Computer system for sending an alert signal over a network when a cover of said system has been opened

Claim 2

A computer system coupled to a remote computer via a data communication line and being capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access and notifying said remote computer when an unauthorized access has occurred, said system comprising: a normally closed enclosure, an erasable memory element mounted within said enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a security password when in the active state, a manually operable option switch mounted within said enclosure, said option switch being operatively connected with said erasable memory element and manually settable by a user of the computer system for setting said erasable memory element to the active and inactive states, a tamper detection switch mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said erasable memory element for detecting opening of said enclosure and for generating a tamper alert signal and clearing any stored security password from said erasable memory element in response to any switching of said tamper detection switch, a central processing unit mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said erasable memory element for controlling access to at least certain levels of data stored within the system by distinguishing between the active and inactive states of said memory element and between entry and non-entry of any stored security password, a network connector in circuit communication with said CPU, said network connector being operative to receive said tamper alert signal and upon so receiving, transmit an alert packet over the communication line to said remote computer, said alert packet containing an alert message and information which specifically identifies said local computer system, and said network connector being supplied with auxiliary power and being operative to receive said tamper alert signal and generate said alert packet regardless of a power state that said computer system is in.

Claim 3

The computer system of claim 1, wherein said network connector is a connector selected from the group consisting of a LAN adapter and a LAN subsystem.

Claim 4

The computer system of claim 1, wherein said security password is a privileged access password.

Claim 5

The computer system of clam 1, further including a logic circuit coupled to said tamper detection switch, said logic circuit being settable by a user between an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein when said logic circuit is in the enabled state, said switching of said tamper detection switch clears said security password and wherein when said logic circuit is in said disabled state said switching of said tamper detection switch does not clear said security password.

Claim 6

The computer system of clam 1, further including a logic circuit coupled to said tamper detection switch, said logic circuit being settable by a user between an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein when said logic circuit is in the enabled state, said switching of said tamper detection switch clears said security password and wherein when said logic circuit is in said disabled state said switching of said tamper detection switch does not clear said security password.

Claim 7

The computer system of claim 1, wherein said computer system is in an off state.

Claim 8

A computer system coupled to a remote computer via a data communication line and being capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access and notifying said remote computer when an unauthorized access has occurred, said system comprising: a normally closed enclosure, a first erasable memory element mounted within said enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a privileged access password when in the active state, a manually operable option switch mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said first erasable memory element for setting said first erasable memory element to the active and inactive states, a second erasable memory element mounted within said enclosure for receiving and storing data indicative of the state of said first erasable memory element and of correct entry of any stored privileged access password, a tamper detection switch mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said second erasable memory element for detecting unauthorized opening of said enclosure and for generating a tamper alert signal and invalidating any privileged access password stored in said first erasable memory element in response to any switching of said tamper detection switch, a central processing unit mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said erasable memory elements for controlling access to at least certain levels of data stored within the system by distinguishing between the active and inactive states of said first memory element and between entry and non-entry of any valid stored privileged access password, a network connector in circuit communication with said CPU, said network connector being operative to receive said tamper alert signal and upon so receiving, transmit an alert packet over the communication line to said remote computer, said alert packet containing an alert message and information which specifically identifies said local computer system, and said network connector being supplied with auxiliary power and being operative to receive said tamper alert signal and generate said alert packet regardless of a power state that said computer system is in.

Claim 9

A computer system coupled to a remote computer via a data communication line and being capable of securing data retained within the system against unauthorized access and notifying said remote computer when an unauthorized access has occurred, said system comprising: a normally closed enclosure, a first erasable memory element mounted within said enclosure for selective activation to active and inactive states and for receiving and storing a privileged access password when in the active state, a manually operable option switch mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said first erasable memory element for setting said first erasable memory element to the active and inactive states, a second erasable memory element mounted within said enclosure for receiving and storing data indicative of the state of said first erasable memory element and of correct entry of any stored privileged access password, a tamper detection switch mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said second erasable memory element for detecting unauthorized opening of said enclosure and for generating a tamper alert signal and invalidating any privileged access password stored in said first erasable memory element in response to any switching of said tamper detection switch, a central processing unit mounted within said enclosure and operatively connected with said erasable memory elements for controlling access to at least certain levels of data stored within the system by distinguishing between the active and inactive states of said first memory element and between entry and non-entry of any valid stored privileged access password, a network connector in circuit communication with said CPU, said network connector being operative to receive said tamper alert signal and upon so receiving, transmit an alert packet over the communication line to said remote computer, said alert packet containing an alert message and information which specifically identifies said local computer system, and said network connector being supplied with auxiliary power and being operative to receive said tamper alert signal and generate said alert packet regardless of a power state that said computer system is in.

Claim 10

The computer system of claim 6, wherein said network connector is a connector selected from the group consisting of a LAN adapter and a LAN subsystem.

Claim 11

The computer system of claim 6, wherein said security password is a privileged access password.

Claim 12

The computer system of clam 6, further including a logic circuit coupled to said tamper detection switch, said logic circuit being settable by a user between an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein when said logic circuit is in the enabled state, said switching of said tamper detection switch clears said security password and wherein when said logic circuit is in said disabled state said switching of said tamper detection switch does not clear said security password.

Claim 13

The computer system of clam 6, further including a logic circuit coupled to said tamper detection switch, said logic circuit being settable by a user between an enabled state and a disabled state, wherein when said logic circuit is in the enabled state, said switching of said tamper detection switch clears said security password and wherein when said logic circuit is in said disabled state said switching of said tamper detection switch does not clear said security password.