Patent Publication Number: US-11641076-B2

Title: Device based lock via electrical socket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/160,280, filed Jan. 27, 2021, by Meir Avganim, and entitled “DEVICE BASED LOCK VIA ELECTRICAL SOCKET,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/979,863, filed Feb. 21, 2020, by Meir Avganim, and entitled “DEVICE BASED LOCK VIA ELECTRICAL SOCKET” and 62/967,456, filed Jan. 29, 2020, by Meir Avganim, and entitled “DEVICE BASED LOCK FOR USB-C PLUG.” The entire contents of each of the patent applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to methods and devices for enhancing computer physical and information security by physically blocking unused USB ports with self-locking devices, or by providing a USB port with a locking device with internal circuitry that secures a user peripheral device attached to the computer, by using USB ports and the like to lock therein an anti-theft security cable and/or a combination of both physical and information security. More specifically, the present invention introduces a lock mechanism, preferably software (APP) controlled, which is provided within the computing or communication device and which is able to grasp onto and lock the plug of a USB cable to the device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a tablet and the like and/or lock the head end of locking cable to the computing device, the other end of which cable being tethered to an immovable object such as a chair, a table or the like. 
     The APP software controlling the lock mechanism may be adapted to continuously communicate with a management software application that provides real-time monitoring and warnings when any USB port or cable associated therewith is being removed or tampered with. 
     Generally, universal serial bus (USB) ports provide a serial bus standard for connecting devices to computers. Most modern computers include at least one, and usually a plurality of USB ports. USB ports are used to connect peripherals such as mice, keyboards, scanners, digital cameras, printers, external storage, etc. 
     Anyone with access to a computer&#39;s USB port can plug a portable flash drive or other mass storage device into the port and attempt to download information from the computer. Unauthorized, downloading information from the computer is a security problem. Intentional or unintentional downloading of malicious code from plugged USB devices is another critical security problem. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0041125; USB PORT LOCKING AND BLOCKING DEVICE, to Carl Poppe, discloses a mechanical lock for USB ports. Another such lock mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,734,358, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     USB Type-C ports are now found on all manners of devices from simple external hard devices to smartphone charging cables. USB-C is an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C connector was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the group of companies that has developed, certified, and shepherded the USB standard over the years. The USB-IF counts more than 700 companies in its membership, among them Apple, Dell, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and Samsung. This broad acceptance by the big device makers is important, because it&#39;s part of why USB-C has been so readily accepted by PC manufacturers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple to use, device-based lock that grasps and locks a USB cable plug to the USB port. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a USB port lock of the type referred to above that is software operated. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a locking scheme for USB ports which does not require any meaningful altering of existing USB cables. 
     The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized in accordance with preferred lock embodiments of the invention that provide a lock located inside the computing device, which lock is configured to grasp onto and hold the plug end of the USB-C cable firmly attached to the USB-C port. 
     In preferred embodiments, the present invention comprises an electronically lockable, electrical plug configured to communicate power and data signals to mobile electronic devices (MED), the electrical plug comprising: a male electrical plug body insertable into a female electrical socket of the MED; a plurality of electrical contacts defined in the male electrical plug for communicating the power and data signals to and from the MED, via corresponding electrical contacts associated with an MED electrical socket, said MED electrical socket being shaped and sized to physically receive and support therein said male electrical plug body; at least one plug locking element formed in the male plug body, so formed as to be lockable to or with at least one corresponding, complementary socket locking element of the MED, so that upon insertion of the male plug body into the MED socket the electrical plug is locked with the MED; an associated, electronically operable locking mechanism that is operable to mechanically disengage the plug locking element from the socket locking element to thereby enable the electrical plug to be released from the MED; and an electrical cable coupled to the male plug body for electrically conducting the signals. 
     Preferably, a metallic cable is coupled to the male plug body, the cable having a distal free end that enables the distal free end to be tethered to an immovable object and thereby prevent theft of the MED The metallic cable is integrated with the electrical cable. The male plug body is shaped and configured to function as a USB-C plug. The male plug body has a general rectangular shape and wherein said at least one plug locking element comprises length-wise juxtaposed, first and second recesses that are formed in the male plug body and sized and shaped to receive said at least one socket locking element. 
