阅读说明：本技术 具有认证的锁定设备 (Locking device with authentication ) 是由 C·W·苏 C·J·格拉厄姆 于 2019-02-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种示例锁定设备包括与主机计算设备的插座对接的主体。机电锁定机构设置在主体中。机电锁定机构接合插座以将主体固定在插座中。处理器设置在主体中。处理器电连接到机电锁定机构以致动机电锁定机构。处理器接收致动机电锁定机构的请求,并且响应于该请求,对该请求施行认证。处理器响应于成功的认证而致动机电锁定机构。(An example locking device includes a body to interface with a receptacle of a host computing device. An electro-mechanical locking mechanism is disposed in the body. An electro-mechanical locking mechanism engages the socket to secure the body in the socket. The processor is disposed in the body. The processor is electrically connected to the electromechanical locking mechanism to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism. The processor receives a request to actuate the electro-mechanical locking mechanism and, in response to the request, performs authentication on the request. The processor actuates the electro-mechanical locking mechanism in response to a successful authentication.)

1. A locking device, comprising:

a body to interface with a socket of a host computing device;

an electromechanical locking mechanism disposed in the body for engaging the socket to secure the body in the socket; and

a processor disposed in the body, the processor electrically connected to the electromechanical locking mechanism to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism, the processor to receive a request to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism and to perform an authentication on the request in response to the request, wherein the processor is to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism in response to a successful authentication.

2. The locking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical locking mechanism comprises a solenoid for interfacing with the processor to convert an actuation signal from the processor into mechanical actuation of the electromechanical locking mechanism.

3. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical locking mechanism comprises a bolt for engaging a bore of the receptacle to secure the body in the receptacle.

4. The locking device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication interface to wirelessly receive a request, the request initiated at one of an external device and a host computing device.

5. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the body is to interface with a receptacle to receive a request, the request initiated at a host computing device.

6. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the request is initiated at the locking device.

7. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further to receive authentication data, the processor to perform authentication based on the authentication data.

8. The locking device of claim 7, wherein the authentication data comprises: passwords, pins, biometric data, or such combinations.

9. The locking device of claim 7, wherein the authentication data is received from one of an external device and a host computer.

10. The locking device of claim 7, further comprising a security device disposed in the body, the security device for receiving input to generate authentication data for transmission to the processor.

11. The locking device of claim 10, wherein the security device comprises a fingerprint sensor.

12. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the body is to interface with a receptacle to draw power from a host computing device.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of computer readable instructions executable by a processor of a locking device, wherein execution of the instructions is to:

receiving a request to actuate an electromechanical locking mechanism of a locking device, the electromechanical locking mechanism to engage a receptacle of a host computing device to secure the locking device in the receptacle;

in response to the request, performing an actuation on the request; and

in response to successful authentication, the electromechanical locking mechanism is actuated.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein executing the instructions to perform the actuation on the request comprises:

receiving authentication data; and

the authentication data is verified against the authorized data.

15. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, comprising:

a body to interface with a USB receptacle of a host computing device;

an electromechanical locking mechanism disposed in the main body for engaging the USB socket to secure the main body in the USB socket; and

a processor disposed in the body, the processor electrically connected to the electromechanical locking mechanism to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism, the processor to receive a request to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism and to perform an authentication on the request in response to the request, wherein the processor is to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism in response to a successful authentication.

Background

The computing device includes a socket, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, for providing a wired connection to an external device.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example locking device having an authenticated electro-mechanical locking mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example locking device for use in a receptacle of a host computing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another example locking device for use in a receptacle of a host computing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another example locking device for use in a receptacle of a host computing device.

Detailed Description

Computing devices may have sockets, such as USB sockets, which may pose a security risk to the computing device as they provide access to the computing device and may allow incoming and outgoing data transmissions. Computing device receptacles may also be at risk of physical damage by allowing foreign objects to be inserted into the receptacle. The computing device may include a personal computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or other type of computing device, such as an imaging device, an additive manufacturing device, or the like.

