Data security method and device for computer modules

• US 6,643,777 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Acqis LLC (Acqis Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acqis Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Chu, William W. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUA, LY
• Application Number:
  US09/312,199
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 713/200, 713/176, 713/202, 713/186, 713/193, 713/194, 707/9, 361/686, 361/683, 382/176, 710/303
• US Class Current: 726/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

A security method for an attached computer module in a computer system. The security method reads a security identification number in an attached computer module and compares it to a security identification number in a console, which houses the attached computer module. Based upon a relationship between these numbers, a security status is selected. The security status determines the security level of operating the computer system.

Claims

1. A security protection method for a computer module, said method comprising:

inserting the computer module into a console;

initiating a security program in said module to read a security identification of said console and to read a security identification of said computer module;

determining of a predetermined security status based upon a relationship of said console identification and said computer module identification;

selecting said predetermined security status; and

operating said computer module based upon said security status.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined security status disables a network access to the computer module.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined security status disables a secondary storage of information from said computer module to substantially prevent information to be transferred from a memory of the computer module to said secondary storage.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said security program is provided in a system BIOS.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of initiating reads said security identification of said computer module from a flash memory device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of initiating reads said security identification of said console from a flash memory device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said console is selected from a desktop home computing device, an office desktop computing device, a mobile computing device, a television sot-top computing device, and a co-worker'"'"'s computing device.

8. A system for secured information transactions, the system comprising:

a console comprising a peripheral controller housed in the console;

a user identification input device coupled to the peripheral controller, the user identification input device being provided for user identification data; and

an attached computer module coupled to the console, the attached computer module comprising a security memory device stored with the user identification data.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the user identification input device is a finger print reader.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the user identification input device is a voice processing device.

11. A method for operating a module computer into one of a plurality of network systems, the method comprising:

providing a computer module, the module comprising a connection program;

inserting the computer module into a computer console, the computer console having access to a network;

receiving connection information from the computer console;

configuring the connection program to adapt to the connection information; and

establish a connection between the computer module and a server coupled to the network.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the connection information comprises a connection protocol for providing the connection.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the connection protocol is selected from TCP/IP, or mobile IP.