Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/930,122, filed Aug. 13, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     NOT APPLICABLE  
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK  
       [0003]     NOT APPLICABLE  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     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.  
         [0005]     Computer physical security devices are well known.  
         [0006]     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&#39;s web page at http://www.kensington.com/developers/dev — 1199.html, and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.  
         [0007]     It is well known to provide physical locking devices designed to interface to this specially designed security slot. An exemplary product is the Kensington MICROSAVER® physical security product, as well as other preferred embodiments embodied in several issued US Patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,752, issued Jul. 12, 1994—entitled “Computer Equipment Lock”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,685, issued Jan. 17, 1995—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,251, issued Dec. 14, 1999—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,989, issued Apr. 2, 1996—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,878, issued Feb. 27, 1996—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,088, issued Dec. 5, 2000—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,252, issued Dec. 14, 1999—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,562, issued Sep. 5, 2000—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,557, issued Dec. 28, 1999—entitled “Computer Physical Security Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,561, issued Sep. 5, 2000—entitled “Security Device for a Portable Computer”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,739, issued Aug. 4, 1998—entitled “Security Hole Fastening Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,891, issued Mar. 21, 2000—entitled “Security Hole Fastening Device” and patent application Ser. No. 09/426,066, filed Oct. 22, 1999—entitled “Cable Locking Device”; 60/128,988, filed Apr. 12, 1999—entitled “Security Hole Fastening Device”; Ser. No. 09/532,382, filed Mar. 22, 2000—entitled “Slot Adapter” and Ser. No. 09/813,924—entitled “Physical Security Device and Method for Portable Device” for example, all hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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.  
         [0010]     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.  
         [0011]     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.  
         [0012]     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&#39;s location. The carrying case solution is too cumbersome for all users in similar situations.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     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.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     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.  
         [0016]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the second coupler is shorter than the first coupler.  
         [0017]     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.  
         [0018]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the pin is retractable.  
         [0019]     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.  
         [0020]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, both pins are retractable.  
         [0021]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the locking flange engages the first wall when in the second orientation.  
         [0022]     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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a locking system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an attachment system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate attachment system according to an alternate preferred embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment system;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the attachment system illustrated in  FIG. 4  in use;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the system illustrated in  FIG. 4  in a closed position; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the system illustrated in  FIG. 4  in the closed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a locking system  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Locking system  100  includes a portable electronic device  110  having a hinged member  120  that has an opened configuration (as shown) permitting access to the keys and other operational interface elements  130  of device  110 , and a closed configuration (not shown) in which hinged member  120  overlies operational interface elements  130  to inhibit access. Device  110  has a side wall  140  that defines a security aperture  150 . Preferably, security aperture conforms to Kensington security standard.  
         [0031]     Locking system  100  includes an attachment system  160  having an attachment device  170  and a localizer  180 . Attachment system  160  has two configuration modes: an engagement/disengagement mode in which attachment device  170  may engage and disengage security aperture  150 , and a lock mode in which attachment device  170  is attached to device  110  via engagement of security aperture  150 .  
         [0032]     Localizer  180 , coupled to attachment device  170 , localizes attachment system  160  an object OBJ that is something other than device  110 . When attachment system  160  is in the lock mode and localizer  180  is localized to object OBJ, device  110  is also localized to object OBJ. Attachment system  160  preferably includes a lock (for example a tumbler, combination, or cable locking system) having a mechanism for maintaining attachment system  160  in the lock mode. As is explained later, attachment device  170  preferably includes two configurations: a first configuration for securing device  110  while hinged member  120  is in the opened configuration, and a second configuration for securing device  110  while hinged member  120  is in the closed configuration.  
