Password protected modular computer method and device

Abstract

A method and device for securing a removable Attached Computer Module (“ACM”) 10. ACM 10 inserts into a Computer Module Bay (“CMB”) 40 within a peripheral console to form a functional computer such as a desktop computer or portable computer. The present ACM 10 includes a locking system, which includes hardware and software 600, 700, to prevent accidental removal or theft of the ACM from the peripheral console. While ACM is in transit, further security is necessary against illegal or unauthorized use. If ACM contains confidential data, a high security method is needed to safeguard against theft.

1. A computer module, said module comprising:
 an enclosure, said enclosure being insertable into a console;    a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;    a hard disk drive in said enclosure, said hard disk drive being coupled to said central processing unit; and    a programmable memory device in said enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing a possibility of unauthorized use of said hard disk drive.    
     
     
       2. The computer module of  claim 1  further comprising a host interface controller for providing a status of a locking device in said enclosure. 
     
     
       3. The computer module of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanical locking device that is coupled to said programmable memory device. 
     
     
       4. The computer module of  claim 1  further comprising a host interface controller coupled to a mechanical locking device, said host interface controller being coupled to said programmable memory device. 
     
     
       5. The computer module of  claim 1  wherein said programmable memory device comprises a flash memory device. 
     
     
       6. The computer module of  claim 1  wherein said programmable memory device comprises a flash memory device having at least 8 Mbits of cells and greater. 
     
     
       7. The computer module of  claim 1  further comprising a security program in a main memory. 
     
     
       8. The computer module of  claim 7  wherein said security program comprises a code for storing a password on said programmable memory device. 
     
     
       9. The computer module of  claim 8  wherein said security program comprises a code for checking a time from said real-time clock circuit. 
     
     
       10. The computer module of  claim 1  further comprising a host interface controller coupled to a solenoid that drives a mechanical lock in a first position to a second position. 
     
     
       11. The computer module of  claim 10  wherein said solenoid also drives said mechanical lock from said second position to said first position. 
     
     
       12. The computer module of  claim 1  further comprising a real-time clock circuit coupled to said central processing unit. 
     
     
       13. The computer module of  claim 12  further comprising a battery coupled to a host interface controller that includes said real-time clock. 
     
     
       14. A method for operating a computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system, said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device;    applying power to said computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device; and    prompting for a user password from a user on a display.    
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein said ACM comprises an enclosure that houses said microprocessor unit and said mass memory storage device. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  further comprising providing a user password to said security program. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  further comprising a flash memory device for storing a desired password for said ACM. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein said flash memory device maintains said desired password when power is removed from said ACM. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein said flash memory device is coupled to a host interface controller that is coupled to said microprocessor based unit. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14  wherein said mass memory storage device comprises a code directed to comparing said user password with a desired password. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14  further comprising identifying a permanent password or user code on said attached computer module. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  wherein said permanent password or user code is stored in said microprocessor unit. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21  wherein said permanent password or user code is stored in a flash memory device coupled to said microprocessor unit. 
     
     
       24. A computer module operational upon insertion into a console comprising a primary power supply and an integrated LCD display screen, said computer module comprising:
 an enclosure;    a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;    a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;    an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel;    a hard disk drive in said enclosure, said hard disk drive being coupled to said central processing unit; and    a programmable memory device in said enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing a possibility of unauthorized use of said hard disk drive;    wherein the computer module can only operate at a rated speed for more than a fraction of an hour when inserted into the console to receive power from the primary power supply; and wherein the computer module couples to a primary display device through the console.   
     
     
       25. The computer module of  claim 24  wherein the module is configured to receive power from the primary power supply as an AC to DC power supply. 
     
     
       26. The computer module of  claim 24  wherein the computer module further couples to a removable media drive through the console. 
     
     
       27. A computer module operational upon insertion into a console comprising a primary power supply and a LAN communication device, said computer module comprising:
 an enclosure;    a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;    a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;    an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel;    a hard disk drive in said enclosure, said hard disk drive being coupled to said central processing unit; and    a programmable memory device in said enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing a possibility of unauthorized use of said hard disk drive;    wherein the computer module can only operate at a rated speed of the central processing unit for more than a fraction of an hour when inserted into the console to receive power from the primary power supply; and wherein the computer module communicates to any external LAN network through the console.   
     
     
       28. The computer module of  claim 27  wherein the computer module couples to a removable media drive through the console. 
     
     
       29. A computer module operational upon insertion into a console comprising a primary power supply and an interface controller, said computer module comprising:
 a rectangular enclosure;    a central processing unit in said rectangular enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;    a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels which transmit an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;    a hard disk drive in said rectangular enclosure, said hard disk drive being coupled to said central processing unit; and    a programmable memory device in said rectangular enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing a possibility of unauthorized use of said hard disk drive;    wherein the computer module can only operate at a rated speed of the central processing unit for more than a fraction of an hour when inserted into the console to receive power from the primary power supply; and wherein the computer module couples to a removable media drive through the console.   
     
