Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-10
2001-01-16
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C361S726000, C361S747000, C361S759000, C070S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175491
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all rights accruing thereto under 35 U.S.C. § 119 through my patent application entitled A Removable Locking Device of Peripheral Devices and a Computer System Having the Same and a Control Method Thereof earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 10th day of Mar. 1997 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 1997/7891.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a removable locking device for peripheral devices and, more specifically, a removable computer peripheral locking device and a method for preventing removable peripheral devices from being removed from the computer while the power is on.
2. Background Art
A typical peripheral device is attached through a peripheral port on a computer and is prevented from accidentally separating from the computer by a safety device, such as a rib on the bottom or on the side of the computer. The extra space required for mounting a specific peripheral safety device is becoming an increasingly difficult design problem as computers are being built progressively more compactly due to increasing technological demands. Many computers are capable of interfacing with a wide variety of peripheral devices, thus providing computer users with greater freedom in the selection of additional peripheral devices for their computers.
This has led to the development of different ways to prevent a peripheral device, such as a hard disk driver, a floppy disk driver, and a cable master, from accidentally disconnecting from a computer. Generally, a user should separate removable peripheral devices from the main body of a computer system after turning OFF the power supply of the computer system. Some techniques developed to prevent the separation of peripheral devices from a computer are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,172 to See entitled Interlock for Power Sources in Data Processing Apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,281 to Young entitled Cable/Computer Peripheral Lock, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,841 to Darden entitled Adapter and a Removable Slide-In Cartridge for an Information Storage System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,815 to Davidge entitled Device-Port Locking Covers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,415 to Mitcham entitled Automatic Computer Docking Station Having a Motorized Tray, Cammed Side Connectors, Motorized Side Connectors, and Locking and Unlocking Guide Pins, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,319 to Holley entitled Desktop Computer Locking Assembly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,955 to Taesang entitled Cage in Computer Equipment for Locking Peripheral Equipment Therewithin Using Hooked Lockpins, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,878 to Tsai entitled Anti-Theft Mechanism in a Computer System Having Removable Modules.
Contemporary techniques for securing peripheral devices often allow a peripheral device to be removed from a computer while the computer's power is still on. This can result in damaging the peripheral device and temporarily preventing further use of the computer. I believe it may be possible to improve on the contemporary art by providing a peripheral device locking system and method that prevents peripheral devices from being separated from a computer while the power is on, that is economical to manufacture, that can be retrofitted onto existing peripheral devices, that avoids the loss of data due to accidental disconnections, and that avoids damage to the computer due to accidental disconnections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved peripheral locking device and method.
It is another object to provide a peripheral locking device that prevents the removal of peripheral devices while the power to the computer is on.
It is still another object to provide a peripheral locking and device and method that is economical to manufacture.
It is yet another object to provide a peripheral locking device and method that can be retrofitted onto existing peripheral devices and computers.
It is still yet another object to provide a peripheral locking device and method that can prevent the loss of data due to accidental disconnections of the peripheral device from the computer while the power is on.
It is a further object to provide a peripheral locking device and method that can prevent the damage to the computer system resulting from accidental removal of the peripheral device from the computer while the power is on.
To achieve these and other objects a removable locking device of peripheral devices may be constructed using a controller for generating a locking signal according to a power control signal inputted into a computer system. The controller manipulates a first locking mechanism located on the main body of the computer. The controller causes the first locking mechanism to perform either a locking operation or a locking release operation in response to a signal sent by the controller. A second locking mechanism is located on a peripheral device that can be separated from the main body of the computer system. To secure a peripheral device the first locking mechanism inserts a pin through a hole in a plate attached to the main body and into a hole in a plate attached to the peripheral device. The second locking mechanism is a plate that has a hole through it for engaging the pin. When the peripheral is to be removed the pin must first be withdrawn from the second locking mechanism.
The process of securing a peripheral device to a computer starts with detecting whether a power on signal, a resume signal, a suspend signal, or a power off signal is sent to the power supply. When a power on signal is sent to the power supply, the controller generates a locking signal that is sent to a motor. This causes a hook to be moved through attached rings in the peripheral device and the main body of the computer, thus securing the peripheral device to the computer. Then the power supply is turned on. When a resume signal is sent the peripheral device is secured to the main body of the computer and power is then turned on and back up data is reloaded onto the computer.
When a suspend signal is detected the computer stores all its data in memory and then releases the peripheral locking device and the power is turned off. When a power off signal is detected the controller sends a locking release signal to the motor. This causes the motor to withdraw the hook from the holes in the first and second plates or rings in the peripheral device and main body to allow the peripheral device to be removed. Then, the power supply to the computer is turned off.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4214172 (1980-07-01), See
patent: 4669281 (1987-06-01), Young
patent: 4941841 (1990-07-01), Darden et al.
patent: 5220815 (1993-06-01), Davidge et al.
patent: 5228319 (1993-07-01), Holley et al.
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Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Lea-Edmonds Lisa
Picard Leo P.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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