Apparatus for Blocking I/O Interfaces of Computing Devices

• US 20120289069A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Chueh, Chia-Liang, Wang, Yeh-Chieh, Pai, Jiun-Rong, Wu, Hong-Yi, Chen, Chih-Yee
• Application Number:
  US13/107,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20120289069A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/135
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/443 Dummy plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use

Abstract

An input/output (I/O) interface blocking device includes a fitting member. The fitting member includes a protruding portion, which includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to each other. The first sidewall is slanted in a direction allowing the first fitting member to be inserted into a space in an I/O interface receptacle. The second sidewall is configured to block the fitting member from being pulled out of the space in the I/O interface receptacle.

Claims

1. An input/output (I/O) interface blocking device comprising:

a first fitting member comprising a first protruding portion comprising;

a first sidewall, wherein the first sidewall is slanted in a direction allowing the first fitting member to be inserted into a space in an I/O interface receptacle; and

a second sidewall configured to block the fitting member from being pulled out of the space in the I/O interface receptacle, wherein the first and the second sidewalls are opposite sidewalls of the first protruding portion.

2. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall is configured to, with a proceeding of an insertion process of the first fitting member into the space, push a shell of the I/O interface receptacle to cause an expansion of the shell.

3. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1 further comprising a second fitting member comprising a second protruding portion comprising:

a third sidewall, wherein the third sidewall is slanted in the direction allowing the second fitting member to be inserted into an additional space in the I/O interface receptacle; and

a fourth sidewall configured to block the fitting member from being pulled out of the additional space in the I/O interface receptacle, wherein the third and the fourth sidewalls are opposite sidewalls of the second protruding portion.

4. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1 further comprising a cap attached to an end of the first fitting member, wherein the cap is configured to cover the I/O interface receptacle when the first fitting member is inserted into the I/O interface receptacle.

5. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 4, wherein the cap is detachable from the first fitting member.

6. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1, wherein the first protruding portion faces an opening in a shell of the I/O interface receptacle, wherein the I/O interface blocking device further comprises a second protruding portion, and wherein the first and the second protruding portions face opposite directions.

7. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1, wherein the first fitting member is formed of a dielectric material.

8. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1, wherein the second sidewall is substantially vertical to an insertion direction, with the first fitting member being inserted into the space in the insertion direction.

9. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 1, wherein the I/O interface receptacle is a universal serial bus (USB) connector receptacle.

10. An input/output (I/O) interface blocking device comprising:

a cap; and

a first fitting member attached to the cap, wherein the first fitting member is configured to be inserted into, and is configured to be un-removable from, an I/O interface receptacle, and wherein the cap is detachable from the first fitting member so that the first fitting member is configured to remain locked in the I/O interface receptacle when the cap is detached from the first fitting member.

11. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 10 further comprising a second fitting member attached to the cap, wherein the second fitting member is configured to remain in the I/O interface receptacle when detached from the cap, and wherein the second fitting member is configured to be physically separated from the first fitting member when detached from the cap.

12. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 10, wherein the first fitting member comprises a portion having a width greater than a respective width of a space of the I/O interface receptacle, wherein the width of the portion and the width of the space are measured in a same direction perpendicular to an insertion direction in which the first fitting member is inserted into the space, and wherein the portion comprises a protruding portion extending into an opening of a shell of the I/O interface receptacle when the first fitting member is inserted into the space.

13. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 12, wherein the protruding portion comprises:

a first sidewall, wherein the first sidewall is configured to push and expand the shell when the first fitting member is inserted into the space; and

a second sidewall configured to block the first fitting member from being pulled out of the space of the I/O interface receptacle, wherein the first and the second sidewalls are opposite sidewalls of the protruding portion.

14. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 13, wherein the second sidewall is substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction for the first fitting member being inserted into the I/O interface receptacle.

15. The I/O interface blocking device of claim 14, wherein the first fitting member is formed of a dielectric material.

16. A method comprising:

inserting a portion of a fitting member of an input/output (I/O) interface blocking device into a space of an I/O interface receptacle until a first sidewall of a protruding portion of the fitting member causes an expansion of a shell of the I/O interface receptacle; and

continuing to insert the fitting member into the space of the I/O interface receptacle until a portion of the protruding portion inserted into an opening of the shell and until the shell restores shape from expansion, wherein a second sidewall of the protruding portion blocks the fitting member from being pulled out of the I/O interface receptacle.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising, after the fitting member is inserted into, and locked in, the I/O interface receptacle, detaching a cap of the I/O interface blocking device from the fitting member, with the fitting member left in the space of the I/O interface receptacle.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the I/O interface blocking device further comprises an additional fitting member, wherein when the fitting member is inserted into the I/O interface receptacle, the additional fitting member is further locked in the I/O interface receptacle, with an additional protruding portion of the additional fitting member including a portion inserted into an addition opening of the shell, so that the additional fitting member is blocked from being pulled out of the I/O interface receptacle.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the I/O interface receptacle is a universal serial bus (USB) connector receptacle.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein after the portion of the protruding portion is inserted into the opening of the shell, the shape of the shell is restored back to a shape before the fitting member is inserted into the space.