     Preferably, the male plug is provided in combination with said MED, and said MED including and electrical system for sliding said at least one socket locking element out of said recesses. The electrical system may include a solenoid for mechanically moving the at least one socket locking element and a wireless interface is provided that is configured to allow a user to communicate with the electrical system to instruct operation of the mechanical disengaging of the electrical plug from the MED. 
     Alternatively, an external controller is coupled to the electrical plug and configured to produce control signals to the locking mechanism to release the electrical plug from the MED, wherein the external controller includes and provides a plurality of USB sockets that are electrically configured to provide communications with the MED, via the MED electrical socket. In an embodiment, the at least one socket locking element comprises a pair of hinge-mounted socket locking elements configured to move into and out of said recesses. 
     Preferably, the system includes a software driven APP module that is stored and running within said MED and a corresponding APP module stored and running within a user mobile device to communicate software instructions to said locking mechanism. Alternatively, there is included a software driven APP module that is stored and running within said external controller and a corresponding APP module stored and running within a user mobile device to communicate software instructions to said locking mechanism. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    perspectively illustrates a conventional USB-C cable. 
         FIG.  2    perspectively illustrates an otherwise conventional USB-C cable that has been provided with a pair of dents or through-going holes on a wall portion thereof for receiving a pair of locking elements therein. 
         FIG.  3    shows a prior art computing device with a USB-C plug receptacle. 
         FIG.  4    diagrammatically illustrates a USB-C body shape and electrical contact locations. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates and identifies diagrammatically the functions of the various electrical pins in a USB-C plug. 
         FIG.  6    diagrammatically illustrates the general configuration and the electrical conductors (pins) of a socket that receives a USB-C electrical plug. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective diagram of the general mechanical configuration of a USB-C receptacle or socket. 
         FIG.  8    diagrammatically illustrates a locking mechanism for a USB-C port, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a second locking mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates diagrammatically a third concept that can use a known lock configuration that is adapted for the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram of major components of an electrical control system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    is a block diagram of software modules associated with a lock APP for the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    perspectively illustrates a prior art USB plug that is connected to a hub which provides additional sockets for electrical communication with a computing device. 
         FIG.  14    shows the plug portion of  FIG.  13    with cutouts formed therein which cutouts are engaged by locking elements inside the computing device, thereby enabling holding the plug secured inside and to the computing device. 
         FIG.  15    shows the plug with the cutouts of  FIG.  14    being inserted into the computing device. 
         FIG.  16    shows the USB plug of  FIG.  15    locked in the computing device. 
         FIG.  17    shows a plug socket located inside a computing device and mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) located in the computing device. 
         FIG.  18    shows a lock head of a security tethering cable and a USB plug locked to a PCB within the computing device. 
         FIG.  19    shows a PCB of a computing device with several electrical sockets mounted to a PCB thereof. 
         FIG.  20    shows four different methods of securing a USB sockets inside a computing device. 
         FIG.  21    shows a security system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  22    shows a control system that can be provided outside of a computing device for controlling the internal locking of a USB locking mechanism inside the computing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings, initially illustrated is a conventional USB-C electrical cable  1  in which the cable  2  is connected to a plug body that supports the insertable plug  3 , including internal pins  4 . The USB-C cable  1  of  FIG.  1    is reconfigured as a lockable plug  10  in  FIG.  2   . The lockable plug  10  has a cable  12  attached to the plug body  11  with the insertable plug  13 , pins  14  and a pair of lock opening  16  located on opposed narrow side walls of the conventional USB-C plug. In  FIG.  3    is illustrated a prior art computing device  20 , which can be a tablet, a mobile device or even a large computer  20 , which is outfitted with a conventional USB-C socket  30 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates diagrammatically the internal configuration of a conventional insertable USB-C plug  3  showing its contact pins  4  located along the two long walls of the generally rectangular but ends rounded side walls plug, the shape of which is defined by a circumscribing wall  5  that has a predetermined thickness on the order of less than a millimeter in width.  FIG.  5    shows the surrounding wall  5  and the overall plug  3  identifying the functionalities associated with the different electrical pins  4 . 
