Locking covers for cable connectors and data ports for use in deterring snooping of data in digital data processing systems
First Claim
1. A latching apparatus which latches a data cable coupling in an electronically coupled configuration to a data port of an electronic device, comprising:
- a first member which is securely attached to said electronic device using at least one first removable fastener, wherein said first member comprises an L-shaped member;
a second member which is securely attached to said data cable coupling using at least one second removable fastener, wherein said second member comprises an L-shaped member; and
a locking mechanism which locks said first and second members together in said electronically coupled configuration;
wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first and second removable fasteners are obscured so as to be non-removable; and
wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first and second members are positioned in a nested configuration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A physical latching mechanism prevents access to or tampering with an I/O port of a computer system. In the preferred embodiment, a display monitor cable of an unattended workstation being operated remotely is disconnected and latched to prevent re-connection and display of remote activity. The latch includes a first latch which locks the cable to the workstation system unit, and a second latch which blocks the open end of the cable. Each latch preferably a pair of L-shaped members which engage each other in a nested fashion, one being attached to a cable coupling while the other is connected to the system unit or is used to block the cable open end. The members are locked by engagement means at one end and a padlock at the other. The latches also serve to obscure fasteners (602, 604, 702) to prevent tampering.
34 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A latching apparatus which latches a data cable coupling in an electronically coupled configuration to a data port of an electronic device, comprising:
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a first member which is securely attached to said electronic device using at least one first removable fastener, wherein said first member comprises an L-shaped member; a second member which is securely attached to said data cable coupling using at least one second removable fastener, wherein said second member comprises an L-shaped member; and a locking mechanism which locks said first and second members together in said electronically coupled configuration; wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first and second removable fasteners are obscured so as to be non-removable; and wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first and second members are positioned in a nested configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A latching apparatus for a data cable, comprising:
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a first member which is securely attached to a coupling at an open end of said data cable using at least one first removable fastener, wherein said first member comprises an L-shaped member; a second member which, in a locked configuration, obscures at least a portion of said coupling to prevent electrical attachment of a device to said coupling, wherein said second member comprises an L-shaped member; and a locking mechanism which locks said first and second members together in said locked configuration; wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said locked configuration, said first removable fastener is obscured so as to be non-removable; and wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said locked configuration, said first and second members are positioned in a nested configuration. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A computer system, comprising:
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an electronic component having a data port; a data cable having a first coupling for forming an electrical connection with said data port; a first member which is securely attached to said electronic component using at least one first removable threaded fastener, said at least one first removable threaded fastener traversing at least one respective first through hole in said first member and screwing into said electronic device in a first direction; a second member which is securely attached to said data cable coupling using at least one second removable threaded fastener, said at least one second removable threaded fastener traversing at least one respective second through hole in said second member and screwing into said data cable coupling in a second direction; and a locking mechanism which locks said first and second members together in said electronically coupled configuration; wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first direction is substantially opposite said second direction, and said first and second removable fasteners are obscured so as to be non-removable. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer system comprising:
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an electronic component having a data port; a data cable having a first coupling for forming an electrical connection with said data port; a first member which is securely attached to said electronic component using at least one first removable fastener, wherein said first member comprises an L-shaped member; a second member which is securely attached to said data cable coupling using at least one second removable fastener, wherein said second member comprises an L-shaped member; and a locking mechanism which locks said first and second members together in said electronically coupled configuration; wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first and second removable fasteners are obscured so as to be non-removable; and wherein, when said first and second members are locked together in said electronically coupled configuration, said first and second members are positioned in a nested configuration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification