JP2005092300A - Computer with locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to prevent an external connector from an external device from being arbitrarily inserted into an external connection connector included in a computer.
In a computer 1 having one or more external connection connectors 2a to 2d into which external connectors from the outside of the apparatus can be inserted and removed, external connectors to the external connection connectors 2a to 2d corresponding to the external connection connectors 2a to 2d, respectively. Are provided with locking means 3a to 3d that can physically block insertion and release the blockage. The locking means 3a to 3d move between a first stop position where the insertion is not blocked to a second stop position where the insertion is blocked and the insertion blocking means 4a to 4d which physically block the insertion. The key holes 5a to 5d, the physical keys 6a to 6d adapted to the key holes 5a to 5d, and the rotation operation of the keys 6a to 6d inserted into the key holes 5a to 5d connected to the insertion blocking means 4a to 4d. And interlocking means for moving the insertion preventing means 4a to 4d to the respective stop positions.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer, and more particularly to a computer that prevents an external connector from an external device from being arbitrarily inserted into an external connection connector included in the computer.

  Computers such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) and servers that have become widespread in recent years are used by, for example, intruders and outsiders, and data stored in the computers or intranets. Each computer is protected by software so that data stored in another connected computer or data storage device is not stolen.

  Security protection by software includes, for example, Microsoft (registered trademark) Windows (registered trademark) 2000 software manufactured by Microsoft Corporation. In order to log on after turning on the personal computer, the user name is associated with it. A password must be entered, and after logging on, a predetermined password must be entered in order to restore the screen from the screen saver operating state (for example, black display on the entire screen) to the usable state. Security protection is carried out, for example, by requiring it.

  In addition, it is possible to prohibit access to a drive unit for an external recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (compact disk-ROM), or an MO disk (magneto-optical disk) that is mounted on a personal computer or connected externally. Some use software to protect security (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

When the two softwares are used in combination, security protection is further enhanced as compared with the case of using them individually.
2001 News Release “Updating“ InfoBarrier ”Software for Controlling Windows Key Operations” [online], May 8, 2001, FFC Corporation [July 28, 2003] , Internet <URL: http://www.ffc.co.jp/news/2001/pl010508.html>

  However, in the above-described conventional method, even when the two softwares are used in combination to perform security protection, the gap between the computer user temporarily away from the computer being used and the screen saver operates. A cable connector (external drive unit) such as an external recording medium that can be connected to an unconnected drive unit that has not been set to prohibit access, that is, an intruder or outsider who has previously used the computer. Connector) is inserted into the unused external connection connector and the drive unit is made accessible by taking some software means or the like, so that data is written to the external recording medium and the data is stolen. is there.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer with a locking mechanism that can physically prevent insertion of an external connector into an external connection connector provided in the computer in order to solve the above-described problem.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a locking mechanism portion of a computer according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in which an arbitrary number of various external connection connectors provided in a computer are gathered in one place for convenience of explanation.

  The computer 1 of the first invention is a computer 1 having one or more external connection connectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d into which an external connector from the outside of the computer 1 can be inserted and removed, and the computer 1 is an external connection connector 2a. , 2b, 2c, and 2d, locking means 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d that can physically block insertion of the external connector into the external connection connectors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d and release the blockage. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, since the locking means is provided in each external connection connector, insertion of the external connector into each external connection connector can be physically blocked.

  The computer 1 of the second invention is the computer 1 of the first invention, wherein the locking means 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d insert the external connector into the external connection connectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. An insertion preventing means 4a that moves between a first stop position that is not blocked to a second stop position that blocks the insertion and that physically blocks the insertion of the external connector at the second stop position. , 4b, 4c, 4d, keyholes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d having a predetermined hole shape into which a physical key from the outside can be inserted / removed, and a physical having a predetermined key shape adapted to the keyholes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Key 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is connected to the insertion blocking means 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and linked to the operation of the keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d inserted in the keyholes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d And interlocking means for moving the insertion preventing means 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d to the first stop position and the second stop position. And wherein the door.

