Portable electronic device physical security

An apparatus for attaching to a first wall that defines a security aperture. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a locking flange extending from the housing on a shaft and having a profile that is complimentary to the security aperture, such that the locking flange has a first orientation relative to the security aperture for insertion into and removal from the security aperture, and a second orientation relative to the security aperture for retention within the security aperture. The locking flange is transformable between the first orientation and the second orientation. The apparatus further includes a locking member that is coupled to the housing and is cooperative with the locking flange for inhibiting transformation of the locking flange from the second orientation to the first orientation. The apparatus further comprises at least one leg that is parallel to the first wall. The leg is coupled to the housing with a first coupler that is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position.

Not applicable

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to physical security for portable devices, and more specifically to physical security of portable electronic devices having a hinged member that overlies one or more operational interface elements.

Computer physical security devices are well known.

Many portable devices such as, for example, laptop computers and other portable electronic devices are manufactured having a portion of a housing wall provided with a specially designed security slot. Specifications for this slot have been promulgated by the assignee of the present invention as a standard. This standard may be found at Kensington's web page at http://www.kensington.com/developers/dev—1199.html, and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

These products are effective at deterring unauthorized movement of the portable device to which it is secured by localizing the portable device to a relatively immoveable object. The materials of the lock are designed so that the housing must be damaged in order to separate the lock from the portable device. By this expedient, unauthorized movement of the portable device is inhibited for several reasons. These reasons include a reluctance of a party to be observed damaging the housing as it would be obvious to observers that such party was unauthorized to tamper with the portable device. In addition, successfully separating the lock from the portable device in this fashion creates a damaged housing near the defeated security slot that is difficult, if not impossible, to repair, evidencing unauthorized possession of the portable device.

The products embodied in these incorporated patents serve as effective devices to inhibit the unauthorized movement of a portable electronic device beyond a predetermined distance from an object to which the portable electronic device is localized. Commonly, a flexible cable localizes an attachment mechanism to an object other than the portable electronic device, thereby limiting movement away from the object.

The attachment mechanism has a moveable locking member that engages a security slot defined in a wall of the portable device. The locking member, in an engagement configuration, cooperates with the security slot, the housing and possibly other elements of the attachment mechanism to inhibit reconfiguration of the locking member to a disengagement configuration in which the locking member may be disengaged from the security slot.

These solutions achieve a primary goal of such devices, namely to inhibit the unauthorized movement of the portable electronic device. For portable electronic devices that are secured in public or semi public areas, simple security against unauthorized movement is not sufficient to inhibit unauthorized use of the device while it is securely localized.

The prior art provides physical security solutions that do inhibit use of a portable electronic device while securing the device to a location. One such solution is a carrying case that completely surrounds the portable device and prevents any access or use of the device. A security device may simultaneously maintain the carrying case (with portable device inside) closed, and localized to an object. While this achieves the simultaneous goals of limiting access to the portable electronic device and inhibiting its movement, this solution is undesirable in situations in which a user desires convenient access to the portable electronic device. One such application is use of a laptop in a library or other public resource room. The user desires to access the laptop to records notes, for example, but inhibit operation and movement of the laptop while the user moves about the library. The user desires to quickly re access the laptop upon returning to the laptop's location. The carrying case solution is too cumbersome for all users in similar situations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an efficient, cost effective and convenient physical security solution to the problem of providing access control to portable electronic devices while preserving anti movement characteristics.

The present invention provides an apparatus for attaching to a first wall that defines a security aperture. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a locking flange extending from the housing on a shaft and having a profile that is complimentary to the security aperture, such that the locking flange has a first orientation relative to the security aperture for insertion into and removal from the security aperture, and a second orientation relative to the security aperture for retention within the security aperture. The locking flange is transformable between the first orientation and the second orientation. The apparatus further includes a locking member that is coupled to the housing and is cooperative with the locking flange for inhibiting transformation of the locking flange from the second orientation n to the first orientation. The apparatus further comprises at least one leg that is parallel to the first wall. The leg is coupled to the housing with a first coupler that is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a second leg coupled to the housing with a second coupler that is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second coupler is shorter than the first coupler.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the locking member comprises a first pin parallel to the shaft that extends into the security slot when the apparatus is in use.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the pin is retractable.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a second pin parallel to the shaft that extends into the security slot when the apparatus is in use. The first and second pins are located on opposite sides of the shaft.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, both pins are retractable.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the locking flange engages the first wall when in the second orientation.

These and other novel aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the drawings and the remaining portions of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a locking system100according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Locking system100includes a portable electronic device110having a hinged member120that has an opened configuration (as shown) permitting access to the keys and other operational interface elements130of device110, and a closed configuration (not shown) in which hinged member120overlies operational interface elements130to inhibit access. Device110has a side wall140that defines a security aperture150. Preferably, security aperture conforms to Kensington security standard.

