Computer system having peripheral device look

• US 6,745,330 B1
• Filed: 10/18/1999
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HP Inc.
• Inventors: Maillot, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Norman M.
• Application Number:
  US09/420,195
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• Field of Search: 713/201, 713/184, 713/200, 713/100, 713/1, 70/51, 700/9, 700/11, 700/17, 700/22
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0082 for office machines, e.g. PC's, portable computers, typewriters, calculators
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2202/28 Shape memory material
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1639 Arrangements for locking plugged peripheral connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/487 Parts, accessories, attachments and adjuncts

Abstract

To provide a more manageable security system for protecting cable-connected peripheral devices, a computer system is described having a removable peripheral device that is connectable to the computer system via a flying lead and a plug and socket combination, characterized by a lock member that is movable under the control of software running on the computer system to release or secure the plug to the socket.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

at least a first housing portion;

a removable peripheral device that is electrically connectable to the housing portion via a flying lead and a plug and socket combination; and

a lock member that is movable under the control of software running on the computer system to release or secure the plug to the socket.

2. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 comprising resilient biasing means for biasing the lock member into a lock position in which the plug cannot be removed from the socket and an actuator responsive to an electrical signal to urge the lock member to a unlock position in which the plug can be removed from the socket.

3. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing portion comprises a socket for receiving a plug, the lock member being mounted within the socket.

4. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a length of shape memory wire arranged to move the lock member.

5. A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lock member is pivotally mounted on a support.

6. A computer system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the peripheral device is connected to the computer system via a Universal Serial Bus and the plug is a USB standard plug.

7. A computer unit for use in a system as claimed in claim 1, the unit comprising a socket for receiving a plug, the socket having a lock member arranged to be movable under software control from a locked state to an unlocked state.

8. A computer program for use in a computer system as claimed in claim 1 and stored on a computer readable media, the program comprising code portions for causing a computer to generate a signal to lock or unlock a peripheral device attached to the system by a flying lead and a plug and socket combination.