JP4941770B2 - Cap for USB memory device and USB memory device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to information security means for a USB memory device having a USB plug.

  An electronic device having a USB plug receives power from the main electronic device and inserts the USB plug into a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket provided in the main electronic device such as a personal computer. Operates by inputting and outputting signals between them.

  An example of an electronic device having a USB plug is a USB memory device. In a USB memory device, a memory element and a control circuit are normally built in the housing so that they cannot be taken out, and a USB plug is provided in the housing as an input / output interface for these built-in components.

  Since the USB memory device is small, it is easy to handle, but has a demerit that it is easily stolen. When a USB memory device is stolen, there is a risk of leakage or theft of information stored in the memory element, so it is necessary to ensure its security.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a type of security measure for a USB memory device. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a USB socket of a personal computer is provided with a structure for hooking a hole of a USB plug (series A, series / mini B type) provided in a USB memory device. Yes.

Search 3Y 'JP-A-2006-133920

  However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be effective unless the USB plug of the USB memory device is inserted into a USB socket of a main electronic device such as a peripheral computer. That is, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not provide any security effect against a state in which the USB memory device is placed alone on the user's user's desk or the like.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap for a USB memory device that can ensure the security of information stored in the memory element even when the USB memory device is placed in a single state.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a USB memory device having the above-mentioned USB memory device cap.

  According to the present invention, a USB memory device cap that is detachably attached to a USB plug of a USB memory device provided with a USB plug, the lock mechanism engaging with an uneven shape formed in advance on the USB plug. A cap for a USB memory device is obtained.

  The USB plug is a series A or series / mini-B type, and the concave / convex shape may be a hole formed in advance in the series / A / series / mini-B type USB plug.

  Further, the lock mechanism may be a system using a key, a dial system, or an electronic key system for at least unlocking of the locking and unlocking.

  The present invention also provides a USB memory device having a USB plug, characterized by having the USB memory device cap.

  The cap for a USB memory device according to the present invention can ensure the security of information stored in the memory element even when the USB memory device is placed in a single state.

  In addition, since the USB memory device cap according to the present invention does not need to have a special configuration in the USB memory device itself, it can be applied to various manufacturers and various types of USB memory devices including existing USB memory devices. Applicable.

  The USB memory device cap according to the present invention is a USB memory device cap that is detachably attached to a USB plug of a USB memory device having a USB plug, and engages with a concavo-convex shape formed in advance on the USB plug. It has a lock mechanism.

  With this configuration, the USB memory device cap according to the present invention can ensure the security of information stored in the memory element even when the USB memory device is placed in a single state. In addition, since the USB memory device itself does not need to have a special configuration, it can be applied to various manufacturers and various forms of USB memory devices including existing USB memory devices.

  Note that the USB plug is a series A or series / mini-B type, and the concave / convex shape can use a hole formed in advance as a standard in a series A / series / mini-B type USB plug.

  Further, as a lock mechanism, at least one of the locking and unlocking methods is to use a key separately, a numeric key method to input ID (password information) consisting of a combination of numbers, alphabets, etc. An electronic key method may be used in which an ID consisting of a combination of alphabets and the like is input from a button. The locking may be performed automatically by putting the cap on the USB plug, or the locking / unlocking method may be a system using a key separately, a dial system, or an electronic key system. .

  The USB memory device provided with the USB plug according to the present invention has such a cap for the USB memory device.

  A USB memory device cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a USB memory device having such a cap will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 (a) to 3 (d), the USB memory device cap 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the USB plug 620 of the USB memory device 600 including the USB plug 620. It is detachably mounted and has a lock mechanism that engages with a hole 626 as an uneven shape formed in advance on the USB plug 620.

  The hole 626 is a square hole that is formed in advance as a standard in a series A or series / mini-B type USB plug.

  The lock mechanism includes a lock button 121 that removably engages with the hole 626 of the USB plug 620 and a lock portion 123 that locks the engagement of the lock button 121 so as to be unlockable.

  The locking button 121 is formed with a flange 122 that can be engaged with the hole 626 of the USB plug 620 and a recess 126.

  The lock part 123 is a system that uses a key separately. The lock part 123 includes a hook 125 that can be engaged with the recess 126 of the lock button 121, and a key hole part into which a separately prepared key 124 is inserted when necessary.

