US Patent 11308244 Enabling anti-theft mode for a portable device

An approach is provided to protect a portable electronic device from use by an unauthorized user. The approach activates an anti-theft system at a stationary portable electronic device. After the system is activated, if a motion of the portable electronic device is detected then the system performs one or more responsive security actions, such as sounding an audible alarm. When the system is activated, the anti-theft system is disabled when valid authentication data is entered by the user at the device.