JP2002373030A - Electronic computer having door with electronic lock function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make operable the electronic lock function of a casing door even during the fault of an electronic computer and to enable remote control as well. SOLUTION: An electronic lock mechanism is provided independently of a processor or OS provided in the main body of the electronic computer. Thereby, even in the case of fault in the electronic computer, the control operation of the electronic lock mechanism under remote control can be guaranteed and the security is strengthened as an effect.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mechanism for locking / unlocking a housing door by an electronic lock and a housing structure for the purpose of enhancing security and operability of a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is important for a computer, such as a server, which is responsible for a core business in a company and handles important data to have high security.
For this reason, a housing is often provided with a keyed door so that no one can easily operate or touch the inside of the apparatus.

As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-194448, by electronically controlling the locking / unlocking of the file bay cover, it becomes possible to use means such as a complicated password and fingerprint collation, and to provide a network function. It is also possible to lock / unlock the electronic lock by remote control using, and centralized management at one site.

[0004]

In the prior art, locking / unlocking of a file bay cover by electronic control and locking / unlocking from a remote location using a network and security management are possible. Emergency situations such as inside, when power is not turned on, and power outages are not considered, and there is a concern that their functions may be impaired.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a computer is provided with a power supply, a battery, a processor, and a control mechanism having a network function separately from the main unit in the computer. However, the operation / locking / unlocking of the housing door and the remote control / management function by electronic control are guaranteed.

[0006] Further, the operation of the electronic computer can be restricted stepwise by partially dividing the opening and closing portion of the door according to the security level.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the present invention. The electronic computer (1) has functions (e.g., a network communication unit (3), a processor (4), a memory (5), and a power supply (6) described as an example in this figure) provided as standard equipment of a general electronic computer. It comprises a lock mechanism (2).

The electronic lock mechanism (2) includes an operation unit (2a), a processor (2b), a memory (2c), a locking / unlocking mechanism (2d), a battery (2e), and a network communication unit (2f). , A power supply unit (2g), and an electronic lock mechanism unit having a processor (2b) independent of the processor (4) of the computer main body.
The operation of the locking / unlocking function is guaranteed even when the computer fails.

Further, it is possible to perform locking / unlocking operation of the electronic lock and security management from a remote place using the network communication unit (2f or 3).

[0010] Communication unit (2f and 3), power supply unit (2g and 6)
Is usually used to control the electronic lock mechanism using the primary side (3 and 6) of the computer main body. However, when the power supply of the computer (1) is not turned on or a failure occurs, the computer normally waits. The secondary side (2f and 2g) that supplements the function.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a housing door structure. Door (7)
By providing the shutter (7a) and dividing the opening partly (stepwise) as described above, it is possible to restrict the operation of the computer user. For example, shutter (7a)
If the opening of is not more than portion A, the computer user can contact only the device (8a). When the shutter (7a) is fully opened, operation of the power on / off switch (9) and use of the devices (8b, 8c) are also permitted. Further, by unlocking the door (7), it is possible to allow contact with the hard disk unit (10) and the parts (11) such as screws which must be removed when replacing parts inside the computer.

As described above, it is possible to add a stepwise operation restriction to the computer by using the locking / unlocking key (password, fingerprint, magnetic card, etc.) and this structure according to the application and security level. I can do it.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

The power supply section (2g) provided separately from the main body of the computer comprises a converter (2g-a, 2g-b) and a battery (2e).

During normal operation of the computer, the battery (2) in the power supply section (2g) is supplied from the power supply section (6) of the computer body.
Via e), power is supplied to the operation unit (2a), the electronic lock locking / unlocking mechanism unit (2d), the door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13), and the electronic lock control unit (12).

A microprocessor (2b) and a memory (2
c) and the control unit (12) comprising the network communication unit (2f) shall function independently as an independent unit without depending on the OS or the processor of the computer main unit, and even when the system of the computer fails, The electronic lock mechanism can be controlled without impairing its function.

An input unit (2a-a) and a display unit (2a-b)
(2a), an electronic lock locking / unlocking mechanism (2d), a sensor (13a), and a door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13) including a motor (13b). A lock operation and opening / closing of a door / shutter can be performed by operating the input unit (2a-a), and the opening / closing state of the door can be checked and the opening / closing history can be checked by the sensor unit (13a). The detailed operation of each part is described below.

As described above, the operation unit (2a) of the present invention,
The electronic lock locking / unlocking mechanism unit (2d), the door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13), and the electronic lock control unit (12) are normally supplied with power from the power supply for the computer main body (6). On the other hand, the power supply unit (2g) is a redundant power supply corresponding to a failure of the power supply for the computer main body (6) or a case where the computer main body is stopped. Power supply for a certain period of time.

