Physical security system for portable computer

• US 5,757,616 A
• Filed: 10/31/1996
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Muranami, Masahiko, May, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/742,786
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 70/58, 70/280-282, 361/680-686, 361/725-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.57
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/02 with tumbler discs or rings arranged on a single axis, each disc being adjustable independently of the others
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A notebook computer includes physical security apparatus for locking a display and system unit together in a `clamshell` configuration. The security apparatus also prevents removal of peripheral devices and disables inputs from the computer keyboard and mouse. In some modes of operation the security apparatus also prevents powering up the computer and undocking of the computer from a docking station. A single user action results in locking the clamshell, locking the peripheral units in place and disabling the keyboard and mouse. Similarly, a user single action results in turning off the security measures (e.g., unlocking the clamshell, unlocking the peripheral units and enabling the keyboard and mouse).

Claims

1. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a modular unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the case defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening,

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position, the linkage preventing removal of the modular unit while in the first position; and

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition; and

wherein the case comprises;

a first housing within which is mounted the display; and

a second housing within which is mounted the input device, processing unit and modular unit, the second housing defining the opening within which the modular unit is removably inserted; and

wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display panel and a closed position for storage;

wherein linkage is mounted within the second housing and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position and the linkage is in the first position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the linkage comprises a switch defining a switch first position and a switch second position, and a link which moves between the linkage first position and the linkage second position, the linkage further comprising a first member fixed relative to the link which limits removal of the modular unit while the linkage is in the first position and a second member fixed relative to the link which limits movement of the first housing out of the closed position while the first housing is in the closed position relative to the second housing and the linkage is in the first position;

and wherein the link first position corresponds to the switch first position and the link second position corresponds to the switch second position.

3. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a modular unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the case defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening,

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position, the linkage preventing removal of the modular unit while in the first position; and

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition; and

further comprising a circuit for limiting operation of the apparatus while the linkage is in the first position.

4. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a modular unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the case defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening,

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position, the linkage preventing removal of the modular unit while in the first position; and

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition; and

wherein the input device is a keyboard; and

further comprising a second input device for a user to issue commands to the computing apparatus and a circuit which disables the keyboard and the second input device while the linkage is in the first position and which enables the keyboard and input device while the linkage is in the second position.

5. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a modular unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the case defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening,

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position, the linkage preventing removal of the modular unit while in the first position; and

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition; and

further comprising a circuit having a first state during which the computing apparatus is precluded from being undocked from a docking station and a second state during which the circuit does not preclude the computing apparatus from being undocked from the docking station, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position.

6. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a housing within which is mounted an input device, a processing unit and a modular unit, the second defining an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening;

a lock mounted within the housing and defining at a given time either one of a locked condition and an unlocked condition;

linkage mounted within the housing and coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position; and

wherein the linkage limits removal of the modular unit while in the first position, and the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines the locked condition; and

wherein the linkage is biased toward the second position and automatically moves into the second position when the lock switches into the unlocked condition; and

a circuit having a first state during which a component of the computing apparatus is disabled and a second state during which the circuit does not disable the component, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which the housing is a first housing and further comprising a second housing, wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display panel and a closed position at which the display panel is held to the second housing;

and wherein the linkage prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position and the linkage is in the first position.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, in which the circuit is a first circuit and further comprising a second circuit for optionally disabling a component of the apparatus while the linkage is in the first position.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, in which the circuit is a first circuit and further comprising a second circuit having a first state during which the computing apparatus is precluded from being undocked from a docking station and a second state during which the second circuit does not preclude the computing apparatus from being undocked from the docking station, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position.

10. A method for securing access to a portable computing apparatus, the apparatus comprising a case, a lock, a linkage and a circuit, and wherein an input device, a processing unit, a modular unit, the lock and the linkage are mounted within the case, wherein the case defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening, wherein the lock defines at a given time either one of a locked condition or an unlocked condition, and wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock and movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the circuit has a first state and a second state, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a locked state for the computing apparatus via a first action;

wherein the first action comprises switching the lock to define the locked condition, and wherein the step of defining comprises the steps of;

moving the linkage into the first position, wherein the linkage limits removal of the modular unit; and

entering the circuit into the first state, during which operation of a component of the computing apparatus is disabled; and

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines the locked condition.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of defining an unlocked state for the computing apparatus via a second action, the second action comprising switching the lock into the unlocked condition, and wherein the step of defining an unlocked state comprises the steps of:

moving the linkage into the second position, within which the linkage does not limit removal of the modular unit; and

entering the circuit into the second state, during which the circuit does not disable the component.

12. The method of claim 11, in which the circuit is a first circuit and in which the computing apparatus further comprises a second circuit having a first state during which the computing apparatus is precluded from being undocked from a docking station and a second state during which the circuit does not preclude the computing apparatus from being undocked from the docking station, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position, and wherein the step of defining the unlocked state further comprises the step of entering the second circuit into the second state.

13. The method of claim 10, in which the case comprises a first housing and a second housing, the first housing moving relative to the second housing between an open position and a closed position, wherein while said linkage is in the first position and the first housing is in the closed position, the linkage prevents movement of the first housing into the open position.

14. The method of claim 10, in which the circuit is a first circuit and in which the computing apparatus further comprises a second circuit having a first state during which the computing apparatus is precluded from being undocked from a docking station and a second state during which the circuit does not preclude the computing apparatus from being undocked from the docking station, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position, and wherein the step of defining further comprising the step of entering the second circuit into the first state.

