A CONTROL DEVICE FOR A COMPUTER, USE OF A CONTROL DEVICE, A COMPUTER COMPRISING A CONTROL DEVICE, AND A METHOD OF CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING UNITS IN A COMPUTER

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a computer and to a computer comprising a control device. The computer comprises one or more units, and the computer can operate in at least two states. The control device is adapted to connect and disconnect the units in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate. The control device comprises an input device by means of which one or more codes may be supplied to the control device, and means which specify a relation between codes and the states. On the basis of a supplied code, the control device is adapted to select the state in which the computer is to operate before it is connected to a power supply and is configured. The invention moreover relates to a method of connecting and disconnecting units in a computer and to the use of a control device in connection with a personal computer.

Description: A control device for a computer, use of a control device, a computer comprising a control device, and a method of connecting and disconnecting units in a computer The invention relates to a control device for a computer. It is well-known that computers are typically composed of a plurality of units, such as floppy disk drives, hard disks, modems, network connections and graphical accel- erator cards. It is of interest in this connection to be able to cause the computer to operate in several different states where units are connected and disconnected in dependence on the selected state. It is e.g. desirable that access to a unit is allowed in a first state, while this access is not allowed in a second state. This may inter alia be desirable in order to secure personal data on the hard disk of a computer which is used by several users. This security can e.g. comprise security against unintentional destruction of personal data as well as se- curity against spreading of virus between units in the computer. It is therefore of interest to provide a control device for computers with one or more units where the computer can operate in at least two states, and where the control device is adapted to connect and disconnect the units in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate . US 5 434 562 describes a control device for a computer with one or more units . The control device comprises switch devices which the user can switch between various positions. The position of the switch determines the access to a given unit. For example, in a first position the switch can interrupt the data connections to a hard disk, while in a second state it can establish the data connections . It is an object of the invention to provide a control de- vice of the above-mentioned type which makes it possible to bring the computer into one of a number of specified states in a simple manner, which reduces the risk of the user bringing the computer into an undesired state among said number of states, and which can ensure optimum re- source allocation in that the state is e.g. adapted to the user's needs. This object is achieved according to the invention in that the control device comprises an input device by means of which one or more codes may be supplied to the control device, and means which specify a relation between codes and said states, and which are adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate before the computer is connected to a power supply and is configured. This ensures that the control device can make a state- specific allocation of resources so that the computer may be optimized for various tasks in various states. Alloca- tion of resources takes place before the computer is connected to the power supply. This means that e.g. data which must be accessible in some states may be secured in other states. This is desirable e.g. when a computer is used by several users and for securing selected parts of the computer against computer virus. For example, it is not possible to use the computer for changing a pre-allo- cated state. In addition, the important advantage is achieved that it is possible to prevent a change in said specified relation between codes and said states from the computer. This is made possible in that the control device determines states in which the computer is to oper- ate before the computer is supplied with current and can be started. Thus, undesired access to the control device is prevented. The control device according to the invention gives the further advantage that it is simple to use in connection with computers having many units and which is desirably used in several different states. Another embodiment is characterized in that said units comprise one or more mass storage units . This enables security of data in given states. In a preferred embodiment, the control device comprises one or more connections to one or more of said units, and the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by the use of said connections . In a particularly preferred embodiment one or more of said connections are data connections, and the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by making and breaking said data connections . In a second particularly preferred embodiment, one or more of said connections are command and control connections, and the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by affecting said command and control connections. In a third particularly preferred embodiment, one or more of said connections are current connections, and the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by making and breaking said current connections . In an embodiment, the input device comprises a keyboard by means of which said one or more codes may be supplied to the control device. This ensures that a user can define a code easily and simply, and the risk of bringing the computer into an undesired state is minimized hereby. In still another embodiment, the input device comprises a card reading unit by means of which said one or more codes may be supplied to the control device. This pro- vides the advantage that unique identification of the user may be performed in a simple manner if cards containing user-specific card codes are used. In a further embodiment, the control device comprises a device to ensure that said specification of the relation between said codes and said states is allowed only after the submission of a given code. This provides security against undesired change of said states, as only selected users can make changes of said specification. In an expedient embodiment the control device comprises a supervisory unit which is adapted to currently supervise contact with one or more of said units, and the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate. The state may thus be selected both before, during and after the first start and re-start of the computer. This ensures that a user cannot intentionally