To prevent unwanted foreign objects or unauthorized data from being transmitted via the computing device receptacle, the user may physically close the receptacle, such as by applying an adhesive or the like to permanently seal the receptacle. Such a solution may damage the receptacle and render the receptacle unusable for future authorized use. The user may also insert a manual plug to temporarily plug the receptacle. Such plugs are easily removed without authorization, exposing the computing device to physical damage or security breaches via the receptacle.

A locking device includes a body that interfaces with a receptacle or port of a host computing device. The locking device further comprises an electro-mechanical locking mechanism disposed in the body. An electro-mechanical locking mechanism engages the socket to secure the body in the socket. The locking device further includes a processor disposed in the body and electrically connected to the electromechanical locking mechanism to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism. In particular, the processor may receive a request to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism and, in response to the request, perform authentication on the request. The processor may then actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism in response to a successful authentication.

Thus, the locking device performs an authentication procedure to allow only authorized users to remove the locking device from the receptacle. The locking device may thus operate independently of the host computing device or other computing devices. For example, the host computing device may be off, inoperative, or locked. The locking device performs authentication and is therefore not dependent on communication with other computing devices. In addition, self-contained authentication reduces the likelihood of receiving a false authentication signal to actuate the locking mechanism. Additionally, the locking device may include a fingerprint sensor or other self-contained authentication functionality.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example locking device 100. The locking device 100 includes a body 102, an electro-mechanical locking mechanism 104, and a processor 106. The body 102 is to interface with a receptacle of a host computing device. The body 102 may be, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug, and accordingly, may be shaped to interface with a USB receptacle of a host computing device. An electro-mechanical locking mechanism 104 (also referred to as locking mechanism 104) is disposed in the body 102 and is to engage a receptacle of a host computing device to secure the body 102, and thus the locking device 100, in the receptacle. The locking mechanism 104 is depicted in fig. 1 in a position to engage a receptacle of a host computing device. The locking mechanism 104 may be moved in a direction 108 to disengage from the receptacle and be received in the body 102.

The processor 106 is disposed in the body 102. The processor 106 may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microcontroller, microprocessor, processing core, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or similar device capable of executing instructions. The processor 106 may cooperate with the memory to execute instructions. The memory may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. The computer-readable storage medium may include, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and the like. The computer readable storage medium may be encoded with executable computer readable instructions.

The processor 106 is electrically connected to the locking mechanism 104 to actuate the locking mechanism 104 via an electrical signal. Specifically, the processor 106 receives a request to actuate the locking mechanism 104. The request may be to unlock the locking mechanism 104 (i.e., disengage the receptacle of the host computing device), or to lock the locking mechanism 104 (i.e., engage the receptacle of the host computing device). In response to the request, the processor 106 performs authentication on the request. In response to a successful authentication, the processor 106 actuates the locking mechanism 104 upon request.

Fig. 2 depicts an example locking device 200 in a receptacle 212 of a host computing device 210. The locking device 200 includes a body 202 to interface with a receptacle 212 to form a receptacle interface 214. In particular, the body 202 and the receptacle 212 may include respective conductors that make electrical contact to form the receptacle interface 214. The locking device 200 further includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism 104 disposed in the body to engage a receptacle 212 of the host computing device 210 to secure the body 102 in the receptacle 212. The locking device 200 further includes a processor 106 disposed in the body, and the processor 106 is electrically connected to the locking mechanism 104 to actuate the locking mechanism 104. For example, the locking device 200 may include a solenoid 206 to interface with the processor 106 and the locking mechanism 104 to translate an actuation signal from the processor 106 into a mechanical actuation of the locking mechanism 104. Locking device 200 further includes a memory 208 interconnected with processor 106. The memory 208 may store instructions executable by the processor 106 to perform the functions described herein.

The receptacle 212 and the locking mechanism 104 are shaped to allow the locking mechanism 104 to engage the receptacle 212 to secure the body 102 in the receptacle 212. For example, the locking mechanism 104 may include a bolt 204 and the receptacle 212 may include a corresponding hole 216 to receive the bolt 204 of the locking device 200. For example, the locking mechanism 104 may be provided in the body to engage a pre-existing aperture based on a standard receptacle configuration.

