Method and apparatus for deterring snooping of data in digital data processing systems

• US 20060026826A1
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Massaro, Timothy John, Ziolkowski, Allen John
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/854
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1639 Arrangements for locking plugged peripheral connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

A physical latching mechanism prevents access to or tampering with an I/O port of a computer system. In the preferred embodiment, a display monitor cable of an unattended workstation being operated remotely is disconnected and latched to prevent re-connection and display of remote activity. The latch includes a first latch which locks the cable to the workstation system unit, and a second latch which blocks the open end of the cable. Each latch preferably a pair of L-shaped members which engage each other in a nested fashion, one being attached to a cable coupling while the other is connected to the system unit or is used to block the cable open end. The members are locked by engagement means at one end and a padlock at the other.

Claims

1. A method of operating a workstation containing a system unit housing a processor and a physically separate display monitor containing a display screen, said display monitor being coupled to said system unit with a display monitor data cable, said method comprising the steps of:

disconnecting said display monitor data cable;

engaging a latching mechanism to at least one of the set consisting of the system unit, the display monitor, and the display monitor data cable, wherein said latching mechanism prevents re-connection of said display monitor data cable; and

thereafter operating said workstation from a remote location.

2. The method of operating a workstation of claim 1, wherein said step of engaging a latching mechanism comprises the steps of:

attaching a first latch at a coupling of said display monitor data cable to said system unit, said first latch preventing detachment of said display monitor data cable from said system unit at said coupling; and

attaching a second latch at an open end of said display monitor data cable, said second latch preventing attachment of a coupling to said open end of said display monitor data cable.

3. The method of operating a workstation of claim 2, wherein said display monitor data cable comprises first and second segments capable of being connected by a coupling, wherein said disconnecting step comprises disconnecting said first segment from said second segment at said coupling, said first latch being attached at a coupling of said first segment to said system unit, and said second latch being attached to said first segment at said coupling for connecting said first and second segments.

4. The method of operating a workstation of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

disengaging at least a portion of said latching mechanism;

re-connecting said display monitor data cable; and

thereafter operating said workstation from the workstation location.

5. The method of operating a workstation of claim 4, wherein a portion of said latching mechanism remains attached to said workstation while being operated in from a remote location and while being operated from the workstation location.

6. A method of operating a workstation containing a system unit housing a processor and an I/O port for communicating with a physically separate I/O device via an I/O data cable attachable to said I/O port, said method comprising the steps of:

engaging a physical latching mechanism to at least one of the set consisting of the system unit and the I/O data cable, wherein said latching mechanism prevents communication between said system unit and an external device via said I/O port; and

thereafter operating said workstation from a remote location.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said physically separate I/O device is a display monitor.

8. The method of operating a workstation of claim 6, wherein said step of engaging a latching mechanism comprises the steps of:

attaching a first latch at a coupling of said I/O data cable to said system unit, said first latch preventing detachment of said I/O data cable from said system unit at said coupling; and

attaching a second latch at an open end of said I/O data cable, said second latch preventing attachment of a coupling to said open end of said I/O data cable.

9. The method of operating a workstation of claim 8, wherein said I/O data cable comprises first and second segments capable of being connected by a coupling, wherein said step of engaging a latching mechanism comprises disconnecting said first segment from said second segment at said coupling, said first latch being attached at a coupling of said first segment to said system unit, and said second latch being attached to said first segment at said coupling for connecting said first and second segments.