Patent ID: 6175926
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
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;(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, and(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 an administrator password activation flag within the docking station;wherein substep (b.1) includes the followings substeps:(b.1.1) using an administrator password as the password which is compared to the docking password when the administrator password activation flag is true, and(b.1.2) using a user password as the password which is compared to the docking password when the administrator password activation flag is not true.