In some examples, the receptacle interface 214 may allow communication between the locking device 200 and the host computing device 210. That is, the locking device 200 and the host computing device 210 may communicate directly via the receptacle interface 214. Accordingly, the socket 212 may be connected to the processor 218 of the host computing device 210. For example, the host computing device may initiate a request to actuate the locking mechanism 104. For example, the request may be to unlock the locking mechanism 104 to allow the locking device 100 to be removed from the receptacle 212. The request may be received at the processor 106 from the host computing device 210 via the socket interface 214.

In response to the request, the processor 106 performs authentication on the request. In some examples, the processor 106 may receive authentication data to perform authentication on the request. The authentication data may be received as part of the request, for example, concurrently with the request, or the processor 106 may request the authentication data. For example, the processor 106 may communicate with the host computing device 210 via a socket interface to request authentication data from the host computing device 210.

The authentication data may be, for example, a password received at the host computing device 210, a pin (personal identification number), biometric data, a combination of such, and the like. The processor 106 may perform authentication, for example, by verifying the received authentication data against authorized data stored in the locking device 200. In other examples, the processor 106 may receive authentication data from a different device, as described further below. In response to successful authentication, the processor 106 actuates the electro-mechanical locking mechanism 104, for example, via the solenoid 216. In response to an unsuccessful authentication, the processor 106 does not actuate the locking mechanism 104. In some examples, the processor 106 may transmit a notification to the requesting device (e.g., the host computing device 210) indicating that the authentication was unsuccessful.

In some examples, the receptacle interface 214 may further allow the locking device 200 to draw power from the host computing device 210. In particular, the locking device 200 may draw power to support the processor 106 and the electromechanical locking mechanism 104.

Fig. 3 depicts an example locking device 300 in a receptacle 312 of a host computing device 310. The locking device 300 includes a body 102 to interface with a receptacle 312 to form a receptacle interface 314. The locking device 300 further includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism 104 disposed in the body 102 to engage the receptacle 312 to secure the body 102 in the receptacle 312. The locking device 300 further includes a processor 106 disposed in the body 102 and electrically connected to the locking mechanism 104 to actuate the locking mechanism 104.

Locking device 300 further includes a wireless communication interface 302 interconnected with processor 106. Wireless communication interface 302 includes suitable hardware (e.g., transmitters, receivers, etc.) that allow locking device 300 to wirelessly communicate with external computing devices. For example, the wireless communication interface 302 may allow the locking device 300 to communicate via bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication protocols, and/or the like. For example, locking device 300 may wirelessly receive a request to actuate locking mechanism 104 via wireless communication interface 302. The request may be initiated, for example, at an external computing device 320, such as a mobile phone or tablet. In other examples, the request may originate from the host computing device 310. That is, the host computing device 310 may communicate the request to the communication interface 302 of the locking device 300 via a wireless communication protocol rather than communicating the request via the receptacle interface 314. In some examples, communication via the socket interface 314 between the socket 312 and the body 102 may be disabled.

In some examples, the processor 106 may further receive authentication data via the wireless communication interface 302 to authenticate the request. The authentication data may be received as part of the request at the same time as the request, or the processor 106 may request the authentication data in response to receiving the request. In some examples, the authentication data may be received from the external computing device 320 or from the host computing device 310. The authentication data may be received from the same device that initiated the request, or from a different device. The authentication data may be received via wireless communication or via the socket interface 314.

For example, the host computing device 310 may initiate a request to actuate the locking mechanism 104 and transmit the request via the receptacle interface 314. In response to the request, the processor 106 may request authentication data from the authorized mobile device 320 via the wireless communication interface 302. The processor 106 may then receive authentication data via the wireless communication interface 302. In other examples, the mobile device 320 may initiate a request to actuate the locking mechanism 104 and may transmit the request to the wireless communication interface 302 along with the authentication data.