15. The method of claim 10, in which the circuit is a first circuit and the component is a first component, and in which the computing apparatus further comprises a second circuit having a first state and a second state, the method further comprising the step of configuring the computing apparatus to either one of enabling or disabling the second circuit, and wherein the step of defining further comprises the step of entering the second circuit into the first state when the second circuit is enabled, and wherein while the second circuit is in the first state a second component is disabled.

16. A method for securing access to a portable computing apparatus, the apparatus comprising an input device, a first housing, a second housing, a lock, linkage and a circuit, and wherein a display panel is mounted within the first housing, and a keyboard, a processing unit, a modular unit, the lock and the linkage are mounted within the second housing, wherein the second housing defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening, wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display panel and a closed position at which the display panel is held to the second housing, wherein the lock defines at a given time either one of a locked condition or an unlocked condition, and wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock and movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the circuit has a first state and a second state, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a locked state for the computing apparatus by moving the linkage into the first position;

defining an unlocked state for the computing apparatus by switching the lock into the unlocked condition;

wherein while the linkage is in the first position, the linkage prevents removal of the modular unit and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position; and

wherein the circuit switches into the first state as the linkage moves into the first position, and wherein the keyboard and input device of the computing apparatus are disabled by the circuit when in the first state;

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines the locked condition;

wherein while the linkage is in the second position, the linkage does not prevent removal of the modular unit and does not prevent opening of the first housing relative to the second housing; and

wherein the circuit switches into the second state as the linkage moves into the second position, and wherein the circuit does not disable the keyboard and pointing device during the second state.

17. The method of claim 16, in which the circuit is a first circuit and in which the computing apparatus further comprises a second circuit having a first state during which the computing apparatus is precluded from being undocked from a docking station and a second state during which the circuit does not preclude the computing apparatus from being undocked from the docking station, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position, and wherein the step of defining a locked state further comprises the step of entering the second circuit into the first state, and wherein the step of defining the unlocked state further comprises the step of entering the second circuit into the second state.

18. A method for securing access to a portable computing apparatus, the apparatus comprising an input device, a first housing, a second housing, a lock, a linkage and a circuit, and wherein a display panel is mounted within the first housing, and a keyboard, a processing unit, a modular unit, the lock and the linkage are mounted within the second housing, wherein the second housing defines an opening, the modular unit removably inserted within the opening, wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display panel and a closed position at which the display panel is held to the second housing, wherein the lock defines at a given time either one of a locked condition or an unlocked condition, and wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock and movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the circuit has a first state and a second state, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a locked state for the computing apparatus by moving the linkage into the first position;

defining an unlocked state for the computing apparatus by switching the lock into the unlocked condition;

wherein while the linkage is in the first position, the linkage prevents removal of the modular unit and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position; and

wherein the circuit switches into the first state as the linkage moves into the first position, and wherein the keyboard and input device of the computing apparatus are disabled by the circuit when in the first state;

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines the locked condition;

wherein while the linkage is in the second position, the linkage does not prevent removal of the modular unit and does not prevent opening of the first housing relative to the second housing; and

wherein the circuit switches into the second state as the linkage moves into the second position, and wherein the circuit does not disable the keyboard and pointing device during the second state; and

wherein the circuit is a first circuit, and in which the computing apparatus further comprises a second circuit having a first state and a second state, the method further comprising the step of configuring the computing apparatus to either one of enabling or disabling the second circuit, and wherein the step of defining the locked state further comprises the step of entering the second circuit into the first state when the second circuit is enabled, and wherein while the second circuit is in the first state an on/off switch for activating the computing apparatus is disabled.

19. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition;

said case further comprising;

a first housing within which is mounted the display; and

a second housing within which is mounted the input device and processing unit;

wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display and a closed position for storage; and

wherein the linkage is mounted within the second housing and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position and the linkage is in the first position; and

further comprising a circuit for limiting operation of the apparatus while the linkage is in the first position.

20. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition;

said case further comprising;

a first housing within which is mounted the display; and

a second housing within which is mounted the input device and processing unit;

wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display and a closed position for storage; and

wherein the linkage is mounted within the second housing and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position and the linkage is in the first position; and

wherein the input device is a keyboard and further comprising a second input device for a user to issue commands to the computing apparatus, and a circuit which disables the keyboard and the second input device while the linkage is in the first position and which enables the keyboard and the second input device while the linkage is in the second position.

21. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition;

said case further comprising;

a first housing within which is mounted the display; and

a second housing within which is mounted the input device and processing unit;

wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display and a closed position for storage; and

wherein the linkage is mounted within the second housing and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position and the linkage is in the first position; and

further comprising a circuit having a first state during which the computing apparatus is precluded from being undocked from a docking station and a second state during which the circuit does not preclude the computing apparatus from being undocked from the docking station, the circuit being in the first state while the linkage is in the first position and being in the second state while the linkage is in the second position.

22. A portable computing apparatus, comprising:

a case, a display, an input device, a processing unit, a lock and linkage;

wherein the linkage is coupled to the lock, the linkage movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein the linkage is prevented from moving into the second position while the lock defines a locked condition;

said case further comprising;

a first housing within which is mounted the display; and

a second housing within which is mounted the input device and processing unit;

wherein the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position for viewing the display and a closed position for storage; and

wherein the linkage is mounted within the second housing and prevents opening of the first housing relative to the second housing when the first housing is in the closed position and the linkage is, in the first position; and

wherein the linkage comprises a switch defining a switch first position and a switch second position, and a link which moves between the linkage first position and the linkage second position, the linkage further comprising a first member fixed relative to the link which limits movement of the first housing out of the closed position while the first housing is in the closed position relative to the second housing and the linkage is in the first position; and

wherein the link first position corresponds to the switch first position and the link second position corresponds to the switch second position.