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 method for operating a computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a console in a modular computer system, the console comprising a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two unidirectional serial channels that transmit encoded data of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions; said ACM comprising
 a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device; 
 a north bridge to communicate address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form, said north bridge directly coupled to said microprocessor unit; 
 a main memory coupled to said microprocessor unit through said north bridge; and 
 a second LVDS channel comprising two unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions, said second LVDS channel extending from said north bridge to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form; 
   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 LCD display coupled to the console.    
     
     
       25. The method of claim 24 wherein said mass memory storage device comprises a flash memory.  
     
     
       26. The method of claim 24 further comprises entering the user password from a keyboard coupled to the console.  
     
     
       27. A method for operating a 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 comprising a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels that transmit encoded data of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and an interface controller coupled to the first LVDS channel; said ACM comprising
 a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device; 
 an integrated interface controller and bridge unit to output address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form, said integrated interface controller and bridge unit directly coupled to said microprocessor unit; 
 a main memory coupled to said microprocessor unit through said integrated interface controller and bridge unit; and 
 a second LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions, said second LVDS channel extending from said integrated interface controller and bridge unit to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form; 
   applying power to said computer system, the ACM executing a security program, said security program being stored in said mass storage device;   storing a user password in said ACM; and   prompting for said user password from a user on a display coupled to the console.    
     
     
       28. The method of claim 27 wherein said mass memory storage device comprises a flash memory.  
     
     
       29. The method of claim 27 wherein said security program manages a user's privilege to access data based on said password.  
     
     
       30. The method of claim 27 further comprises transmitting the encoded data as a serial bit stream in 10 bit packets.  
     
     
       31. A method for operating a computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a console in a modular computer system, said console comprising a LAN communication device and a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions, said ACM comprising
 a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device; 
 a second LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions; and 
 a peripheral bridge coupled to said microprocessor unit without any intervening Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, said peripheral bridge coupled to said second LVDS channel to communicate address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form over said second LVDS channel; 
   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.    
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31 wherein said mass memory storage device comprises a flash memory.  
     
     
       33. The method of claim 31 further comprises entering the user password from a keyboard coupled to the console.  
     
     
       34. A method for operating a computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a console in a modular computer system, said console comprising an integrated LCD display, and a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions, said ACM comprising
 a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device; 
 a peripheral bridge to output address and data bits of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in serial form, said peripheral bridge coupled to said microprocessor unit without any intervening PCI bus; 
 a main memory coupled to said microprocessor unit through said peripheral bridge; and 
 a second LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions, said second LVDS channel extending from said peripheral bridge to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form; 
   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 the LCD display.    
     
     
       35. The method of claim 34 wherein said mass memory storage device comprises a flash memory.  
     
     
       36. The method of claim 34 further comprises entering the user password from a keyboard coupled to the console.  
     
     
       37. A computer module, said module comprising:
 an enclosure, said enclosure being insertable into a console, said console comprising a LAN communication device, and a first channel comprising two low voltage differential signal (LVDS), unidirectional serial channels that transmit in opposite directions;   a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;   a peripheral bridge in said enclosure, said peripheral bridge directly coupled to said central processing unit without any intervening Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, said peripheral bridge comprising an interface controller to transmit and receive address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form;   a second channel in said enclosure, said second channel comprising two LVDS, unidirectional serial channels that transmit in opposite directions, said second channel extending from said peripheral bridge to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form;   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 unauthorized use of said hard disk drive.    
     
     
       38. The computer module of claim 37 wherein said first channel communicates an encoded serial bit stream of PCI bus address and data transaction.  
     
     
       39. The computer module of claim 37 wherein the computer module further comprises an interface device that couples to said second channel.  
     
     
       40. A computer module comprising:
 an enclosure insertable into a console to form a functional computer, said console comprising two sets of low voltage differential signal (LVDS), unidirectional serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions;   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;   a peripheral bridge in said enclosure, said peripheral bridge directly coupled to said central processing unit without any intervening Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, said peripheral bridge comprising an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channels; and   a programmable memory device in said enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing unauthorized use of said hard disk drive.    
     
     
       41. The computer module of claim 40 wherein the low voltage differential signal channels communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus address and data transaction.  
     
     
       42. The computer module of claim 40 further comprising a security program configured to manage a user's access privilege of data based on said password.  
     
