Abstract:
Controlling the actuation of a security latch for attaching a computer to a retaining member is useful in physically protecting a computer from theft. A protruding element is inserted into computer housing while pressing a control arm to disengage a locking arm. The present invention allows the security latch to be controlled by computer software via a solenoid in the security latch system. The security latch system of the present invention detects an input code identifying a user input to the inactive computer and is activated by said user input. The security latch is released in response to said input code for a predetermined time period during which said computer may be removed from the retaining member.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a computer system that controls the actuation of a security latch, and particularly to desktop locking software related to disengaging a cable retention arm connected to a portable computer.  
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART  
       [0002]     In the current art relating to physical protection of portable computers, a steel cable and a padlock are usually required. Such current protection systems comprise either a padlock that is a combination lock, or a padlock that has a combination lock attached. A protruding element is inserted into the portable computer housing while pressing a control arm to disengage a locking arm, which is similarly engaged by pressing the control arm to release the protruding element from the computer housing. Presently, portable computer software lacks the awareness of whether its corresponding system is physically protected. Also, the current art does not allow for remote release of the cable lock, and requires the disclosure of the same combination code to all users that need to move the inherent portable computer. Further, the current art requires a user to memorize the code sequence to operate the physical protection system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention provides a method for controlling the actuation of a security latch for attaching a computer to a retaining member. This invention detects an input code identifying a user input to an inactive computer and activates computer responsive to an input code identifying an authorized user. The present invention is responsive to said input code identifying said authorized user and releases said security latch for a predetermined time period during which said computer may be removed from said retaining member.  
         [0004]     The present invention also identifies a computer administrator by detecting an input code, and is responsive to said input code identifying said computer administrator. The invention then releases the security latch for an unlimited time period. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     The present invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a generalized data processing system on which the present invention for controlling the actuation of a security latch may be practiced;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a security latch of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative flowchart describing the setting up of the elements needed for the program for controlling the actuation of a security latch of the present invention; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an illustrative run of the program set up in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0010]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a generalized system is shown which may function as a basic data processing system on which the present invention may be implemented. A CPU  10  is provided and interconnected to various other components by system bus  19 . An operating system  40  runs on a CPU  10 , provides control and is used to coordinate the functions of the various components of  FIG. 1 . Operating system  40  may be one of the commercially available operating systems which is capable of handling multiprocessing, such as IBM&#39;s AIX 6000™ operating system or the OS/2™ operating system available from IBM, Microsoft&#39;s Windows NT™, as well as other UNIX and AIX operating systems. The operating system is in random access memory (RAM)  14  during the system operations. Application programs  41  controlled by the system are moved into and out of the main memory, RAM  14 .  
         [0011]     The system shown in  FIG. 1  also includes the following conventional elements. A read only memory (ROM)  16  is connected to CPU  10  via system bus  19  and includes the basic input/output system (BIOS) that controls the basic computer functions. RAM  14  and I/O adapter  18  are also interconnected to system bus  19 . I/O adapter  18  may be a small computer system interface (SCSI) adapter that communicates with the disk storage device  20 . I/O devices are also connected to system bus  19  via user interface adapter  22  and display adapter  36 . Keyboard  24  and mouse  26  are all interconnected to bus  19  through user interface adapter  22 . It is through such input devices that the user may interactively relate to a browser and other related programs according to the present invention. Display adapter  36  includes a frame buffer  39 , which is a storage device that holds a representation of each pixel on the display screen of the monitor  38 . Images may be stored in frame buffer  39  for display on monitor  38  through various components, such as a digital to analog converter (not shown) and the like. By using the aforementioned I/O devices, a user is capable of inputting information to the system through the keyboard  24  or mouse  26  and receiving output information from the system via display  38 .  
         [0012]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , an illustration of the security latch of the present invention is shown.  FIG. 2  shows the security latch  50  attached to a portable computer  52 . The security latch  50  comprises means for attaching a computer to a retaining member  56 , such as a desk, via a security cable  54 . The security cable  54  comprises a steel cable, a first end of the cable having a protruding locking arm for attaching the cable to a computer  52 , and a second end of the cable having attaching means for attaching the cable to a retaining member  56 . The security latch  50  further comprises a ratchet locking mechanism. The ratchet locking mechanism comprises means for inserting the security cable locking arm  58  into the security latch  50  locking the security cable  54  into the security latch  50 . Once inserted into the security latch  50 , the security cable locking arm  58  cannot be removed unless the security latch  50  is released. The ratchet locking mechanism further comprises means for releasing the security latch  50 , and means for removing the security cable locking arm  58 , allowing the removal of the computer  52  from the retaining member  56 .  
