System for controlling insertion, locking, and removal of modules by removing plurality of device drivers for module to be removed from BIOS and informing BIOS of module removal

• US 5,974,473 A
• Filed: 06/14/1996
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Shin, Seong, Harvey, David L., Leavitt, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perveen, Rehana
• Application Number:
  US08/663,499
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 395/652, 395/681, 395/828, 395/651, 395/835, 395/653, 395/183.1, 395/750.01, 395/750.08, 395/750.06, 395/288, 710/8, 710/15, 710/108, 713/2, 713/1, 713/330
• US Class Current: 710/8
• 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 1/1656 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

This is a method and system to lock and release modules on computing devices. The system may include: An automatic lock system for modules on a computing device, the system comprising: a processor connected to a system bus; an input means connected to the processor by the system bus; an output means connected to the processor by the system bus; and a module that inserts into the computing device and is connected to the system bus; a module controller that controls the module and is connected to the system bus; a latch that locks and releases the module to and from the computing device; and a subsystem that controls the latch. The system may also include a basic input/output system (BIOS). The subsystem may include: a means to determine whether the module is being accessed by the processor; a means to communicate to the module controller to terminate input/output activity; a means to remove a plurality of device drivers for the module from the BIOS; and a means to inform an operating system that the module is removed. The module may include: a battery system, a media bay module, a CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, and a magneto-optical drive. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A computing apparatus, comprising:

a processor connected to a system bus;

an input means connected to said processor by said system bus;

an output means connected to said processor by said system bus;

a module removably connected to said system bus;

a module controller that controls said module and is connected to said system bus;

a locking mechanism that locks and releases said module to and from said computing apparatus;

a basic input/output system (BIOS) connected to said system bus; and

a subsystem that controls said locking mechanism, said subsystem;

determining whether said module is being accessed by said processor;

communicating to said module controller to terminate input/output activity;

removing a plurality of device drivers for said module from said BIOS; and

informing an operating system that said module is removed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said module is a battery system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said module is a media bay module.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said media bay module is a CD-ROM.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said media bay module is a hard disk drive.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said media bay module is a floppy disk drive.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said media bay module is a magneto-optical drive.

8. A latch system for a computing device, said system comprising:

a processor connected to a system bus;

an input means connected to said processor by said system bus;

an output means connected to said processor by said system bus;

a module that inserts into said computing device and is connected to said system bus;

a module controller that controls said module and is connected to said system bus;

a latch that locks and releases said module to and from said computing device;

a basic input/output system (BIOS) connected to said system bus; and

a subsystem that controls said latch, wherein said subsystem includes;

a means to determine whether said module is being accessed by said processor;

a means to communicate to said module controller to terminate input/output activity;

a means to remove a plurality of device drivers for said module from said BIOS; and

a means to inform an operating system that said module is removed.

9. A computing apparatus, comprising:

a processor connected to a system bus;

a display coupled to said processor by said system bus;

a keyboard coupled to said processor by said system bus;

a module removably connected to said system bus;

a module controller that controls said module and is connected to said system bus;

a locking mechanism that locks said module to and unlocks said module from said computing apparatus;

a basic input/output system (BIOS) coupled to said system bus; and

a subsystem that controls said locking mechanism, wherein said subsystem includes;

determines whether said module is being accessed by said processor;

communicates to said module controller to terminate input/output activity;

removes a plurality of device drivers for said module from said BIOS; and

removes informs an operating system that said module is removed.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said locking mechanism selectively locks said module to said computing apparatus and unlocks said module from said computing apparatus when said locking mechanism is enabled.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said locking mechanism remains locked after said apparatus is powered down with the locking mechanism in its locked position.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said module remains unlocked from said computing apparatus when said locking mechanism is disabled.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said module remains unlocked from said computing apparatus when said locking mechanism is disabled.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the software controlling the locking mechanism is password protected.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a latching mechanism that latches said module to the computing apparatus and a solenoid that blocks the movement of the latching mechanism when said locking mechanism is in its locked position.