     Turning to the socket side of a USB-C portal,  FIG.  7    perspectively shows that the USB-C socket  40  is defined by an outer circumscribing wall  41  which defines an interior shaped to precisely and fittingly receive the plug  3  therein, the interior space  42  accommodating therein a flat plate  38  which has formed electrical pins  36  on the top surface thereof (as shown) and a similar pin arrangement on a bottom surface thereof (not shown). In  FIG.  6    are shown the circuit board plate  38  with the pins  36  both along the top and the bottom surfaces thereof, the plate  38  being spaced from the circumscribing wall  32  which has a predetermined thickness. The interior space  42  leaves enough of a gap between the side walls  43   a  and  43   b  to accommodate the thickness of the plug wall  5  to be received therein. Special note should be made of the pair of locking holes  46  provided on the outer wall  41  of the USB-C port on the one hand and the corresponding similar locking holes  16  provided on the plug of the USB-C cable. Furthermore, when the plug  3  is inserted into the interior  42  of the USB-C socket, the locking holes  16  and  46  are strategically located so they register with each other. 
     With this modification to the plug of the conventional USB-C cable, one objective of the invention can be realized as illustrated diagrammatically in  FIG.  8    wherein a locking mechanism  50  (shown on the left side of the socket  40 ) includes a locking pin  52  that is partially located within the lock opening  46  and is also connected to a moving body  54  that is controlled to move back and forth in the directions of the arrow  56  based on software commands issued by the APP software application that controls its movement. Although reference numerals are not provided at the right side in  FIG.  8   , the operation is essentially the same. 
     With reference to  FIG.  9   , in another preferred embodiment, the lock mechanism  60  has a movable pin  64  that is connected to a body  62  that is normally biased by resilient material or a spring  66  to be located outside of the locking hole  16 . In that state, the USB-C plug head can be freely inserted in and out of the socket (the interior  42 ) as in conventional devices. However, the moving mechanism  68  can receive instructions from the locking software that causes it to operate on the body  62  pushing it inwardly as shown on the right side of  FIG.  9    and thereby having the pin  64  occupy both locking holes  16  and  46 , preventing the USB-C plug from being separated from the USB-C socket. That is, when the moving mechanism  68  receives its instruction to move inwardly, the spring or the resilient material  66  becomes deformed as shown in  FIG.  9    and keeps the locking pin  64  in a locked position. 
     As indicated by arrow  57  in  FIG.  9   , the moving mechanism  68  can be of a type that is solenoid-operated and moves right and left in the figure. Alternatively, the moving mechanism  68  might have its pushing shaft  69  located in a threaded socket or have a shape that is scanned so that when it is rotated a quarter of a turn, as indicated by the arrow  59 , it advances or retracts the position of the pin  64 , changing its position from either a locked to an unlocked position, or vice versa. When using a rotational mechanism, one obtains the advantage that even if power is removed from the device, the locking location/position will not change, regardless of whether the power is maintained or is removed from the lock device. 
     Yet a third embodiment of a locking mechanism can be adapted for the present invention from one of the figures of the aforementioned incorporated by reference patent, as shown in  FIG.  10   . In the illustrated lock mechanism, a locking mechanism  117  has a locking pin  208  at the end of the arm that can engage a locking hole  234  in a USB-C socket  230 . That is, when the electrical contacts  233 ,  120  are moved to the left (in the figure) and locked inside the socket  231 , that is when the plug  213  is fully inserted, the tip of the locking element  208  will fall into the locking hole  234 . 