Locking system100includes an attachment system160having an attachment device170and a localizer180. Attachment system160has two configuration modes: an engagement/disengagement mode in which attachment device170may engage and disengage security aperture150, and a lock mode in which attachment device170is attached to device110via engagement of security aperture150.

Localizer180, coupled to attachment device170, localizes attachment system160an object OBJ that is something other than device110. When attachment system160is in the lock mode and localizer180is localized to object OBJ, device110is also localized to object OBJ. Attachment system160preferably includes a lock (for example a tumbler, combination, or cable locking system) having a mechanism for maintaining attachment system160in the lock mode. As is explained later, attachment device170preferably includes two configurations: a first configuration for securing device110while hinged member120is in the opened configuration, and a second configuration for securing device110while hinged member120is in the closed configuration.

In operation, a user configures device110in either the opened or closed configuration and attachment system160(in the engagement configuration) engages security aperture150. Attachment system160is transformed to the lock mode, and localizer180is localized to object OBJ to maintain device110within a predetermined distance of object OBJ. (Localizer180may be, depending upon application cable of attachment to object OBJ before or after connection to device110.) Device110is secured in this fashion until attachment system160is transformed to a disengagement mode, freeing attachment system160from device110. When attachment system160is engaged while hinged member120is in the closed configuration, attachment system160also maintains hinged member120in the closed configuration while concurrently localizing device110to object OBJ. In other applications, it may be preferable to secure device110in the closed configuration but it may not be necessary to localize device110to object OBJ. In this application, localizer180is not employed.

Device110is shown as a laptop computer. Device110can also be a personal digital assistant (PDA), electronic book reader, or other portable electronic device having a security aperture. Preferably, device110includes hinged member120that has a closed configuration. When attachment system160is in the locked configuration, attachment device170inhibits reconfiguration of hinged member to the opened configuration, inhibiting access and operation of operational interface elements130.

However, in certain applications, device110may be equipped with a different type of access system. For example, a protective cover or access door that may be hinged or otherwise moveable (such as by sliding). Attachment system160may be adapted to work with these systems as well. In other applications, attachment device may be configured to selectively cover or otherwise inhibit access to a specific operational interface element130. This is particularly simple when such specific operational interface element130is disposed on or near an edge or wall140, or near security aperture150. For example, an on/off switch may be covered by attachment device170when attachment system160is in the locked mode, disabling further operation or toggling of the on/off switch, for example.

Security aperture150is illustrated as being in a side wall140of device110. Various applications provide for security aperture150to be in a back wall or even other placement. Attachment system160may be configured to operate with such other configurations. In the case when aperture150is in a back wall, and device110has hinged member120attached inward from a back edge, attachment device170may include an arm for overlying the top surface that is sufficiently long to interfere with transformation of hinged member120into the opened configuration.

Security aperture150is shown as a generally rectangular security slot having dimensions of about 7 millimeters by 3 millimeters. Other aperture configurations are possible and attachment system160may be adapted to engage such apertures.

Attachment system160includes an attachment device170having an ‘L-shaped’ member, but other configurations are also possible as will be further described below, for example. Attachment system160includes localizer180illustrated as a flexible cable. Other localization systems are possible, such as chain, monofilament, optic cable that initiates an alarm or other indication, or proximity detecting systems that issue an alarm or other indication if objects are separated beyond a pre-established distance.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of attachment system160according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Attachment system160includes a housing200, a locking flange210, and a locking member220. Locking flange210extends from housing200and is sized so that it may be inserted into security aperture150in wall140. In this preferred embodiment, locking flange210is a ‘T-shaped’ rotatable member that rotates about 90 degrees to engage/disengage and to lock. Locking member220, also coupled to housing200, cooperates with locking flange210to maintain locking flange210in the lock configuration relative to security aperture150. Additionally, locking member220preferably includes an engagement arm230that extends past an edge of wall140when locking flange210is in a locking orientation relative to aperture150.

When hinged member120is in the closed configuration, engagement arm230preferably extends beyond an edge of hinged member120to inhibit transformation of hinged member120to the open position, as shown. In an alternate use, such as for example when hinged member120is in the opened configuration, engagement arm230may be disposed along a bottomside of portable device110.

Locking flange210may have other configurations than as described herein. Locking flange need not be ‘T shaped’ but may have other configurations, including embodiments having multiple legs that pivot, slide or otherwise transform from a first mode that may be used to engage security aperture150, to a second mode that is secured to security aperture150, and then to a third mode that may be used to disengage from security aperture150. Typically the third mode is virtually the same as the first mode, but it need not necessarily be the same. While locking flange210is shown without cooperating pins disposed on lateral sides of a rotating shaft, it may be desirable to use such cooperating pins depending upon a particular application. Locking member220may be generally configured to cooperate with locking flange210to achieve a similar result as previously achieved with the cooperating pins, but when the particular application does not permit such configuration, one or more pins may be used.