     
       43. A computer module comprising:
 an enclosure being insertable into a console; said console comprising an LCD display, and a first channel comprising two sets of low voltage differential signal (LVDS), unidirectional serial channels that transmit encoded data of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;   a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;   an integrated interface controller and bridge unit in said enclosure, said integrated interface controller and bridge unit configured to output address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form, said integrated interface controller and bridge unit coupled to said central processing unit without any intervening PCI bus;   a main memory in said enclosure, said main memory coupled to said central processing unit through said integrated interface controller and bridge unit; and   a second channel in said enclosure, said second channel comprising two sets of LVDS, unidirectional serial channels that transmit data in opposite directions, said second channel extending from said integrated interface controller and bridge unit to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form;   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 unauthorized use of said hard disk drive.    
     
     
       44. The computer module of claim 43 wherein the computer module further comprises an interface device that couples to the LVDS channels in the console.  
     
     
       45. The computer module of claim 43 wherein the programmable memory device comprise a flash memory.  
     
     
       46. A computer module comprising:
 an enclosure configured to be inserted into a console to form a functional computer; said console comprises a first channel comprising two sets of low voltage differential signal (LVDS), serial channels transmitting data in opposite directions;   a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;   a peripheral bridge in said enclosure, said peripheral bridge configured to communicate address and data bits of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in serial form, said peripheral bridge directly coupled to said central processing unit without any intervening PCI bus;   a second channel in said enclosure, said second channel comprising two sets of LVDS, serial channels transmitting data in opposite directions, said second channel extending from said peripheral bridge to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form;   a hard disk drive in said enclosure, said hard disk drive coupled to said central processing unit;   a programmable memory device in said enclosure, said programmable memory device being configurable to store a password for preventing unauthorized use of said hard disk drive; and   an interface device coupled to at least one of said first channel and said second channel.    
     
     
       47. The computer module of claim 46 wherein the console further comprises a LAN communication device wherein the computer module communicates to an external LAN network through the console.  
     
     
       48. A computer module comprising:
 an enclosure insertable into a console comprising a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and an interface controller coupled to a first channel comprising two sets of low voltage differential signal (LVDS), unidirectional channels configured to communicate data in opposite directions;   a central processing unit in said enclosure, said central processing unit comprising a microprocessor based integrated circuit chip;   an integrated interface controller and bridge unit in said enclosure, said integrated interface controller and bridge unit configured to output address and data bits of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in serial form, said integrated interface controller and bridge unit directly coupled to said central processing unit without any intervening PCI bus;   a second channel in said enclosure, said second channel comprising two sets of LVDS, unidirectional channels configured to communicate data in opposite directions, said second channel extending from said integrated interface controller and bridge unit to convey said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form;   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 unauthorized use of said hard disk drive.    
     
     
       49. The computer module of claim 48 wherein the console further comprises a power supply that supplies power to the computer module upon insertion.  
     
     
       50. A method for operating a computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a console of a modular computer system, said console comprising two sets of differential signal, unidirectional serial channels configured to communicate data in opposite directions, and said ACM comprising
 a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device; 
 a peripheral bridge directly coupled to said microprocessor unit without any intervening Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus; and 
 a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels configured to communicate data in opposite directions, said LVDS channel extending from said peripheral bridge to convey address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form; 
   applying power to said computer system and said ACM executing a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;   communicating from the computer module to the console through serial bit lines transmitting data packets in Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol;   prompting for a user password from a user on a LCD display; and   wherein the mass storage device comprises a flash memory.    
     
     
       51. A method for operating a computer system, said method comprising:
 inserting an attached computer module (“ACM”) into a bay of a console of a modular computer system, said console comprising a LAN communication device, and differential signal, unidirectional serial channels configured to communicate data in opposite directions, and said ACM comprising
 a microprocessor unit coupled to a mass memory storage device comprising a flash memory; 
 a peripheral bridge directly coupled to said microprocessor unit without any intervening Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus; and 
 a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising at least two unidirectional, differential signal pairs configured to communicate data in opposite directions, said LVDS channel extending from said peripheral bridge to convey address and data bits of PCI bus transaction in serial form; 
   applying power to said computer system and said ACM executing a security program, said security program being stored in said mass memory storage device;   communicating from the computer module to the console through serial bit lines transmitting data packets in Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol;   prompting for a user password from a user on a display coupled to the console.    
     
     
       52. The method of claim 51 further comprises entering the user password from a keyboard coupled to the console.  
     
     
       53. The method of claim 51, further comprising communicating said address and data bits of PCI bus transaction data in 10 bit packets through said LVDS channel.