JPH05150854A - Portable computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the theft and the surreptitious use of a portable computer by detecting a specific signal that is led out of a device and put on a prescribed signal line like a power code, etc., over a fixed area, deciding that the device is used in a proper place only in a state where the specific signal is normally detected, and setting the device main body in a usable state so as to disable the system operation in the areas except the designated one. CONSTITUTION:A pick-up circuit 43 is provided to detect a specific signal on a signal line L which is led out of a device together with a specific signal detecting/holding circuit 42 which sets up a flag to show that the device is used in a proper place when the specific signal is normally detected, and a processor 2 which sets the device in a usable state when the flag shows the proper use of the device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable computer having an antitheft mechanism which is prohibited or restricted for use outside a specific area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers have become smaller and lighter in weight, easier to carry, and have higher performance and higher functionality. In particular, in recent years, battery-operable personal computers such as a laptop type and a book type, which are equipped with a mass storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and a RAM pack, have become widespread and used in various fields.

This type of personal computer is characterized in that it is easy to carry, but along with this, countermeasures against theft and theft have become a major issue. That is, a small personal computer such as a laptop type or a book type is easy to be stolen and plagiarized because it is easy to carry, and in particular, a high-performance small-sized computer equipped with a large-capacity storage such as a hard disk drive and a large-capacity IC memory Personal computers often store high-level and important information with extremely high asset value, and theft of both hardware and software, including the theft of such information,
Countermeasures against plagiarism become a major issue.

However, in this type of small personal computer of the related art, no sufficient measures are taken against theft and plagiarism, and a third party who is not a legitimate user carries it with him / her at any place. Since the system can be started up easily by operating the power switch and the system can be operated easily, a problem remains when handling sensitive and important information.

[0005]

As described above, in the past, measures against theft and plagiarism have not been sufficiently taken in small personal computers, and in recent years, in particular, they are easy to carry and have high performance and large capacity. With the advent of small-capacity personal computers, a third party who is not a legitimate user can carry the system to an arbitrary location, operate the power switch to start up the system, and easily operate the system. There was a problem in handling such information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable computer equipped with an anti-theft mechanism that prevents the computer body from being stolen and thus protects both hardware and software.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in a portable computer that is easy to carry, a means for detecting a specific signal on a predetermined signal line leading to the outside of the apparatus, and the specific signal being normally detected by the means. And a means for setting the device in a usable state when the device is operated.

That is, according to the present invention, means for picking up a specific signal carried on a predetermined signal line over a certain area from the signal line of the apparatus main body connected to the signal line, and picked up by the means. A means for holding the detection state of the specific signal, a means for judging whether or not the device is used in a legitimate place from the state signal of the means, and a device main body when the use in the legitimate place is judged by the means And a means for setting to a usable state.

[0009]

The present invention detects a specific signal carried on a predetermined signal line (for example, a power cord, a network cable, etc.) leading to the outside of the device over a certain area, and normally detects the specific signal. Only when the device is in use, the device is judged to be used in a legal place and the device is set in a usable state (for example, the device can be turned on or a specific function is disabled). To).

As described above, the computer main body is provided with a function for controlling the use of the apparatus main body by detecting the specific signal carried on the signal line led to the outside such as the power cord, so that a legitimate user can obtain the function. By enabling use within a certain area of the computer body without imposing operation burden and disabling unauthorized use outside the designated area, as a result, the software and hardware of the computer body can be protected from theft. Can be protected.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable computer having an antitheft mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and an anti-theft mechanism connected to the power supply device 1.

Here, an example is shown in which an antitheft mechanism is realized by using a microprocessor of an intelligent power supply (power supply device) that centrally manages the system power supply.