The electronic lock locking / unlocking mechanism (2d) and the door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13) are operated in the following two ways.

The first is a method in which a user inputs and operates a personal identification number or the like from an input unit (2a-a) provided on a housing or a door of a computer on the spot. The other is a method of performing locking or the like from a remote location using a network (3 or 2f). These controls are both performed by the electronic lock control unit (2).
b), and outputs a motor control signal for the electronic lock / unlock mechanism (2d) and the door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13) after determining the input password and the like.

The electronic lock locking / unlocking mechanism (2d), the door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13), and the electronic lock control section (12) are provided with a processor and an O of the computer main body.
It is provided as a separate unit completely separated from S, and functions irrespective of the state of the computer main body.

Further, by providing the fail-safe network communication unit (2f) as a part of the electronic lock control unit (12), when the network communication unit (3) of the computer fails, the computer is stopped. The network communication function required for the electronic lock is always held by the independent microprocessor (2b) even when the lock is on.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment (Example 1). A locking / unlocking function using an operation unit (2a) provided on a housing door (7) of the electronic computer (1) and a network communication unit (2) from a remote place.
Locking / unlocking using f or 3) is possible. Further, the door / shutter opening / closing mechanism (13) with the sensor (13a) not only enables the opening / closing operation of the door and status confirmation, but also issues a warning when the door is forgotten to be closed, or forcibly closes the door, It is possible to lock.

The power supply is provided with a dedicated power supply (2 g) in addition to the power supply for the computer main body (6), and supplies power even when an abnormality occurs or the computer (1) is not energized.

Since the dedicated power supply unit (2g) and the network communication unit (2f) are independent of the system of the computer main unit, their operations are guaranteed even when the computer does not function properly.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment (Example 2) having a structure in which the door is partially opened and closed according to the use of the computer user and the security level. Electronic computer (14, 15)
A case where a plurality of doors are provided and a door is slid like an electronic computer (16) in addition to the means for partially opening and closing, and operation of only part B is permitted and operation of only part C is permitted. Then, it is possible to gradually provide restrictions such as allowing the computer user to operate the parts B and C.

The present invention can be applied to a rack cabinet on which an electronic computer is mounted. Then, a computer user who can perform general operations can open and close the rack door so that only the display / keyboard / mouse can be used.

In terms of operation, when replacing a hot-pluggable hard disk or board, only the parts necessary for the work are allowed to be opened and closed, thereby limiting further operations. Furthermore, in the case of a maintenance operation or the like performed by completely stopping the system, it is very effective to use a partial operation restriction for each application such that all the opening and closing can be performed. Furthermore, in maintenance work performed with the power supply of the computer stopped, if the sensor detects that the door is open, maintenance personnel accidentally turn on the power during the work and turn on the power so as not to get an electric shock. It is also possible to add a function that makes it impossible.

[0029]

According to the present invention, by providing an electronic lock function independent of both the hardware and software from the computer main body, even if the computer main body is abnormal, it can be operated without impairing the function. In particular, this function can be operated normally even when the computer is down in remote operation or centralized management using network communication, and is very effective.

Further, by dividing the security and the door opening / closing structure into stages (parts), it is possible to easily prevent the erroneous operation of the computer user and to limit the operation to the computer body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a housing door structure that is partially opened and closed according to a use application and a security level.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to claim 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic computer, 2 ... Electronic lock mechanism part, 2a ... Operation part (for electronic lock), 2a-a ... Input part, 2a-b ... Display part, 2b ... Processor (for electronic lock), 2c ... Memory (electronic) 2d: Locking / unlocking mechanism, 2e: Battery, 2f: Network communication unit (for exclusive use of electronic lock), 2g: Power supply unit (for exclusive use of electronic lock), 2g-a: A
C / DC converter, 2g-b DC / DC converter, 3 network communication unit, 4 processor (for electronic computer), 5 memory (for electronic computer), 6 ...
Power supply unit (for computer main body), 7: housing door, 7a: shutter, 8a, 8b, 8c: device, 9: power ON / OF
F switch, 10: hard disk unit, 11: screws for attaching the housing side plate, 12: control unit, 13: door / shutter opening / closing mechanism unit, 13a: sensor unit, 13b: motor, 1
4, 15, 16 ... Electronic computer.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme Court II (Reference) (72) Inventor Yuichiro Nakade 3-2-1-16 Omorikita, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Hitachi System & Service Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] An independent power source separate from a computer main body;
An electronic computer having an electronic lock mechanism having a control processor and a communication function. 2. An electronic computer having a housing structure that partially opens and closes the electronic lock mechanism according to the use and security level of the computer user.