Patent US6745330B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6745330B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system having peripheral device look
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1999-10-18
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Granted: 2004-06-01
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Expires: 2019-10-18
Abstract
Abstract To provide a more manageable security system for protecting cable-connected peripheral devices, a computer system is described having a removable peripheral device that is connectable to the computer system via a flying lead and a plug and socket combination, characterized by a lock member that is movable under the control of software running on the computer system to release or secure the plug to the socket.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Maillot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:43
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B73/00; E05B73/0082; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/82; G06F21/85; F; F16; F16C; F16C2202/00; F16C2202/20; F16C2202/28; G06F2200/00; G06F2200/16; G06F2200/163; G06F2200/1639; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6397; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/40; Y10T70/413; Y10T70/487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A computer system comprising: at least a first housing portion; a removable peripheral device that is electrically connectable to the housing portion via a flying lead and a plug and socket combination; and a lock member that is movable under the control of software running on the computer system to release or secure the plug to the socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer system comprising: at least a first housing portion; a removable peripheral device that is electrically connectable to the housing portion via a flying lead and a plug and socket combination; and a lock member that is movable under the control of software running on the computer system to release or secure the plug to the socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 1 comprising resilient biasing means for biasing the lock member into a lock position in which the plug cannot be removed from the socket and an actuator responsive to an electrical signal to urge the lock member to a unlock position in which the plug can be removed from the socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing portion comprises a socket for receiving a plug, the lock member being mounted within the socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a length of shape memory wire arranged to move the lock member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lock member is pivotally mounted on a support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the peripheral device is connected to the computer system via a Universal Serial Bus and the plug is a USB standard plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer unit for use in a system as claimed in claim 1 , the unit comprising a socket for receiving a plug, the socket having a lock member arranged to be movable under software control from a locked state to an unlocked state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer program for use in a computer system as claimed in claim 1 and stored on a computer readable media, the program comprising code portions for causing a computer to generate a signal to lock or unlock a peripheral device attached to the system by a flying lead and a plug and socket combination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US5277599A
Cited
EP0681244A2
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-01 | 2007-12-01 | 2008-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-01 | 2011-12-01 | 2012-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-01 | 2015-12-01 | 2016-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |