Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
Apparatus for protecting against unauthorized equipment access to a computer system wherein a number of pieces (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of first equipment and a system controller (11) are interconnected by a communications link (10) over which they operate with each other, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of identical keys with one key (20) associated with each piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of said first equipment and said system controller (11), said system controller transmitting a first signal to its associated key (20) and over said communications link (10) to the key (20) associated with each piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of said first equipment, and each key (20) generates the same unique second signal responsive to each possible first signal, the second signal generated by the key (20) associated with each of said first equipments (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) being returned over said communications link (10) to said system controller (11) which compares it with the second signal generated by its associated key (20) , with a match between said second signal generated by the key (20) associated with any particular piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of first equipment and said second signal generated by the key (20) associated with said system controller (11) indicating that said particular piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of first equipment is authorized to be connected to said communications link (10) and to function in said computer system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
Apparatus for protecting against unauthorized equipment access to a computer system wherein a number of pieces (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of first equipment and a system controller (11) are interconnected by a communications link (10) over which they operate with each other, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of identical keys with one key (20) associated with each piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of said first equipment and said system controller (11), said system controller transmitting a first signal to its associated key (20) and over said communications link (10) to the key (20) associated with each piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of said first equipment, and each key (20) generates the same unique second signal responsive to each possible first signal, the second signal generated by the key (20) associated with each of said first equipments (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) being returned over said communications link (10) to said system controller (11) which compares it with the second signal generated by its associated key (20) , with a match between said second signal generated by the key (20) associated with any particular piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of first equipment and said second signal generated by the key (20) associated with said system controller (11) indicating that said particular piece (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) of first equipment is authorized to be connected to said communications link (10) and to function in said computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said key (20) comprises: means (27) for receiving said first signal from said system controller (11), and means (29, 31) for generating said second signal responsive to said first signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for generating said second signal comprises a gate array (31) that responds to each possible first signal input to said key to generate a unique second signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for generating said second signal further comprises means (29) for encoding said first signal prior to it being applied to said gate array (31), said first signal being a binary number and said encoding means changes the order of bits in said first signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for receiving said first signal from said system controller (11) comprises memory means (27) for storing said first signal before it is encoded by said encoding means (29).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said key (20) further comprises control means (24) responsive to said system controller (11) for storing said first signal in said memory means (27) , and for transferring said second signal via said communications link (10) to said system controller (11).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said receiving means further comprises porting means (25) responsive to said control means (24) to either receive said first signal from said system controller (11), or to transmit from said key (20) to said system controller (11).