Further, here, a specific signal carried on a predetermined signal line (for example, a power cord) led out of the apparatus over a certain area is detected by a pickup circuit, and the specific signal is normally detected. In addition to the anti-theft mechanism that determines that it is used in a legitimate place only under the conditions that are set, and sets the device body to a usable state (for example, enables the power of the device to be turned on), The identification signal read from the IC card has a theft prevention mechanism for determining whether or not the user is a legitimate user, and when the legitimate user does not present the IC card, the specific signal is normally detected. When the device is allowed to be used only in a place (in a specific area) and the IC card of a legitimate user is presented, an example of a configuration having an anti-theft function that allows the device to be used even outside the above area is illustrated. There is.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an intelligent power supply (herein referred to as a power supply device) having a microprocessor for power supply control that controls the power supply of the system, and a CPU (main CPU) that controls the entire system.
11 via the system bus 10 and the power supply control interface (PS-IF) 28.

The power supply device 1 has an original system power supply control function for centrally managing the system power supply and an anti-theft function as shown in FIG. 3, and controls the power supply control processor (PC-CPU) 2 respectively. Realized under.

The power supply control processor 2 constantly monitors and controls the power supply irrespective of whether the power supply is on or off. According to the power supply control program stored in the internal ROM 4, various operations for system operation are performed. Control of the power supply circuit 3 for generating and outputting the power supply for power supply, ON / OFF control of the power supply in accordance with the operation of the power supply switch 6, and the built-in battery 31A,
It centrally manages the system power supply including charge control according to the charge control parameters of 31B and 31S.

In addition to the various power supply control processes, the power supply control processor 2 detects a specific signal on a predetermined signal line leading to the outside for preventing theft shown in FIG. 3 in a specific area. It executes the power cutoff control process by the legitimacy check that permits the use of the device and the legitimacy check by the user's card presentation.

A power supply control interface (PS-IF) 28 used for data transmission / reception between the power supply device 1 and the main CPU 11 transmits / receives data via the serial I / O of the power supply device 1. The serial I / O 1 converts the data received from the power control processor 2 into serial data, and a power control interface (PS-IF)
28 to the power control interface (PS-I
F) 28 restores the serial data to parallel data and sends it to the main CPU 11 via the system bus 10.

The power supply circuit 3, which is a main component of the power supply device 1, generates power supply to each component in the system under the control of the power supply control processor 2 via the I / O driver 8 and controls the output. A switch circuit 33 for switching is provided. That is, the switch circuit 33 inputs the output power of the battery unit 31 including the batteries (31A, 31B, 31S) and the power supply adapter (AC adapter) 29 as a primary power supply, and controls the power supply control processor 2. Below, it controls the output of the primary power source to the DC-DC converter 34 and controls the charging of the battery unit 31.

The DC-DC converter 34 receives the primary power source through the switch circuit 33 to generate the operating power source (secondary power source) for each component in the system and supply it to each component.

Here, when it is determined that the use is improper in the validity check described later, the power control of the power control processor 2 causes the switch circuit 3 to pass through the I / O driver 8.
A command for shutting off the power supply to the DC-DC converter 34 is sent to 3, and the output power of the DC-DC converter 34 is forcibly shut off according to this command. At this time, the backup power source (VBK) is not controlled by the switch circuit 33 and is always output.

Further, the power supply device 1 having the power supply control processor 2 has an anti-theft function section using an ID card (an IC card having an identification function) which is a component of reference numerals 40 and 41, and reference numerals 42 and 43. An anti-theft function unit for permitting use of the device only within a specific area made up of components is provided.

That is, reference numeral 40 denotes an IC card interface connected to the internal bus 9 of the power supply device 1 and having a dedicated connector for an IC card having an identification function, which realizes IC card access of the power supply control processor 2. The card slot of the IC card interface 40 is provided at a fixed position of the system main body, for example, the side surface of the display panel or the side surface of the main body.

Reference numeral 41 denotes an ID card connected to the connector of the IC card interface 40, which is realized by an IC card having specific identification information.
Predetermined information including code information unique to the user or the device is recorded. The IC card 41 having this identification function is always presented to the system main body when the system is used (IC card interface 4 except when the device is used in a specific area due to detection of a specific signal on a predetermined signal line leading to the outside).
Connector is connected to 0).

