illuminated. As can be seen in Figure 2 (b), when the telephone is activated and the screen illuminated, the image 3 can be seen in the form of a watermark visible behind the display provided on the LCD.

The foregoing is purely exemplary of just one possible embodiment of the invention, other embodiments will no doubt occur to the skilled addressee without departing from the true scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims. In particular, the skilled addressee will understand that the particular form of the electronic device and the particular image included in the screen of the invention are not essential to the operation of the invention.

By way of example, the following describes step by step, methods in accordance

with the invention for providing the novel screen in two Nokia mobile telephones : Procedure for NokiaTM-3310/30 N-3210 mobile telephones Step 1 : To remove the back cover, press down the lock button and slide rear cover up.

Step 2: Remove the battery.

Step 3: Remove the front cover by snapping off the locks located at the topmost part of the phone beside the power button.

Step 4: Looking at the back of the telephone remove the aerial cover plate located at the top.

Step 5: Using a T6 precision screwdriver, unscrew the four screws holding the protective metal cover and remove the cover.

Step 6: Motherboard exposed.

Step 7: Remove the battery charger terminal from the telephone. This is located at the lower part of the telephone

Step 8: Remove the motherboard from the casing.

Step 9: Remove the LED from the motherboard using two soldering irons with very fine tips. Place both tips on the terminals of the LEDs. Once the solder melts, carefully but quickly lift the LED from the motherboard. It is important that you avoid touching anything other than the LED terminals so as to avoid damaging the other components on the motherboard.

Step 10 : To install the new LEDs, you should be able to determine the polarity of the LEDs before installing it on the motherboard. Hold the new LEDs using straight tweezers. It is better that you hold the LEDs in proper position in reference to the polarity design of the motherboard. Using one soldering iron and the straight tweezers, place the LED on the slot assigned and carefully solder the new LED on the motherboard. Complete the rest of the installation by soldering the other side of the LED terminal on the motherboard.

Step 11 : Quality check. Using a multimeter: set tester to xlk, place tester probes to the LED terminals (-to-or + to +). If the meter deflects and LEDs light up, then the backlight modification is successful. Otherwise, repeat steps 10 to 11. Or, attach the motherboard on the metal cover that houses the batteries. The batteries must also be in place. Press firm the motherboard against the metal cover. Switch on the phone. If the LEDs light up then the backlight modification is successful. Otherwise, repeat steps 10 to 11.

Step 12: Now that we have installed LED's onto the motherboard we now need to work on the LCD. Remove the keyboard membrane from the telephone casing.

Step 13: Remove the LCD assembly.

Step 14: Looking closely at the LCD back plate, there is a small leaf of metal holding the back plate on located at the bottom right of the plate. Using a small flat-

blade screwdriver carefully unclip the cover and remove.

Step 15: Unclip front LCD housing by unclipping one side of the frame and removing.

Step 16: Carefully lift the LCD away from the back plate and using tweezers insert the acetate (rough side towards white back plate) Step 17: Reassemble the telephone in reverse order and turn the telephone on to achieve the final, desired result.

Claims

1. A screen for a portable electronic device, the screen comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) electrically communicable with the electronic device, a backing screen behind the liquid crystal display and a means for illuminating an electronically generated display on the screen, characterised by a an at least partially transparent image located between the backing screen and the liquid crystal display, the at least partially transparent image being selected by the owner of the electronic device, and personal thereto, whereby the image is not visible when the screen is not illuminated but may be made visible on illumination of the screen by a suitable illuminating source.

2. A screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is provided on a layer of at least partially transparent material.

3. A screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is applied directly to the backing screen.

4. A screen as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the image is a reproduction of a photograph.

5. A screen as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the image is a reproduction of a work of art.

6. A screen as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the image is a corporate logo.

7. A screen as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least partially transparent material is acetate sheet.

8. A screen as claimed in any preceding claim configured such that the image will

become visible on illumination by the means for illuminating an electronically generated display on the LCD.

9. A screen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 configured such that the image may only become visible under a source of illumination having a different wavelength and/or intensity to that used as the means for illuminating an electronically generated display on the LCD.

10. A portable electronic device incorporating a screen as claimed in any preceding claim.

11. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the device is a mobile telephone.

12. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the device is a lap- top computer.

13. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the device is a personal organiser.

14. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the device is a games console.

15. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the device is palm- top computer.

16. A method for security marking an electronic device having a liquid crystal display (LCD), comprising; i) disassembling the device to access the LCD; ii) separating the LCD from its backing screen;

iii) inserting an at least partially transparent image between the backing screen and the LCD, the at least partially transparent image being selected by the owner of the electronic device, and personal thereto; (iv) re-assembling the device.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the image is provided on a sheet of at least partially transparent material, the sheet being inserted between the backing screen and the LCD.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the image is applied directly to the backing screen.