Protecting an electronic device against unathorized hardware use
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsTu T. Dang, Michael C. Elles, Mark G. Noll, Ketan B. Patel, Danny L. Woodruff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for protecting electronic devices against the use of unqualified and/or unauthorized (e.g., “grey market”) hardware components. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a hardware component that a user is attempting to use with an electronic device will be detected. Then, the device information associated with the hardware component (e.g., serial number, vital product data (VPD), etc.) will be identified from the hardware component (e.g., as stored therein).
Claims27
A computer-implemented method for protecting electronic devices against use of unauthorized hardware, comprising:
- detecting a hardware component that a user is attempting to use with an electronic device;
- identifying device information associated with the hardware component from the hardware component;
- comparing the device information against a data structure that identifies authorization indicia, the data structure being stored in at least one computer storage device;
- and
- determining whether the hardware component is authorized to be used in conjunction with the electronic device based on the comparing.
A system for protecting electronic devices against use of unauthorized hardware, comprising:
- a memory medium comprising instructions;
- a bus coupled to the memory medium;
- and
- a processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes the system to:
- detect a hardware component that a user is attempting to use with an electronic device;
- identify device information associated with the hardware component from the hardware component;
- compare the device information against a data structure that identifies authorization indicia, the data structure being stored in at least one computer storage device;
- and
- determine whether the hardware component is authorized to be used in conjunction with the electronic device based on the comparing.
A computer program product for protecting electronic devices against use of unauthorized hardware, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media, to:
- detect a hardware component that a user is attempting to use with an electronic device;
- identify device information associated with the hardware component from the hardware component;
- compare the device information against a data structure that identifies authorization indicia, the data structure being stored in at least one computer storage device;
- and
- determine whether the hardware component is authorized to be used in conjunction with the electronic device based on the comparing.
A method for deploying a system for protecting electronic devices against use of unauthorized hardware, comprising:
- providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:
- detect a hardware component that a user is attempting to use with an electronic device;
- identify device information associated with the hardware component from the hardware component;
- compare the device information against a data structure that authorization indicia, the data structure being stored in at least one computer storage device;
- and
- determine whether the hardware component is authorized to be used in conjunction with the electronic device based on the comparing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.