In some applications, locking flange may include a single leg, that rotates to engage the aperture. In other applications, locking flange may be ‘S shaped’ and may, rotate less than 90 degrees (in some cases substantially less than 90 degrees) to engage aperture150. Locking flange210may sized substantially smaller than the overall dimensions of security aperture150, but is sized to conform to preselected dimensions of a portion of security aperture sufficient to achieve the desired attaching reliability.

In other applications, such as described below with respect toFIG. 3, locking member220may include two engagement arms that extend beyond a topmost and a bottommost edge of wall140, for example.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of an alternate attachment system300according to an alternate preferred embodiment. Attachment system300includes a housing305, a locking flange310, and a locking member315integrated into housing305. Locking flange310is a separate structure from housing305and includes a head portion320and flange portion325. Head portion320has a circular cross section and includes a first aperture passing through a diameter. Flange portion325includes a cross-member on a distal end of a shaft extending axially from head portion320. The cross-member is sized to conform/complement preselected dimensions of security aperture150defined in wall140. Wall140may be part of a wall of portable electronic device as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, or wall140may be a security adapter attached (such as for example by adhesive) to an object to be secured. The shaft is sized to permit flange portion325to extend past a thickness of wall140and flange portion325need not necessarily have a ‘T shaped’ configuration, as discussed above. Other configurations for locking flange310are possible, as long as the configuration is selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, security aperture150.

Housing305includes a cavity350sized to receive head portion320. Cavity350permits head portion320to pass through housing350and into a locking portion355of housing305. Locking portion355has a circular cross section and includes a second aperture passing through a diameter. When locking flange310is in the locked configuration, and head portion320is received by cavity350, the first and second apertures are aligned. When localizer180is a cable, bar padlock or other similar structure, it may be passed through the aligned apertures and thereby maintain housing305coupled to locking flange310, and thereby maintain flange portion325in the engaged position.

Housing305further includes one or more locking members315that extend orthogonal, when attachment system300is in the lock configuration, to a plane defined by wall140, and extend past an edge of wall140. Each locking member315of the preferred embodiment is spaced a sufficient distance from a center point of aperture150to engage the edge. When a configuration is used that includes two locking members315, they are separated by at least the width of wall140proximate security aperture150. As discussed above, a locking member315may be moved further from the centerpoint, at least a thickness of hinged member120shown inFIG. 2, to permit housing305to engage locking flange310when hinged member120is in the closed configuration. In this embodiment, locking members315are sufficiently long to inhibit transformation of hinged member120into the open configuration. Additionally, in this embodiment, it may be that one locking member315is spaced a different distance from the center point of aperture150than another locking member315to account for possible non symmetries in aperture placement relative to edges of wall140and accounting for any additional thickness of hinged member120. Alternatively, a locking member315may be constructed to have a variable or adaptable distance from the center point.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a locking system400includes an attachment device401and a localizer402. The attachment device includes a housing403from which a shaft404extends. At a distal end of the shaft, a locking flange405is provided. Preferably, two locking members406a,406bare provided adjacent the shaft, preferably in the form of pins. The pins may be retractable if desired. The locking flange has two configuration modes: an engagement/disengagement mode (first orientation) in which the locking flange may engage and disengage security aperture150; and a lock mode (second orientation) in which the locking flange is attached to portable electronic device110via engagement of the security aperture.

Preferably, two parallel legs410a,410bare coupled to the housing with couplers411a,411b. Preferably, at least one coupler is able to rotate or move relative to the housing. As may be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, coupler411ais slightly shorter than coupler411b, and thus, the couplers may move to a closed position so that the two legs are adjacent one another.

Preferably legs410a,410bmay rotate relative to their respective couplers. Additionally, preferably the legs are at least covered with a fairly protective material such as, for example, plastic, nylon, foam, etc.

Preferably, the couplers may only rotate or open approximately 90 degrees relative to one another. This allows for portable electronic device110to be kept in a closed position, as may be seen inFIG. 6.

Thus, in use, localizer402is placed around an object as previously described and legs410a,410bare spread apart or opened. Locking flange405is placed within security aperture150while in the engage mode. Pins406a,406bare placed within the security aperture also. The locking flange is then moved to the lock mode, preferably with key420. Removal of key420keeps the locking system in the lock mode. Pins406a,406bhelp prevent the attachment device from being manipulated so that the locking flange may be removed from the security aperture. Legs410a,410balso help in this regard and prevent the electronic device from being opened.

Those skilled in the art will understand that other lock configurations may be used with the leg arrangement of this embodiment. Furthermore, a single leg embodiment may also be used, where the single leg would be placed over hinged member120. The single leg may or may not be rotatable or movable as desired.