Computer input/output (I/O) connector assembly having a security circuit disposed therein

Abstract

A security circuit is disposed within the housing of an input/output (I/O) connector assembly that is configured to implement the functionality of a computer system I/O port. Thus, when the connector assembly is mounted on a computer system board the security circuit is mounted right along with the connector assembly. The I/O connector assembly includes a connector housing, an I/O connector, and the security circuit. The connector housing is adapted to mount on the computer system board. The I/O connector is disposed within the connector housing and defines a receptacle adapted to electrically couple to a peripheral device. The security circuit is disposed within the connector housing and is electrically coupled to the I/O port. The security circuit is configured to implement one or more security routines, and is transparent to the I/O functionality until it is needed to implement the security routines.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.