     The present invention in one embodiment reconfigures the prior art lock described above, to avoid providing the tiny USB-C plug with the illustrated locking mechanism. However, for the present invention, the reader is requested to transpose the location of the locking mechanism  117 , place it within, i.e., inside, the computing device and allow the tip  208  to be located outside both the socket and the plug and its tip penetrating both locking holes  46  and  16  as illustrated in  FIG.  9   . Indeed, the reversal of the location of the locking mechanism is shown in dashed lines in  FIG.  10   , it also being noted that the reversely located mechanism  117   a  with its movable operating arm  116   a  and locking pin  208   a  should be and can be duplicated on both sides of the receptacle  231 , as in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . 
     The block diagram of  FIG.  11    illustrates the generic moving mechanism  82  (which represents any one and many modifications and variations of the locking mechanism shown in  FIGS.  8 ,  9  and  10   ) receiving electrical signal controls from electrical controller  84  which is part of the overall control system  80  which is powered by a power module  86 . The electrical controller  84  is in turn configured to receive inputs from software  90  that operates software APP  90  that issues the appropriate instructions including providing certain displays at the display  88  whether the USB-C port is or is not in the locked position, as illustrated in greater detail in  FIG.  12   . 
     Referring to the software flowchart of  FIG.  12   , the overall control lock APP  90  has a lock APP overall control module  92  that normally performs a software algorithm including by first entering decision box  94  and inquiring whether the USB plug is installed. If not, then the lock mechanism  82  is issued an unlock command at the block  95 . However, if the USB plug is installed, the software continues to decision block  96  where it is determined whether the mechanism is in the “locked” position. If yes, that may be shown on the display that is the screen of the computing device. 
     As an aside, the socket may be provided therein with a micro switch that provides a signal that informs the software of the “locked”/“unlocked” status thereof. Regardless, if the mechanism is not in a locked state, the software proceeds to decision block  97  and queries whether the software instruction from the user has been to activate the lock. If yes, the lock mechanism is activated at block  98  and the software loop continues. If there is no instruction to lock the USB-C cable plug, the software returns to loop around. It should be noted that the software may include a default state which provides that whenever the USB plug is installed, it automatically requires to be locked. 
     Returning to the decision block  96 , if it is noted that the USB port is already in a locked position, the software proceeds to decision module  99  and queries whether the operator or the user has requested or issued a command to unlock it. If yes, the decision block  103  determines whether a password required for unlocking has been entered. If yes, then an unlock command is issued at module  102 . If not, the software times out and continues without any action. The overall software  90  may include many other functionalities that are naturally associated therewith including an ability to be queried by a system manager or to automatically provide historic information of when the plug has been removed or inserted, or if any attempt was made to break open and separate the USB-C plug from its socket. 
     This patent application also incorporates by reference the entire contents of the present inventor&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 10,398,045 which issued on Aug. 27, 2019, and which describes a security slot that is anchored inside the computing device, to a PCB (printed circuit board) of the computing device. 
     With reference to prior art  FIG.  13   , the USB-C plug  10  has a plug body  12  with an electrical plug  14  that houses internal electrical pins  16  that are connected to electrical wires that are located in the cable  18 . The electrical cable  18  connects the electrical lines to a hub  20  that has a body  22  which defines therein first and second USB sockets  24 ,  26 , an HDMI socket  28  as well as other sockets. 
     With reference to  FIG.  14   , the plug end of  FIG.  13    is now introduced as a modified USB port plug  30  with an electrical plug end  34  that has left and right side security cutouts  36   a  and  36   b.  The internal conductors extend via the cable  38  to a hub or in any other well-known manner. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , the modified plug  34  with the security cutouts  36   a  and  36   b  is insertable into a computing device internal socket  50  that is provided with left and right pivotable security tabs  56   a  and  56   b,  each of which at its distal end has a respective locking element  58   a  and  58   b  that fits inside the cutouts  36   a  and  36   b  when the locking elements pivot around their respective pivots  54   a  and  54   b.  When the security tabs  56   a  and  56   b  are electrically operated by a mechanism  59 , their other ends  52   a,    52   b  achieve the position as in  FIG.  16   , locking the USB plug  34  and making it difficult, if not impossible to withdraw from the computing device. The controller  60  indicated generically in  FIG.  15    provides the electrical control signals that operate the internal lock. The internal control  60  can operate in a manner described above or in any other manner based on instructions that are inputted by a user through a keyboard or in other means to the computing device (not shown). See, for example,  FIGS.  11  and  12    and the corresponding description. 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , the receiving socket  70  of the computing device which corresponds to the socket  50  in  FIG.  15    which is generally indicated as the socket  70  in  FIG.  17    is firmly secured inside the computer device to a PCB board  75  of the computing device through several pins including the pins  71  which are reentrantly bent and fit inside holes in the PCB  75 , in which they are soldered. In addition, a U-shaped bracket  72  has its own pins that are fixed in holes inside the PCB board and soldered therein, holding down the security slot and making it exceedingly difficult to remove or to pull out the USB socket  70  from inside the computing device. Thereby, a USB plug or a head of a security cable can be inserted into the opening  73  of the socket, making it very difficult to remove it therefrom. 
