System and method for authorizing use of a connection device coupled to a processing system

#Processing systems, such as personal computers or the like, are designed to facilitate easy connectivity to a variety of other systems or peripheral devices. Connectivity between the processing system and other systems or devices is often accomplished using an intermediary connection device.

#For example, a communications system, such as a telephone system, may be communicatively coupled to the processing system using an intermediary connection device, such as a modem, that is inserted into a receptacle, slot or the like on the processing system. Thus, when a modem card is inserted into a pre-configured card slot and a phone line is connected to the modem card, the processing device becomes communicatively coupled to the telephone system.

#As another example, a printing device may be communicatively coupled to the processing system using an intermediary connection device, referred to as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, that is inserted into a receptacle, slot or the like on the processing system. Thus, when a USB port is inserted into a pre-configured card slot and a printing device is connected to the USB port, the processing device becomes communicatively coupled to the printing device.

#The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

#FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a processing system environment wherein a device authorization system is implemented.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device authorization system implemented in a processing system.

#FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a processing system environment 102 wherein a device authorization system 100 is implemented. Environment 102 comprises a communication system 104, a system administrator device 106 and a plurality of processing systems 108a-108i. Processing systems 108a-108i may be devices such as, but not limited to, personal computers (PCs), laptop computers or workstations. The system administrator device 106 may be any suitable device that allows an authorizing entity, such as the owner, a network administrator, system administrator, or other authorized individual to provide authorization for a system or peripheral device 110 to be communicatively coupled to a selected one(s) of the processing systems 108a-108i, using an intermediary connection device 112 described in greater detail hereinbelow.

#For convenience, the connection device 112 is coupled to the processing system 108b. In one embodiment, the connection device 112 is a card device that is inserted into a card slot (not shown) on the processing system 108b.

#Connection device 112 is an active device that requires power, which is provided by the processing system 108b. If authorized, the connection device 112 receives power from the processing system 108b. Accordingly, the connection device 112 facilitates the connectivity between the processing system 108b and the system or peripheral device 110 (when coupled to the connection device 112). However, if the connection device 112 is not authorized, connection device 112 does not receive power from the processing system 108b. In the absence of power, connection device 112 will not operate and is therefore not communicatively coupled to processing system 108. Accordingly, the connection device 112 cannot operate and provide connectivity between the processing system 108b and the system or peripheral device 110 in an unpowered state.