Data security method and device for computer modules

Abstract

A security method for an attached computer module in a computer system. The security method reads a security identification number in an attached computer module and compares it to a security identification number in a console, which houses the attached computer module. Based upon a relationship between these numbers, a security status is selected. The security status determines the security level of operating the computer system.

Description

FIG. 9 depicts a peripheral console configuration.

temper

The reserved data packet types can be used to support non-PCI bus transactions, e.g., USB transactions. The bits sent in the first nibble of each data packet indicate the type of the data packet. FIG. 24 is a table showing different types of first nibbles and their corresponding data packet types.

Although the functionality above has been generally described in terms of a specific sequence of steps, other steps can also be used. Here, the steps can be implemented in a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Either of these can be further combined or even separated. Depending upon the embodiment, the functionality can be implemented in a number of different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

While the above is a full description of the specific embodiments, various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A security protection method for a computer module, said method comprising:

inserting the computer module into a console;

initiating a security program in said module to read a security identification of said console and to read a security identification of said computer module;

determining of a predetermined security status based upon a relationship of said console identification and said computer module identification;

selecting said predetermined security status; and

operating said computer module based upon said security status.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined security status disables a network access to the computer module.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined security status disables a secondary storage of information from said computer module to substantially prevent information to be transferred from a memory of the computer module to said secondary storage.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said security program is provided in a system BIOS.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of initiating reads said security identification of said computer module from a flash memory device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of initiating reads said security identification of said console from a flash memory device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said console is selected from a desktop home computing device, an office desktop computing device, a mobile computing device, a television sot-top computing device, and a co-worker's computing device.

8. A system for secured information transactions, the system comprising:

a console comprising a peripheral controller housed in the console;

a user identification input device coupled to the peripheral controller, the user identification input device being provided for user identification data; and

an attached computer module coupled to the console, the attached computer module comprising a security memory device stored with the user identification data.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the user identification input device is a finger print reader.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the user identification input device is a voice processing device.

11. A method for operating a module computer into one of a plurality of network systems, the method comprising:

providing a computer module, the module comprising a connection program;

inserting the computer module into a computer console, the computer console having access to a network;

receiving connection information from the computer console;

configuring the connection program to adapt to the connection information; and

establish a connection between the computer module and a server coupled to the network.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the connection information comprises a connection protocol for providing the connection.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the connection protocol is selected from TCP/IP, or mobile IP.

14. A computer, comprising:

a central processing unit directly connected to a first low voltage differential signal (lvds) channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data in opposite directions;

a main memory directly connected to the central processing unit;

a connector to couple to an external cable; and

a second lvds channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit data in opposite directions, wherein the second lvds channel couples to the connector.

15. The computer of claim 14, wherein the second lvds channel conveys Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data through the connector.

16. The computer of claim 14 further comprising a graphics controller integrated with the central processing unit in a single chip, and directly connected to a third differential signal channel to convey digital video display information.

17. The computer of claim 16 wherein the third differential signal channel conveys Transition Minimized differential Signaling (TDMS) information.

18. A computer, comprising:

an integrated central processing unit and graphics controller in a single chip directly connected to a first differential signal channel to convey digital video display information;

a second low voltage differential signal (lvds) channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit data in opposite directions; and

a connector to couple to a console;

wherein the second lvds channel transmits Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data through the connector upon coupling to the console.

19. The computer of claim 18 wherein the first differential signal channel conveys Transition Minimized differential Signaling (TDMS) information.

20. The computer of claim 18 further comprising a third lvds channel directly connected to the integrated central processing unit and graphics controller comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data in opposite directions.

21. The computer of claim 20 wherein the third lvds channel couples to the connector.

22. A computer, comprising:

an integrated central processing unit and graphics controller in a single chip directly connected to a first low voltage differential signal (lvds) channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data in opposite directions;

a second lvds channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit data in opposite directions; and

a connector to couple to a cable;

wherein the second lvds channel couples to the cable through the connector.

23. The computer of claim 22, wherein the second lvds channel conveys Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data through the connector.

24. The computer of claim 22, wherein the first lvds channel couples to the second lvds channel.

25. The computer of claim 22 further comprising a third differential signal channel to convey digital video display information with Transition Minimized differential Signaling (TDMS).

26. A computer, comprising:

an integrated central processing unit and graphics controller in a single chip directly connected to a first low voltage differential signal (lvds) channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data in opposite directions;

a main memory directly connected to the central processing unit;

a connector to couple to an external cable; and

a second differential signal channel coupled to the connector to convey digital video information.

27. The computer of claim 26 wherein the second differential signal channel conveys Transition Minimized differential Signaling (TDMS) information.

28. The computer of claim 26 wherein the second differential signal channel directly connects to the integrated central processing unit and graphics controller.

29. A computer, comprising:

an integrated central processing unit and graphics controller in a single chip directly connected to a first low voltage differential signal (lvds) channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit an encoded serial bit stream of address and data bits of a peripheral component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction in opposite directions;

a second lvds channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit data in opposite directions; and

a connector to couple to a cable.

30. The computer of claim 29 wherein the second lvds channel transmits Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data through the connector.

31. The computer of claim 29 wherein the second lvds channel transmits an encoded serial bit stream of address and data bits of a peripheral component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction through the connector.

32. The computer of claim 29 further comprising a third differential signal channel to convey digital video display information with Transition Minimized differential Signaling (TDMS).

33. A computer, comprising:

an integrated central processing unit and graphics controller in a single chip directly connected to a first differential signal channel to convey digital video display information, and directly connected to a second low voltage differential signal (lvds) channel comprising two unidirectional, differential signal pairs to transmit Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data in opposite directions; and

a connector to couple to a cable;

wherein the second lvds channel couples to the connector.

34. The computer of claim 33 wherein the first differential signal channel conveys Transition Minimized differential Signaling (TDMS) information.

35. The computer of claim 33 wherein the connector couples to a power supply through the cable, and the power supply supplies power to the computer upon coupling.

36. The computer of claim 33 wherein the connector couples to a console through the cable, and the second lvds channel transmits Universal serial Bus (USB) Protocol data to the console.