     
       30. The computer module of  claim 29  wherein the computer module couples to a primary display device through the console. 
     
     
       31. The computer module of  claim 29  wherein the computer module couples to a primary input device through the console. 
     
     
       32. A computer module operational upon insertion into a console comprising a primary power supply and a connector for an add-on circuit card, and an integrated LCD display, said computer module comprising:
 a rectangular enclosure;    a central processing unit in said rectangular enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;    a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;    a hard disk drive in said rectangular enclosure, said hard disk drive being coupled to said central processing unit; and    a programmable memory device in said rectangular enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing a possibility of unauthorized use of said hard disk drive;    wherein the computer module can only operate at a rated speed of the central processing unit for more than a fraction of an hour when inserted into the console to receive power from the primary power supply; wherein the LVDS channel couples to the connector for the add-on circuit card in the console; and wherein the computer module communicates to any external LAN network through the console.   
     
     
       33. The computer module of  claim 32  wherein the computer module couples to a removable media drive through the console. 
     
     
       34. The computer module of  claim 32  wherein the computer module couples to a primary display device through the console. 
     
     
       35. A computer module operational upon insertion into a console comprising a primary power supply and a first interface controller; said computer module comprising:
 an enclosure;    a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;    a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;    a second interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel;    a hard disk drive in said enclosure, said hard disk drive being coupled to said central processing unit; and    a programmable memory device in said enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing a possibility of unauthorized use of said hard disk drive;    wherein the computer module can only operate at a rated speed of the central processing unit for more than a fraction of an hour when inserted into the console to receive power from the primary power supply; and wherein the first and second interface controllers couple to each other upon insertion; and wherein the computer module communicates to any external LAN network through the console.   
     
     
       36. The computer module of  claim 35  wherein the computer module is couples to a primary input device through the console. 
     
     
       37. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 nserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console with a primary power supply wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    coupling to a primary display device through the console;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    prompting for a user password from a user on said primary display device through the console.   
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37  wherein said security program is configured to manage a user's privilege to access data based on said password. 
     
     
       39. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console comprising a primary power supply, and an integrated LCD display device, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    coupling to a primary display device through the console;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    prompting for a user password from a user on said primary display device through the console.   
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 39  wherein said security program manages a user's privilege to access data based on said password. 
     
     
       41. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console with a LAN communication device and a primary power supply, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device, and a memory device used to store configuration data;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    prompting for a user password from a user on a display.   
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41  further comprising facilitating an intelligent mating of the computer module to the console with the configuration data. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 41  wherein said security program manages a user's privilege to access data based on said password. 
     
     
       44. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console comprising a primary power supply, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising an interface controller and a microprocessor unit in an enclosure coupled to a mass memory storage device in said enclosure;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM executing a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    coupling to a primary display device through the console;    prompting for a user password from a user on said primary display device through the console;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    communicating to the console for the ACM to access a removable media drive.   
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 44  further comprising providing a user password to said security program to prevent unauthorized use of said mass memory storage device. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 44  wherein said security program manages a user's privilege to access data based on said password. 
     
     
       47. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console comprising a universal serial bus (USB) and a primary power supply, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    prompting for a user password from a user on a display;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    communicating to the console as the way the ACM accesses a removable drive.   
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 47  further comprising providing a user password to said security program to prevent unauthorized use of said mass memory storage device. 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 47  wherein said mass memory storage device comprises flash memory. 
     
     
       50. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console with a LAN communication device, a universal serial bus (USB) and a primary power supply, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    communicating data from the ACM to external LAN network through the console;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    prompting for a user password from a user on a display.   
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 50  further comprising communicating to the console as the way the ACM accesses a removable media drive. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 50  further comprising storing a desired password for said ACM in a flash memory device. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 50  wherein said mass memory storage device comprises flash memory. 
     
     
       54. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console, said console comprises a universal serial bus (USB) and a primary power supply, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device, and a memory device used to store configuration data;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    facilitating an intelligent mating of the computer module to the console with the configuration data;    coupling to the primary display device through the console;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    prompting for a user password from a user on said primary display device through the console.   
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 54  wherein said mass memory storage device comprises flash memory. 
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 54  further comprising communicating to the console as the way the ACM accesses a removable media drive. 
     
     
       57. A method for forming an operational computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a modular computer system housed in a console, said console comprises an integrated LCD display and a primary power supply, wherein the ACM is operational upon insertion into the console and receiving power from the primary power supply,    said ACM comprising a rectangular enclosure, a microprocessor unit in said rectangular enclosure coupled to a mass memory storage device in said rectangular enclosure, and a memory device in said rectangular enclosure used to store configuration data;    applying power to said modular computer system and said ACM to execute a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;    facilitating an intelligent mating of the computer module to the console with the configuration data;    coupling to a primary display device through the console;    communicating an encoded serial bit stream of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction to a low voltage differential (LVDS) channel in the console comprising two sets of multiple unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in opposite directions; and    prompting for a user password from a user on said primary display device through the console.   
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 57  wherein said mass memory storage device comprises flash memory.