Abstract:
A USB locking mechanism to prevent data stored in a USB storage device from being read by an unauthorized party. A cover fits onto a male USB connector, thereby preventing the connector from being inserted into another device. Removal of the cover in an unauthorized manner will typically destroy the device or render it unreadable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method to prevent a specimen sample, such as a urine sample, from tampering.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A person subject to a drug or other medical test may deposit urine (or other bodily specimen) into a container for analysis. It may be possible for the subject of the test to tamper with the specimen in the container. For example, a party who expects that his or her urine will not pass a drug test may wish to replace his or her sample with another person&#39;s. Also, even after the specimens are taken, security at a laboratory may present a problem wherein specimens may be tampered with.  
         [0005]     What is needed is a way in which a container can be maintained securely such that the contents thereof cannot be tampered with, or evidence of such tampering will be obvious.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improvement in specimen collection devices to prevent or identify tampering.  
         [0007]     The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a lower portion with a first serial number; (b) a top portion with a second serial number matching the first serial number, the top portion adapted to fit onto the lower portion and adapted to be non-removably attached to the lower portion.  
         [0008]     The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) a bottom portion with a first serial number; (b) a top portion with a second serial number matching the first serial number, the top portion adapted to fit onto the first portion and adapted to be non-removably attached to the bottom portion; (c) a jar securely housed between the top portion and the lower portion; (d) a hollow receiver attached to the bottom portion to receive an insertion member; and (e) the insertion member attached to the top portion with an angular head on one end of the insertion member, the angular head having an end with a slanted portion that ends in a jut and the angular head is made from a malleable material allowing insertion into the receiver but not removal from the receiver.  
         [0009]     The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) storing means for storing a specimen; and (b) means for securing the storing means without breaking the means for securing the storing means.  
         [0010]     The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that includes (a) putting a specimen sample in a container; (b) placing the container in a first portion with a first serial number; and (c) locking a second portion onto the first portion, the second portion containing a second serial number that matches the first serial number, the second portion preventing opening of the container and being non-removably attached to the first portion.  
         [0011]     These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a front view of an unlocked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a front view of a locked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a locked and empty specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a drawing illustrating a side view of an unlocked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a drawing illustrating a side view of a locked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a top view of a specimen prevention device, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0020]     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method to prevent a specimen from being tampered with once the specimen is collected. This can be accomplished by placing the specimen in ajar or other container. The jar can then be secured in a locking apparatus that prevents removal and opening of the jar. In order to remove or open the jar, the locking apparatus must be broken, which will be readily apparent by inspection.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a front view of an unlocked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment.  
         [0022]     A jar  100  (or other container) can be used to contain medical (and other) specimens such as urine, blood, etc. Thejar  100  is secured by locking apparatus that comprises an upper portion  102  and a lower portion  110 . The upper portion  102  and the lower portion  110  can be manufactured and provided to a user (such as an employee of a drug laboratory) separated from each other. The user will manually attach the upper portion  102  and the lower portion  110  which will join in non-removable state. The state is non-removable in that if the upper portion  102  and the lower portion  110  are separated, damage/breakage to the upper and/or lower portions will be apparent.  
         [0023]     The upper portion  102  can contain a first serial number  119 . The bottom portion  110  can contain a second serial number  118 . Both serial numbers can be embedded therein using non-removable stickers, ink, etc., in order that the serial numbers cannot be tampered with. When a jar is placed into the lower portion  110  and the upper portion  102  is attached onto the lower portion  110 , the first serial number  119  and the second serial number  118  should typically match. The jar (or other container) can also contain ajar serial number  116  as well. The serial numbers can optionally be recorded in a log or database system.  
         [0024]     Thus, if a jar is placed into the locking apparatus, and the locking apparatus is broken, a new locking apparatus will be needed to be placed around the jar which will have a different serial number(s) than the jar and what may be on record.  
         [0025]     The upper portion  102  comprises a top  104 , a right upper portion  105 , and a left upper portion  103 . The bottom portion  110  comprises a bottom  112 , a right bottom portion  113 , and a left bottom portion  111 . The left upper portion  103  should typically lie flat on (although not required to do so) on the left lower portion  111 . The right upper portion  102  should typically lie flat on (although not required to do so) on the right lower portion  113 .  
