Detachable I/O device for computer data security

• US 5,935,244 A
• Filed: 01/21/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: McMahan, Robert L., Swamy, N. Deepak
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shaw, Brian H.
• Application Number:
  US08/786,057
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 395/188.01, 395/186, 364/709.05
• US Class Current: 726/9
• 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss

Abstract

The present invention provides a personal computer system for receiving and retaining data and capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access. More particularly, the system includes a computer including a processor and a detachable input/output (I/O) device that functions as a conventional computer interface when docked to the computer and wherein the computer system enters a suspend mode when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer whereby the system data is secured against unauthorized access. A security module controls access to at least certain levels of data retained within the system by distinguishing between the detachable I/O device docked to the computer and the detachable I/O device detached from the computer. A docking station is coupled to the processor and is detachably coupled to the detachable I/O device. The detachable I/O device is, for example, a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device and the docking station includes a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer.

Claims

1. A computer system for receiving and retaining data and capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access, the system comparing:

a computer including a processor;

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that functions as a conventional computer interface when docked to the computer and wherein the computer system enters a disabled mode when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer thereby securing the system data against unauthorized access, the detachable I/O device further including a pin in a connector of the detachable I/O device that detects when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer system and attache to the computer system, the enabling of the pin preventing the computer system from entering a disabled mode;

a security module for controlling access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by distinguishing between the detachable I/O device docked to the computer and the detachable I/O device detached from the computer; and

a docking station coupled to the processor and detachably coupled to the detachable I/O device.

2. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device.

3. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer.

4. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a board-to-board connector detachably coupling the detachable I/O device.

5. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a non-volatile random access memory having an authorization signature code;

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting the authorization signature code; and

the security module determines, from the authorization signature code, the allowed level of accessibility to system data and allows a user access to authorized levels of system data while securing unauthorized levels of system data.

6. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the security module further controls access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by determining, from an entered password, the allowed level of accessibility to system data and allows a user access to authorized levels of system data while securing unauthorized levels of system data.

7. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein:

the security module further controls access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by requiring a pointer in a display of the computer system to be placed in a predetermined area on the display.

8. A security device for computer system data comprising:

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that functions as a conventional computer interface capable of controlling access to a multiplicity of levels of computer system data when docked to a computer system and wherein the computer system enters a disable mode when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer thereby securing the system data against unauthorized access, the detachable I/O device further including a pin in a connector of the detachable I/O device the detects when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer system and attached to the computer system, the enabling of the pin preventing the computer system from entering a disabled mode; and

a docking station coupled to the computer and detachably coupled to the detachable I/O device.

9. A security device according to claim 8 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device.

10. A security device according to claim 8 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer.

11. A security device according to claim 8 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a board-to-board connector detachably coupling the detachable I/O device.

12. A security device according to claim 8 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a non-volatile random access memory having an authorization signature code; and

the docking station includes;

a sensor for detecting the authorization signature code.

13. A method for securing data received and retained in a computer system from unauthorized access, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing when a detachable input/output (I/O) device is docked to a docking station coupled to the computer and when said detachable I/O device is detached from the docking station, wherein the detachable I/O device functions as a conventional computer interface when docked to the docking station coupled to the computer and when the computer system enters a disabled mode when the detachable I/O device is detached from docking station thereby securing the system data against unauthorized access, the detachable I/O device is connector of the detachable I/O device further including a pin in a I/O device is detached from the computer system and attached to the computer system, the enabling of the pin preventing the computer system from entering a disabled mode; and

controlling access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by distinguishing between the detachable I/O device docked to the computer and the detachable I/O device detached from the computer.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the sensing step is performed using a sensor included in the docking station.

16. A method according to claim 13 wherein:

the docking station includes;

a board-to-board connector detachably coupling the detachable I/O device.

17. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a non-volatile random access memory having an authorization signature code in the detachable I/O device;

detecting the authorization signature code; and

determining, from the authorization signature code, the allowed level of accessibility to system data and allowing a user access to authorized levels of system data while securing unauthorized levels of system data.

18. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

determining, from an entered password, the allowed level of accessibility to system data and allowing a user access to authorized levels of system data while securing unauthorized levels of system data.

19. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

controlling access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by requiring a pointer in a display of the computer system to be placed in a predetermined area on the display.

20. An apparatus for securing data received and retained in a computer system from unauthorized access, the apparatus comprising:

a non-volatile memory;

a detachable input/output (I/O) device that functions as a conventional computer interface when docked to the computer and wherein the computer system enters a disabled mode when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer thereby the system data against unauthorized access, the detachable I/O device further including a pin in a connector of the detachable I/O device that detects when the detachable I/O device is detached from the computer system and attached to the computer system, the enabling of the pin preventing the computer system from entering a disabled mode;

a security means, stored in the non-volatile memory, for controlling access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by distinguishing between the detachable I/O device docked to the computer and the detachable I/O device detached from the computer; and

a docking means coupled to the computer and detachably coupled to the detachable I/O device.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

the detachable I/O device is a detachable trackpad or trackball I/O device.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

the docking means includes;

a sensor for detecting when the detachable I/O device is docked to the computer.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

the docking means includes;

a board-to-board connector detachably coupling the detachable I/O device.

24. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

the detachable I/O device includes;

a non-volatile random access memory having an authorization signature code;

the docking means includes;

a sensor for detecting the authorization signature code; and

the security means determines, from the authorization signature code, the allowed level of accessibility to system data and allows a user access to authorized levels of system data while securing unauthorized levels of system data.

25. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

the security means further controls access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by determining, from an entered password, the allowed level of accessibility to system data and allows a user access to authorized levels of system data while securing unauthorized levels of system data.

26. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein:

the security means further controls access to a multiplicity of levels of data retained within the system by requiring a pointer in a display of the computer system to be placed in a predetermined area on the display.