  According to the second aspect, since each locking means is provided with a physical key, insertion of the external connector into each external connection connector can be selectively and physically prevented by a simple operation with the key. .

  The computer 1 of the third invention is the computer 1 of the first invention, wherein the locking means 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are keyholes 5a, 3a, 3d of predetermined holes into which physical keys from the outside can be inserted and removed. 5b, 5c, 5d, physical keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d having a predetermined key shape adapted to the keyholes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and a key 6a inserted into the keyholes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d , 6b, 6c, 6d, from the first stop position that does not prevent the external connector to be inserted into the external connection connectors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to the second stop position that prevents the insertion. And an insertion prevention interlocking means for physically preventing insertion of the external connector at the second stop position.

  According to the third invention, since the interlocking means and the insertion preventing means according to the second invention are made into an integrated structure, the number of components is reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  A computer 1 according to a fourth invention is the computer 1 according to the second invention or the third invention, wherein each of the locking means 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d has a hole shape of the key holes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. The key shapes of the keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are characterized in that the locking means 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are all the same shape, all different shapes, or a mixture of the same shape and different shapes.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the keys of the locking means are the same type of key (common key) that is the same for all of the locking means, different keys (non-common keys), or a part of the keys. Others can be keys that are a mixture of non-common keys (mixed keys). For example, the keys can be arbitrarily classified by grouping the external connection connectors.

  The computer 1 of the fifth invention is the computer 1 of the second invention or the third invention, wherein the key holes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are two or more arbitrary key holes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. And the interlocking means interlocks with the rotation operation of the key inserted in the integrated keyhole, and the insertion preventing means 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d corresponding to the integrated keyhole. Each of them is a connection interlocking means for moving to the first stop position and the second stop position.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the external connector from being inserted into two or more external connection connectors simultaneously by operating one key inserted into the integrated keyhole.

  According to the present invention, since the insertion of the external connector into each of the external connection connectors can be selectively and physically blocked by the physical key, the operation for blocking the insertion of the external connector can be easily performed, and the external connector Insertion can be reliably prevented. Therefore, it becomes impossible to insert the external connector into the external connection connector by an intruder or outsider other than the person who manages the key, so that it is avoided that a drive unit for an external recording medium is connected. In addition, theft of data in a computer or a data storage device connected to an intranet can be prevented.

  Further, by making a part or all of the keyholes the same keyhole, the keyhole can be locked and unlocked by a common key, and thus the operation for preventing the insertion of the external connector becomes simple. At the same time, key storage is facilitated by reducing the total number of keys, and the workload of the key manager can be reduced.

  In addition, by using a part or all of the keyholes as integrated keyholes, multiple keys can be locked and unlocked at the same time with the integrated key, making the operation for preventing external connector insertion easier and reducing the total number of keys. This facilitates key storage and reduces the work burden on the person who manages the keys.

  The purpose of physically blocking the insertion of the external connector into the external connection connector provided in the computer has been realized by using a physical key that can be easily locked and unlocked.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating details of a fitting portion between the external connection connector and the external connector. Here, for convenience of explanation, the computer has two locking mechanisms, but the number is not limited.

  In FIG. 2, a computer 11 such as a personal computer or a server includes an Ethernet, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a PC card (PCMCIA: Personal Computer Memory) provided for connection to an external device (including an external card) outside the computer 11. Locking mechanisms 31a and 31b are provided so as to correspond to the external connection connectors 21a and 21b for the Card International Issociation card).

  Each of the locking mechanisms 31a, 31b includes a physical key 61a, 61b that can be inserted and removed, and a key hole 51a, 51b into which the key 61a, 61b is inserted, and each of the key hole 51a, 51b is a key 61a, 61b. In addition to a predetermined hole shape to which the key shapes 611a and 611b are fitted, a lock mechanism (not shown) is provided (a mechanism for a lock portion that enables locking and unlocking by key operation of a key shape key that fits the key hole). ing.

