Interactive access control system and method for computer

• US 20050283616A1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Lai, Lai-Chen
• Application Number:
  US11/125,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283616A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/182
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules

Abstract

A system and method of interactive access control for a computer device is provided, applicable to an environment where a computer is shared by a plurality of users through user control units. The computer stores all the identification code, corresponding icons, and default access rights setting of all the user control units. When the computer detects a user requests for access to the computer, the computer displays the corresponding icon as a cursor on the monitor and allows the user to access the computer under the default access rights setting, all according to the identification code of the requesting user control unit.

Claims

1. An interactive access control system of a computer, comprising:

a computer comprising a monitor displaying a cursor of the computer, the computer comprising a control unit identification code area for storing a plurality of control unit identification codes each corresponding to a user control unit, and an icon type area for storing an icon type for each user control unit;

each user control unit comprising an access request button, which, when actuated, issues a request signal to the computer to obtain access to the computer; and

an interface circuit connecting the user control unit to the computer;

where when the computer receives the request signal from a selected one of the user control units through the respective interface circuit, the computer displaying the respective icon on the monitor based on the respective control unit identification code, and allowing the user control unit to access the computer.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user control unit comprises a pen shaped device.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a default set of access rights are set for each user control unit, under which the user control unit performs accesses of the computer.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface circuit comprises a wireless interface circuit.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface circuit comprises a cable interface circuit.

6. An interactive access control system of a computer, comprising:

a computer comprising a monitor displaying a cursor of the computer, the computer comprising a control unit identification code area for storing a plurality of control unit identification codes each corresponding to a use control unit, and an icon type area for storing an icon type for each user control unit;

a projection device connected to the computer for projecting images generated by the computer;

an enlarged screen located at projection direction of the projection device for displaying the images and the cursor of the computer;

each user control unit comprising an access request button, which when actuated, issues a request signal to the computer to obtain access to the computer; and

an interface circuit connecting the user control unit to the computer;

where when the computer receives the request signal from a selected one of the user control unit through the respective interface circuit, the computer displaying the respective icon on the monitor and the enlarged screen based on the respective control unit identification code, and allowing the user control unit to access the computer.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user control unit comprises a pen shaped device.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein a default set of access rights are set for each user control unit, under which the user control unit performs accesses of the computer.

9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the interface circuit comprises a wireless interface circuit.

10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the interface circuit comprises a cable interface circuit.

11. A method for interactive access control of a computer, applicable to an environment comprising a computer and a plurality of user control units for managing and controlling accesses to the computer through the user control units;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) activating the computer, and loading operating system and interactive access control program into the computer;

(b) the computer being pre-stored with a control unit identification code and an corresponding icon associated with each user control unit;

(c) the computer detecting whether an access request signal being issued by a specific one of the user control units; and

(d) the computer receiving the request signal from the specific user control unit and displaying the respective icon associated with the specific user control unit on a monitor based on the respective identification code, and allowing the user control unit to access the computer.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user control unit comprises an access request button, which when actuated, issuing the access request signal to the computer.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a default set of access rights are set for each user control unit in the computer, and the user control unit only accesses the computer under the default access rights setting.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein step (d) further comprises a step to determine whether the user control unit has issued an access request signal earlier;

if so, the computer releases the access from the user control unit.