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US 6,191,503 B1Granted
Computer with a chassis intrusion detector
AssigneeDell USA, L.P.
InventorsGary Kitten, Ajay Kwatra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer, or other electrical component, having an electrical switch adapted to open when the cover of the chassis of the component covers the chassis and close when the cover is removed from the chassis. A mechanism is provided that turns on, and stays turned on, in response to the closing of the switch for providing an output. An indication device is connected to the mechanism and is adapted to provide a corresponding indication when the mechanism turns on.
Claims25
A computer system comprising:
- a chassis;
- at least one memory disposed in the chassis;
- at least one storage disposed in the chassis;
- a cover extending over the chassis;
- an electrical circuit connected to a first power source and a second power source;
- an electrical switch connected to the circuit and adapted to open when the cover extends over the chassis, and to close when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- a latching mechanism electrically connected to the circuit for latching a voltage change indicating an intrusion state in response to the closing of the switch;
- and
- a dedicated display device electrically connected to the latching mechanism and adapted to provide an indication when the latching mechanism turns on.
6 more elements
A computer system comprising:
- a chassis;
- at least one memory disposed in the chassis;
- at least one storage disposed in the chassis;
- a cover extending over the chassis;
- an electrical circuit connected to a first AC power source and a second battery power source;
- an electrical switch connected to the circuit and adapted to open when the cover extends over the chassis, and to close when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- a latching mechanism electrically connected to the circuit for latching a voltage change indicating an intrusion state in response to the closing of the switch, for providing an output to a display device electrically connected to the latching mechanism and adapted to provide an indication when the latching mechanism turns on;
- and
- a resistor and a capacitor connected in the circuit so that, if the AC power or the battery power source are disconnected from the circuit and then reconnected, the resistor and capacitor delay the voltage in the circuit attaining the relatively high value, thus maintaining the latching mechanism turned on.
6 more elements
A computer system comprising:
- a chassis;
- at least one memory disposed in the chassis;
- at least one storage disposed in the chassis;
- a cover extending over the chassis;
- an electrical circuit connected to a first power source and a second power source;
- an electrical switch connected to the circuit and adapted to open when the cover extends over the chassis, and to close when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- and
- a latching mechanism electrically connected to the circuit for latching a voltage change indicating an intrusion state in response to the closing of the switch, for providing an output to a display device electrically connected to the latching mechanism and adapted to provide an indication when the latching mechanism turns on;
- and
- an additional display device connected to the switch, the additional display device adapted to turn on in response to the closing of the switch and provide a corresponding indication, and to turn off in response to opening of the switch.
7 more elements
An electronic component comprising:
- a chassis;
- a cover extending over the chassis;
- an electrical circuit connected to a first power source and a second power source;
- an electrical switch connected to the circuit and adapted to open when the cover extends over the chassis, and to close when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- and
- a latching mechanism electrically connected to the circuit for indicating an intrusion state in response to the closing of the switch, for providing an output directly to a display device;
- and
- the display device electrically connected to the latching mechanism and adapted to provide an indication when the latching mechanism turns on.
5 more elements
An electronic component comprising:
- a chassis;
- a cover extending over the chassis;
- an electrical circuit connected to a first power source and a second power source;
- an electrical switch connected to the circuit and adapted to open when the cover extends over the chassis, and to close when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- and
- a latching mechanism electrically connected to the circuit for indicating an intrusion state in response to the closing of the switch, for providing an output to a display device electrically connected to the latching mechanism and adapted to provide an indication when the latching mechanism turns on;
- and
- an additional display device connected to the switch, the additional display device adapted to turn on in response to the closing of the switch and provide a corresponding indication, and to turn off in response to opening of the switch.
5 more elements
A method for indicating removal of a cover from a chassis, comprising the steps of:
- connecting an electrical circuit to a first power source and a second power source;
- closing a switch in the circuit when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- activating a latching mechanism in the circuit for latching a voltage change indicating an intrusion state in response to the step of closing;
- providing an indication in response to the step of activating to a display normally hidden by the cover when the cover is not removed from the chassis;
- and
- maintaining the indication after the switch opens when both of the power sources are connected to the circuit, when at least one of the power sources is connected to the circuit, and when neither of the power sources is connected to the circuit.
3 more elements
A method for indicating removal of a cover from a chassis, comprising the steps of:
- connecting an electrical circuit to a first AC power source and a second battery power source;
- closing a switch in the circuit when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- activating a latching mechanism in the circuit for latching a voltage change indicating an intrusion state in response to the step of closing;
- providing an indication in response to the step of activating;
- maintaining the indication after the switch opens when both of the power sources are connected to the circuit, when at least one of the power sources is connected to the circuit, and when neither of the power sources is connected to the circuit;
- and
- connecting a resistor and a capacitor in the circuit so that if the AC power source and/or the battery power source are disconnected from the circuit and then connected, the resistor and capacitor delay the voltage in the circuit attaining the relatively high value thus maintaining the latching mechanism turned on.
4 more elements
A method for indicating removal of a cover from a chassis, comprising the steps of:
- connecting an electrical circuit to a first power source and a second power source;
- closing a switch in the circuit when the cover is removed from the chassis;
- activating a latching mechanism in the circuit for latching a voltage change indicating an intrusion state in response to the step of closing;
- providing an indication in response to the step of activating;
- maintaining the indication after the switch opens when both of the power sources are connected to the circuit, when at least one of the power sources is connected to the circuit, and when neither of the power sources is connected to the circuit;
- and
- providing an additional indication in response to the step of activating.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.