  The key structure as a combination of the keyholes 51a and 51b and the matching keys 61a and 61b is different from the key structure (hereinafter referred to as a common key) in which all the locking mechanisms 31a and 31b are the same, or all of them are different. A key configuration (hereinafter referred to as a non-common key) or a mixed key configuration (hereinafter referred to as a mixed key) that is partially the same and the others may be different, but is different here for convenience of explanation. A case of a non-common key or a mixed key having a key configuration will be described.

  Insertion-preventing metal fittings 41a, movably connected to the other ends of the interlocking mechanisms 71a, 71b by interlocking mechanisms 71a, 71b that move in conjunction with the rotational operations of the keys 61a, 61b inserted in the keyholes 51a, 51b. 41b can be moved independently of each other. In this case, the insertion preventing metal fittings 41a and 41b block the first stop positions 41a-1 and 41b-1 that do not hinder the insertion of the external connectors into the external connection connectors 21a and 21b, that is, the unlocked positions, and the insertion. It moves between the second stop positions 41a-2 and 41b-2, that is, between the locked positions.

  For example, the insertion preventing metal fittings 41a and 41b are turned to the first stop positions 41a-1 and 41b-1 by a rotation operation from a predetermined insertion position of the keys 61a and 61b to a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise rotation direction. The second stop positions 41a-2 and 41b-2 are set by a rotation operation up to a predetermined angle in the direction. In other words, the lock state that prevents the insertion of the external connector is brought about by the clockwise rotation operation.

  Although a specific mechanism configuration is not described for the interlocking mechanisms 71a and 71b, any specific mechanism configuration that can perform the functions of the interlocking mechanisms 71a and 71b described above may be used. Here, the interlocking mechanisms 71a, 71b and the insertion prevention metal fittings 41a, 41b are structurally independent and connected to each other as described above, but the insertion prevention metal fittings are connected to the interlocking mechanisms 71a, 71b. As an insertion prevention interlocking mechanism in which 41a and 41b are structurally integrated, the interlocking mechanisms 71a and 71b themselves, for example, a part thereof can also have a structure having the functions of the insertion prevention fittings 41a and 41b. .

  Further, the shape of the insertion preventing metal fittings 41a and 41b is not necessarily rectangular as shown in the figure. For example, an oval shape, an arc shape, a rod shape, or the like can be used as long as the insertion of the external connector can be reliably prevented. Any shape may be used. Further, the insertion prevention metal fittings 41a and 41b cover the entire surface of the external connection connectors 21a and 21b or a part thereof to prevent the insertion of the external connector, or prevent the insertion of a part of the external connector during the insertion operation of the external connector. Therefore, the insertion of the entire external connector may be prevented. In the latter case, the insertion preventing metal fittings 41a and 41b for preventing partial insertion may be located at any position as viewed from the external connection connectors 21a and 21b, and there is only one insertion preventing metal fitting 41a and 41b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of configurations may be used. When a plurality of blocking positions are used, each blocking position may be any position as described above.

  An example of these will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A shows a case where the physical form of the external connection connector is concave, and the physical form is convex by moving the insertion preventing metal fitting 45a over the entire upper surface portion (insertion side) of the external connection connector 25a. This shows a state where insertion of the external connector 95a is blocked. In the figure, the insertion preventing metal fitting 45a is sufficiently extended from one end face of the external connector 95a to the other end face opposite to it, but if the insertion of the external connector 95a can be reliably prevented, It may be a position up to the middle.

  Further, FIG. (B) shows a case where the physical form of the external connection connector is a convex shape, and the two insertion preventing metal fittings 45b-a and 45b-b are moved to the side surface portion of the external connection connector 25b. This represents a state in which the insertion of the external connector 95b having a concave physical form is prevented. In the figure, there are two insertion prevention metal fittings 45b-a and 45b-b, but only one of them may be used as long as the insertion of the external connector 95b can be reliably prevented.