         [0033]     In operation, a user configures device  110  in either the opened or closed configuration and attachment system  160  (in the engagement configuration) engages security aperture  150 . Attachment system  160  is transformed to the lock mode, and localizer  180  is localized to object OBJ to maintain device  110  within a predetermined distance of object OBJ. (Localizer  180  may be, depending upon application cable of attachment to object OBJ before or after connection to device  110 .) Device  110  is secured in this fashion until attachment system  160  is transformed to a disengagement mode, freeing attachment system  160  from device  110 . When attachment system  160  is engaged while hinged member  120  is in the closed configuration, attachment system  160  also maintains hinged member  120  in the closed configuration while concurrently localizing device  110  to object OBJ. In other applications, it may be preferable to secure device  110  in the closed configuration but it may not be necessary to localize device  110  to object OBJ. In this application, localizer  180  is not employed.  
         [0034]     Device  110  is shown as a laptop computer. Device  110  can also be a personal digital assistant (PDA), electronic book reader, or other portable electronic device having a security aperture. Preferably, device  110  includes hinged member  120  that has a closed configuration. When attachment system  160  is in the locked configuration, attachment device  170  inhibits reconfiguration of hinged member to the opened configuration, inhibiting access and operation of operational interface elements  130 .  
         [0035]     However, in certain applications, device  110  may 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 system  160  may 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 element  130 . This is particularly simple when such specific operational interface element  130  is disposed on or near an edge or wall  140 , or near security aperture  150 . For example, an on/off switch may be covered by attachment device  170  when attachment system  160  is in the locked mode, disabling further operation or toggling of the on/off switch, for example.  
         [0036]     Security aperture  150  is illustrated as being in a side wall  140  of device  110 . Various applications provide for security aperture  150  to be in a back wall or even other placement. Attachment system  160  may be configured to operate with such other configurations. In the case when aperture  150  is in a back wall, and device  110  has hinged ember  120  attached inward from a back edge, attachment device  170  may include an arm for overlying the top surface that is sufficiently long to interfere with transformation of hinged member  120  into the opened configuration.  
         [0037]     Security aperture  150  is shown as a generally rectangular security slot having dimensions of about 7 millimeters by 3 millimeters. Other aperture configurations are possible and attachment system  160  may be adapted to engage such apertures.  
         [0038]     Attachment system  160  includes an attachment device  170  having an ‘L-shaped’ member, but other configurations are also possible as will be further described below, for example. Attachment system  160  includes localizer  180  illustrated 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.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of attachment system  160  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Attachment system  160  includes a housing  200 , a locking flange  210 , and a locking member  220 . Locking flange  210  extends from housing  200  and is sized so that it may be inserted into security aperture  150  in wall  140 . In this preferred embodiment, locking flange  210  is a ‘T-shaped’ rotatable member that rotates about 90 degrees to engage/disengage and to lock. Locking member  220 , also coupled to housing  200 , cooperates with locking flange  210  to maintain locking flange  210  in the lock configuration relative to security aperture  150 . Additionally, locking member  220  preferably includes an engagement arm  230  that extends past an edge of wall  140  when locking flange  210  is in a locking orientation relative to aperture  150 .  
         [0040]     When hinged member  120  is in the closed configuration, engagement arm  230  preferably extends beyond an edge of hinged member  120  to inhibit transformation of hinged member  120  to the open position, as shown. In an alternate use, such as for example when hinged member  120  is in the opened configuration, engagement arm  230  may be disposed along a bottomside of portable device  110 .  
         [0041]     Locking flange  210  may 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 aperture  150 , to a second mode that is secured to security aperture  150 , and then to a third mode that may be used to disengage from security aperture  150 . Typically the third mode is virtually the same as the first mode, but it need not necessarily be the same. While locking flange  210  is 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 member  220  may be generally configured to cooperate with locking flange  210  to 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.  
         [0042]     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 aperture  150 . Locking flange  210  may sized substantially smaller than the overall dimensions of security aperture  150 , but is sized to conform to preselected dimensions of a portion of security aperture sufficient to achieve the desired attaching reliability.  
