JP5850463B2 - Adapter device, information processing device, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an adapter device, an information processing device, and an information processing system, and in particular, an adapter device that connects an information processing device and a peripheral device, an information processing device that is connected to the peripheral device via the adapter device, and an adapter device. The present invention relates to an information processing system including an information processing apparatus.

  General-purpose interfaces such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are implemented in information processing devices such as personal computers and servers, and peripheral devices such as displays, keyboards, printers, and USB memories are connected via these interfaces. can do.

  However, since information can be easily taken out from a personal computer or server using a commercially available USB memory or the like, it is preferable to restrict the use of the interface and improve the security function against information leakage.

  In Patent Document 1, a key including a memory storing user authentication data is inserted into an electronic device such as a personal computer including a key cylinder, and the electronic device reads the authentication data from the memory, thereby A technique for authenticating and powering on an electronic device is described.

JP 2003-099147 A

  The entire disclosure of the above patent document is incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis was made by the present inventors.

  Information processing apparatuses such as personal computers and server devices have a structure in which peripheral devices can be freely connected to an interface such as a USB port. Therefore, there is a problem that information stored in a personal computer or a server device is likely to flow out by connecting a peripheral device such as a USB memory having a function of storing information.

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the user of the information processing apparatus is restricted to a legitimate user by authenticating the user based on the authentication data stored in the key and determining whether the power can be turned on. It becomes possible to do. However, once the power is turned on and the information processing device becomes available, peripheral devices can be freely connected to the interface provided in the information processing device, reducing the risk of information leakage via the interface. Not.

  Therefore, it is desirable to prevent information stored in the information processing apparatus from leaking via an interface with a peripheral device provided in the information processing apparatus. The objective of this invention is providing the adapter apparatus, information processing apparatus, and information processing system which contribute to this request.

An information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
An interface unit connected to the first terminal of the adapter device having a first terminal and a key part having a key pattern formed on the surface and a second terminal connected to the peripheral device;
And a lock unlocked by the key.

An information processing system according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A first terminal;
A key part having a key pattern formed on the surface;
An adapter device having a second terminal connected to the peripheral device;
An interface unit connected to the first terminal;
And an information processing device having a lock unlocked by the key.

  According to the adapter device, the information processing device, and the information processing system according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent information in the information processing device from leaking through an interface with a peripheral device provided in the information processing device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the adapter apparatus and information processing apparatus which concern on one Embodiment as an example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the personal computer connected to a peripheral device via the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and an adapter apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment in the personal computer. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment in a personal computer, and unlocked the cylinder lock. It is a figure which shows a mode that a keyboard is connected to the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the keyboard to the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode that the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment is inserted in a cylinder lock. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment in the cylinder lock. It is a figure which shows the state which unlocked the cylinder lock by inserting and rotating the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment in a cylinder lock. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted further, after inserting the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment into a cylinder lock, and unlocking. It is a flowchart which shows that use of the interface part of information processing apparatus is restrict | limited by the adapter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

  First, an outline of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals of the drawings attached to this summary are merely examples for facilitating understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an adapter device (100) according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the adapter device (100) is provided in a first terminal (120) connected to an interface unit (210) provided in the information processing device (200) and the information processing device (200). A key part (130) having a key pattern for unlocking the lock (220) formed on the surface, and a second terminal (110) connected to the peripheral device (600) of the information processing device (200). Prepare. For example, the second terminal (110) is connected to the peripheral device (600) via the general-purpose interface (500).

  The lock (220) may be provided in front of the interface unit (210) in the information processing apparatus (200). Further, when the lock (220) is unlocked by the key unit (130), the adapter device (100) is pushed into the information processing device (200), whereby the first terminal (120) and the interface unit (210). May be connected.

  According to the adapter device (100), it is possible to prevent the information of the information processing device (200) from leaking via the interface unit (210) for the peripheral device provided in the information processing device (200). Because the lock (220) provided in the front stage of the interface unit (210) of the information processing device (200) is not unlocked by the key unit (130) of the adapter device (100), the interface by the peripheral device (600) This is because the part (210) cannot be used.

  Moreover, the interface part (210) may have a storage part (212) that stores the first terminal (120) when the first terminal (120) is inserted. Furthermore, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the accommodating portion (212) is a square shape composed of a long side and a short side, and the tip of the first terminal (120) is a cross section in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction. The shape may be a square composed of a long side and a short side.