Reference numeral 42 determines the pickup state of a specific signal on a predetermined signal line that is led to the outside, and only in the specific area when the specific signal level remains above the set level. It is a specific signal detection and holding circuit (DET) that holds a signal for permitting device use.

That is, the specific signal detection / holding circuit 42, here, stores a specific signal (for example, a high frequency signal having a specific signal pattern modulated at a specific frequency) on the power cord (L) of the AC adapter 29. Judging the pickup status, the specific signal exceeds the set level for a certain time,
Only when it is normally detected, the status signal indicating that the device is used in the specific area is held in the internal IO register as a flag signal in the unit of the fixed time. The flag configured by the internal IO register is referred to as a use permission / prohibition flag here, and is indicated by PF in the figure.

Reference numeral 43 is a pickup circuit for picking up a specific signal (high-frequency signal having a specific signal pattern modulated at a specific frequency) placed on the indoor commercial AC power supply line on the power cord (L) of the AC adapter 29. And is realized by a known technique by combining a circuit element such as an electromagnetic induction coil or C (capacitor) with a filter or a circuit element such as a frequency discriminating circuit.

Here, as the specific signal, a high frequency signal having a specific signal pattern modulated at a specific frequency is taken as an example, but other than that, for example, an electromagnetic induction signal having a specific signal pattern, or Other signals such as a pulse train signal having a specific pattern may be used. In addition, since it is configured to pick up on the power cord (L) of the AC adapter 29 here, it goes without saying that the AC adapter 29
Has a configuration in which a specific signal placed on the commercial AC power supply wiring is passed through as it is or after being processed, but this does not require any device depending on the type of the specific signal, the circuit configuration of the AC adapter 29, and the like. However, this kind of signal extraction means itself is easily understood by those skilled in the art.

In addition, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each constituent element other than the above-mentioned constituent elements is described in, for example, JP-A-2-
The detailed description of components that are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted here, as disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent No. 166209, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-27413, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-27414, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a processing flow for realizing the antitheft mechanism of the above embodiment, which is an internal ROM.
4 is executed under the control of the power supply control processor 2 according to the microprogram stored in FIG. 4, and details of the power supply control are omitted here. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The power supply control processor 2 always monitors and controls the power supply according to the power supply control program stored in the internal ROM 4 regardless of the on / off state of the power supply.

That is, the power supply control processor 2 uses the internal RO
Execute the processing of the power supply control program stored in M4,
System power control such as power on / off control and charging control is performed, and the antitheft control process shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

In the antitheft control processing shown in FIG. 3,
A legitimacy check for permitting the use of the device in a specific area is performed by detecting a specific signal on a predetermined signal line led to the outside, that is, a power cord (L) of the AC adapter 29 here.

That is, a specific signal (high-frequency signal having a specific signal pattern modulated at a specific frequency) on the power cord (L) of the AC adapter 29 is normally detected, or an IC card by an authorized user. Only when the state where 41 is presented is confirmed, the apparatus main body can be powered on, other unauthorized use is excluded, and theft of both software and hardware is prevented.

The specific signal detection / holding circuit 42 judges the pickup state of the specific signal on the predetermined signal line led to the outside, and only when the specific signal level exceeds the set level, the specific area is maintained. Holds the signal that allows the device to be used within. That is, the specific signal detection / holding circuit 4
Reference numeral 2 determines the pickup state of a specific signal (here, a high-frequency signal having a specific signal pattern modulated at a specific frequency) received on the power cord (L) of the AC adapter 29, which is received from the pickup circuit 43, and identifies the specified state. Only when the signal exceeds the set level and is normally detected for a certain time, the use permission / prohibition flag (PF) configured by the internal IO register is turned on to indicate that the device is used in the specific area. The use permission / prohibition flag (PF) is turned off in other cases.