or unintentionally e.g. switch the connection to various peripheral units and hereby ob- tain unauthorized access to one or more of these units . Claims 10-15 define further advantageous embodiments of the control device according to the invention. The invention also relates to a computer comprising a control device, said computer comprising one or more units, said computer being capable of operating in at least two states, said control device being adapted to connect and disconnect said units in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate, said control device additionally comprising an input device by means of which one or more codes may be supplied to the control device, and means which specify a relation between codes and said states, and which are adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to op- erate. In a preferred embodiment, said units comprise a control unit . The invention additionally relates to a method of connecting and disconnecting units in a computer which can operate in at least two states, said connection and disconnection being performed in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate, wherein the state in which the computer is to operate is selected on the basis of one or more supplied codes and a specified relation between codes and said states . Finally, the invention relates to the use of a control device in connection with a personal computer. The invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a computer with a control device according to the invention, fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a control device according to the invention, and figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a control device according to the invention. A preferred embodiment of a control device according to the invention will be described below. It should be mentioned, however, that a control device according to the invention may be implemented in several ways, the one illustrated below being just one of these. As the invention relates to a control device for a computer as well as a computer with a control device of this type, a description will be given below of a control device 1 according to the invention and a computer comprising a control device 1 according to the invention, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the control device 1 is incorporated in a computer 19. The computer comprises a plurality of units: a motherboard 4, one or more mass storage devices, a power supply 11, and one or more transmission devices 9. The mother- board or base card 4 is connected to the control device 1 via a plurality of connections 5A, 5B, 6. The connection 5A may e.g. be a data connection which may be used for data transfer between the base card 4 and the control device 1, while the connection 5B may e.g. be a command and control connection so that the control device can command and control the base card 4. The connection 6 illustrates a current connection between the control device 1 and the base card 4. This connection 6 may be used for supplying the base card 4 with current. The control device 1 is likewise connected to the power supply 11 via the power connection 10, which is adapted to feed a current from the power supply 11 to the control device 1. As mentioned, the units in the computer also comprise one or more mass storage devices. In the embodiment shown, these mass storage devices comprise: a hard disk 7, a CD-ROM drive 8 and a floppy disk drive 18. It should be mentioned, however, that many different mass storage devices may be used in this connection. In addition to hard disk, floppy disk drive and CD-ROM drive, mention may be made of e.g.: ZIP drive, SyQuest drive, MO drive, band stations, RAM cards, RAM disks. In the same manner as the control device 1 was connected to the base card 4 by a plurality of connections, the control device is connected to the other units . In the example shown, the control device 1 is connected to the hard disk 7 via the connections 3A and 12A. The connection 3A illustrates a power connection which is adapted to feed current from the control device 1 to the hard disk 7. The connection 12A illustrates a data connection which is adapted to carry data to and from the control device 1 and the hard disk 7. In the example shown, there are thus just two connections 3A, 12A between the control device 1 and the hard disk 7 , but a larger number of con- nections might be present of course, e.g. there might be a number of control and command connections between the control device 1 and the hard disk 7 so that the control device 1 could control the function of the hard disk. These connections, however, are not shown in the present case. Correspondingly, the control device 1 is connected to the other mass storage devices. Thus, there are connections between the control device 1 and the CD-ROM drive 8, and in the example shown the connection 3B illustrates a command and control connection, whereby the control device can command and control the function of the CD-ROM drive 8. The connection 12B illustrates a power connection which is adapted to supply the CD-ROM drive 8 with cur- rent. The floppy disk drive 18 is likewise connected to the control device 1 by a plurality of connections . In this case, too, two connections are shown, even though any number of connections may be provided between these units of course, and the connection 3D illustrates a data connection, while a command and control connection is il- lustrated by the connection 12D. Finally, the units of the computer comprise a transmission device 9 which, like the other units, is connected to the control device 1. Like for the other units, the connections between the control device 1 and the transmission device 9 illustrate that a plurality of different connections may be provided between these. For example, the connection 3C may conceivably be a power connection, while the connection 12C may illustrate a data connec- tion. It should be noted that even though all the units in the example shown are connected to the control device 1, the computer may of course also contain a plurality of units which are not connected to the control device, but which operate by having a direct connection to one or more other units in the computer 19. Such units, however, are not illustrated in the figure, since these are not specially relevant relative to the invention. As will appear from the figure, the control device 1 is thus connected to a plurality of the units of the computer. The control device is arranged such that it can connect and disconnect the units in such a manner that a connected unit may be caused to connect to another connected unit, and so that disconnection of a unit can prevent other units from contacting this unit. The computer 19 is adapted to operate in at least two states, and the control unit 1 is adapted to connect and disconnect the units in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate. For example, it is conceivable that