GB2314950A

GB2314950A - Connecting a removable RAM to a computer motherboard

Info

Publication number: GB2314950A
Application number: GB9714131A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kelly Jason Smith; Christopher Leigh Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-03
Filing date: 1997-07-03
Publication date: 1998-01-14
Also published as: GB9714131D0; GB9613898D0

Abstract

A computer has a carrier device 4 containing at least one socket 5 in which a random access memory module (e.g. a SIMM) is mounted, and a flexible cable 10 connects the socket 5 in the carrier device 4 to connection means on the computer motherboard 2. The connection between the cable and socket in the carrier device is preferably a multi-way plug and socket connector. The carrier device may be slidably mounted in an aperture in the computer casing 1, such as by means of support rails mounted in a standard drive bay in the casing, to be removable therefrom without opening the casing. Locking means, such as a solenoid-operated safety lock, may be provided to render unauthorised removal of the memory modules more difficult, and the carrier device and casing may be provided with identifying codes. Alternatively the carrier device 4 is mounted in a separate casing from that of the computer.

Description

COMPUTER Field of the Invention This invention relates to a computer having removable random access memory (RAM), and to a security device for locating RAM in a computer.

Background to the Invention A typical personal computer has components such as the central processing unit (CPU), the input/output (i/o) control devices and the RAM mounted on a main printed circuit board known as a "motherboard". The RAM is usually in the form of removable memory modules, for example in the form of "SlMMs" (Single In-line Memory Modules) or "DIMMs" (Dual In-line Memory Modules).

In some computers, certain components, for example the RAM, is mounted on a separate circuit board, known as a "daughterboard", which is connected directly to the motherboard by an edge connector on the daughterboard inserted into a corresponding socket on the motherboard. The daughterboard is secured to the computer's case to ensure that it is sufficiently rigid to permit individual memory modules to be inserted into sockets mounted on the daughterboard.

Memory modules are relatively costly items to buy, and although the cost of computer components tends to decrease with time, the requirements for memory increase with time. Thus, for example, while an entry level personal computer might have been supplied two years ago with 4Mb of RAM, by one year ago the minimum had increased to 8Mb and is now 16Mb. As software becomes ever more complex, the requirement for RAM will increase, and thus larger capacity modules will tend to be fitted.

Since memory modules are relatively small articles of high value, and because they are designed to be interchangeable to permit computers to be upgraded, they have increasingly become the targets of thieves. It is now becoming common for thieves breaking in to premises where computers are kept simply to remove high-value memory modules from the computers, ignoring the other components. In addition to the value of the components stolen, the computer owner suffers the inconvenience of the computers being unusable until the memory modules are replaced.

Various proposals have been made for dealing with this problem. For example, it has been proposed to code memory modules individually, so as to be able to prove that they have been stolen, and to help trace them. Alternatively, devices have been proposed which will mark the modules with a dye or with paint if they are removed from the computer by an unauthorised person, again indicating that the modules have been stolen.

In each case, the main intention is to reduce the value of the stolen modules to the thief, rather than to prevent theft from taking place.

Portable or notebook computers may be provided with RAM in the form of removable plug-in cards (PCMCIA or PC cards), and it is possible therefore to remove these cards and to lock them away when leaving the computer, but the portability of the computers mean that they are likely to be stolen complete, with or without the memory cards, and it is usual for the computer to contain sufficient RAM to permit it to operate without the memory card being present.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a computer comprising a casing containing a motherboard having at least one connection means for the electrical connection thereto of random access memory, a carrier device containing at least one socket in which a random access memory module is mounted, and a flexible cable connected at one end thereof to the connection means on the motherboard and at the other end thereof to the socket in the carrier device.

The connection means may comprise a socket.

The carrier device may be mounted in an aperture in the casing so as to be removable therefrom without opening the casing. The carrier device is preferably slidably mounted in the casing, for example by means of support rails or the like. The support rails may conveniently be mounted in a standard drive bay in the computer casing.

Alternatively, the carrier device is mounted in a separate casing from that of the computer, the flexible cable extending from the computer casing directly or by way of a plug and socket connector on the casing, for example using a standard expansion slot.

Preferably the connection between the cable and the socket in the carrier device is by way of a multi-way plug and socket connector, with one part thereof mounted in the casing and the other part thereof mounted in the carrier device.

Suitably the carrier device contains a plurality of sockets for receiving memory modules, a flexible cable being provided for each socket mounting a memory module.