In the flag setting process, the power supply control processor 2 judges the content of the use permission / prohibition flag (PF flag) (step S11 in FIG. 3), and the content of the use permission / prohibition flag (PF flag). When is ON, the C flag provided in the predetermined register area B of the internal RAM 5 for use permission determination is set to the ON state (step S in FIG. 3).
13a).

When the content of the use permission / prohibition flag (PF flag) is off, the connector of the IC card interface 40 has an IC card 4 having an identification function.
1 is connected (step S in FIG. 3).
12). If the IC card 41 is connected, the C flag is set to ON (step S13a in FIG. 3).

A use permission / prohibition flag (PF flag)
Is off, and the IC card interface 40
When the IC card 41 having the identification function is not connected to the connector of the above, the C flag is set to off (FIG. 3).
Steps S11, S12, S13b). Power control processor 2
Performs the flag determination process following the flag setting process.

In the flag discriminating process, the above-mentioned C
When the flag state is referred to and the C flag is off, it is determined to be improper use and the power-off process is forcibly executed (step S20 in FIG. 3, power-off process in process (3)).

When the C flag is on, I
It is determined whether or not the IC card 41 having an identification function is connected to the connector of the C card interface 40 (steps S20 and S21 in FIG. 3).

Here, when the IC card 41 is not connected, it is determined that the device is used in a specific area by detecting a specific signal on the power cord (L) led to the outside, and the use permission is determined. Flag determination processing for.

When the IC card 41 is connected, the information of the IC card 41 is read through the connector of the IC card interface 40 and it is determined whether or not the card is presented by an authorized user (Fig. 3 steps S
21, S22, S23).

At this time, when the IC card 41 that does not have the proper identification information is connected to the connector of the IC card interface 40, the correct identification information cannot be read, so it is judged that the user is an unauthorized user and forced. The power-off process (step S23 in FIG. 3, power-off process in process (3)).

Further, the IC card 41 having the proper identification information
Is connected to the connector of the IC card interface 40, it is determined that the user is a valid user, and the flag determination process for determining permission of use is terminated.

That is, the power supply control processor 2 uses the identification information read from the IC card 41 having the identification function as the internal R
By checking with the check information stored in advance in the AM5, it is determined whether the IC card 41 connected to the connector of the IC card interface 40 is a card presented by a valid user, and the IC card 41 is authorized. If it is a card presented by the user, the process proceeds to the subsequent processing as it is. However, if it is determined that the card is not presented by a valid user, a specific signal is detected from the power cord (L) led to the outside. The power-off process is forcibly executed and the system power is forcibly shut off, as in the case of using the device outside the specified area.

In the processing control at this time, under the control of the power supply control processor 2, a power supply cutoff command is sent to the switch circuit 33 in the power supply circuit 3 via the internal bus 9 and the I / O driver 8 and the same. By forcibly shutting off the output power of the DC-DC converter 34 in accordance with the command, the power supply for operation to each component in the system is cut off, and the system cannot operate.

Further, when it is recognized that the device is used in a specific area by detecting a specific signal on the power cord (L) led to the outside or from the identification information read from the IC card 41, a valid user When it is recognized that the output power of the battery unit 31 or the power supply adapter 29 is switched to the DC-DC converter via the switch circuit 33 in accordance with the ON operation of the power switch 6, the power-off process is not executed. The power supply for system operation is generated from the DC-DC converter 34 and supplied to each component.

As described above, when it is recognized that the device is used in the specific area by detecting the specific signal on the power cord (L) led to the outside or from the identification information read from the IC card 41, it is valid. Only when the user is recognized, the system can operate normally, and the system operation by an unauthorized third party can be disabled to prevent the system body from being stolen or stolen.