in a given state the computer does not allow access to the hard disk 7. In this situation, the control device 1 may thus disconnect the unit 7 , while units that should desirably be accessible to other units in the computer are connected before start. As will be described below, the control device 1 is arranged such that one or more codes may be supplied to it, and the control device 1 comprises means which specify the relation between codes and said states. These means are adapted to select the state in which the computer is to operate on the basis of the given code. The control device 1 can thus cause the computer to as- sume a plurality of states on the basis of one or more supplied codes . By connecting a large number of units to the control device it is thus possible to specify a large number of states in which the computer can operate, and by allowing the control device to be connected to the base card 4 it is e.g. also possible to disconnect the base card 4 and thereby prevent the computer from functioning. This may e.g. be utilized in the situation where the supplied code or codes are not accepted by the control device. These conditions will be described more fully below. It may moreover be mentioned that the computer 19 may comprise a cabinet 2 in which one or more of said units are incorporated. In the case shown, the cabinet 2 thus encloses all the units of the computer and the control device 1. As will appear from the figure, the computer 19 comprises a cabinet 2. In a particularly expedient embodiment, the control device 1 is adapted to detect whether the cabinet 2 has been opened and, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer or the PC operates, e.g. by causing the PC or parts thereof to assume a locked state so that this/these cannot be used directly. This may be implemented in that the control device is con- neeted to a mechanical contact 43 in the PC. The contact 43 is activated by starting the PC. By allowing the unit to be driven by its own power supply, e.g. a battery, it is ensured that this detection may be performed even when the PC is turned off. Unwarranted access causes a signal to be applied to the control device 1 which can then block all or selected units . The power supply to the PC may be interrupted hereby. The administrator has to start the PC again. In an expedient embodiment, the cabinet 2 may be locked. Figure 2 illustrates a possible structure of a control device 1 according to the invention. The control device comprises input devices 20 and 21, means 24 specifying a relation between codes and states, and means 32 adapted to connect and disconnect units. As will appear from the figure, the means 32 have a plurality of connections which are numbered corresponding to the connections in figure 1. These connections are contemplated to establish connections between the means 32 and various units in the computer 19. As mentioned before, the control device 1 is adapted to connect and disconnect a plurality of coupled units. This connection and disconnection is performed in the example shown by using the means 32, which are adapted to perform this connection and disconnection by using the supplied connections . In the case where a connection is a data connection, this connection and disconnection may be performed by the means 32 by making or breaking said data connections, e.g. by using a switch, a relay or the like. In the case where said connections are command and con- trol connections, the connection and disconnection may be performed by affecting selected command and control connections in a suitable manner. For example, a state which just allows reading of data from a mass storage device may be achieved in that the control device 1 feeds a read only signal to the mass storage device concerned. Corresponding connection and disconnection of units may be performed by using other suitable control and command signals, such as M/B, reset and device enable of the sys- tern. As will appear from the figure, the input devices 20 and 21 are connected to the means 24 which specify a relation between codes and states. This allows a user to allocate one or more codes to the means 24 e.g. by using the keyboard 20, by using a card reader 21, or by a combination of these. On the basis of the supplied code, the means 24 may indicate a state, and by feeding the information on this state to the means 32, these means 32 may be caused to perform the connection or disconnection corresponding to the desired state. Many different input devices may be used of course. The keyboard 20 may thus be implemented in several known ways and may e.g. be a numeric keyboard, alphanumeric keyboard, both numeric and alphanumeric keyboard, etc. Correspondingly, the card read input device 21 may be implemented in different known ways, e.g. as one which is a magnetic card reader, a chip card reader or any other card that can contain the necessary code. It is additionally noted that other types of input devices may be used of course. Among many possible options it may e.g. be mentioned that finger-prints, face recognition and voice recognition are used in connection with personal recogni- tion, and that, on the basis of this, the control unit 1 can select a person-specific state in which the computer is to operate. It is noted that there are also several ways in which a user may be required to indicate one or more codes . It may e.g. be expedient to combine said input devices by entering these codes. For example, a user identification may be made in three stages: a code from a smart card reader 21, a PIN code entered via the keyboard 20, and the use of EPROM containing a unique number of the control device. These three numbers together will provide a high certainty of the user's physical presence at a given time and a given computer. It is e.g. conceivable that a computer is used jointly by two users, and that each user is therefore given a code which specifies the desired state in which the computer is to operate when this user uses the computer. This may be described by the following example. Several users may use the same machine with different rights and set-ups, there being used dedicated hardware for the individual user. For example, the same users may run different risks e.g. with respect to virus on various hardware configurations. Correspondingly, use of several operating systems in the same computer are made possible in a simple manner. Additionally, it may be ensured that a user's software does not destroy another user's set-up or data, such as e.g. the son's games or the father's ac- counts. As will appear from the figure, the control device 1 also comprises a supervisory unit 35. This supervisory unit 35 may e.g. be adapted to currently supervise contact with one or more of the connected units, and is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the com- puter operates. This ensures that it is possible to record when a unit is connected or disconnected and optionally store relevant