Data processing system and method for securing a docking station and its portable PC

A system for securing both a docking station and a portable computer that is capable of being coupled to said docking station, said system comprising:

• means for interactively coupling said portable computer to said docking station;
• means for establishing a disconnection password utilized for secure disconnection of said portable computer from said docking station to enable subsequent access by a user to said portable computer;
• means for disconnecting said portable computer from said docking station;
• means within said portable computer for dynamically prompting for said disconnection password in response to a disconnection of said portable computer from said docking station;
• and
• means within said portable computer for automatically disabling said portable computer when said user fails to correctly enter said disconnection password proximate to said disconnection of said computer, wherein said portable computer remains inoperable without a correct entry of said disconnection password and said portable computer is enabled for subsequent access by said user when a correct disconnection-password is entered.

A data processing system for securing a docking station and a portable computer that is capable of being coupled to said docking station, said system comprising:

• a stationary support;
• a docking station coupled to the stationary support said docking station comprising:
• a mechanical relocation switch by which said docking station may be coupled and de-coupled from said stationary support;
• means for establishing a disconnection password, a connection password, and a relocation password;
• a security processor for storing said disconnection password, said connection password, and said relocation password;
• means for prompting said user for a connection password in response to said portable computer being connected to said docking station;
• means for prohibiting access to devices included within said docking station by prohibiting a supply of power to said devices until said connection password is correctly entered;
• means, in response to said relocation switch being de-coupled from said stationary support, for said docking station to disable itself;
• means, in response to an attempt to access said docking station after said relocation switch is de-coupled from said stationary support, for prompting said user for said relocation password;
• means for prohibiting access to said devices and functions of said docking station when said user does not correctly enter said relocation password;
• an electronic latch included coupled to said relocation switch that is capable of being cleared in response to said electronic switch being de-coupled from said stationary support;
• means, in response to said electronic latch being cleared, for prohibiting access to said docking station until said relocation password is correctly entered;
• a battery power source coupled to said electronic latch for supplying power to said electronic latch;
• means, in response to said electronic latch being disconnected from said battery power source, for clearing said electronic latch, wherein said battery power source is disconnected from said electronic latch when said relocation switch is de-coupled from said stationary support;
• said security processor executing code for prohibiting access to said docking rotation devices until said security processor determines that said connection password was correctly entered;
• and
• said security processor capable of receiving constant auxiliary power when said docking station is disabled;
• and
• a portable computer capable of being connected to and disconnected from said docking station, said portable computer including:
• means for prompting a user for said disconnection password in response to a disconnection of said portable computer from said docking station;
• and
• means for disabling itself when said user fails to correctly enter said disconnection password proximate to said disconnection, wherein said portable computer is inoperable without a correct entry of said disconnection password.