         [0013]     The security latch  50  of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2  is actuated via a small solenoid housed within the security latch system. A solenoid is an electromagnetic device that converts electrical energy to mechanical movement. The solenoid of the present invention is coupled with an input/output controller and is engaged on demand from the software, and disengages the cable locking arm  58  of the security latch  50 . Activation of the solenoid releases the security latch  50  for a specified period of time. The period of time can be set with an apparatus such as a spring tension release, a microcontrolled actuator, or the like, or it can be further controlled via computer hardware or software or a combination of both. When the screensaver lock in the software of the portable computer  52  is deactivated, the security latch  50  is automatically disengaged for a period of time, allowing release of the security cable  54 . The security latch system of the present invention further comprises a bypass apparatus attached to solenoid terminals to control release of the security latch  50  when the system is inoperative. The bypass apparatus can release the security latch  50  for as long as the bypass apparatus is in place. The solenoid terminals are accessible only from within the computer casing. Other C2 security mechanisms can be used to detect physical intrusion of the computer casing.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing the development of a process according to the present invention for controlling the actuation of a security latch for attaching a computer to a retaining member. A “screensaver” is defined as a utility that causes a monitor to blank out or display a certain image after a specified amount of time passes without the keyboard being touched or the mouse being moved. Touching a key or moving the mouse deactivates the screensaver. Means are provided for controlling actuation of a security latch for attaching a computer to a retaining member, step  70 . In the present invention, the computer can be activated by deactivating its screensaver. A computer screensaver actuates the locking of the solenoid that controls the security latch. Computer users have option of selecting the enabling the release of the security latch via user profiles. Entering the password setting for deactivating a screensaver locking mechanism can also release the security latch, allowing for removal of the computer. The screensaver software automatically disengages the computer security latch based on user ID privileges.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  further provides means for detecting an input code identifying a user input to an inactive computer, step  71 . Means are provided for activating computer responsive to an input code identifying an authorized user, step  72 . For authorized users, the screensaver software automatically releases the security latch when the screensaver password deactivates the screensaver locking mechanism. For unauthorized users, the screensaver software does not release the security latch. Means are provided responsive to said input code identifying said authorized user, step  73 . Means are provided for releasing said security latch for predetermined time period during which said computer may be removed from said retaining member, step  74 . The computer can be a laptop computer, a PDA, a desktop, or the like.  
         [0016]     Also in  FIG. 3 , means are provided for detecting input code from an identified computer administrator, step  75 . Means are provided responsive to said input code identifying said computer administrator, step  76 . Means are provided for releasing security latch for an unlimited time period, step  77 . The security latch of the present invention can be reset to its closed “locked” position by mechanical means, e.g. a spring tension, or can be computer controlled or electric mechanical means via a timer. The security latch system of the present invention further comprises a bypass apparatus attached to solenoid terminals to control release of the security latch when the system is inoperative. The bypass apparatus can release the security latch for as long as the bypass apparatus is in place. The solenoid terminals are accessible only from within the computer casing. Other C2 security mechanisms can be used to detect physical intrusion of the computer casing.  
         [0017]     A simplified run of the process set up in  FIG. 3  will now be described with respect to the flowchart of  FIG. 4 . First, a determination is made regarding whether a computer is attached to a retaining member, step  80 . If No, the process ends. If Yes, a determination is made regarding whether input code is detected identifying user input, step  81 . If No, the process ends. If Yes, the computer is activated responsive to said input code identifying said authorized user, step  82 , and the security latch is released to its open position for a predetermined time period, step  83 . Alternatively, after the input code is detected identifying user input from step  81 , a determination can be made regarding whether computer administrator has been identified, step  85 . If No, the process ends. If Yes, the security latch is released for an unlimited time period, step  86 . A determination is then made following steps  83  and  86  regarding whether to remove the computer from the retaining member, step  84 . If No, the process ends. If Yes, the computer is removed, step  87 .  
         [0018]     One of the preferred implementations of the present invention is an application program  41  made up of programming steps or instructions resident in RAM  14 ,  FIG. 1 , during computer operations. Until required by the computer system, the program instructions may be stored in another readable medium, e.g. disk drive  20 , or in a removable memory such as an optical disk for use in a CD ROM computer input or in a floppy disk for use in a floppy disk drive computer input. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the processes controlling the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of computer readable media of a variety of forms.  
         [0019]     Although certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and intent of the appended claims.