  The insertion preventing metal fittings 45b-a and 45b-b are configured to be positioned on the side surface portion of the external connection connector 25b. However, the insertion prevention metal fittings 45b-a and 45b-b are positioned to be positioned on the upper surface portion (upper surface of the insertion surface) of the external connection connector 25b. You may comprise so that the whole surface of the external connection connector 25b may be covered.

  With the configuration as described above, it is possible to selectively and physically prevent the external connector from being inserted into each external connection connector by a key operation. For example, intruders other than those who manage the keys (computer administrator, system administrator, etc.) This makes it impossible for a user or outsider to insert an external connector into an external connection connector, so that it is possible to avoid connecting a drive unit for an external recording medium, etc., and data connected in a computer or an intranet. Theft of data in the storage device can be prevented.

  In addition, since the key configuration of each locking mechanism can be a common key common to all locking mechanisms, a different non-common key, or a mixed key in which some are common keys and others are non-common keys, for example, By using a computer with a key configuration such as a common key, non-common key, mixed key, etc. according to the connector type, use, purpose of use, management purpose, etc. of the external connection connector, locking and unlocking operations and keys The work burden associated with storage can be reduced.

  In other words, since the common key can be locked / unlocked with only one key, it is possible to reduce the trouble of finding a target key from among a large number of keys. Furthermore, since the total number of keys is reduced, the key storage space can be reduced, and the effort involved in key storage can be reduced.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the locking mechanism of Example 2 in which the present invention is implemented. Here, for convenience of explanation, the computer has two locking mechanisms, but the number is not limited.

  In FIG. 4, a computer 12 such as a personal computer or a server corresponds to each of the external connection connectors 22a and 22b for Ethernet, USB, PC card and the like provided for connection with the above-described external device, and a locking mechanism 32a. 32b. The locking mechanisms 32a and 32b are not provided with the same number of keyholes 51a and 51b corresponding to the locking mechanisms 31a and 31b as in the first embodiment, but two or more locking mechanisms arbitrarily combined. A key hole that is representative of 32a, 32b, that is, an integrated key hole 52a is provided.

  Further, a physical integrated key 62a that can be inserted and removed has a predetermined key shape 621a that fits into the integrated key hole 52a, and the integrated key hole 52a is in addition to the predetermined hole shape to which the key shape 621a of the integrated key 62a fits. It includes the aforementioned locking mechanism not shown. The computer 12 having two or more locking mechanisms may have only one or a plurality of integrated keyholes, and may be determined in accordance with the convenience of design, management, or the like. Here, for convenience of explanation, the integrated keyhole 52a is illustrated as one.

  By means of a connection interlocking mechanism 80a that is movable in conjunction with the rotation operation of the integrated key 62a inserted into the integrated keyhole 52a, the insertion preventing metal fittings 42a and 42b that are movably connected to the other end of the connection interlocking mechanism 80a are moved simultaneously. It is done. The insertion prevention metal fittings 42a and 42b in this case prevent the insertion from the first stop positions 42a-1 and 42b-1 that do not hinder the insertion of the external connectors into the external connection connectors 22a and 22b, that is, the unlocked positions. It moves between the second stop positions 42a-2, 42b-2, that is, between the locked positions.

  For example, the insertion prevention metal fittings 42a and 42b are turned to the first stop positions 42a-1 and 42b-1 by the rotation operation from the predetermined insertion position of the integrated key 62a to the predetermined angle in the left rotation direction, while the right rotation direction. The second stop positions 42a-2 and 42b-2 are set by the rotation operation up to a predetermined angle. In other words, the lock state that prevents the insertion of the external connector is brought about by the clockwise rotation operation.