  The lock (220) may be a cylinder lock that is unlocked by inserting the key (130) and rotating it by a predetermined angle. Further, when the key part (130) is inserted into the lock (220) and rotated by a predetermined angle, the direction of the long side of the tip of the first terminal (120) and the long side of the collecting part (212) The direction may be parallel to the direction.

  By configuring the lock (220) and the accommodating part (212) in this way, the terminal (120) of the adapter device (100) can be inserted into the accommodating part (212) unless the lock (220) is unlocked. It becomes impossible. Thereby, it can prevent connecting an adapter apparatus (100) to an interface part (210) by pushing in an adapter apparatus (100) with force.

  According to the adapter device (100), it is possible to restrict the use of the interface unit (210) such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) provided in the information processing device (200) such as a personal computer or a server. Specifically, only when the shape of the lock (220) provided in front of the interface unit (210) matches the key pattern formed on the key unit (130) of the adapter device (100), The adapter device (100) can be connected to the interface unit (210), and the interface unit (210) can be used by the peripheral device (600).

In the present invention, the following modes are possible.
[Form 1]
It is as the adapter apparatus which concerns on the said 1st viewpoint.
[Form 2]
The lock is provided in front of the interface unit in the information processing apparatus,
When the lock is unlocked by the key unit, the first terminal and the interface unit may be connected by pushing the adapter device into the information processing device.
[Form 3]
The interface unit includes a storage unit that stores the first terminal when the first terminal is inserted;
The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the housing portion is a square composed of a long side and a short side,
The distal end portion of the first terminal may have a square shape in which a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction is composed of a long side and a short side.
[Form 4]
The lock is a cylinder lock that is unlocked by inserting the key part and rotating it by a predetermined angle,
When the key portion is inserted into the lock and rotated by the predetermined angle, the direction of the long side of the distal end portion of the first terminal and the direction of the long side of the collecting portion are made parallel to each other. May be.
[Form 5]
As in the information processing apparatus according to the second viewpoint.
[Form 6]
In the information processing apparatus,
The lock is provided in front of the interface unit,
When the lock is unlocked by the key unit, the first terminal and the interface unit may be connected by pushing the adapter device into the information processing device.
[Form 7]
In the information processing apparatus,
The interface unit includes a storage unit that stores the first terminal when the first terminal is inserted;
The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the housing portion is a square composed of a long side and a short side,
The distal end portion of the first terminal may have a square shape in which a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction is composed of a long side and a short side.
[Form 8]
In the information processing apparatus,
The lock is a cylinder lock that is unlocked by inserting the key part and rotating it by a predetermined angle,
When the key portion is inserted into the lock and rotated by the predetermined angle, the direction of the long side of the distal end portion of the first terminal and the direction of the long side of the collecting portion are made parallel to each other. May be.
[Form 9]
This is as the information processing system according to the third viewpoint.
[Mode 10]
In the information processing system,
The lock is provided in front of the interface unit in the information processing apparatus,
When the lock is unlocked by the key unit, the first terminal and the interface unit may be connected by pushing the adapter device into the information processing device.
[Form 11]
In the information processing system,
The interface unit includes a storage unit that stores the first terminal when the first terminal is inserted;
The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the housing portion is a square composed of a long side and a short side,
The distal end portion of the first terminal may have a square shape in which a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction is composed of a long side and a short side.
[Form 12]
In the information processing system,
The lock is a cylinder lock that is unlocked by inserting the key part and rotating it by a predetermined angle,
When the key portion is inserted into the lock and rotated by the predetermined angle, the direction of the long side of the distal end portion of the first terminal is parallel to the direction of the long side of the collecting portion It may be.

(Embodiment 1)
A first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the information processing apparatus is a personal computer (PC) and the interface unit is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of the personal computer. However, the information processing apparatus is not limited to a personal computer, and may be a server or the like, and the interface unit is not limited to a USB port. The information processing device may be a smartphone, a portable game machine, a tablet terminal, or the like. The physical shape of the interface exemplified below is merely an example. Further, the peripheral devices are not limited to the illustrated devices.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the adapter device 400 according to the present embodiment and the personal computer 300 connected to the peripheral device via the adapter device 400.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the personal computer 300 includes a cylinder lock 320, and includes an interface unit 310 (not shown in FIG. 2) for peripheral devices at the back (back stage) of the cylinder lock 320. On the other hand, the adapter device 400 has a key pattern 401 formed on the surface thereof. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the lock provided on the personal computer 300 is a cylinder lock 320 will be described. However, the lock is not limited to the cylinder lock.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a mouse 510, a keyboard 520, a printer 530, an external drive 540, a monitor 550, and a storage device 560 are illustrated as peripheral devices of the personal computer 300. The mouse 510 includes a general-purpose interface A501 that can be connected to a USB port. Similarly, a keyboard 520, a printer 530, an external drive 540, a monitor 550, and a storage device 560 are connected to a general-purpose interface B502, a general-purpose interface C503, a general-purpose interface D504, a general-purpose interface E505, and a storage device 560, respectively. A general-purpose interface F506 is provided.

