Patent ID: 6418534
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for providing security to a docking station comprising the following steps:(a) storing a docking password within the docking station; and (b) upon a portable computer being attached to the docking station, performing the followings substeps: (b.1) comparing a password stored in the portable computer to the docking password, (b.2) if the password stored in the portable computer is equal to the docking password, allowing the portable computer to access the docking station, (b.3) if the password stored in the portable computer is not equal to the docking password, preventing the portable computer from accessing the docking station; and (c) storing a security activation flag within the docking station; wherein step (b) is performed when the security activation flag is true; and, wherein when the security activation flag is not true, performing the following step instead of step (b): (d) upon a portable computer being attached to the docking station, allowing the portable computer to access the docking station.