PORTABLE COMPUTER SECURITY DEVICE THAT INCLUDES A CLIP

• US 20080043406A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aladdin Knowledge Systems (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Secure Computing Corporation (McAfee, LLC)
• Inventors: Anglin, Noah L.
• Application Number:
  US11/464,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20080043406A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

The present invention relates to a to a portable computer security device that includes a clip. The portable computer security device is readily attached to another object so that it is easier to keep track of the portable computer security device. The portable computer security device includes a housing that has an integrated circuit and an LCD positioned within the housing. The integrated circuit generates random numbers for display on the LCD such that the random numbers are used to provide access to a computer system. The portable computer security device further includes a closing member. A flat spring engages the housing and the closing member such that the flat spring biases the closing member against the housing. In some embodiments, the flat spring, the closing member and the housing form a carbineer style clip so that the portable computer security device may be readily attached to an object.

Claims

1. A portable computer security device comprising:

a housing;

a LCD within the housing;

an integrated circuit within the housing, the integrated circuit generating random numbers for display on the LCD such that the random numbers are used to provide access to a computer system;

a closing member; and

a flat spring engaging the housing and the closing member such that the flat spring biases the closing member against the housing.

2. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the flat spring is embedded in the housing.

3. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the flat spring is embedded in the closing member.

4. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a first surface, a second surface and a lateral edge that joins the first surface and the second surface.

5. The portable computer security device of claim 4 wherein the flat spring extends into the lateral edge of the housing.

6. The portable computer security device of claim 4 wherein the closing member engages the lateral edge of the housing.

7. The portable computer security device of claim 4 wherein the housing includes a cover and a base such that the cover is secured to the base to form the housing.

8. The portable computer security device of claim 7 wherein the lateral edge of the housing is part of the base.

9. The portable computer security device of claim 4 wherein the lateral edge of the housing extends into the first surface and the second surface of the housing to form an indentation in the housing.

10. The portable computer security device of claim 9 wherein the flat spring extends into one portion of the lateral edge and the closing member engages another portion of the lateral edge such that the flat spring and the closing member extend across the indentation in the housing.

11. The portable computer security device of claim 10 wherein the flat spring extends into the lateral edge of the housing within the indentation in the housing.

12. The portable computer security device of claim 10 wherein the closing member engages the lateral edge of the housing within the indentation in the housing.

13. The portable computer security device of claim 10 wherein the closing member includes a planar surface that engages the lateral edge of the housing.

14. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the closing member is arc-shaped.

15. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the flat spring is ultrasonically inserted into the housing and the closing member.

16. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the flat spring, the closing member and the housing form a carbineer style clip.

17. The portable computer security device of claim 1 wherein the flat spring is formed of tempered spring steel.