Thus, cables are only required for the sockets in the carrier device which are occupied.

The cables may be of any suitable configuration, for example flat cables or sheathed round cables, in each case having an individual conductor for each pin on the memory module. In the case of currently available SlMMs, conductors will be required to connect each conductive pin in the connection means on the motherboard with its respective pin in the socket in the carrier device.

The connection means on the motherboard may be a standard socket for alternatively receiving a memory module direct, or a special connector for the cable. The one connector can be linked to multiple sockets in the carrier.

The carrier device is suitably in the form of a box having an openable or removable lid or closure, which is suitably provided with a locking means to render removal of the SlMMs from the carrier device by unauthorised persons more difficult. A solenoidoperated safety locking means is preferably provided between the casing and the carrier device to lock the carrier device in the casing when the computer is operating, since removal of the memory modules from the computer while it is in use would prove damaging to the data being handled by the computer and could be harmful to the memory modules themselves. The locking means may be within the carrier device, power for the solenoid being provided by an additional connector operated by insertion of the carrier device into the casing, or by a solenoid device in the casing to engage the carrier device when power is applied. The former arrangement is preferred, since the solenoid can only operate when the carrier device is in its correct position in the casing.

The carrier device may be provided with an electronic device containing a unique identifying code, while the casing (whether external or internal of the computer casing) carries a corresponding identifying device, at least one of the devices being arranged, for example, to compare the codes and to prevent the memory modules (or other components in the carrier device) from operating when a mismatch is detected. This would prevent the carrier device from being used without the casing mounting, thereby further deterring theft of the carrier device itself.

The carrier device is preferably provided with a mounting which can be installed in a spare drive bay in the computer's casing. The carrier device may carry on its rear face a plurality of connectors, one for each memory module socket in the carrier, to which a respective cable can be connected, if needed. The mounting may be provided with suitably-aligned locations for receiving the corresponding connectors on the ends of the cables, as and when they are installed. The cable connectors are thus attached to the mounting so that the connections with the connectors on the rear face of the carrier device are made and broken as the carrier device is inserted into the mounting and withdrawn from it.

In addition to the safety locking means, the carrier may be locked into the mounting by a security lock to prevent unauthorised removal. The security lock may comprise a key lock, a combination lock, an electronic lock or any other form of lock whose use can be restricted to certain users.

Further security measures can be incorporated into the carrier device to render the memory modules less valuable to a thief, should the thief be able to open the device.

For example, the device may be arranged so that unauthorised opening of the closure causes release of a marker dye or paint, or an electrical or pyrotechnic device is actuated to damage or destroy the modules.

In use, the carrier device can be removed from the computer at the end of the working day, to be locked away in a safe, or even removed from the premises for safekeeping. The computer is thus rendered considerably less valuable to a thief. In the event of an attempted theft while the computer is in use, the carrier remains locked in the casing and cannot readily be removed without the key or code, possession of which can be confined to security personnel.

The arrangement of the invention provides a simple and effective way of deterring theft of valuable computer components.

It will be appreciated that, while the invention has been described with reference to memory modules, since these are the components which are most attractive to thieves in the current state of technology in computers, it is also applicable to other valuable components of computers.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a computer in accordance with the invention, the top having been removed, omitting the monitor and keyboard for the sake of clarity; Figure 2 illustrates in enlarged form a part of a cable connector for use in the computer of the invention as an alternative to the cable included in the view shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a part of a computer in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring first to Figure 1, the computer comprises a casing 1 in which is mounted a motherboard 2 mounting inter alia a plurality of sockets 2a for receiving standard memory modules, for example 30-pin or 72-pin SlMMs of the type current in computers at the date of this application. The other components on the motherboard, such as the CPU, are not illustrated in the Figure for the sake of clarity, and the power supply module normally present in the casing (and typically occupying a significant proportion of its volume) is omitted from the view for the same reason. The casing 1 is shown with its top removed.

The casing 1 is provided with space at one side thereof for the mounting of storage devices such as hard disk, floppy disk drive and CD-ROM drive, the structure for this generally being described as the drive bays. In the computer shown in Figure 1 one drive bay is occupied by a floppy disk drive 3, above which is mounted a carrier device 4 in accordance with the invention. The carrier device 4 comprises, in the illustrated example, a box formed of steel, for example, in which is mounted a small circuit board 5 carrying a number of sockets 6, for example four sockets, for receiving standard SIMMs.

