Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – With specific circuit breaker or control structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-05-01
Jackson, Stephen W. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
With specific circuit breaker or control structure
C361S001000, C361S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226165
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The disclosures herein relate in general to computer systems and in particular to an information processing system and method for securing operation of a computer system.
In comparison to a desktop computer, a portable computer is more subject to theft under some circumstances. Accordingly, various security features have been developed to deter such theft. At least some of those features are mechanical. According to one technique, a mechanical security device (e.g. a hook latch protrusion) mechanically secures (e.g. holds) the portable computer to a docking station. Nevertheless, such a technique has at least one shortcoming. For example, the mechanical security device is subject to defeat by mechanically prying the portable computer loose from the docking station. With such a technique, the portable computer's security is dependent on increased strength of a material, such as plastic or metal, that houses components of the portable computer or docking station. Nevertheless, practical limits (on the extent to which the material's strength may be increased) are imposed by factors such as cost and weight.
Accordingly, a need has arisen for a system and method for securing a computer system, in which various shortcomings of previous techniques are overcome. More particularly, a need has arisen for a system and method for securing a computer system, in which the computer system's security is less dependent on increased strength of material that houses components of the computer system.
SUMMARY
One embodiment, accordingly, provides for a housing for components of a computer system. A portion of the housing includes a material which includes circuitry for detecting a physical break in the material. In response to the physical break, the circuitry disables an operation of the computer system.
A principal advantage of this embodiment is that (a) various shortcomings of previous techniques are overcome, and (b) the computer system's security is less dependent on increased strength of material that houses components of the computer system.
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Haynes and Boone L.L.P.
Jackson Stephen W.
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