In the above embodiment, the antitheft mechanism is realized by using the power supply control processor 2 built in the power supply device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main CPU 1
The configuration realized by the process 1 or the configuration having a control processor dedicated to theft prevention may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, all system power supplies except the backup power supply (VBK) are subject to forced shutoff, but not limited to this, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) 31, a main unit. CPU11
For example, the power supplied to a specific component may be subject to forced shutoff, and the point is that the forced shutoff of power may prevent normal operation, or may only allow processing within a limited range. Any power cutoff control may be used. Further, instead of forcibly shutting off the power supply as described above, a specific function inside the device may be forcibly reset-controlled at the time of recognizing the improper use.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the device can be used in the specific area by detecting the specific signal on the power cord (L) for the purpose of eliminating the improper use outside the specified area. In addition to the function that enables the system to be used only when it is recognized that there is something, when the system recognizes that the user is a valid user from the identification information read from the IC card even outside the specified area, Although the configuration in which the function enabling the use is added is illustrated, the function configuration enabling the system to be used only in the designated area is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, a high frequency signal having a specific signal pattern modulated at a specific frequency is given as an example of the specific signal. However, other than that, for example, an electromagnetic wave having a specific signal pattern is used. Other signals such as an induction signal or a pulse train signal having a specific pattern may be used. Also, the pickup circuit for extracting the above-mentioned specific signal may be appropriately configured by an existing technique according to the specific signal type. Further, the signal line led to the outside on which the above-mentioned specific signal is carried is not limited to the power cord (L), and may be another independent signal line such as a network cable or an RS-232C cable.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when it is recognized that the device is used in the specific area by detecting the specific signal on the power cord (L), or the identification information read from the IC card, the user is authorized. When it recognizes that there is something, it enables the system to be used, but it recognizes that the device is being used in the designated area by detecting a specific signal on the signal line that is led to the outside, and it is also read from the IC card. It is also possible to easily realize a function that enables use of the system for the first time when the user is recognized from the information as a valid user.

Further, in the above embodiment, an IC card having specific identification information is used as the ID card, but the ID card is not limited to this, and a card provided with a magnetic stripe, emboss, etc. may be used. Good.

Further, the system configuration of the device which is the object of theft prevention, the arrangement of each component of the antitheft mechanism, etc. are not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention can be applied to a system of various configurations. Is.

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, in a portable computer that is easy to carry, means for detecting a specific signal on a predetermined signal line that is led to the outside of the device,
When the above-mentioned specific signal is normally detected by the same means, the device is provided with a means for setting the device in a usable state, thereby eliminating the improper use outside the designated area, and the computer main body. It is possible to prevent theft and plagiarism of software including.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable computer having an anti-theft mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply device shown in FIG. 1 and an anti-theft mechanism connected to the power supply device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation processing flow of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Power supply (intelligent power supply), 2
... power control processor (PC-CPU), 3 ... power circuit, 4 ... internal ROM, 5 ... internal RAM, 6 ... power switch, 7 ... I / O register (parallel I / O), 8 ... I /
O driver, 9 ... internal bus, 10 ... system bus, 11
... Main CPU, 28 ... Power control interface (P
S-IF), 29 ... Power adapter (AC adapter), 3
1A, 31B, 31S ... Built-in battery, 40 ... IC card interface, 41 ... IC card having identification function, 42 ... Specific signal detection holding circuit (DET), 43 ... Pickup circuit, L ... Power cord.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A means for detecting a specific signal on a predetermined signal line derived to the outside of the apparatus, and a means for setting the apparatus to a usable state when the specific signal is normally detected by the means. A portable computer characterized by becoming. 2. A means for detecting a specific signal on a predetermined signal line derived to the outside of the apparatus, a means for setting the apparatus in a usable state when the specific signal is normally detected by the means, and a personal identification A possible card presenting means, a means for reading the contents of the presented card and judging the validity of the system use, and a means for setting the apparatus to the usable state when the justification is judged by the means. A portable computer characterized by being provided.