Each SIMM socket is connected by conductive tracks on the circuit board and by a ribbon cable or the like to a respective connecting plug 7 at the rear of the box.

The box is slidably mounted in a support frame 8, in turn secured to the casing 1.

The frame 8 has on its rearmost part 8a means for mounting a connecting socket 9 (Figure 3), forming part of a connecting cable, to receive the respective connecting plug 7 when the box is located in its correct position in the support frame 8, thereby establishing electrical connections to the conductors in the cable.

Each connecting cable 10 has a number of conductors corresponding to the number of connecting pins on a memory module. The conductors are connected at one end to the socket 9, as hereinbefore described, and at the other end to a plug 11 (Figure 2) which corresponds in design to a standard SIMM, but simply serves to make the connections between the SIMM socket on the motherboard 2 and the conductors. The cable 10 may be in the form of a flat ribbon, as shown in Figure 1, or in the form of a screened round cable containing individually insulated wires, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

It will be appreciated that, for convenience of construction, the flat ribbon cable may be made up of a number of separate ribbons, each having a fraction of the total number of conductors. Equally, the round cable may be replaced by two or more cables containing fewer conductors. It will also be understood that the arrangement shown in Figure 2 may in practice require sheathing for the individual conductors to ensure that their connection to the plug 11 is less vulnerable to damage than that shown in Figure 2.

The carrier device 4 is provided with a solenoid locking device 12 having an armature 13 which can move transversely of the box to project through an aperture (not shown) in the side thereof and through a corresponding aperture in the side member 8b of the support frame 8 to prevent removal of the box from the computer when the computer is operating. The solenoid locking device 12 is connected to the computer's power supply by an insulated wire 14 (or a track on the circuit board 5) to a pin 15 on the rear of the box, to be received in a socket 16 on the rear member 8a of the support frame, which is in turn connected by a wire 17 to the power supply so as to be supplied with power only when the computer is switched on.

Although the invention has been described with reference to standard SIMMs, it will be appreciated that the memory modules may be of any physical configuration, with the connections being dimensioned and arranged accordingly.

Claims

1. A computer comprising a casing containing a motherboard having at least one connection means for the electrical connection thereto of random access memory, a carrier device containing at least one socket in which a random access memory module is mounted, and a flexible cable connected at one end thereof to the connection means on the motherboard and at the other end thereof to the socket in the carrier device.

2. A computer according to Claim 1, wherein the connection means comprises a socket.

3. A computer according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier device is mounted in an aperture in the casing so as to be removable therefrom without opening the casing.

4. A computer according to Claim 3, wherein the carrier device is slidably mounted in the casing.

5. A computer according to Claim 4, wherein the carrier device is slidably mounted by means of support rails or the like.

6. A computer according to Claim 1 or 2, in combination with a separate casing in which said carrier device is mounted, the flexible cable extending from the computer casing directly or by way of a plug and socket connector on the casing to said separate casing.

7. A computer according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection between the cable and the socket in the carrier device is by way of a multi-way plug and socket connector, with one part thereof mounted in the casing and the other part thereof mounted in the carrier device.

8. A computer according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier device contains a plurality of sockets for receiving memory modules, a flexible cable being provided for each socket mounting a memory module.

9. A computer according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier device is in the form of a box having an openable or removable lid or closure.

10. A computer according to Claim 9, also comprising a locking means for the lid or closure.

11. A computer according to any preceding claim, also comprising a solenoidoperated safety locking means provided between the casing and the carrier device to lock the carrier device in the casing when the computer is operating.

1 2. A computer according to Claim 11, wherein the locking means is located within the carrier device, and an additional connector is provided operated by insertion of the carrier device into the casing to provide power for the solenoid.

1 3. A computer according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier device is provided with an electronic device containing a unique identifying code, and the casing carries a corresponding identifying device, at least one of the devices being arranged to compare the codes and to prevent the components in the carrier device from operating when a mismatch is detected.

14. A computer according to Claim 8, wherein the carrier device is provided on its rear face with a plurality of cable connectors, one for each of said sockets in the carrier, to which a respective cable can be connected, if needed

1 5. A computer according to Claim 14, wherein the mounting is provided with suitably-aligned locations for receiving the corresponding connectors on the ends of the cables, as and when they are installed.

1 6. A computer according to any preceding claim, wherein a security lock is provided to lock the carrier into the mounting to prevent unauthorised removal thereof.

17. A computer, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.