  Although a specific mechanism configuration is not described for the connection interlocking mechanism 80a, it may be a predetermined mechanism configuration that can perform the function of the above-described connection interlocking mechanism 80a. Regarding the description of the shape, the blocking position, the number of components, etc. of the insertion blocking metal fittings 42a, 42b, the description of the insertion blocking metal fittings 41a, 41b in the first embodiment described above, except for the difference in reference numerals attached for convenience of description. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

  With the configuration as described above, since the insertion of the external connector into each of the external connection connectors can be selectively and physically blocked by a key operation, the same data theft prevention effect as described in the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained. It is done. Furthermore, in the locking mechanism having an integrated keyhole structure, the insertion of the external connector into two or more external connection connectors can be performed simultaneously by the key operation of the integrated key. By making the computer grouped according to the purpose of use, the purpose of management, and the like and having the integrated keyhole configuration, it is possible to reduce the work burden associated with locking / unlocking operations and key storage.

  That is, since the total number of keyholes can be made equal to or less than the total number of locking mechanisms by configuring the integrated keyhole, the number of key operations for each keyhole can be reduced, thereby reducing the work burden required for the key operation. Further, since the total number of keys is reduced, the key storage space can be reduced, and the effort involved in key storage can be reduced. Needless to say, when there is only one integrated keyhole, the workload associated with the key is minimized.

External view of a locking mechanism portion of a computer according to the present invention The figure which shows the structure of the locking mechanism of Example 1 which implemented this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the detail of the fitting part of an external connector and an external connector The figure which shows the structure of the locking mechanism of Example 2 which implemented this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Computer 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d External connector 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Locking means 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Insertion preventing means 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Key hole 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Key 11, 12 Computer 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b External connection connector 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b Locking mechanism 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b Insertion prevention metal fitting 41a-1, 41b-1, 42a-1, 42b-1 First stop position 41a-2, 41b-2, 42a-2, 42b-2 Second stop position 51a, 51b Keyhole 52a Integrated keyhole 61a, 61b Key 62a Integrated key 71a, 71b Interlocking mechanism 80a Linking interlocking mechanism 95a, 95b External connector

Claims (5)

A computer comprising one or more external connection connectors into which external connectors from outside the device can be inserted and removed,
The computer
A computer with a locking mechanism comprising: locking means capable of physically blocking and releasing the blocking of the external connector into the external connection connector corresponding to each of the external connection connectors. A computer according to claim 1, comprising:
The locking means is
The external connector moves from a first stop position that does not prevent the insertion of the external connector to the external connection connector to a second stop position that prevents the insertion, and at the second stop position, the external connector Insertion blocking means for physically blocking the insertion of
A keyhole with a predetermined hole shape into which a physical key from the outside can be inserted and removed;
A predetermined key-shaped physical key that fits into the keyhole;
Interlocking means connected to the insertion preventing means and moving the insertion preventing means to the first stop position and the second stop position in conjunction with the operation of the key inserted into the keyhole;
A computer with a locking mechanism. A computer according to claim 1, comprising:
The locking means is
A keyhole with a predetermined hole shape into which a physical key from the outside can be inserted and removed;
A predetermined key-shaped physical key that fits into the keyhole;
Interlocking with the operation of the key inserted into the keyhole, it moves from a first stop position that does not prevent the external connector to be inserted into the external connector to a second stop position that prevents the insertion. And an insertion blocking interlocking means for physically blocking the insertion of the external connector at the second stop position,
A computer with a locking mechanism. A computer according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
The locking mechanism characterized in that the shape of the keyhole and the key shape of the key for each locking means are all the same shape, all different shapes, or a mixture of the same shape and different shapes in each of the locking means. With computer. A computer according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
The keyhole is an integrated keyhole having one or more obtained by integrating two or more arbitrary keyholes;
The interlocking means moves each of the insertion preventing means corresponding to the integrated keyhole to the first stop position and the second stop position in conjunction with a rotation operation of the key inserted into the integrated keyhole. As a connection interlocking means,
A computer with a locking mechanism.

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