         [0026]     A left insertion member  114  can be physically attached (such as molded) to the left lower portion  111  and can insert into a left hollow receiver  106  which can be physically attached (such as molded) to the left upper portion. A right insertion member  102  can be similar attached to the right upper portion  105  and can insert into a right hollow receiver  115  which can be attached to the right lower portion  113 . It is noted that insertion members can be on both lower portions with respective receivers on both upper portions, or can be mixed as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Further, the present general inventive concept is not limited to two insertion members with two respective receivers, but can also be implemented with one insertion member with a respective receiver, or any number of insertion members with respective receivers.  
         [0027]     Because of the shape of an insertion member and its respective receiver, the insertion member can be inserted but not removed (without obvious breakage) from a respective receiver. This will be discussed below in more detail. Also, the upper portion  102  and the bottom portion  110  are of such shape (e.g. a height, width, etc.) that the jar  100  (or any other kind of container) cannot be opened without breaking the container (which can be made of a material such as glass).  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a front view of a locked specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates the apparatus as illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a locked state which cannot be unlocked without breakage to the apparatus. The upper portion  102  is non-removably attached to the lower portion  110 , meaning that the jar  100  cannot be removed from the upper portion  102 /lower portion  110  combination without forcefully damaging the upper portion  102  and/or the lower portion  110 . This is because the left insertion member  106  is inserted into the left receiver  106  and cannot be removed because of the shape of the left insertion member  106  (to be discussed below in more detail). The right insertion member  107  is inserted into the right receiver  115  and cannot be removed because of the shape of the right insertion member  107  (to be discussed below in more detail).  
         [0030]     If the first serial number  119  does not match the second serial number  118 , then it can be assumed that the apparatus was tampered with. If an (optional) jar serial number  116  does not match the first serial number  119  and the second serial number  118 , it may also be assumed that there was tampering. Further, these serial numbers may be stored in a database for further verification.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a locked and empty specimen tampering prevention device, according to an embodiment.  
         [0032]     A circular top portion  120  of the upper portion  102  can be solid or hollow (as pictured), the latter of which can allow viewing of the top of the jar (not pictured). The jar serial number  116  may also be located on a top lid (not pictured) of the jar (not pictured) which can be viewed through the circular top portion  120 . A circular bottom portion  122  can be solid or hollow.  
         [0033]     If the apparatus is locked as illustrated in  FIG. 3  without ajar (or other container therein), ajar (or other container) cannot be inserted into the apparatus. Thus, the configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 3  is for illustration purposes but not recommended for actual use.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4A  is a drawing illustrating a side view of an unlocked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment.  
         [0035]     An insertion member  130  is attached to a top side  131 . The insertion member  130  has an angular head  132 . The angular head  132  has a jut  133 . A receiver  135  to receive the angular head  132  is attached to a bottom side  134 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4B  is a drawing illustrating a side view of a locked locking member and receiver, according to an embodiment.  
         [0037]     The insertion member  130  is inserted into the receiver  135 . The angular head  132  is locked into place in the receiver  135  and cannot be pulled in an upward direction because of the jut  133 .  
         [0038]     The jut  133  and the angular head  132  may be made of a malleable material such as plastic which can encourage the angular head  132  to (optionally) temporarily compress while being inserted into the receiver  135 . However, the jut prevents removal of the insertion member  130  from the receiver  135 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a top view of a specimen prevention device, according to an embodiment.  
         [0040]     A circular top portion  120  of an upper portion of the container can contain a top serial number  140  which should match the other serial numbers to verify non-tampering with the apparatus.  
         [0041]     It is noted that any materials can be used to manufacture the described parts herein, such as molded plastic. The locking mechanism (which can include an insertion member and respective receiver) as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  can be used in one, two, or any number of times for an apparatus as described herein. The apparatus illustrated in the figures herein illustrate a device with two such mechanisms. As discussed, the head and respective receiver can be located on either the top portion or the bottom portion, and the locations can be mixed in any combination on the locking mechanisms. Further, the presently described apparatus is not limited to a top and bottom portion, but can also be utilized as a left and right portion which can operate in the same manner as described herein. Parts illustrated or described herein as being attached can be physically attached to each other, such as being molded together.  
         [0042]     It is also noted that any and/or all of the above embodiments, configurations, variations of the present invention described above can mixed and matched and used in any combination with one another. Any claim herein can be combined with any others (unless the results are nonsensical).  
         [0043]     Moreover, any description of a component or embodiment herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s).  
         [0044]     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.