information on this, e.g. time, the change made and subsequent acts. On this basis, the con- trol unit 1 can determine the state in which the computer is to operate, e.g. that it must be brought into a locked state where further use is not readily possible for a user without special system rights . The various conditions in connection with modem, network card and ISDN adapter will be described below. Modem. In connection with a connected modem the control device expediently uses a modem control unit. This modem is adapted to be disconnected or connected according to user ID and user set-up determined by administrator. The modem control device is an electronic unit that interrupts the line physically in the modem before ring detection. Hereby, the modem cannot be controlled through the line. This ensures that modem set-up is controlled ac- cording to user ID and set-up. Also provided is a sensor circuit for measuring whether the telephone line has been interrupted as a safeguard against switching of connections to external networks (unintentional change bypassing ID). This takes place by measuring the line voltage. Network card. It is adapted to be disconnected or connected according to user ID and user set-up determined by administrator. Also provided is a sensor circuit for measuring whether the network line (UTP) has been inter- rupted as a safeguard against switching of connections to external networks (unintentional change bypassing ID) . A sensor circuit measures the presence of connection/disconnection of a network connecting line (patch cable) . Furthermore, the link signal is also read in standby (only mains voltage on the power supply) . This is a security for the network administrator that a user or others do not malevolently or unintentionally switch the network connections . In case of interruptions or switching of networks, the unit locks the machine and all hardware is interrupted until a valid condition of access (smart card, password, etc.) has been satisfied. The setup determines who has administrator rights . ISDN adapter. It is adapted to be disconnected or connected according to user ID and user set-up determined by administrator. Also provided is a stimulation/sensor circuit for measuring whether the ISDN connection has been interrupted as a safeguard against switching of connections to external networks (unintentional change bypassing ID) . This is a security for the network administrator that a user or others do not malevolently or unintentionally switch network connections . In case of interruptions or switching of ISDN the unit locks the machine and all hardware is interrupted until the condition of access (smart card, password, etc.) has been satisfied. The set- up determines who has administrator rights. As will appear from figure 2, the control device 1 comprises a cabinet 50. In the same manner as described in connection with the cabinet 2 of the computer, the con- trol device may be adapted to select the state in which the computer is to operate on the basis of information on whether the cabinet has been opened. Although it is not shown directly in figure 2, a control device 1 will expediently be based on a control unit which performs said control of the units of the computer in cooperation with the other parts of the control device 1. This is described more fully in connection with figure 3. Figure 3 shows a simple example of how the control device may conceivably be built. The control device comprises a control unit 31 which may be a normal CPU, a ROM 61 that can contain a program code and static data, as well as a RAM 62 that may be used in a known manner as a data storage which may be changed currently. These units may e.g. be connected to a data/control bus 63, just as the other units of the control device 1 may be connected to this bus 63. As will appear from the figure, a control unit 1 will thus be in the form of a normal computer in this embodiment, and in this situation the control device is thus basically built as a PC which may be incorporated in another computer so that the control device 1 can connect and disconnect units in the computer 19 depending on the state thereof. That the control device 1 may be built as an independent PC in the computer 19 gives a number of advantages. For example, it provides the possibility of using the control device 1 for independent work on the Internet. The advantage of this property is that, without any risk of spreading of virus from the network, a user can be on the Internet simultaneously with local networks without having to re-start the PC. Thus, in addition to providing the possibility of controlling rights at hardware level, the control device 1 also provides the possibility of using state-specific user interfaces. It should be stressed that the control unit 1 may be implemented in several ways, but as an example it may be mentioned that this may conceivably be constructed such that it can be built into a standard 5 inch slot in an ATX 2.01 (or higher) compatible PC, but it may also conceivably be connected in a suitable manner to any other computer. When the means 24 specifying a relation between codes and states are stored in a non-volatile memory, it is ensured that these rights can be specified only by a selected person, e.g. a system administrator who has special ac- cess to these, e.g. by being allowed to use the computer in a state which gives both read and write rights to the means 24. In an embodiment, the control device 1 comprises a super- visory unit 35 which is connected to one or more connections to the peripheral units of the computer 19. This is particularly expedient when the supervisory unit is connected to peripheral units which it is possible to identify. Hereby, security may be obtained e.g. against switching of connections to units, e.g. connections to external networks . In a further embodiment, the supervisory unit 35 comprises a measuring device 42 which is connected to the means 32. The measuring device is adapted to perform measurement of operational data, such as air humidity, temperature, shakes/vibrations , current, voltage and effect at suitable places in the computer, and, on the basis of this, the control device 1 is adapted to select the state in which the computer operates. Operational voltages are measured e.g. on power supply and peripheral units. The power consumption is determined e.g. on the basis of current/voltage measurements on units and in total from the power supply. This protects against damage to units because of unacceptable "operational data", e.g. when a given specified threshold value is exceeded. In a further expedient embodiment, the supervisory unit 35 comprises a timer 41 which may likewise be connected to the means 32. The timer or the clock 41 may e.g. be used for measuring the total amount of time which a given user has used the computer or selected units, such as modem or other, but may also be used for ensuring that the computer can only be used for given purposes