Electronic hood lock
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorsRobin T. Tran, Christopher Simonich, Michael R. Durham, Lee B. Hinkle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer system which includes an electromagnetic hoodlock, and does not have any simple way to bypass the hood-lock The hoodlock consists of a spring-loaded solenoid, and is controlled by the system microprocessor. The system chassis may only be opened by a user with sufficient rights, after entering a password, or after an administrative command is sent over the computer network.
Claims16
A computer system, comprising:
- a microprocessor, a user input device which is operatively connected to provide inputs to said microprocessor, memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor, and an output device connected to receive outputs from said microprocessor;
- an interal power supply connected to provide power to said microprocessor and said memory, said microprocessor, said memory, and said power supply all being enclosed by a case;
- and
- an electromechanical lock electronically controlled by said microprocessor to lock and unlock said case at the direction of a user through application software, wherein said electromechanical lock can maintain the case in a locked position when said computer system is powered off.
A computer system, comprising:
- a microprocessor mounted on a system board;
- a user input device which is operatively connected to provide inputs to said microprocessor;
- a memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;
- an output device connected to receive outputs from said microprocessor;
- a video display connected to display output from said system;
- an internal power supply connected to provide power to said microprocessors and said memory;
- at least one connector, operably connected to said system board to allow the connection of add-on devices;
- wherein said microprocessor, said memory, and said power supply are all enclosed by a single hood;
- an electromechanical lock electronically controlled by a control circuit to lock and unlock said hood at the direction of a user through application software, wherein said electromechanical lock can maintain the case in a locked position when said computer system is powered off.
A method of providing physical protection to a computer system, comprising:
- a.) providing a hood to cover an internal power supply, a memory, and a processor, access to said case being controlled by an electromechanical lock;
- b.) electronically controlling said lock with said processor, which accepts data provided on an input to said processor;
- c.) only opening said lock, under the control of said processor and without the use of a key, when a user of said system has sufficient access rights;
- wherein said lock can maintain said hood in a locked position when said computer system is powered off.
A method of providing physical protection to an electronic system, comprising:
- a.) enclosing an internal Power supply, a memory, and a first microprocessor in a case, access to said case being controlled by an electromechanical lock;
- b.) electronically controlling said lock with said first microprocessor, which accepts data provided on an input to said first microprocessor;
- c.) only opening said lock, under the control of said first microprocessor, after a correct access code has been entered without the use of a key;
- wherein said lock can maintain said case in a locked position when said electronic system is powered off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.