CONTROLLING ACCESS TO PORTS OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20050213295A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Perez, Juan M., Calloway, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,970,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.570
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1639 Arrangements for locking plugged peripheral connectors

Abstract

A port control apparatus for restricting access to ports of an electronic device is disclosed. The port control apparatus comprises a housing constructed to lockingly attach to an exterior surface of the device to form an enclosure that houses the ports. Formed in the housing is at least one aperture each dimensioned to prevent passage of a connector adapted to mate with an associated port while permitting passage of cable bodies integral with any connector mated with an associated port.

Claims

1. A port control apparatus for restricting access to ports of an electronic device, comprising:

a housing constructed to lockingly attach to an exterior surface of the device to form an enclosure housing the ports, wherein formed in the housing is at least one aperture each associated with at least one port of the device, wherein each at least one aperture is dimensioned to prevent passage of a connector adapted to mate with the at least one associated port while permitting passage of cable bodies integral with any connector mated with an associated port; and

a security mechanism configured to cause the housing to lockingly attach to the device, wherein the security mechanism is constructed to require access to the interior of the device to access the enclosure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:

a base interlockable with a panel of the device; and

a cover interlockable with at least one of the base and device,

wherein when interlocked together, the housing base, housing cover and device together form the enclosure, and wherein the security mechanism is further configured to prevent unauthorized penetration of the housing base, housing cover and device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one aperture is defined by surfaces of one or more of the base and cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the security mechanism comprises:

a plurality of tabs extending from surfaces of at least on one of either the housing base, housing cover and device that abut surfaces of the other of the housing base, housing cover and device; and

a plurality of interlocking apertures formed in the abutting surfaces of the housing base, housing cover and device, wherein each interlocking aperture is adapted to lockingly engage a corresponding one of the plurality of tabs.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of tabs can be disengaged from their corresponding interlocking apertures through at least authorized access to an interior of the electronics device.

8. The apparatus of, claim 7, wherein the housing cover further comprises a key-activated lock for securing the housing cover to at least one of the housing base and the electronic device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a data storage device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the port security apparatus comprises a unibody construction.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base and cover are constructed integrally with the electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said security device is formed of at least one material of the group consisting of a plastic, a thermoplastic and a metal.

2. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

14. An apparatus for restricting access to at least one port of an electronic device, comprising:

a housing constructed to be lockingly engaged to an exterior surface of the electronic device to form a secure enclosure housing the at least one port, wherein formed in the housing is at least one aperture each associated one or more of the at least one port, each aperture being dimensioned to prevent removal of a connector adapted to mate with any of its associated one or more ports while permitting passage of any cable bodies integral with any connector mated to its associated one or more ports; and

a security mechanism configured to lockingly attach the port security apparatus to the electronic device, wherein the security mechanism is constructed to require access to the interior of the device to access the ports housed in the enclosure.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is at least partially aligned with its associated one or more ports when the apparatus is attached to the electronic device.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises:

a plurality of interlockable walls lockingly attached to each other and to the device; and

wherein when interlocked together, the housing base, housing cover and device together form the secure enclosure.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one aperture is defined by surfaces of at least one of the plurality of interlockable walls.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a data storage device.

25. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the port security apparatus comprises a unibody construction.

26. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said security device is formed of at least one material of the group consisting of a plastic, a thermoplastic and a metal.

16. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The apparatus of clam 14, wherein the security mechanism comprises:

a plurality of tabs extending from surfaces of at least one of the plurality of interlocking walls and device that abut surfaces of the other of the interlocking walls and device; and

a plurality of interlocking apertures formed in the abutting surfaces of the interlocking walls and device, wherein each interlocking aperture is adapted to lockingly engage a corresponding one of the plurality of tabs.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of the plurality of tabs can be disengaged from their corresponding interlocking apertures from the interior of the electronics device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the housing cover further comprises a key-activated lock for securing the port security apparatus to the electronic device.

27. An electronic device, comprising:

a chassis comprising a plurality of walls and a plurality of ports accessibly located on at least one of the plurality of walls to which cables can be connected to operationally couple the electronic device with one or more external devices; and

a secure enclosure that houses at least one of the plurality of ports, wherein unauthorized access to the operational capabilities of, and data stored in, the electronic device, via the ports, is prevented, wherein the secure enclosure comprises a housing with at least one aperture associated with at least one of the plurality of ports, wherein each of the at least one aperture is dimensioned to prevent a connector adapted to mate with its associated at least one port from passing through the housing while permitting passage of cable bodies integral with connectors mated with the at least one associated port; and

a security mechanism configured to lockingly attach the housing to the electronic device, wherein the security mechanism is constructed to require access to the interior of the device to access an interior of the enclosure

28. The electronic device of claim 27, wherein the housing comprises:

at least two interlocking components with at least one aperture formed in at least one of the interlocking components.

29. The electronic device of claim 27, wherein each of the at least one aperture is at least partially aligned with its associated one or more ports.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

33. A port control apparatus for restricting access to ports of an electronic device, comprising:

housing means for lockingly attaching to an exterior surface of the device to form an enclosure housing the ports, wherein the housing means comprises at least one aperture means each associated with at least one port of the device, for preventing passage of a connector adapted to mate with the at least one associated port while permitting passage of cable bodies integral with any connector mated with an associated port; and

security means for causing the housing to lockingly attach to the device, wherein the security means is constructed to require access to the interior of the device to access the enclosure.

34. (canceled)