at given points in time by given users . This control may be performed in that the clock 41 is e.g. connected to the means 32 which perform suitable disconnection of units on the basis of information from the clock. It is noted that the figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the invention, while other details are omitted. The same reference numerals have been used throughout for identical or corresponding parts . Some examples of embodiments of a control device according to the invention and a computer with a circuit ac- cording to the invention have been shown in the foregoing. It should be stressed, however, that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown, but may be embodied in other ways within the subject-matter defined in the following claims. For example, the control device 1 may comprise an output device, such as an LCD display or a conventional screen. This ensures that the control device can provide the user with various items of information. However, the control unit may also be connected to the screen of the computers and be adapted to provide the user with information via the screen.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. A control device for a computer having one or more units, said computer being capable of operating in at least two states, said control device being adapted to connect and disconnect said units in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device comprises an input device by means of which one or more codes may be supplied to the control device, and means which specify a relation between codes and said states, and which are adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate before the computer is connected to a power supply and is configured. 2. A control device according to claim 1, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that it comprises one or more connections to one or more of said units, and that the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by the use of said connections. 3. A control device according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that one or more of said connections are data connections, and that the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by making and breaking said data connections. 4. A control device according to claim 2 or 3, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that one or more of said connections are command and control connections, and that the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by affecting said command and control connections . 5. A control device according to claim 2, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that one or more of said connections are power connections, and that the control device is adapted to perform said connection and disconnection by making and breaking said current connections . 6. A control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said input device comprises a keyboard by means of which said one or more codes may be supplied to the control device. 7. A control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said input device comprises a card reading unit by means of which said one or more codes may be supplied to the con- trol device. 8. A control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by comprising a device adapted to ensure that said specification of the relation between said codes and said states is allowed only after the submission of a given code. 9. A control device according to one or more of claims 2-8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises a supervisory unit which is adapted to currently supervise contact with one or more of said units both before, during and after the first start and re-start, and that the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate. 10. A control device according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said supervision comprises identification of one or more of said units . 11. A control device according to claim 9 or 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said supervisory unit is adapted to perform measurement of operational data, and that the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to op- erate. 12. A control device according to one or more of claims 9-11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it is enclosed by a cabinet, and that the supervisory device comprises means adapted to currently determine whether the cabinet has been opened, and that the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate. 13. A control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supervisory device comprises a timer device, and that the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate. 14. A control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by comprising an output device which is adapted to show information on the current state of the computer. 15. A control device according to one or more of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises one or more measuring devices adapted to measure external influences, such as temperature, air humid- ity and vibrations, and that the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate. 16. A computer comprising a control device, said com- puter comprising one or more units, said computer being capable of operating in at least two states, said control device being adapted to connect and disconnect said units in dependence on the state in which the computer operates, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device additionally comprises an input device by means of which one or more codes may be supplied to the control device, and means which specify a relation between codes and said states, and which are adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate . 17. A computer according to claim 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the units comprise a control unit. 18. A computer according to claim 16 or 17, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that it is enclosed by a cabinet, and that the supervisory device comprises means adapted to currently determine whether the cabinet has been opened, and that the control device is adapted, on the basis of this, to select the state in which the computer is to operate. 19. A method of connecting and disconnecting units in a computer which can operate in at least two states, wherein the connection and the disconnection are per- formed in dependence on the state in which the computer is to operate, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the state in which the computer is to operate is selected on the basis of one or more supplied codes and a specified relation between codes and said states . 20. Use of a control device according to one or more of claims 1-15 in connection with a personal computer.

Inventors: NORTUNG RENE, NORTUNG, RENE
Applicants: NORTUNG RENE, REMEDAN APS, NORTUNG, RENE, REMEDAN APS.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G06F1
IPC codes: G06F3, G06F12, G06F21