  The personal computer 300 has an interface unit 310 for external devices. Note that a server other than the personal computer 300 may be used as long as the information processing apparatus has an interface with an external device.

  The interface unit 310 is an interface built in a personal computer such as a USB interface for connecting an external device to the personal computer 300.

  The personal computer 300 includes a cylinder lock 320 in front of the interface unit 310.

  The adapter device 400 is connected to the cylinder lock 320. The adapter device 400 is an adapter that converts the interface unit 310 built in the personal computer 300 into a general-purpose interface shape. For example, the adapter device 400 converts the interface unit 310 into a USB interface.

  The adapter device 400 has a key pattern 401 having a predetermined physical shape. When the combination of the shape of the key pattern 401 and the shape of the cylinder lock 320 matches, the adapter device 400 can be rotated by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees).

  After the adapter device 400 is rotated by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) and then pushed further in, the adapter device 400 and the interface unit 310 are connected, and the interface unit 310 can be used.

  The mouse 510 is an input device for the personal computer 300. The mouse 510 has a general-purpose interface A 501 for connecting to the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 via the adapter device 400.

  The keyboard 520 is a character input device for the personal computer 300. The keyboard 520 includes a general-purpose interface B502 for connecting to the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 via the adapter device 400.

  The printer 530 is an output device for the personal computer 300. The printer 530 includes a general-purpose interface C503 for connecting to the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 via the adapter device 400.

  The external drive 540 is an input / output device of the personal computer 300, and is, for example, a CD (Compact Disk) drive, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, or the like. The external drive 540 has a general-purpose interface D504 for connecting to the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 via the adapter device 400.

  The monitor 550 is a display device for the personal computer 300. The monitor 550 includes a general-purpose interface E505 for connecting to the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 via the adapter device 400.

  The storage device 560 is a medium capable of storing information such as a USB memory. The storage device 560 includes a general-purpose interface F506 for connecting to the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 via the adapter device 400.

  General-purpose interfaces A501 to F506 are general-purpose interfaces, and are general-purpose interfaces such as USB for connecting the personal computer 300 and external peripheral devices.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where the adapter device 400 is inserted into the cylinder lock 320. In this state, since the adapter device 400 is not connected to the interface unit 310, the interface unit 310 cannot be used even if the general-purpose interfaces A501 to F506 of peripheral devices are connected to the adapter device 400.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the adapter device 400 is rotated 90 degrees, and the adapter device 400 and the interface unit 310 built in the personal computer 300 are connected to each other and can be used. In the state of FIG. 4, by connecting the general-purpose interfaces A501 to F506 to the adapter device 400, the mouse 510, the keyboard 520, the printer 530, the external drive 540, the monitor 550, and the storage medium 560 can be used.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the keyboard 520 has a general-purpose interface B502. FIG. 5 shows a state where the general-purpose interface B502 is not connected to the adapter device 400.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the general-purpose interface B502 is connected to the adapter device 400.

  FIG. 7 shows a state before the adapter device 400 is inserted into the cylinder lock 320. In this state, the adapter device 400 and the interface 310 are not connected.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the adapter device 400 is inserted into the cylinder lock 320. In this state, the cylinder lock is not unlocked by the key formed on the surface of the adapter device 400. Moreover, since the long side direction (vertical direction in FIG. 8) of the front-end | tip part of the adapter apparatus 400 differs from the long side direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 8) of the accommodating part of the interface part 310, the adapter apparatus 400 is pushed further. I can't.

  FIG. 9 shows a state where the cylinder lock 320 is unlocked by rotating the adapter device 400 by 90 degrees. Referring to FIG. 9, the long side direction of the distal end portion of the adapter device 400 and the long side direction of the accommodation port of the interface unit 310 are parallel, and the adapter device 400 can be inserted into the accommodation unit of the interface unit 310. It is in a state.

  FIG. 10 shows a state where the adapter device 400 is connected to the interface unit 310 by further pushing the adapter device 400. In the state shown in FIG. 10, by connecting the general-purpose interfaces A501 to F506 to the adapter device 400, peripheral devices such as the mouse 510, the keyboard 520,.

  Next, the operation flow of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the adapter device 400 is inserted into the cylinder lock 320 (step B1).