The locking device 300 further includes a power source 304 that provides power to the locking device 304. The power source 304 may be a battery, an energy harvester, or the like. A power supply 304 may be connected to the processor 106 and the wireless communication interface 302 to provide power thereto. More generally, the power supply 304 provides a self-contained power supply for the locking device 300, thereby enabling the processor 106 to perform authentication operations independent of the power state of the host computing device 310. For example, the host computing device 310 may be in an off state, a sleep state, a hibernate state, or other low power state. The locking device 300 may thus receive power from the power source 304 to perform authentication operations rather than from the host computing device 310 via the receptacle interface 314.

Fig. 4 depicts an example locking device 400 in a receptacle 412 of a host computing device 410. The locking device 400 includes a body 102 to interface with a receptacle 412 to form a receptacle interface 414. The locking device 400 further includes an electro-mechanical locking mechanism 104 disposed in the body 102 to engage the receptacle 412 to secure the body 102 in the receptacle 412. The locking device 400 further includes a processor 106 disposed in the body 102 and electrically connected to the locking mechanism 104 to actuate the locking mechanism 104. The locking device 400 further includes a power source 404 coupled to the processor 106 to provide power to the processor 106.

The locking device 400 further comprises a security device 402 disposed in the body. The security device 402 receives input, for example, from a user, and generates authentication data for transmission to the processor 106. For example, the security device 402 includes a keypad, a fingerprint sensor, a camera, another type of biometric sensor, and the like. The security device may generate authentication data, such as a combination code entered into a keypad, biometric data representing a pattern of biometric features (e.g., iris, fingerprint, etc.) detected by the security device 402, and so forth.

For example, the request to actuate the locking mechanism 104 may originate at the security device 402 and be received directly at the processor 106. In some examples, the processor 106 may further receive authentication data generated at the security device 402 to perform authentication on the request. The authentication data may be received simultaneously with or as part of the request. In some examples, the authentication data and the request may be received from different devices or from the same device. In some examples, the authentication data and request may also be received via wireless communication or via the receptacle interface 414.

For example, the host computing device 410 may initiate a request to actuate the locking mechanism 104 and transmit the request via the receptacle interface 414. In response to the request, the processor 106 may request authentication data from the security device 402. For example, the processor 106 may enable receiving an input at the security device 402 (e.g., the processor 106 may turn on a fingerprint sensor to allow the fingerprint sensor to detect fingerprint data). The processor 106 may then receive the authentication data via a direct connection to the security device 402. In other examples, a user may enter data into security device 402 (e.g., by scanning a fingerprint). In response to the input, the security device 402 may generate authentication data and may transmit a request to actuate the locking mechanism 104 to the processor 106 along with the authentication data.

It should be apparent from the above that a locking device having a body that interfaces with a receptacle of a host computing device may include an electromechanical locking mechanism that engages the receptacle and a processor electrically connected to the electromechanical locking mechanism. The processor may receive a request to actuate the electro-mechanical locking mechanism and, in response to the request, perform authentication of the request. The processor is to actuate the electro-mechanical locking mechanism in response to a successful authentication. In particular, the locking device may be a USB locking device, wherein the body is to interface with a USB receptacle of a host device (such as a computing device). The locking device may include a solenoid to allow the processor to directly actuate the locking mechanism. Additionally, the processor of the locking device performs authentication, thereby allowing the receptacle to be locked independent of the power state or function of the host computing device. For example, the host computing device may be shut down, inoperative, inaccessible to an operator who locks the port, and the like. For example, a computer technician may lock a port of a computing device without requiring the technician to access the computer. Additionally, the host computing device may be in an off state, a sleep state, a hibernation state, or another low-power state. In addition, the authentication capabilities of the processor allow the locking device to include a security device, such as a fingerprint sensor, to allow for self-contained authentication functionality. Thus, the locking device does not rely on communication to or from the host computing device, server, or other computing device, and the likelihood of receiving a false authentication signal from the host computing device or other computing device to actuate the locking mechanism is reduced.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the above examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.