     While the element  70  has been described above as being a socket for the USB plug, it can instead be formed as the slot which is described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 10,398,045. The slot may be a trapezoidal slot or a conventional slot known as the Kensington slot. 
     Therefore, and as shown in  FIG.  18   , when either a USB plug  82  or a conventional security cable  80  is inserted through openings in the outer wall of the computing device, the plug can be connected to a socket such as the socket  70  and the locking cable into a similar socket which receives the locking head of the security lock  80 . This is also illustrated in  FIG.  19   .  FIG.  20    shows a variety of plug sockets and the manner of their attachments to the PCB board, including as indicated at  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  21   , the computing device  101  which includes the security slot (and/or socket)  102  and which may be provided in plural forms including one that receives a USB plug and another that receives the locking head of a security cable enables the plug end  108  of a USB plug (which has the security cutouts referenced above) and the insertable plug  104  can be received in the security slot or in the socket  102  and its cable  110  is in this case reinforced by a steel jacket (or steel cable) that cannot be cut and which is connected to the hub  120  which is provided with the sockets  122 ,  124  and  126 . The other side of the hub  120  continues with the steel cable  130  that ends with a conventional loop  132 , which loop can be used to tether the computing device  101  to an immovable device, in a well-known manner. 
     Again in  FIG.  21   , the element  108  can also represent the locking head of a lock and the element  104  the locking end (the “head”) of the lock which is received in a trapezoidal socket  102  as previously described, without providing any electrical function. Alternatively, the shown device represents both a lock and a USB or other type of electrical cable. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the hub  120  may be provided within with certain electrical functionality described as follows. That is, the modified hub  120 ′ ( FIG.  22   ) contains within an optional power supply  130 , a remote device communication module  132 , a controller  134 , and a lock control  136  which enables it to communicate with a remote device  138 , typically a smart phone or the like. 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG.  22   , a USB port  142  which receives electrical signals over a bus  144  and communicates those signals to sockets  146 ,  148  and  150  can be utilized to communicate instructions to the computing device  101  (which is connected to the port  142 ) from the lock control  136 , which instructions are provided by controller  134  which communicates with the remote device  138 . 
     Thereby, assuming that a computing device  101  is tethered by the security cable of the present invention, it may receive instructions even when it is not turned on through the port  142  that operate its own controller  60  ( FIG.  15   ) to release either the plug or the security head based on instructions received from the computing device. 
     In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the setup shown in  FIG.  22    can be utilized to prevent anyone accessing information in the computing device through the sockets  146 ,  148  and  150  of the hub  120 ′ by having the lock control  136  disable the signals from those sockets flowing over the respective bus lines  147 ,  149  and  151  from traveling over the main bus  144  to access contents in the computing device. This can be done by “shorting” one or more of the lines to “ground.” In accordance with another embodiment, the entire hub  120  can be encased in a box that is mechanically locked and which prevents access to the sockets  146 ,  148  and  150  by operating a lock that is either a manual lock, for example, a combination lock, or an electrical lock that is operated by the remote device  138 . 
     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, in lieu of power being provided from the power supply  130  inside the hub  120 ′, the power can be communicated from the remote device socket  139  into one of the available sockets of the hub, for example, the socket  146  which may be a USB port. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.