Electronic data security apparatus

• US 5,479,341 A
• Filed: 04/21/1994
• Issued: 12/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence E. Pihl, William C. Singley
• Original Assignee: Lawrence E. Pihl, William C. Singley
• Inventors: Pihl, Lawrence E., Singley, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUGGIERO, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US08/230,611
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 364/184-187, 364/130, 364/400, 364/DIG. 23 MS File, 340/521, 340/522, 340/693, 340/541, 340/542, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 49/31, 49/70, 361/679-687, 361/724, 361/726, 361/759, 361/740, 361/747, 361/732, 312/215, 312/237, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 200/50 R, 200/50 AA, 70/262-265, 70/77-84, 70/333 R, 70/432-440
• US Class Current: 700/79
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/00 Safes or strong-rooms for valuables savings boxes A45C1/12; floatable safes B63C7/30; storage containers without attack or fire-retardant features B65D; bank buildings in general, e.g. modular construction or floor plan, E04H1/06; buildings resistant to earthquakes or war action E04H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/14 Reducing influence of physical parameters, e.g. temperature change, moisture, dust
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1406 Reducing the influence of the temperature

Abstract

An electronic data security apparatus for providing adequate protection against adverse external conditions. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a connector interface, an internal control unit contained within the enclosure, data storage devices contained within the enclosure connected to the internal control unit, and an external control unit connected to the internal control unit. The apparatus is capable of sensing adverse external conditions such as fire, water and theft and secure the data storage devices by automatically disconnecting from the external control unit, closing and locking itself off from the outside environment thereby to protect the data storage devices from memory loss.

Claims

1. An electronic data security apparatus for providing adequate protection against adverse external conditions comprising:

an enclosure having a closeable opening and connector interface;

an internal control unit contained within said enclosure;

at least one data storage device contained within said enclosure connected by way of said connector interface;

an external control unit connected by said connector interface to said internal control unit;

a disconnect means for disconnecting said connector interface; and

an actuating means for automatically disconnecting said connector interface and closing said closeable opening of said enclosure.

2. An electronic data security apparatus for providing adequate protection against adverse external conditions comprising:

an enclosure having a closeable opening and an enclosure electrical connector interface;

an internal control unit contained within said enclosure;

a plurality of data storage devices contained within said enclosure connected to said internal control unit;

an external control unit having an external control unit connector interface connected to said internal control unit;

a disconnect means for disconnecting electronic communication between said internal control unit and external control unit, said disconnecting means being contained within said enclosure; and

,

an actuating means for automatically closing said closeable opening of said enclosure.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said external control unit comprises adverse external condition sensors, said external control unit receives signals from said external condition sensors and transmits a further signal to said internal control unit to initiate a closing sequence, and said adverse external condition sensors sense adverse external conditions.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a power supply provides power to said internal control unit in the event of external power interruption.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said disconnecting means comprises an electromechanical disconnect assembly attached to said enclosure electrical connector interface, and said electromechanical disconnect assembly causes said enclosure electrical connector interface to disconnect from said external control unit connector interface upon receipt of a signal from said internal control unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises an actuator assembly connected to said closeable opening and said enclosure to close said closeable opening upon receipt of a signal from said internal control unit, said actuator assembly disengages from said closeable opening upon closure to allow said closeable opening to be opened manually without the use of said actuator assembly.

7. An electronic data security apparatus for providing adequate protection against adverse external conditions comprising:

an enclosure having a door and an enclosure electrical connector interface, said enclosure comprising a material sufficient to provide protection against at least one of fire, heat, water, moisture, magnetic fields, static electricity, vibration, motion, theft, tampering, unauthorized use, dust, power interruption, light, and sound;

an internal control unit, a power supply and a plurality of data storage devices contained within said enclosure, said internal control unit controlling transfer of data from an external control unit to said data storage devices;

said external control unit having a plurality of adverse external condition sensors and an external control unit connector interface, said external control unit receiving signals from said adverse external condition sensors and transmitting a further signal to said internal control unit to initiate a closing sequence;

a disconnect means for disconnecting electronic communication between said internal control unit and external control unit, said disconnect means being contained within said enclosure, said disconnect means comprising an electromechanical disconnect assembly attached to said enclosure electrical connector interface, said electromechanical disconnect assembly causing said enclosure electrical connector interface to disconnect from said external control unit connector interface upon receipt of a signal from said internal control unit; and

,

an actuating means for automatically closing said door of said enclosure, said actuating means comprising an actuator assembly connected to said door and said enclosure to close said door upon receipt of a signal from said internal control unit, said actuator assembly disengaging from said door upon closure to allow said door to be opened manually without the use of said assembly.

8. A method for securing electronic data from adverse external conditions comprising the steps of:

(a) placing an internal control unit and plurality of data storage devices within an enclosure, said enclosure providing protection against said adverse external conditions;

(b) sensing the presence of said adverse external conditions;

(c) sending a signal to said internal control unit; and

,

(d) performing a closing sequence by at least automatically closing said enclosure thereby isolating said internal control unit and plurality of data storage devices within said enclosure from said adverse external conditions.

9. The method for securing electronic data from adverse external conditions according to claim 8 said closing sequence step further comprising the steps of:

(a) sending a signal to a disconnecting assembly;

(b) disconnecting electronic communication between said internal control unit and an external control unit having an external control unit connector interface, said disconnecting step comprising an electromechanical disconnect assembly attached to an enclosure electrical connector interface, said electromechanical disconnect assembly causing said enclosure connector interface to disconnect from said external control unit connector interface upon receipt of a signal from said internal control unit; and

,

(c) sending a signal to a door actuator assembly, said door actuator assembly comprising a stepper motor connected to said door and said enclosure whereby closing of said door occurs upon receipt of a signal from said internal control unit, said door actuator assembly disengaging from said door upon closure to allow said door to be opened manually without the use of said assembly.