  When the combination of the key pattern 401 of the adapter device 400 and the cylinder lock 320 built in the personal computer 300 matches (Yes in step B2), the key of the adapter device 400 can be rotated (step B3).

  At this time, when the adapter device 400 is rotated by 90 degrees, the adapter device 400 can be inserted into the interface unit 310 (FIG. 9). In this state, the adapter device 400 is connected to the interface unit 310 by pushing the adapter device 400 (step B4).

  In a state where the adapter device 400 is inserted into the housing portion of the interface unit 310 (FIG. 10), the interface unit 310 can be used by the peripheral devices 510 to 560 via the adapter device 400 (step B5).

  On the other hand, when the combination of the key pattern 401 of the adapter device 400 and the cylinder lock 320 built in the personal computer 300 does not match (No in Step B2), the cylinder lock 320 is not unlocked and the adapter device 400 can be rotated. It cannot be done (step B6).

  According to the present embodiment, when the combination of the key pattern 401 of the adapter device 400 and the cylinder lock 320 matches, the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 can be used. on the other hand. If the combination of the adapter device 400 and the cylinder lock 320 does not match, the interface unit 310 of the personal computer 300 cannot be used, and an external device cannot be used.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to an information processing apparatus including an interface for connecting peripheral devices.

In the present invention, the following modes are possible.
(Form 1)
A first terminal connected to an interface unit provided in the information processing apparatus;
A key portion formed on the surface with a key pattern for unlocking a lock provided in the information processing apparatus;
A second terminal connected to a peripheral device of the information processing apparatus,
The interface unit includes a storage unit that stores the first terminal when the first terminal is inserted;
The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the housing portion is a square composed of a long side and a short side,
The tip of the first terminal is a square whose cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction is composed of a long side and a short side,
Only when the lock is unlocked by the key part, the direction of the long side of the tip of the first terminal is parallel to the direction of the long side of the collecting part.
An adapter device characterized by that.
The disclosure of the above patent document is incorporated herein by reference. Within the scope of the entire disclosure (including claims) of the present invention, the embodiment can be changed and adjusted based on the basic technical concept. Further, various combinations or selections of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is. That is, the present invention of course includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the technical idea. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or small range included in the range should be construed as being specifically described even if there is no specific description.

100, 400 Adapter device 110, 120 Terminal 130 Key unit 200 Information processing device 210, 310 Interface unit 212 Housing unit 220 Lock 300 Personal computer 312 Housing unit 320 Cylinder lock 401 Key pattern 500 General-purpose interface 501-506 General-purpose interface A-F
510 Mouse 520 Keyboard 530 Printer 540 External drive 550 Monitor 560 Storage device 600 Peripheral device

Claims (5)

An interface unit connected to the first terminal of the adapter device having a first terminal and a key part having a key pattern formed on the surface and a second terminal connected to the peripheral device;
A lock unlocked by the key, and
The interface unit includes a storage unit that stores the first terminal when the first terminal is inserted;
The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the housing portion is a square composed of a long side and a short side,
The tip of the first terminal is a square whose cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction is composed of a long side and a short side,
Only when the lock is unlocked by the key portion, the information processing apparatus in which the direction of the long side of the tip of the first terminal is parallel to the direction of the long side of the collecting portion. The lock is provided in front of the interface unit,
When the lock is unlocked by the key unit, by pushing the adapter device to the information processing apparatus, the first terminal and the interface unit is connected, the information processing according to claim 1 apparatus. The lock is a cylinder lock that is unlocked by inserting the key part and rotating it by a predetermined angle,
Wherein when the key portion is inserted into the lock is rotated by the predetermined angle, the direction of the long side of the said acquisition unit to the direction of the long side of the distal end portion of the first terminal is parallel, wherein Item 4. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1 . An adapter device having a first terminal, a key portion having a key pattern formed on the surface, and a second terminal connected to the peripheral device;
An information processing device having an interface unit connected to the first terminal and a lock unlocked by the key;
The interface unit includes a storage unit that stores the first terminal when the first terminal is inserted;
The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the housing portion is a square composed of a long side and a short side,
The tip of the first terminal is a square whose cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction is composed of a long side and a short side,
Only when the lock is unlocked by the key portion, the information processing system in which the direction of the long side of the tip of the first terminal is parallel to the direction of the long side of the collecting portion. The lock is provided in front of the interface unit in the information processing apparatus,
5. The information processing according to claim 4 , wherein when the lock is unlocked by the key portion, the first terminal and the interface portion are connected by pushing the adapter device into the information processing device. system.

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