  Next, the operation of the USB memory device cap 100 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3B, the USB memory device cap 100 is attached so as to cover the USB plug 620 of the USB memory device 600.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the lock button 121 is pressed by the user, and the flange 122 enters the hole 626 of the USB plug 620.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3D, the collar 125 provided in the lock part 123 enters the recess 126 of the lock button 121, and the state is maintained. In order for the scissors 125 to enter the recess 126 of the lock button 121, the lock 123 is operated by the key 124, or when the lock button 121 is pressed, the scissors 125 are automatically operated by a spring or the like. May be.

  The lock was made as described above.

  When unlocking, when the user operates the lock 123 with the key 124, the collar 125 is removed from the recess 126 of the lock button 121 as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the unlocked locking button 121 is lifted by a spring (not shown), and the collar 122 is removed from the hole 626 of the USB plug 620 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the user removes the USB memory device cap 100 from the USB plug 620 of the USB memory device 600.

  A USB memory device cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a USB memory device having such a cap will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The USB memory device cap 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the method (structure) of the lock portion. For this reason, a description of points common to the first embodiment is omitted, and different points will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the USB memory device cap 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is detachably attached to the USB plug 620 of the USB memory device 600 including the USB plug 620. Has a lock mechanism that engages with a hole 626 as an uneven shape formed in advance.

  The lock portion 223 is an electronic key system that inputs a multi-digit ID from a button (tenkey) when necessary, and a hook (not shown) that can be engaged with a recess (not shown) of the lock button 121. It has.

  Next, the operation of the USB memory device cap 200 will be described.

  First, the USB memory device cap 200 is attached so as to cover the USB plug 620 of the USB memory device 600. Next, the user presses the lock button 121, and the collar enters the hole 626 of the USB plug 620. Subsequently, the hook provided in the lock part 223 enters the recess of the lock button 121, and the state is maintained. In order for the hook of the lock part 223 to enter the recess of the lock button 121, an ID for instructing the lock is input from the numeric keypad, or when the lock button 121 is pressed, the hook is automatically pressed by a spring or the like. You may make it operate | move. The lock was made as described above.

  When unlocking, when the user inputs an ID for instructing unlocking from the numeric keypad, the bag is removed from the recess of the locking button 121. Subsequently, the unlocked locking button 121 is lifted by a spring, and the collar portion is removed from the hole portion 626 of the USB plug 620. Then, the user removes the USB memory device cap 200 from the USB plug 620 of the USB memory device 600.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims. For example, the present invention is not limited to a USB memory device and can be applied to all electronic devices having a USB connector.

It is a top view which shows the cap for USB memory devices by Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the USB memory device cap shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the USB memory device. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap for the USB memory device shown in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A shows a state before the cap for the USB memory device is attached to the USB memory device, and FIG. (C) shows a state in which the lock button is pressed, and (d) shows a state in which the cap is locked. It is a top view which shows the cap for USB memory devices by Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200 Cap for USB memory device 121 Lock button 122 Key part 123, 223 Lock part 124 Key 125 Key 126 Recessed part 600 USB memory device 620 USB plug 626 Hole part

Claims (6)

For a USB memory device that is applied to a USB memory device provided with a USB plug protruding from the main body to electrically input / output data stored in a memory built in the body, and is detachably attached to the USB plug A cap,
Have a lock mechanism that engages in the hole formed in the USB plug,
The USB plug is a series A or series mini B type USB standard, and the hole is a hole formed in advance as a USB standard on a series A or series mini B type USB plug. A cap for a USB memory device. The lock mechanism has a lock button that is detachably engaged with the hole portion, and a lock portion that locks the engagement of the lock button so as to be unlockable,
The locking button is formed with a recess and a hook that can be engaged with the hole,
The USB memory device cap according to claim 1, wherein the lock portion includes a hook that can be engaged with the recess of the lock button.   3. The USB memory device cap according to claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism uses a key for unlocking at least one of the locking and unlocking.   3. The USB memory device cap according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lock mechanism and the unlock mechanism is a numeric key system.   3. The USB memory device cap according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lock mechanism and the unlock mechanism is an electronic key system.   A USB memory device comprising a USB plug, comprising the cap for a USB memory device according to claim 1.

Images