Locks – Special application – For portable articles
Patent
1994-06-14
1997-08-26
Dino, Suzanne
Locks
Special application
For portable articles
361685, 292144, 34082531, 248553, E05B 6900, H05K 500
Patent
active
056600658
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an arrangement of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1.
Computers have become smaller and easier to move from one place to another in recent years, which besides the obvious advantages afforded by this development has also created certain drawbacks. One drawback is that such computers and the information stored therein are more easily stolen, particularly in the case of portable computers.
One problem resulting from moving computers and installing them in different systems, is that the information stored therein must be kept updated in more than one place. This problem is illustrated by the following example:
An operator works during the day on writing a letter at his/her workplace. At the end of the day, there remains a deal to be done to the letter and the operator decides to continue with the work at home. In his/her working place, the operator is connected to a local network through a portable computer and the operator writes the letter on the central storage medium of the network (so-called file servers). It is now necessary for the operator to copy the latest version of the letter from the file server to the portable computer, switch-off the portable computer and disconnect the electrical connections. The operator now carries the computer home and finishes the letter. On the following morning, the operator connects the portable computer to the network at his/her workplace. The operator must now copy the revised version of the letter, from the portable computer to the file server of the network. Those copies made by the operator ensure that the information, in this case the letter, is held updated. The copies are difficult to make, the degree of difficulty depending on the extent of the copying. For instance, assume that instead of a letter, the work involves software modules which include program codes, and also assume that a number of these modules, although not all, have been changed and therewith need to be copied. Further assume that the program code is re-compiled, etc., updating in this case being a complex task and requiring a great deal of knowledge on the part of the person performing the work. The task becomes more complicated when the same information is found stored in three or more places. The aforedescribed example may, of course, be seen in a wider perspective. For instance the system to which the portable computer is coupled may have a different configuration, instead of using a file server in a network as a stationary storage medium, the storage medium of this network may have the form of a local hard disk, central computer storage medium, etc.
Locking devices which function to securely lock a computer are commercially available. These locking devices may, for instance, comprise a fitting mounted on the computer in combination with a padlock and cable. With this type of locking device, it is necessary for the operator to carry out certain steps manually when locking or unlocking the computer. This makes moving of the computer from one place to another more difficult and more complicated, which is a drawback, particularly in the case of portable computers. Furthermore, when using a padlock or some other type of key-operated lock or a combination lock, it is necessary to keep the key/combination in a safe place so that security is maintained. This places further demands on the operator and also detracts from the portability of the computer.
The main object of the invention is to provide a locking arrangement of the aforementioned kind which can be manipulated simply and reliably from the safety aspect.
Another object of the invention is to provide automatic updating in conjunction with moving the computer between different places.
The main object of the invention is achieved with an arrangement of the kind that has the characterizing features set forth in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Other features and further developments of the inventive arrangement are set forth in the remaining claims.
According to the present invention, there is pro
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Dino Suzanne
ICL Systems AB
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