Information handling system secure keyboard with collapsible keys at a numberpad area
An information handling system keyboard has plural security information validations to enable and disable communication by the keyboard with an information handling system. A touch detection surface coupled under the keyboard number pad is enabled when an authorized security card inserts into a security card reader so that a security pattern traced over the touch detection surface and detected by proximity sensing is applied to authorize keyboard use. In one example embodiment, the security pattern enables a fingerprint reader that fully authorizes keyboard interactions with an information handling system.
1 . An information handling system comprising:
a housing;
a processor coupled in the housing and operable to execute instructions to process information;
a memory coupled in the housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the instructions and information;
a keyboard selectively interfaced with the processor by a controller based upon security information input at the keyboard, the keyboard having plural keys each key accepting an end user press as an input and a touch detection surface disposed under at least some of the plural keys, the controller restricting communication of key inputs to the processor unless a security pattern input is detected by proximity sensing of the touch detection surface;
a security card reader interfaced with the controller and operable to read security card information from a security card;
a motor interfaced with the security card reader and the controller, wherein the controller retracts the at least some of the plural keys over the touch detection surface to a retracted position when an authorized security card is inserted into the security card reader; and
a fingerprint reader interfaced with the controller, wherein the controller activates the fingerprint reader when the security pattern is detected by the touch detection surface; and wherein the controller enables inputs from the at least some of the plural keys to the processor when the fingerprint reader detects an authorized fingerprint.
2 . The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein the controller disables the touch detection surface unless the authorized security card is inserted in the security card reader.
3 . The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein: the at least some of the plural keys comprise number pad keys; and the controller extends the number pad keys when the security pattern is detected.
4 . The information handling system of claim 3 , wherein the at least some of the plural keys have a metal powder coating to enhance proximity sensing of the security pattern by the touch detection surface.
5 . The information handling system of claim 3 , further comprising: a magnet coupled in each number pad key; and a magnet tray coupled to the motor and having plural magnets that align with the number pad keys to retract the number pad keys and misalign with the number pad keys to extend the number pad keys.
6 . The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein the touch detection surface extends under all of the plural keys.
7 . The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein the keyboard is a peripheral keyboard having a frame separate from the housing.
8 . A method for securing a keyboard interface with an information handling system, the method comprising:
tracing a security pattern above predetermined of plural keyboard keys of a keyboard;
detecting an authorized security card inserted in a security card reader of the keyboard; and
in response to the detecting of the authorized security card, transitioning a touch detection surface from a disabled status to an enabled status to allow detection of the security pattern;
detecting the security pattern with proximity sensing by the touch detection surface disposed below the predetermined of plural keyboard keys; and
enabling, based at least in part to the security pattern being detected, a fingerprint reader of the keyboard to detect an authorized fingerprint; and
in response to detecting the authorized fingerprint, enabling the keyboard interface with the information handling system and allowing communication of inputs from at least some of the predetermined of plural keyboard keys to the information handling system.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: retracting the predetermined of plural keyboard keys in response to the detecting the authorized security card; and extending the predetermined of plural keyboard keys when the security pattern is detected.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined of plural keyboard keys are number pad keys 1-9.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising: coating the predetermined of plural keyboard keys with metallic powder to enhance the proximity sensing of the security pattern by the touch detection surface.
12 . A keyboard comprising:
plural keys each key accepting an end user press as an input;
a touch detection surface placed under at least some of the plural keys;
a processing resource interfaced with the plural keys and the touch detection surface;
a security card reader interfaced with the processing resource and operable to read security card information from a security card;
a fingerprint reader interfaced with the processing resource; and
a non-transitory memory storing instructions that when executed on the processing resource causes:
selective interfacing and restricting of an information handling system access with key inputs based upon security information;
detection of an authorized security card inserted in the security card reader;
transitioning of the touch detection surface from a disabled status to an enabled status to allow detection of security pattern, in response to the detection of the authorized security card;
detection of the security pattern input by proximity sensing of the touch detection surface;
selective retracting of the at least some of the plural keys when the security pattern is the security information;
activation of the fingerprint reader, based at least in part on the security pattern being detected, to detect an authorized fingerprint; and
instructions to enable inputs from the at least some of the plural keys to the information handling system when the fingerprint reader detects the authorized fingerprint.
13 . The keyboard of claim 12 , further comprising: instructions to disable the touch detection surface unless the authorized security card is inserted in the security card reader.
14 . The keyboard of claim 13 , wherein: the at least some of the plural keys comprise number pad keys 1-9; and instructions to extend the number pad keys 1-9 when the security pattern is detected.
15 . The keyboard of claim 13 , further comprising: a motor interfaced with the processing resource; a magnet coupled in each number pad key; a magnet tray coupled to the motor and having plural magnets that align with the number pad keys 1-9 to retract the number pad keys 1-9 and misalign with the number pad keys 1-9 to extend the number pad keys 1-9; and instructions to command the motor to retract and extend the magnet tray.
16 . The keyboard of claim 12 , wherein the at least some of the plural keys have a metal powder coating to enhance the proximity sensing of the security pattern by the touch detection surface.