         [0043]     In other applications, such as described below with respect to  FIG. 3 , locking member  220  may include two engagement arms that extend beyond a topmost and a bottommost edge of wall  140 , for example.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate attachment system  300  according to an alternate preferred embodiment. Attachment system  300  includes a housing  305 , a locking flange  310 , and a locking member  315  integrated into housing  305 . Locking flange  310  is a separate structure from housing  305  and includes a head portion  320  and flange portion  325 . Head portion  320  has a circular cross section and includes a first aperture passing through a diameter. Flange portion  325  includes a cross-member on a distal end of a shaft extending axially from head portion  320 . The cross-member is sized to conform/complement preselected dimensions of security aperture  150  defined in wall  140 . Wall  140  may be part of a wall of portable electronic device as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , or wall  140  may be a security adapter attached (such as for example by adhesive) to an object to be secured. The shaft is sized to permit flange portion  325  to extend past a thickness of wall  140  and Flange portion  325  need not necessarily have a ‘T shaped’ configuration, as discussed above. Other configurations for locking flange  310  are possible, as long as the configuration is selectively engageable with, and disengageable from, security aperture  150 .  
         [0045]     Housing  305  includes a cavity  350  sized to receive head portion  320 . Cavity  350  permits head portion  320  to pass through housing  350  and into a locking portion  355  of housing  305 . Locking portion  355  has a circular cross section and includes a second aperture passing through a diameter. When locking flange  310  is in the locked configuration, and head portion  320  is received by cavity  350 , the first and second apertures are aligned. When localizer  180  is a cable, bar padlock or other similar structure, it may be passed through the aligned apertures and thereby maintain housing  305  coupled to locking flange  310 , and thereby maintain flange portion  325  in the engaged position.  
         [0046]     Housing  305  further includes one or more locking members  315  that extend orthogonal, when attachment system  300  is in the lock configuration, to a plane defined by wall  140 , and extend past an edge of wall  140 . Each locking member  315  of the preferred embodiment is spaced a sufficient distance from a center point of aperture  150  to engage the edge. When a configuration is used that includes two locking members  315 , they are separated by at least the width of wall  140  proximate security aperture  150 . As discussed above, a locking member  315  may be moved further from the centerpoint, at least a thickness of hinged member  120  shown in  FIG. 2 , to permit housing  305  to engage locking flange  310  when hinged member  120  is in the closed configuration. In this embodiment, locking members  315  are sufficiently long to inhibit transformation of hinged member  120  into the open configuration. Additionally, in this embodiment, it may be that one locking member  315  is spaced a different distance from the center point of aperture  150  than another locking member  315  to account for possible non symmetries in aperture placement relative to edges of wall  140  and accounting for any additional thickness of hinged member  120 . Alternatively, a locking member  315  may be constructed to have a variable or adaptable distance from the center point.  
         [0047]     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a locking system  400  includes an attachment device  401  and a localizer  402 . The attachment device includes a housing  403  from which a shaft  404  extends. At a distal end of the shaft, a locking flange  405  is provided. Preferably, two locking members  406   a ,  406   b  are 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 aperture  150 ; and a lock mode (second orientation) in which the locking flange is attached to portable electronic device  110  via engagement of the security aperture.  
         [0048]     Preferably, two parallel legs  410   a ,  410   b  are coupled to the housing with couplers  411   a ,  411   b . Preferably, at least one coupler is able to rotate or move relative to the housing. As may be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , coupler  411   a  is slightly shorter than coupler  411   b , and thus, the couplers may move to a closed position so that the two legs are adjacent one another.  
         [0049]     Preferably legs  410   a ,  410   b  may 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.  
         [0050]     Preferably, the couplers may only rotate or open approximately 90 degrees relative to one another. This allows for portable electronic device  110  to be kept in a closed position, as may be seen in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0051]     Thus, in use, localizer  402  is placed around an object as previously described and legs  410   a ,  410   b  are spread apart or opened. Locking flange  405  is placed within security aperture  150  while in the engage mode. Pins  406   a ,  406   b  are placed within the security aperture also. The locking flange is then moved to the lock mode, preferably with key  420 . Removal of key  420  keeps the locking system in the lock mode. Pins  406   a ,  406   b  help prevent the attachment device from being manipulated so that the locking flange may be removed from the security aperture. Legs  410   a ,  410   b  also help in this regard and prevent the electronic device from being opened.  
         [0052]     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 member  120 . The single leg may or may not be rotatable or movable as desired.  
         [0053]     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.